Hello, goodbye bikes

[Insolentsquid_imp]

Looking through dealer ads for an used CB1100, I can find three fairly close to me, all 2013 reg., one previous owner, not demonstrators, mileages are 800, 600, and 250 miles.

Any idea why owners might be getting rid of their bikes so soon, with so few miles?

 

[the Ferret]

No idea. They are great bikes.

 

[Elipten_imp]

Maybe some want more speed or handling, or some old timers find it too much. There are a million reasons. Used too see lots of BMWs with very low miles for sale. Often the old boy or his wife bought the dream bike when retirement. Then he never could admit it was too big or he lost the nerve to ride. Then 10-15 yrs later it is for sale by old owner, widow or kids with very low miles. Ol boy enjoyed seeing the dream and would not admit just was not comfortable riding the bike.

Some ones loss is your gain. Now if only I could find a new vette like that. Problem is bigger market of buyers, for motorcycles few of us ride.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[tylersc_imp]

I have noticed this a lot with Triumph Bonnevilles - I think people buy them on impulse, and then realize they have no interest in actually becoming a rider.

No one is going to just impulse-buy a 1000 cc street bike, or a touring bike, or a dual sport. I think most new Harley riders always wanted one, and have friends and family with them, and there's more of a social structure there. But the CB1100, like the Bonneville, just looks super cool and people buy them, then find they're just not into it.

 

[Cormanus]

I think Elipten and tylersc are probably right. Blokes—mostly anyway—buy a big bike to regain some element of their your and then find they're not as interested as they expect, or it's all too big and difficult, or their wife doesn't really like it. There might be the odd one who found it wasn't the bike they expected and they want something with more oomph.

I see from your introduction that you're after an EX. From what I've read here, and maybe on the UK forum, they're as rare as hens teeth in the UK so you might have to wait a while. If you're impatient, I reckon you could do a lot worse than look at a used 2013 model with low mileage. Save you a quid or two for farkles if that's what lights you up.

 

[Insolentsquid_imp]

Thanks all,

My master plan for CB1100 ownership continues unabated, - after 15 years out of the saddle, a 'back to biking' course last Sunday went well - three hours of being shouted and sworn at by a large blonde lady could have been, well, interesting if I hadn't been so preoccupied with trying to ride smooth, (so she wouldn't carry out her threat to put me back on the 125) and not run into her backside ..... STOP SNIGGERING, IT WAS AT A JUNCTION.

I even have a target - 25 miles away in a showroom sits a shiny, black, 2014, EX with just 250 miles on the clock.

And this is where it gets complicated.

When I went to view said black beauty, after throwing a leg over, surreptitiously wiping some drool (mine) off the tank and chatting to the salesman (apparently the previous owner found her too heavy), I somehow drifted over the road to the same dealer's Kawasaki franchise.

Negotiating my way past the attractive petite mature secretary in a tiny mini skirt at a desk by the door, I sidled up to 'plan B' - a Kawasaki VN900 (that's a Vulcan to those on the other side of the pond).

Brand new, this retails at £7400, the Honda brand new is just under £10000, and yes, you can see where the savings have been made in the acres of plastic on the Kawa.

Next thing I know, the petite bimbo is manhandling the 500lb bike out of the rank like a pro for me to have a look at it.

Turns out she's actually senior salesman, a qualified engineer, has been riding since she was 17, and oh, has just returned from a holiday biking around Spain.

God, I hope she doesn't read this forum.

Anyway, she was good enough to lend me a tyre (tire) iron to beat my male chauvinist ego back into a sack with, and promised to call me about delivery times and availability, as the model in the shop wasn't my first choice.

Today, true to her word, she leaves me a message on my answering machine; my model of choice is available, but if I was interested in the showroom model she'll let me have it at £1000 off the list price!

The second hand CB1100 across the road, has a price tag just £500 off new list price, and, as Cormanus mentioned, they are rare as hens teeth over here so I'm not hopeful of haggling much off with the salesman.

God, I hope he doesn't read this forum.

So, do I go for 'plan A', expensive, glamorous, gorgeous and high maintenance, all chrome and spokes; or do I settle for 'plan B', the fun cheaper alternative, low, big, comfy, and dressed mainly in black....

....damn, clearly didn't tie that sack properly.

Decisions decisions.....

As impartial and totally unbiased forum readers, what do you think?

 

[Mr Jangles_imp]

Looking through dealer ads for an used CB1100, I can find three fairly close to me, all 2013 reg., one previous owner, not demonstrators, mileages are 800, 600, and 250 miles.

Any idea why owners might be getting rid of their bikes so soon, with so few miles?

Hey fuggadabowdit..there's just stoopid!

 

[flynrider]

Thanks all,

My master plan for CB1100 ownership continues unabated, - after 15 years out of the saddle, a 'back to biking' course last Sunday went well - three hours of being shouted and sworn at by a large blonde lady could have been, well, interesting if I hadn't been so preoccupied with trying to ride smooth, (so she wouldn't carry out her threat to put me back on the 125) and not run into her backside ..... STOP SNIGGERING, IT WAS AT A JUNCTION.

