2014 DLX vs. 2017 EX

[Bighonda14_imp]

I recently sold a DLX which I really enjoyed, and considering getting back in the game with a EX. For those of you who have owned or ridden both:

Are official stats available on the seat to pegs distance on each bike? My knees felt a little cramped on the DLX, and the seat looks even thinner on the EX so wondering if it will be even tighter. Prefer to keep seat and pegs stock.

Is the adjustable suspension in the newer bike a noticeable upgrade?

Do the stock mirrors on each bike give about the same view? I found the DLX mirrors pretty limited compared to my triumph tiger 800.

Any other notable differences in ride or handling?

Thanks! Dennis

 

[alprider]

the suspension from the 17 is much more better/stronger ...the saddle self is too somehow harder but the seatposition i would say is the same......
the slip clutch is a fine thing

 

[Nortoon_imp]

I kept my Moto Werk mirror extenders when I traded in my CB500XA. They fit perfectly on my 2017 CB1100 EX and allow me to see beyond my elbows.

Another thing you might like is the sound of the new mufflers on the EX. It sounds like a real 1970s CB motorcycle, but is not obnoxiously loud.

 

[VLJ_imp]

The mirror stalks appear to be longer on the '17 EX, so the EX might offer a less obstructed rear view than the DLX. The seating positions/leg room are the same. The rider portion of both seats appears to be identical, although the rear of the EX's seat is beveled, compared to the DLX's more vertical design. The EX's seat is flatter, front to back. The passenger portion of the DLX's seat looks to be a bit thicker than the EX's, giving it a slightly higher rise.

Besides the much-improved suspension, slipper clutch, spoked wheels, two-tone engine treatment, LED lighting front and back, seamless contoured tank, and all the extra chrome and aluminum everywhere, the other main difference between the two models is the EX makes a few more hp than the DLX and sounds a whole lot deeper and throatier, due to the shorter, lighter exhaust system. The EX sounds and feels much meaner than the DLX, with the EX offering a significantly more textured, crunchier motor pulse that can be felt throughout the entire bike every time you blip the throttle. It's a very cool, immediately noticeable difference.

Overall, however, the three main differences are the EX's vastly superior suspension and handling, the seamless tank design, and the spoked wheels with all the additional chrome, aluminum, and stainless steel bits. The EX has a more premium finish, and a much plusher ride quality. The EX also displays a penchant for the front brakes to squeal when coming to a slow, gradual stop, which is an issue that doesn't seem to afflict the DLX. Lastly, the DLX runs tubeless tires, while the the EX's spoked rims require inner tubes, which kinda sucks. Honda should have gone the BMW route with tubeless spoked rims, but they decided to stick with the pure retro theme, and CBs from the '60s and '70s with spoked wheels obviously didn't have tubeless rims.

 

[hb9400_imp]

I'm just glad they didn't decide to bring in the RS or there would be a strong tug for a #4 CB1100.

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[Houtman_imp]

Mirrors , seats and foot pegs can easily be changed on any of the CB 1100's , make them comfortable for YOU !

 

[Bighonda14_imp]

All helpful responses. Thank you!

Any comments on a fair price for a used EX with very few miles and in excellent condition?

Have spotted a few with 2,000 or less miles in the $9,000-9,500 range.

 

[apex1_imp]

I have a 2017 EX and like it a lot. One note on your original post—the only thing adjustable on the 2017 suspension is spring preload front and rear. No compression or rebound adjustability.

 

[Bighonda14_imp]

Motorcycle Consumer News had a thorough review of the 2017 CB1100EX last year. In their review of the bike they say there is tons of vibration about 65 mph. Said it was so significant it gave the tester a headache. Is that the experience others have had? With my 2014 DLX the bike was silky smooth as fast as I ever got it. Zero vibrations.

Thanks for the insights and comments from owners or other who have ridden the 2017 EX.

 

[apex1_imp]

I have a lot of respect for MCN, but I don't know what they are talking about.
While vibrations do increase a bit above 6000 to 6500 rpms, you are looking at speeds far above 65 mph. And even there, it is surprisingly smooth for an in-line 4. At any legal speed, it is very smooth. A headache at 65 mph? Not on my EX. Not even close. But you should definitely test ride a bike before dropping almost $10k on one.

 

[SportsterDoc]

Smooth up to 110 MPH!
I had right hand tingle on several recent bikes, but not on the CB...even on 460 mile days.
Not particularly comfortable, even with Dart Msrlin flyscreen, at sustained speeds over ~90 MPH...but that is from wind, not vibration.

 

[LongRanger_imp]

Motorcycle Consumer News... Is Hilgendork still the editor? If so, they no longer conduct objective, comprehensive motorcycle tests like they did when Dave Searle was running things. I'd take their opinions with a grain of salt. The CB is a very smooth bike at highway speed!

 

[Bighonda14_imp]

Many thanks to Apex, SportsterDoc, and LongRanger for helpful comments on smoothness of the CB, and to LR for your comments on MCN. Yes, Hilgendorf is still the editor. Their review of the 2017 CB was in the April 2018 issue, under his tutelage. I know from personal experience how silky smooth my 2014 DLX was, and I can see that 2 of you also own 2014's. Have you had a chance to ride the 2017 to get a sense of any different performance characteristics? One of the first responders to my post described those changes in pretty strong terms.

