defects CB 1100

[GoldOxide_imp]

Purely unscientific, but we seem to have a lot of CB1100/Guzzi owners here. I think because both are a bit of a throw back to the good ol' days (but in really different paths). At least one Guzzi local rider has that California (and trying to sell it); but like you and the CB, it does not fit me all that well. 36" inseam - but hey, if it fits it fits. If it don't it doesn't.

Hey, the NEW California (and Eldorado etc.) should not be ignored. Looking forward to a ride report!

Look no further. I made a detailed review of my own California Custom, and subsequently the Eldorado, so if you have some time on your hands and would like to know what they are like and how they compare here are the links

'14 CB1100 STD 5 speed

Look no further. I made a detailed review of my own California Custom, and subsequently the Eldorado, so if you have some time on your hands and would like to know what they are like and how they compare here are the links

'14 CB1100 STD 5 speed
Exciting - I've got them queued up to watch later. Can't wait.

Moto Guzzi has that something special one either likes or does not.

 

[VLJ_imp]

I have long thought that the M-G California is the only cruiser I could ever conceivably consider. Maybe the Victory Scout 1100 also, but the M-G is just so much cooler.

 

[PhangNga_imp]

Sounds like you got the bike from a surprise Christmas gift or something so you didn't test ride or did some research on it before. So you didn't know it's too smooth for your taste and not muscular enough for your attitude. Honda Motorcycles are always smooth, reliable and friendly. These are not defects. "These are Honda's characters".

And Honda motorcycles sell world-wide since 1960s so no it's not designed and engineered for asians (You called Japanese and Chinese?), Here in asia actually people still consider it too big and heavy for most asian people.

Don't called them defects just because it doesn't fit you. And don't forget to test ride the Guzzi before you buy it. Good luck!

 

[Houtman_imp]

That was well said by the above Poster !

 

[bioman_imp]

+1

 

[Cormanus]

Well said, Phang Nga.

 

[the Ferret]

got to agree with PhangNga

 

[Ale72_imp]

HELLO PhangNga as I have encrypted above the error is mine because I had to test the bike. the problem of the discomfort due to the angle of the knees I have noticed in my travels, I do a lot of km a year and fortunately has a second bike, a very comfortable Guzzi V85TT. The Cb being very small could not be used in that sense as it is more suitable for people of different heights, my mistake.

 

[GoldOxide_imp]

HELLO PhangNga as I have encrypted above the error is mine because I had to test the bike. the problem of the discomfort due to the angle of the knees I have noticed in my travels, I do a lot of km a year and fortunately has a second bike, a very comfortable Guzzi V85TT. The Cb being very small could not be used in that sense as it is more suitable for people of different heights, my mistake.

On it own, the beautiful CB1100 appears quite generous in size.

However, and sadly, it is not. It is, however, more sizable compared to the Triumph Bonneville - which I can tolerate for maybe 30 minutes at a time.

 

[Ale72_imp]

are you sure that the boneville T120 is more uncomfortable than the cb? I had a different impression, therefore, the Boneville is much more comfortable ... even for the passenger

 

[the Ferret]

My Triumph T-100 was a lot smaller than the CB1100, but I think my brothers T-120 is comparable in size. As a matter of fact when we are riding we are always in the same gear/same rpm. It's like Triumph said let's clone the CB1100 power and gearing only with a P twin. His T-120 has a throb or pulse in the motor I don't care for but my brother likes it.

 

[GoldOxide_imp]

are you sure that the boneville T120 is more uncomfortable than the cb? I had a different impression, therefore, the Boneville is much more comfortable ... even for the passenger

T100. Yeah, every "body" responds differently. I know I could never take a Bonnie "the distance". I could barely tolerate the CB after four hours (including mini breaks).

 

[Ale72_imp]

Gold, Did you sell it too for little comfort?

 

[pdedse]

are you sure that the boneville T120 is more uncomfortable than the cb? I had a different impression, therefore, the Boneville is much more comfortable ... even for the passenger

T100. Yeah, every "body" responds differently. I know I could never take a Bonnie "the distance". I could barely tolerate the CB after four hours (including mini breaks).

Agreed about the body responding.

I've never ridden a bike that's really meant for long-distance riding, whatever "meant for" might mean. But I've taken a number of long trips before. On my longest trip on the CB1100, day 1 was a real test after the initial 3 hours...kept wondering if I shouldn't just turn around and head home with tail between my legs. Day 2 was tough to get back on the bike in the morning, but by noon the major kinks had been "worked out" and I settled in for a wonderful OR to Illinois and back trip--on average between 10-11 hours per day on the bike.