I even have a target - 25 miles away in a showroom sits a shiny, black, 2014, EX with just 250 miles on the clock.

And this is where it gets complicated.

When I went to view said black beauty, after throwing a leg over, surreptitiously wiping some drool (mine) off the tank and chatting to the salesman (apparently the previous owner found her too heavy), I somehow drifted over the road to the same dealer's Kawasaki franchise.

Negotiating my way past the attractive petite mature secretary in a tiny mini skirt at a desk by the door, I sidled up to 'plan B' - a Kawasaki VN900 (that's a Vulcan to those on the other side of the pond).

Brand new, this retails at £7400, the Honda brand new is just under £10000, and yes, you can see where the savings have been made in the acres of plastic on the Kawa.

Next thing I know, the petite bimbo is manhandling the 500lb bike out of the rank like a pro for me to have a look at it.

Turns out she's actually senior salesman, a qualified engineer, has been riding since she was 17, and oh, has just returned from a holiday biking around Spain.

God, I hope she doesn't read this forum.

Anyway, she was good enough to lend me a tyre (tire) iron to beat my male chauvinist ego back into a sack with, and promised to call me about delivery times and availability, as the model in the shop wasn't my first choice.

Today, true to her word, she leaves me a message on my answering machine; my model of choice is available, but if I was interested in the showroom model she'll let me have it at £1000 off the list price!

The second hand CB1100 across the road, has a price tag just £500 off new list price, and, as Cormanus mentioned, they are rare as hens teeth over here so I'm not hopeful of haggling much off with the salesman.

God, I hope he doesn't read this forum.

So, do I go for 'plan A', expensive, glamorous, gorgeous and high maintenance, all chrome and spokes; or do I settle for 'plan B', the fun cheaper alternative, low, big, comfy, and dressed mainly in black....

....damn, clearly didn't tie that sack properly.

Decisions decisions.....

As impartial and totally unbiased forum readers, what do you think?

I happened to be in a Kawasaki shop over the weekend getting a new tire mounted. While waiting I spent some time checking out the Vulcan 900. It's not a bad looking bike.

While you can surely save a bundle buying the big twin cruiser, the downside is that you will be riding it instead of the smoother, faster, prettier, I-4 CB1100. For me, I wouldn't trade my '13 standard model CB1100 for a brand new Vulcan.

 

[The Spaceman_imp]

A cruiser vs. a CB? A Harley wannabe? That's a no-brainer if there ever was one.

 

[albert52_imp]

some of 2013 owners are selling to get 2014 they like better:exclamation: ill probably do that when They come out with a white dlx

 

[Houtman_imp]

Just sleep on it for a few nights, preferable with the petite blonde next to you and than make up your mind.

 

[Cormanus]

The Spaceman is always so exquisitely succinct, don't you think? The question, though, requires some unpacking and waffle and I've nothing better to do at the moment, so here goes.

To start with, ponder this range of questions and answers.
[li]Are you trying to save money? A. Buy the Kwaka.[/li] [li]Are you trying to avoid cleaning? A. Buy the Kwaka.[/li] [li]Are you really a cruiser man? A. Buy the Kwaka.[/li] [li]Are you trying to hit on the petite sales manager? A. This is a hard one. If you don't buy the Kwaka, she may be so pissed that she'll want nothing to do with you. On the other hand, if you do, your real motivation will be as obvious as ... well, you think of a good metaphor. In that case, she will never really trust you. Particularly when you glance sideways at a Honda. Either way, long or short term you'll dip out.
[/li]
Go this way and when you wake in the morning you'll be stuck with the Kwaka. If you're a cheapskate, cruiser lover who hates cleaning and secretly loves a broken heart, you'll be a happy man. Read no further and hand over the deposit.

But I'm betting you'll always have a wistful glance for any CB1100 you see and will wonder whether you did the right thing.

Now, let's consider another scenario.

You buy the Honda. The petite and beautiful Kwaka sales person is stunned by your integrity, secretly loves the bike and wants to go riding with you. A lot. Sounds all right, doesn't it?

Another scenario? Persuade the petite one to defect across the road and sell you the Honda.

Now to be serious, just for a moment.

When I got back into riding after a long lay off, I bought a cruiser—in my case, a Honda VT750 Shadow. Great bike. Comfortable, powerful enough for me, economical. All good really. But I didn't like riding it as much as I had expected. It just didn't feel right. I eventually realised (I'm in Australia and being upside down all the time means it takes a while for things other than blood to get into the head) it was because I'd done all my earlier riding on naked-style bikes. I felt more comfortable sitting up straight; I liked the way they felt as I headed into and out of a corner a whole lot better; and I much preferred the look of them. The CB1100 came along about this time and it spoke to me of all the bikes I had ever really wanted as a young fella. Eventually a wise friend of mine advised me to stop dreaming and buy one. I did and I've never looked back.