Regarding price . . . KBB lists a 2017 CB1100 in excellent condition at a dealer as worth about $9,300. Does that sound about right? Any sense of what others have paid for a used one, or are most of the present owners those who have bought them new? I know 2 of my local dealers here in NJ have new ones. Will find out how much they are discounting them . . .

 

[VLJ_imp]

Motorcycle Consumer News had a thorough review of the 2017 CB1100EX last year. In their review of the bike they say there is tons of vibration about 65 mph. Said it was so significant it gave the tester a headache. Is that the experience others have had? With my 2014 DLX the bike was silky smooth as fast as I ever got it. Zero vibrations.

Thanks for the insights and comments from owners or other who have ridden the 2017 EX.

I'm about as anal as it gets when it comes to motor vibration on the highway, and the '17 EX is the second smoothest I4 I've ever ridden, behind only the CBR1100XX Blackbird. It's equally smooth as the '14 DLX, and you know how smooth those are. My EX (and the '14 DLX) gets a bit vibey between 3,500-4900 rpm, but those are not the rpm you're running while droning on the highway, and even when you do find yourself in that 1,500 rpm window the vibration isn't bad at all. Rather, you just notice it a little because the thing is so dead-nuts smooth below 3,500 rpm, and from 5K to redline.

100%, don't sweat the vibration question. The bike is hilariously smooth, even with the slight bit of lumpy "character" the Honda engineers intentionally added by altering the cam timing. I often do 500-mile days on the EX, including heavy doses of freeway droning, with zero vibration issues. Additionally, I do so without the supposed benefit of a windscreen. My bike is bone stock, and I'm perfectly comfortable at freeway speeds. Due to the lack of a windshield the windflow is not only nice and smooth, it's also very quiet. Between the smooth motor and the turbulence-free windflow, the EX makes for a wonderfully serene freeway slogger.

 

[alprider]

if i want go for extra soft lazy sunday afternoon ride i take my 14 EX (DLX) and if i want more "somehow" sporty or with passenger so i take the 17 EX....just bcos the real other suspensions and slip clutch.....

vibrations ? with my drivestyle , what ? wehere?......99.9999 % i am still between 2-3000 rmp ....speedlimit outside villages 80km/h and for something i have a 6 speed...and for rolling in town is the 6th also enough....

and if i am in our hills for some sporty fun cornering so i am realy concentratet of the curves and never of any vibrations....

 

[Nortoon_imp]

The one thing I did not like about either of my CBs was the small diameter hard as a rock handle grips. My hands would cramp up within an hour. But slipping foam Grip Puppies over them fixed that problem. They may also eliminate any buzz in the bars.

I am 6'2" tall and prefer a straight up riding position. I found the EX handlebars pulled me forward somewhat. I believe the fork yoke is different on the EX than earlier CBs. I installed GenMar pull back risers and found my riding position better.

 

[LongRanger_imp]

Many thanks to Apex, SportsterDoc, and LongRanger for helpful comments on smoothness of the CB, and to LR for your comments on MCN. Yes, Hilgendorf is still the editor. Their review of the 2017 CB was in the April 2018 issue, under his tutelage. I know from personal experience how silky smooth my 2014 DLX was, and I can see that 2 of you also own 2014's. Have you had a chance to ride the 2017 to get a sense of any different performance characteristics? One of the first responders to my post described those changes in pretty strong terms.

Regarding price . . . KBB lists a 2017 CB1100 in excellent condition at a dealer as worth about $9,300. Does that sound about right? Any sense of what others have paid for a used one, or are most of the present owners those who have bought them new? I know 2 of my local dealers here in NJ have new ones. Will find out how much they are discounting them . . .

I've not ridden a '17 EX.

 

[Capo]

One of the primary reasons I sold my CB was the, to me, very annoying high frequency buzz from 3000- 4500 RPMs. As in, my man bits and hands being made quite uncomfortable. I felt similar discomfort on a Z1000 Ninja, at higher rpms. Smoothness of an I-4 is fine, but if you’re susceptible to the I-4 kind of buzzing, and don’t like to short shift at 2500 RPM’s, the CB can be less than optimal. Peruse the XR1000 BMW forums if you want to see debates over a similar topic.

But the bottom line is, there is no debate. It bothers you, or it doesn’t. Every rider has different thresholds. I have zero issues with L2’s or Triples. Of the dozen bikes I have/ had in my scuderia, or the 20+ I’ve ridden on the past few years, including every engine config save for a boxer, the CB’s high frequency buzz was the most bothersome. So, be sure you ride one, across all rpm’s, before taking the plunge.


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[the Ferret]

I'm bothered V twin vibes, but I-4 vibes don' bother me at all, at least in the rpm ranges I ride in. The worst for me besides early 650 Yammies and British P2's from the 60's and 70's is the new Yamaha FZ-07 P2. Ridden one on 3 different occasions and all 3 times the vibes just drive me nuts. Hands, feet, seat man parts. Don't know how anyone rides one. Now my 2003 Triumph Bonneville P2 w/360 motor with balancer was pure silk, but my brothers 2016 Bonneville with 270 motor has a throb that also drives me nuts. Moto Guzzi's "character" vibes drive me crazy too.

 

[GoldOxide_imp]

I had a 2500 to 3500 RPM buzz (annoying) until I wrapped all the wire connectors inside the headlamp from buzzing against the shell. Maybe my bits felt it, but it could have been psychological.