Quick Trip

[The Spaceman_imp]

I had to return from Daytona in a hurry due to what turned out to be a minor issue. Its about 220 miles. I'm afraid I have to strenuously disagree with those who say the CB is not a good highway bike from an engine or gearing perspective.

Thanks to Florida's typically fast traffic, I was able to run the entire way at 80+. Frequently the traffic was over 90, especially on the Turnpike. The CB was smooth; solid, absolutely no feeling it was being pushed or over-revved. Obviously with only the Flyscreen I had to tuck in to stay on the bike, but man, I wished I could keep going another couple hours when I got to my exit.

It will be interesting to see how the revs compare between the 5 and 6 speed bikes when they arrive. I was in the high 4,000's most of the time on this trip.

 

[rboe]

Folks used to do such stunts on 750's (and smaller I suspect), an 1100 should be able to do this in its' sleep.

 

[redbirds_imp]

I agree Spaceman. Had mine on I-75 last week with traffic flow averaging better than 80 mph. The CB was smooth and relaxed at this speed and felt good at over 90 while passing some slower traffic. It's a terrific bike that reminds me of my 73 BMW R/75 which also thrived at higher speeds.

 

[The Spaceman_imp]

Folks used to do such stunts on 750's (and smaller I suspect), an 1100 should be able to do this in its' sleep.

A sorority house vs. a circus? The circus is filled with cunning stunts.

 

[Cormanus]

Folks used to do such stunts on 750's (and smaller I suspect), an 1100 should be able to do this in its' sleep.

A sorority house vs. a circus? The circus is filled with cunning stunts.

A sorority house vs. a circus? The circus is filled with cunning stunts.
Droll, Spaceman.

I've done a few freeway trips on the CB and although I suspect our laws make us travel more slowly—the maximum speed limit is 110kms—the traffic usually trundles along at 120kms. The CB is very comfortable at that speed and has plenty left in reserve.

 

[Pterodactyl_imp]

I had to return from Daytona in a hurry due to what turned out to be a minor issue. Its about 220 miles. I'm afraid I have to strenuously disagree with those who say the CB is not a good highway bike from an engine or gearing perspective.

Thanks to Florida's typically fast traffic, I was able to run the entire way at 80+. Frequently the traffic was over 90, especially on the Turnpike. The CB was smooth; solid, absolutely no feeling it was being pushed or over-revved. Obviously with only the Flyscreen I had to tuck in to stay on the bike, but man, I wished I could keep going another couple hours when I got to my exit.

It will be interesting to see how the revs compare between the 5 and 6 speed bikes when they arrive. I was in the high 4,000's most of the time on this trip.

Too true Spaceman. I regularly cruise at 110 - 115kms and, on good country backroads, at 125 and a little. No screen. Occasionally I push a little harder to sit around the 140 mark, but licence preservation requires a good view ahead (eg Snowy River Highway). The CB eats it up with ease and grace. Wind doesn't bother me that much however, after reading other threads on the forum , I might try a small screen for any future long distance rides.

Cheers

 

[davidsargee_imp]

I had to return from Daytona in a hurry due to what turned out to be a minor issue. Its about 220 miles. I'm afraid I have to strenuously disagree with those who say the CB is not a good highway bike from an engine or gearing perspective.

Thanks to Florida's typically fast traffic, I was able to run the entire way at 80+. Frequently the traffic was over 90, especially on the Turnpike. The CB was smooth; solid, absolutely no feeling it was being pushed or over-revved. Obviously with only the Flyscreen I had to tuck in to stay on the bike, but man, I wished I could keep going another couple hours when I got to my exit.

It will be interesting to see how the revs compare between the 5 and 6 speed bikes when they arrive. I was in the high 4,000's most of the time on this trip.

I absolutely agree with your observations. I haven't gone 200 miles yet (in one leg of a ride), but I did a little over a hundred miles on the way home one afternoon from a trip out west of town. I rode out west on some older highways, but took Interstate 20 back for the ride home. I was in a bit of a hurry as it was getting later than I had planned, I made the trip back at a sustained 75-85 miles per hour, (80+ for a large part of the trip).

