the Ferret
Road warrior
"What Italians call character, Japanese consider design flaws and Germans deny to their graves".. Larry Grodsky ...
CB1100 vs. its competition
- Thread starter MrGood_imp
- Start date
LongRanger_imp
Road warrior
Consider trying a Moto Guzzi V7 or Griso before writing them off. The V7 isn't underpowered except for those who think a bike needs to make 100 hp. Depending on how and where you ride, you may find it to be perfect.
I think a pre-owned BMW R1200R might also be worth a look. It's a very capable bike.
I think a pre-owned BMW R1200R might also be worth a look. It's a very capable bike.
Brookland27_imp
Running like a top
Aprilia shiver, honda 919, Kawasaki ZRX, Triumph Sprint RS, Triumph Bonneville, moto guzzi griso, HONDA CB1100, Ducati monster 796, Suzuki bandit 1200. The choice was easy. See you soon. I think now is a good time to buy a cb1100 by the way as i personally don't see the prices getting any better or the availability.
you are probably about to be able to get a smokin deal on a used bonneville though with the new model being released. Those were always pretty hard to find but i bet you'll see alot more in the used market in the coming months.
you are probably about to be able to get a smokin deal on a used bonneville though with the new model being released. Those were always pretty hard to find but i bet you'll see alot more in the used market in the coming months.
When i rode one i definately found it underwhelming. It looks great, handles nicely but didn't offer much right hand induced excitement.LongRanger_imp said:
Brookland27_imp
Running like a top
Well its cable operated so no it didn't lol corrected
jeffskar_imp
First service completed
I own a 2013 CB1100, and my wife owns a 2012 bonnie SE, both are very good bikes, but you being 6'2", and 230lbs. I think you'd look a little large on either, but both are really nice imo. I'd stay fuel injected too if it was me regardless on what you choose. I wish you lived close, I'd let you take the CB for a ride, and see for yourself.
the Ferret
Road warrior
Aprilia shiver, honda 919, Kawasaki ZRX, Triumph Sprint RS, Triumph Bonneville, moto guzzi griso, HONDA CB1100, Ducati monster 796, Suzuki bandit 1200.
Some of those listed above I don't consider competition for the CB, as I think a CB is a retro motorcycle, however in terms of power, price and rideability I'd say they were competitors. In which case I would add to the list the Wee Strom or SV650, Ninja 650 and Versys 650, NC 700, FZ-07, FZ-09.
I'd also like to add that there are no bad motorcycles anymore except maybe a Royal Enfield and some Korean motorcycles, and even those bikes have their ardent followers.
Some of those listed above I don't consider competition for the CB, as I think a CB is a retro motorcycle, however in terms of power, price and rideability I'd say they were competitors. In which case I would add to the list the Wee Strom or SV650, Ninja 650 and Versys 650, NC 700, FZ-07, FZ-09.
I'd also like to add that there are no bad motorcycles anymore except maybe a Royal Enfield and some Korean motorcycles, and even those bikes have their ardent followers.
redbirds_imp
Road warrior
Character may be either good or bad, as a person having character as opposed to being a character. For me, the CB1100 has character-the good kind. A bike that leaks oil, has dodgy electrics (my last Moto Guzzi) or a tank that collapses because of a little ethanol is the other kind of character, the same type your parents warned you to stay away from.
4 Paws_imp
Road warrior
Had a T100 Bonneville for a couple of years, fun bike that handled decent and got high marks in parking lots and at the fuel pump. I thought it was drastically under powered and did not like gravel at all.
Enjoying the CB, before I found it I was tempted to go back to the Bonnie but remembered the under performing character.
The CB is rock solid, handles quite well and has the engineering and dealer network to back it up.
Both are good bikes, I think the CB is all around better but you need to buy whichever speaks to you.
Either will be a good choice for a daily rider with performance and power to go anywhere. Low seat height and good ergonomics coupled with decent prices. Don't expect a CB board to be impartial.
Let us know which way you end up going.
Enjoying the CB, before I found it I was tempted to go back to the Bonnie but remembered the under performing character.
The CB is rock solid, handles quite well and has the engineering and dealer network to back it up.
Both are good bikes, I think the CB is all around better but you need to buy whichever speaks to you.
Either will be a good choice for a daily rider with performance and power to go anywhere. Low seat height and good ergonomics coupled with decent prices. Don't expect a CB board to be impartial.
Let us know which way you end up going.
gossman_imp
Been there
Character: Latin for bad engineering.LARIDER_imp said:Character: Latin for bad engineering.The ferret_imp said:
I've been the Benelli route along with an old Bridgestone, Tohatsu, and other odd bikes along with the usual suspects. Just as Honda created the first reliable bike with the CB750, it carries through with the 1100. I'm into having a bike that starts and goes when I want, not something that improves my mechanical abilities.
Harley has improved it's bikes until reliability is very good so I don't understand how people still bash them.
capttwb136_imp
Running like a top
I test rode a Bonneville a couple years ago, like many here I thought it was underpowered for a 865. However it was a beautiful bike, I loved the green and white color combination. I would have bought it, if the price would have been reasonable. The dealer would not budge on the price. I passed it up while keeping a eye out for a used one. I'll say this for the Bonneville T120, they do hold their value!
However this isn't the 60's when all dealers got MSRP. I have to admit, I probably couldn't justify paying 10 grand for a CB either. However when you could get a new one in the 7 thousand range, I just couldn't pass it up. At the price dealers are selling leftover 13's and 14's the CB is probably the best value in the motorcycle industry right now. You are getting one of the best built motorcycles for a bargain price.
