Might need something lighter than my Goldwing

[vito_imp]

As I am getting older, the 900+ pounds of the Goldwing is starting to get to be a bit much. And now that my wife has decided that her passenger riding days are over, I think it is time to start looking for a lighter bike. In my almost 40 years of riding I've become pretty loyal to Honda for the reliability and performance of their bikes, and I'm thinking that maybe the CB1100 EX is the bike I should be looking at.

I'm hoping for some input from folks here to help me with this decision. Back in the 1980's and early 1990's the Honda Nighthawk 750 seemed like the perfect do-anything bike, a true UJM. It appears that the CB100 is the modern version of that. I know that at 540 pounds it is not a lightweight, but compared to the Goldwing I know it would feel like an easy bike to handle.

Some specific thoughts I had include: Is Honda continuing this model or not? Looking at the Honda Powersports website they list the CB1100EX as a 2017, which seems odd now that we are in 2019. Is there aftermarket hard side bags that fit this bike? Without bags, what do you use for carrying some everyday basics like a rainsuit, extra gloves, etc.?

Do many of you use a windscreen, and if so, which one? My experience on other bikes has been that wind is too much of a problem when at highway speed without a windscreen, but I know I don't want something as big as the fairing and screen of my Goldwing.

Thanks for any help anyone can offer.

[Cormanus]

Welcome to the forum, Vito. Our ever-helpful member services staff will be a long shortly with all the advice you can handle. I can’t help much as I’ve neither owned nor ridden a Goldwing, but I’m pretty happy with my CB1100. Other members have plenty of experience with both bikes.

There are 3 2019 models of the CB1100 available in Japan which means they’re still being made. The killer question, I believe, is whether the air-cooled motor can survive the Euro5 emissions regulations. Some around here predict it will be the end of the air-cooled CB1100.

Honda doesn’t make side cases, but there are other options available.

Meanwhile, the search tool on the forum is your friend.

[rboe]

$64K Question. Will Honda keep importing the CB to the US. They seem to be on track to keep making it for other markets (seems to be a shoe in for the their home market). With SamuRider.com supporting us (and WebBike World) parts should be easy to come by (as well as from your favorite US Honda supplier).

Just like back in the day there are plenty of bags and mounts available; e.g. Givi. But you will have to relocate the rear blinkers. Honda kinda blew it there.

For a windscreen things are in better shape there, just not as thick as in the glory days. Slipstreamer and others will give you the classic UJM look. I have one for my bike. but I picked a Chic bikini fairing for the 2013 and prefer it to the big barndoor. I recently aquired a Don Vesco Rabid Transit for the 2013 and it's the bee's knee's but gives me some buffetting I need to address. I also have a 2014 (long story - not planned) and I'm thinking a naked bike is best. But then, I seem to want the opposite of what I'm currently on.

A few folks have picked up a classic Vetter Windjammer and stuffed it on the CB so that option is still available. It will take a bit of sorting to get the mount squared away.

The sidestand on the 2014 is shorter (with a larger foot) than the 2013 so it's harder to push upright than the 2013. On the upside, I find the 2014 sidestand much easier to deploy. I also prefer the 6 speed tranny to the 2013.

I see no reason why this bike, if you do your part, won't last 200K miles. Or more.

Sidebar: You'll be going to a chain drive which seems to put off some folks. But with minimal maintenance the chain can last as long as 20K miles. Once you change the chain and sprockets you have done a complete drive train over haul. Cheaply. Can't say that about shaft drive! A buddy has a dirt bike; never oils the chain. Replaces it around 10K miles; which was the same mileage he got out of well oiled chains. So he rides and forgets about it.
Welcome to our little nook of the 'net!

[redbirds_imp]

Howdy Vito annd welcome.

My wife and I have two 2013 models, I run mine most times, meaning summer, with nothing more than a tank and tail bag. For cold weather I use a small Puig screen. My wife has a Slipstreamer windscreen, Handlebar risers (1" up and 1" back), custom seat and highway pegs. With these mods it is a surprisingly good light touring bike. Honda offers nothing for luggage but there is plenty of after market stuff from S W Motech, Hepco & Becker, GIVI, Tourmaster, etc.

[the Ferret]

Howdy and welcme to the forum.

The CB1100 is a very easy bike to ride. A little heavy pushing it around, but it rides very light and stable. Very torquey with a wide powerband. I rarely rev mine higher than 3500 rpms. Typical Honda reliability and fit and finish. We have one member with over 100k miles, a couple around 60k and several more around 50k. My chain and sprockets went 36,909 miles btw.