The bike was smooth, very stable, and never seemed stressed. As most of you know, 70 mph = 4000 rpm, at 75 it is turning 4400 rpm, and it turns about 4800 rpm at 80. The CB does this with ease, and a twist of the throttle at 80 mph still pulls on the arms, accelerating nicely, this, more than anything else, reminds me of the Kawi Z-1. It absolutely can cruise at higher speeds "in it's sleep".

Undoubtedly the 6th gear on the 2014 will help with fuel economy and make them a little tamer on the highway. I recall a lot of magazine reviews, etc., in which the reviewers were saying that this bike "does not need a 6th gear".

I'm not saying I wouldn't like a 6 speed tranny, but, I'm OK with 5.

Cheers.

 

[the Ferret]

I had no issue cruising in 5 th on my 13 and in fact just like on my ST I often found myself in 4 th unknowingly. A 6 th gear is not what prompted me to upgrade to the 14. For me it was purely cosmetic, plus I like the gear indicator so I won't " discover" I'm still in 4 th lol

 

[rboe]

Gear indicators, for some reason, are gaining importance to me. Never had one but I have proven on more than one occasion I should have one. Damnit.

 

[the Ferret]

I had a gear indicator on my water buffalo 37 years ago and thought it a nice feature. Then when i rented a BMW of my euro trip, it had one and I really liked it.

Some guys say they count gears, but then turn around and say they wish they had a 6 th gear because they keep trying to shift into the next year when in 5 th ( this goes for every forum I have been on btw). Guess they are not as good at counting as they thought.

 

[flynrider]

I had a gear indicator on my water buffalo 37 years ago and thought it a nice feature. Then when i rented a BMW of my euro trip, it had one and I really liked it.

Some guys say they count gears, but then turn around and say they wish they had a 6 th gear because they keep trying to shift into the next year when in 5 th ( this goes for every forum I have been on btw). Guess they are not as good at counting as they thought.

I don't count gears, but I've find that if you ride a bike long enough, you can tell what gear you're in by looking at the tach and speedo. That's always the tipoff for me when I forget to shift into 5th on the freeway.

 

[davidsargee_imp]

I had a gear indicator on my water buffalo 37 years ago and thought it a nice feature. Then when i rented a BMW of my euro trip, it had one and I really liked it.

Some guys say they count gears, but then turn around and say they wish they had a 6 th gear because they keep trying to shift into the next year when in 5 th ( this goes for every forum I have been on btw). Guess they are not as good at counting as they thought.

I used to count, but somehow I always lost track. I find myself trying to shift up sometimes, but usually (like Flynrider), I just watch the tach and speedometer.

Truth is, the gear indicator might be my favorite upgrade for the 2014 models. All of the upgrades are cool, but that is the one I would like to have most.

 

[the Ferret]

I had a gear indicator on my water buffalo 37 years ago and thought it a nice feature. Then when i rented a BMW of my euro trip, it had one and I really liked it.

Some guys say they count gears, but then turn around and say they wish they had a 6 th gear because they keep trying to shift into the next year when in 5 th ( this goes for every forum I have been on btw). Guess they are not as good at counting as they thought.

I don't count gears, but I've find that if you ride a bike long enough, you can tell what gear you're in by looking at the tach and speedo. That's always the tipoff for me when I forget to shift into 5th on the freeway.

I don't count gears, but I've find that if you ride a bike long enough, you can tell what gear you're in by looking at the tach and speedo. That's always the tipoff for me when I forget to shift into 5th on the freeway.
That works well with 1 bike, but when you switch back and forth between bikes, my memory isn't good enough to remember them all.

 

[redbirds_imp]

The gear indicator is a much appreciated feature when I ride my wife's V-strom. Like center stands, I wish all bikes had one.