However this isn't the 60's when all dealers got MSRP. I have to admit, I probably couldn't justify paying 10 grand for a CB either. However when you could get a new one in the 7 thousand range, I just couldn't pass it up. At the price dealers are selling leftover 13's and 14's the CB is probably the best value in the motorcycle industry right now. You are getting one of the best built motorcycles for a bargain price.
hookdr_imp
New to the forum
My two cents. My Dad had a 2010 Triumph Thruxton. I loved the bar end mirrors. The bike is gone now and my one regret is my 18 yr old son never got to ride it. It was a very easy bike to ride. Very easy and smooth shifting. No abrupt throttle response. Not likely to get "away" from you. A very safe easy bike to ride. My son rides my 1974 CB 350 (last true Honda) but the brakes and clutch could certainly be better as the bike is 41 yrs old. Still it has been a good starter bike. I really think the Bonnie based bikes are the only competition for the CB. The CB is such a beautifully finished bike with quality oozing from everywhere. I like the RnineT but it is 15k. The RnineT is similar in being last air-cooled of its type and super build and component quality. If 8,000 meant nothing to me I'd probably buy an RnineT. The cb1100 is simply a too good of deal in the very small group of competitors. Ducati are getting way too plasticky.
I agree with jeffskar , the quality an character of the cb 1100 is outstanding! But someone with knee issues and your size should look else where, I'am 5'10" with bad knees can not ride more than 10 minutes without pain.If you scan the threads on this forum you will see how many owners have tried many different seats, pegs windshields handlebars risers etc. in order to make this bike more user friendly with little sucess. Take one for a test ride of more than 30 minutes and see for yourself.
gossman_imp
Been there
What's interesting is I'm 6'4" and with 1 bad hip and one replaced, arthritic, yet I can ride 350 miles in a day on the '13 CB which has the stock seat and pegs, 60 miles at a time.obleo_imp said:
LongRanger_imp
Road warrior
I've got you beat by 2" -- 6'6" -- and don't seem to have issues with the stock ergo's either. My OEM hips allow me to ride tank-to-tank without much discomfort. I try to avoid freeways.gossman_imp said:
rboe
Road warrior
Suzuki has some very good bikes out there worth looking at, many based on the same motor the 650 V-Strom has, Not so sure about the 1000.
I like the V7 and the new V7ii is very very nice - but for me she is simple too small to be a good fit. A buddy that is much taller and older rides his V7 all over the West - he's tough. Just goes to prove - your mileage may differ. Ride one.
I prefer the Griso for road trips, but just took the CB on a 1000 miler and she surprised me with how well she was to live with. Friends that have ridden my CB comment on how easy she is to ride. She is just a very pleasant bike to ride.
The Bonnie is a good bike with many happy owners, ride one, you may like it! I rode one. I bought the CB (to be fair, the CB had me hooked a while back, so there was a LOT of emotional reasons for picking her and those reasons may not fly for you).
There are a LOT of really good machines out there and I think the CB is grossly over looked so I'm glad you are looking at it. An excellent choice if you buy for the right reasons (not looking for a hot rod, she is more of a Buick, a very nice Buick).
Now if you want more of a hooligan bike; the Griso would be and excellent choice. I'd recommend the 1100 unless you find a 1200 that already has the roller tappet conversion done. The Breva is also a good choice. Be warned, a LONG test ride on a Moto Guzzi they have a habit of getting under your skin (I think it's the steam engine pulse of the big V twin) and many guys have been seduced by them. I'm on my second one.
Most of these bikes won't have ABS, I think the 2016 or 2017 will have them - but that puts it out of your price range.
I like the V7 and the new V7ii is very very nice - but for me she is simple too small to be a good fit. A buddy that is much taller and older rides his V7 all over the West - he's tough. Just goes to prove - your mileage may differ. Ride one.
I prefer the Griso for road trips, but just took the CB on a 1000 miler and she surprised me with how well she was to live with. Friends that have ridden my CB comment on how easy she is to ride. She is just a very pleasant bike to ride.
The Bonnie is a good bike with many happy owners, ride one, you may like it! I rode one. I bought the CB (to be fair, the CB had me hooked a while back, so there was a LOT of emotional reasons for picking her and those reasons may not fly for you).
There are a LOT of really good machines out there and I think the CB is grossly over looked so I'm glad you are looking at it. An excellent choice if you buy for the right reasons (not looking for a hot rod, she is more of a Buick, a very nice Buick).
Now if you want more of a hooligan bike; the Griso would be and excellent choice. I'd recommend the 1100 unless you find a 1200 that already has the roller tappet conversion done. The Breva is also a good choice. Be warned, a LONG test ride on a Moto Guzzi they have a habit of getting under your skin (I think it's the steam engine pulse of the big V twin) and many guys have been seduced by them. I'm on my second one.
Most of these bikes won't have ABS, I think the 2016 or 2017 will have them - but that puts it out of your price range.
DaSwami_imp
Been there
The CB over the Bonnie hands down, but I have the Scrambler....and I have not been able to part with it, even though I know the CB is a better bike, nothing like the Scram on the market, it does everything well, a great bike for rural Montana.
So I have both for now.
So I have both for now.
rboe
Road warrior
Very hard to have one bike that does it all so if you can swing it, multiple bikes that focus on certain aspects of riding and do them very well is the way to go. If not, then a bike that does 90% of your type of riding very well and kinda works for the other 10%.
The new Ducati Scrambler is a very nice machine - but it's smaller so bigger guys will have a problem fitting it. Both did very well off road in a recent Motorcyclist magazine.
The new Ducati Scrambler is a very nice machine - but it's smaller so bigger guys will have a problem fitting it. Both did very well off road in a recent Motorcyclist magazine.