If you like riding cruisers, buy the Kwaka. The CB1100 isn't a cruiser, although I've done a bit of touring on mine and, so far as I'm concerned it does a fine job. If you prefer riding naked bikes, don't stuff around. Buy the CB1100. If cleaning bores you, do a superficial job occasionally and just ride the bloody thing (yes, I know that will have me branded a heretic by many members of this forum). But, like most of us here, you won't stop smiling and you may, just may, have a Kawasaki-riding travelling companion to keep you company.

 

[the Ferret]

some of 2013 owners are selling to get 2014 they like better:exclamation: ill probably do that when They come out with a white dlx

I would have been in that boat except I bought my 13 when they were just rumored to be coming to the states and got the first one in the area. I managed to put 7,000 miles on my 13 before Honda announced the 14 DLX and I was forced to get one of those. Now I got 4,000 miles on the 14 and this is the last CB1100 I'm buying (at least for awhile lol)

Seriously I don't understand how these two bikes (the Vulcan and the CB) can even be in the same consideration... Either you are a cruiser guy..or you're not. I have the perfect body for a cruiser guy, short, stubby legs.. BUT..I'm not a cruiser guy and I know that. Just like I know I'm not a sport bike guy. I'm also not an ADV guy. I am a naked, standard, UJM guy.

 

[Firstfour_imp]

some of 2013 owners are selling to get 2014 they like better:exclamation: ill probably do that when They come out with a white dlx

I would have been in that boat except I bought my 13 when they were just rumored to be coming to the states and got the first one in the area. I managed to put 7,000 miles on my 13 before Honda announced the 14 DLX and I was forced to get one of those. Now I got 4,000 miles on the 14 and this is the last CB1100 I'm buying (at least for awhile lol)

Seriously I don't understand how these two bikes (the Vulcan and the CB) can even be in the same consideration... Either you are a cruiser guy..or you're not. I have the perfect body for a cruiser guy, short, stubby legs.. BUT..I'm not a cruiser guy and I know that. Just like I know I'm not a sport bike guy. I'm also not an ADV guy. I am a naked, standard, UJM guy.

I second. Perfectly put. Assuming it's the bike that's naked.

 

[Cormanus]

some of 2013 owners are selling to get 2014 they like better:exclamation: ill probably do that when They come out with a white dlx

I would have been in that boat except I bought my 13 when they were just rumored to be coming to the states and got the first one in the area. I managed to put 7,000 miles on my 13 before Honda announced the 14 DLX and I was forced to get one of those. Now I got 4,000 miles on the 14 and this is the last CB1100 I'm buying (at least for awhile lol)

Seriously I don't understand how these two bikes (the Vulcan and the CB) can even be in the same consideration... Either you are a cruiser guy..or you're not. I have the perfect body for a cruiser guy, short, stubby legs.. BUT..I'm not a cruiser guy and I know that. Just like I know I'm not a sport bike guy. I'm also not an ADV guy. I am a naked, standard, UJM guy.

FORCED!?!?

:rofl:

Ferret, that's just brilliant.

 

[Motogeezer1949_imp]

If a CB1100 is truly the bike for you, you will hear it beckon and you will not be able to resist.

 

[albert52_imp]

If a CB1100 is truly the bike for you, you will hear it beckon and you will not be able to resist.

or stop riding it :biker:

 

[Insolentsquid_imp]

some of 2013 owners are selling to get 2014 they like better:exclamation: ill probably do that when They come out with a white dlx

I would have been in that boat except I bought my 13 when they were just rumored to be coming to the states and got the first one in the area. I managed to put 7,000 miles on my 13 before Honda announced the 14 DLX and I was forced to get one of those. Now I got 4,000 miles on the 14 and this is the last CB1100 I'm buying (at least for awhile lol)

Seriously I don't understand how these two bikes (the Vulcan and the CB) can even be in the same consideration... Either you are a cruiser guy..or you're not. I have the perfect body for a cruiser guy, short, stubby legs.. BUT..I'm not a cruiser guy and I know that. Just like I know I'm not a sport bike guy. I'm also not an ADV guy. I am a naked, standard, UJM guy.

I second. Perfectly put. Assuming it's the bike that's naked.

I second. Perfectly put. Assuming it's the bike that's naked.
Interesting concept - 'cruiser guy' or 'naked bike' guy.

How about 'retro style bike' guy?

Then we can argue over whether true retro means '40s or '70s style!

hy:

Just sleep on it for a few nights, preferable with the petite blonde next to you and than make up your mind.

Houtman

Like the idea, any suggestion as to how I get this past the wife?

(Incidentally it was a petite brunette, it was the large instructor who was blonde)

 

[Houtman_imp]

Easy to get passed the wife, go on a business trip and stay in hotel !

 

[tylersc_imp]

I'd say you can't go wrong either way.