I'm on the tall side at 6'3" and felt a bit cramped at times, but seat pads, hiway pegs, and just getting used to the riding position--a bit of Advil for neck stiffness--all helped, as did taking a 10 minute break every 80-100 miles to stretch. I know my body became acclimated to a point, but some of the uncomfortableness didn't just disappear altogether either. I think the trip--the views, the solitude, the challenge of doing a 3 week trip all compensated for that...plus I just wanted to see my mom in Illinois and she was expecting me to arrive safe and sound. : )

I'm sure there are bikes out there that would "fit" me better for long distance riding, but for whatever reasons, I didn't decide to buy them--probably because I simply like the CB1100's looks to tell the truth.

 

[VLJ_imp]

The Bonneville T-120 is significantly slimmer than the CB1100, and offers much more legroom. The CB1100 requires a much greater bend at the knees. Even though the Bonneville has a lot more legroom, it still feels significantly smaller than the CB, because of its slimness. The Honda feels thick and dense. The Triumph feels thin and waifish.

Motor-wise, the Bonneville is much torquier, with less vibration throughout the midrange, but there is a lot less peak power. It has no revs to speak of. The Honda doesn't offer many revs either, but it's a lot more playful than the Triumph.

Handling? No contest. The Triumph handles like a truck. The front end steers so heavily, so slowly. The CB almost feels like a sportbike in comparison, its handling is so much lighter, quicker, sharper, better.

 

[pdedse]

The Bonneville T-120 is significantly slimmer than the CB1100, and offers much more legroom. The CB1100 requires a much greater bend at the knees. Even though the Bonneville has a lot more legroom, it still feels significantly smaller than the CB, because of its slimness. The Honda feels thick and dense. The Triumph feels thin and waifish.

Motor-wise, the Bonneville is much torquier, with less vibration throughout the midrange, but there is a lot less peak power. It has no revs to speak of. The Honda doesn't offer many revs either, but it's a lot more playful than the Triumph.

Handling? No contest. The Triumph handles like a truck. The front end steers so heavily, so slowly. The CB almost feels like a sportbike in comparison, its handling is so much lighter, quicker, sharper, better.

"Much more legroom"...I didn't find that to be the case. But maybe that's because I don't notice the tightness on the CB1100--for me it's in the hip area--until about 30 minutes into a ride. I came to the T-120 test ride after owning the CB1100 for two years, so for me, if the leg room were "much more", I think I would have noticed. All I can say is it felt about the same.

 

[Ale72_imp]

even if we look at ergo cycle it is confirmed that the cb 1100 is the most uncomfortable bike among the modern classics, the truth is that one can make it go well but it is not a comfort bike at all for those who are high above 1.70

 

[VLJ_imp]

The Bonneville T-120 is significantly slimmer than the CB1100, and offers much more legroom. The CB1100 requires a much greater bend at the knees. Even though the Bonneville has a lot more legroom, it still feels significantly smaller than the CB, because of its slimness. The Honda feels thick and dense. The Triumph feels thin and waifish.

Motor-wise, the Bonneville is much torquier, with less vibration throughout the midrange, but there is a lot less peak power. It has no revs to speak of. The Honda doesn't offer many revs either, but it's a lot more playful than the Triumph.

Handling? No contest. The Triumph handles like a truck. The front end steers so heavily, so slowly. The CB almost feels like a sportbike in comparison, its handling is so much lighter, quicker, sharper, better.

"Much more legroom"...I didn't find that to be the case. But maybe that's because I don't notice the tightness on the CB1100--for me it's in the hip area--until about 30 minutes into a ride. I came to the T-120 test ride after owning the CB1100 for two years, so for me, if the leg room were "much more", I think I would have noticed. All I can say is it felt about the same.

"Much more legroom"...I didn't find that to be the case. But maybe that's because I don't notice the tightness on the CB1100--for me it's in the hip area--until about 30 minutes into a ride. I came to the T-120 test ride after owning the CB1100 for two years, so for me, if the leg room were "much more", I think I would have noticed. All I can say is it felt about the same.
You are correct. I should have said a "much greater bend at the hips," not at the knee.

My bad.

Anyway, yeah, the T-120 has a lot more legroom than the CB, requiring much less of a bend at the hips.

 

[Jfro5687_imp]

I had a T120 and it was a comfortable bike but not massively more than our CB. If you want a properly uncomfortable modern classic, try riding a BMW Rnine T Racer in stop start traffic for 20 minutes. Absolute crippler. Like doing a press up on bent wrists.

 

[j3gq_imp]

Thought we said amen on page 7 of this thread, after some very good "conclusions" by Guth and Cormanus. I can't compare a greater number of hip and bone breakers for the best ranking. But I do agree with pdedse's observations. A bike build for long-distance riding and comfort LOL, the proverbial oxymoron. We may not want to admit the self-adulation in public. But it's not for comfort we ride.
Nevertheless, choose a good bike, before you buy, adjust bits and pieces (and try) before you sell. But don't ask other about how their 'other' skeleton feels on their 'other' bike in that 'other' time. There is nothing to compare, nothing to win.