Others have already suggested some accessories for you. Personally I use soft luggage, tank bag and tail bag most of the time, and add soft saddlebags when on a trip. All easily added or removed as needed. I use a small shield when on trips and in the fall/winter also easily added or removed.

Good luck with your search.

[GoldOxide_imp]

Hi Vito and welcome aboard the Forum. Eventually you will discover at the Forum that when not elsewhere, you will be here.

Your story is very familiar as I have met others who went through a process downsizing from a Gold Wing, or retiring completely from riding after the Wing.

I personally use the Dart Marlin wind screen. I would use a larger medium-size screen, however, I have found others experience challenging wind buffeting issues. Larger screens can also significantly change the looks of the bike, if that is important.

Unfortunately, storage will change the looks of the bike, if that is important. I prefer to not wear my carry-ons, and I decided that I prefer to avoid side luggage for various tedium and support structure distractions they can bring. I am also lazy swinging that leg over the bags/boxes all the time. So I went with the ugly rear top box. The basic point is I can always hull a passenger who can simply lean back and enjoy the ride, but more importantly for me: I can just throw everything "in the trunk" and walk away (I reckon this was the ultimate with the G.Wing). In addition, if I need to take the trunk, it disconnects in about 1.685 seconds. One more bonus: Without the side luggage I can increase my chances of parking in narrow situations.

BTW: If you liked the '80s Honda Nighthawk 750, you'll love the CB1100.

Have fun, and enjoy your new journey!

[2017EX_imp]

Hello Vito, and welcome. I started riding motorcycles at age 17, and am now 66. Until 2017 I was riding a Harley that I bought in 2007 new. As I got older, plus doing more around town and short hops, the Harley became like wrestling a tank at slower speeds and in town traffic for me. It weighed over 750 pounds. I liked the bike, but like Clint Eastwood said in one of his movies, " Ya know, a mans just gotta know his limitations.

I have probably owned more than a dozen different bikes over the years, all Japanese except the Harley. My all time favorite before my CB1100, was a 1974 CB750 Four that I bought new in '74. The CB1100 is the closest I will ever get my my "74. The minute I stated riding it home from the dealer, it felt familiar. Although not a light bike, I find it very manageable in all types of riding, from slow around town, to cruising on the highway. Best I can tell you is to ride one and see if you like it. As far as the accessories go, there are lots available, can you can get accessory suggestions here all day long. Go for a test ride on one, and see if you like it.

[LongRanger_imp]

Welcome Vito! This is all very good feedback. The only thing I'd add is the ergonomics don't work for everyone, but it's easily rectified in the aftermarket. I think you'll find the usual individual objections to legroom, reach to the bars, seat discomfort, engine vibes, etc. I personally have no complaints with any of this but everyone's different. The only issue I experience is tire selection. It's possible to install non-OEM sized tires, but there's not much selection available if you want to stay with the OE 140/70R-18 rear fitment.

[dbarkdoll_imp]

Biggest advice which has already been mentioned, just go test ride one if at all possible. It’ll answer most if not all questions.

And a word about windscreens: you might like riding at 60 mph and below without one. Again, the test ride will address that.

Welcome to the forum, and good luck. Two words though, get one!! You’ll very likely love it. Excellent motorcycle indeed.

[rotor]

How light is light enough?
Hi Vito,

My riding is 60/40 in-town vs. long-distance-touring by saddle-time, and the opposite (40/60) by mileage. I have a lighter (water cooled I4, 600cc Honda) bike for aroud-town and some day-excursion rides. In current Honda's programme, CB600F would be my choice for this. (Actually, IMHO, an almost ideal choice).

I did two "continental tours" on CB1100 so far. I am in the (minority?) of riders here (judging by a prevoius thread on the subject on the forum) in having no use for wind-screens. If small enough to be no problem in cross-winds (or steady strong winds in winding roads) they offer no protection worth mentioning, and possibly just deflecting the air-stream so that your torso is protected but the head gets twice the blast.

On both long-distance trips I had a small tank-bag and a 35-liter rain-proof duffle bag strapped on the seat/rear carrier behind me. While more than enough for me (solo!) by the volume, there is a distinct disadvantage in that arrangement that the bag must be un-strapped if there is a need to change attire during the ride. I am therefore still actively looking for hard panniers, with about 20-liter capacity per side, that can be fited on the 2016 CB1100 with original Honda's rear-carrier in place. (Any suggestions, my fellow CB1100 tourers?)

I find CB1100 handling, stabilty and riding position very close to perfect, and the total mass just about right for me (I am past the last both-limits identified age group in the rider's age survey on this forum .

In conclusion, I do like this bike for long-distance touring. Speculations about European Union future emmision controls on the fate of this model I find unconvincing: my predistion is that this bike will out-live European Union itself.