How bad is vibration?

[AndyHe_imp]

So I've been a lurker here for a long time and I'm looking for a motorcycle but I'm willing to wait.
When the CB1100 came out in 2012 I said "wow, it would be perfect if it only had ABS, a sixth gear, and a gear speed indicator".
Well along comes the deluxe of course but I've got one concern: I keep seeing complaints both in reviews and in this forum about excessive vibration at somewhere around 3.5K RPM. That would be *really* annoying to me. I attribute it (without a clue as to what I'm talking about) to the fact that Honda purposely modified the timing on the cam shaft so that the timing on the engine isn't quite balanced to give it a better sound (do I have that right? and if so.. really!?) but perhaps I'm mistaken. I saw a post somewhere that said for 2014 Honda modify the cam shaft to make it slightly smoother but it's not clear at this point how much of an issue is still is as I still see people complaining.

I went by a bunch of dealerships today to check out a bunch of motorcycles. The new Interceptor is kind of nice but I find the seating too forward for my tastes as I grew up riding CB400/CB650 etc. And I find all the Kawasakis, Suzukis, Yamahas, and modern standard/street-fighter bikes do not at all look like a motorcycle should. The only one that really made me go "wow!" was of course the CB1100 (they only had a 2013 in stock and that isn't in the running for me).

Dealers around here are rather hesitant to let me test drive a brand new bike and I haven't found any deluxe demos in the area. At this point I'm willing to wait for the 2015 model (any announcements coming in the next couple of months) to see if they tweaked the bike at all.

My question : How much of a problem/issue is vibration on the 2014 CB1100? What is your experience?

[Houtman_imp]

I have no vibration on my 2013 or 2014

[the Ferret]

My experience..not an issue.

[metallyguitarded_imp]

I did experience some vibration through the bars that after a couple of hours made my hands tingly and numb for hours afterwards. Hadn't experienced anything like it on the five other bikes I've owned. I replaced the grips with some inexpensive Pro Grips (#699) and yesterday gave them a true test - 5.5 hours on the bike and ... drum roll, please ... my hands were fine! Problem solved. So, only an issue with the stock grips for me at 2+ hours and then completely gone after an easy fix. I certainly wouldn't let that concern turn you away from this bike which truly is amazing. Good luck to you.

[kevbroce_imp]

I have a 2013, but I believe you're over thinking it. The mechanic at dealer mentioned how smooth it was when I had it in for the 1st valve check. He's ridden quite a few bikes... I've done some long days (LA to Northern Ca, 400-500 miles), droning on the freeway at 80 for hours my right hand has gotten a little numb when I use a crampbuster, but not enough that I take it off.

[AndyHe_imp]

I have a 2013, but I believe you're over thinking it. The mechanic at dealer mentioned how smooth it was when I had it in for the 1st valve check. He's ridden quite a few bikes... I've done some long days (LA to Northern Ca, 400-500 miles), droning on the freeway at 80 for hours my right hand has gotten a little numb when I use a crampbuster, but not enough that I take it off.

Oh the joys of I-5... I've done that trip several times on a Hawk 400. One particular one was memorable as it was a long slog up I5 in the wind and rain at night. Not too many fond memories of that one but I was young.

Yeah, I might be overthinking it. I'm glad to hear that a) it's not everyone and b) for some that have issues a simple fix resolved it.

I may still wait for the 2015s to be announced just to see what if anything they tweak (and also for the 2014s to drop in price a bit more).

Thanks for the feedback guys.

[ClassicVW_imp]

No vibration problems on my 2013 either.

[redbirds_imp]

Not as smooth as a Gold Wing but smooth enough for long days in the saddle with no complaint.

[LiveToRide_imp]

I felt a little buzz at the grips so I got the pro grip 719 grips - problem solved.

[Short Timer_imp]

I felt a little buzz at the grips so I got the pro grip 719 grips - problem solved.

That describes it well - just a buzz that would leave my hands tingly after a long stretch at high speeds. Nothing that ever resembles a vibration - this motor is smoooth.

I just added some foam slip on grips which solved it for me.