noroomtomove
Been there
On standby for Saturday CB1100 test ride review.
The true beauty of this motorcycle. (another LONG read)
- Thread starter Guth_imp
- Start date
the Ferret
Road warrior
We don't worry about rain until the chances get up to 40%
Anxiously awaitng 2 ride reports.
Anxiously awaitng 2 ride reports.
redbirds_imp
Road warrior
I've never had my 2013 over 95mph and that behind a guy in a Mini who was obviously late for something. I feel no need to go any faster but the very idea of a speed limiter irks me. I really don't understand why Honda limited the bike in this way.VLJ_imp said:
emptysea
Road warrior
It's not so much the slight chance of rain that will put a damper on the quality of the ride. Rather, it's the near-freezing, low-lying Tule fog. Man, that stuff is miserable. If it's anything like a couple of recent mornings here, visibility will be next to nill, the roads will be wet, and it'll be cold as well. We will definitely need to tip-toe, as every turn essentially becomes a blind corner.The ferret_imp said:
I'm also curious to see what egleaves says after riding my bike. I've set the suspension up to be as soft and plush as it can go, figuring it would be better that way for a guy who is used to a CB1100. To me it's now borderline too soft, in that it allows a touch of float when encountering bumps during high-speed sweepers. The flipside is it rides more smoothly over stutter bumps. Also, for someone who is used to the CB's relaxed throttle response, setting the XSR's suspension for a softer ride should help to alleviate some of the immediacy of the throttle response. I figure I'll have him ride in Standard mode, or maybe even 'B' (rain) mode, not the hyper-explosive 'A' mode, which seems to be a bit too responsive for people who are used to softer throttles.
The other thing is I learned that he's much taller than I am, and quite a bit heavier. Even though the stock seat already gives way more legroom than his CB1100 offers, I'm going to swap seats to the taller, thicker, softer "Comfort" seat, which will give him even more legroom. I can barely tip-toe with that seat, but he should find it to be very nice. I'm sure it's still not quite as comfy as his CB's seat, but with all that extra legroom he should be fine.
I want to see what he thinks of the motor, the much lighter handling, and the overall comfort. If nothing else, a morning like this ought to make him appreciate the heated grips. All in all, I won't be surprised if he finds this bar-risers-equipped XSR to be just as smooth and comfortable as his big CB.
egleaves_imp
Running like a top
"Quite a bit heavier" huh? I'll be sure to have a light breakfast today. 
I took a ride up to Colfax yesterday and the weather changed from overcast to sunny once we got above Auburn. It looks the same again today...cruddy in the valley and a bit sunny in the hills.
I took a ride up to Colfax yesterday and the weather changed from overcast to sunny once we got above Auburn. It looks the same again today...cruddy in the valley and a bit sunny in the hills.
Bheezy27403_imp
Road warrior
Eating popcorn emoji
2017EX_imp
Been there
Great thread Guth, as well as input from everyone else. With almost 50 years of riding motorcycles under my belt, I get it. Before I pulled the trigger on my CB1100 EX, I did extensive homework, including reading every aspect of development listed here: Honda Motor Co.,Ltd.｜Honda Global Corporate Website . For years I had speculated among my riding friends, about whether or not Honda bringing back a modern version of the CB750 Four would be a winner or not ( I always thought it would be ). In scouring all the info contained in that link, I think Honda made it very clear that a major goal of the bike was for the rider to enjoy the simple pleasure of the ride. Mission accomplished in my humble opinion.
It seems to me that sometimes advances in the "latest and greatest" is a step backwards, but then without knowledge of what came before it, there would be nothing to use as a comparison to make that judgment. What I am talking about here is not necessarily on the technical side of so called advances, but rather the experience. How could anyone that had never ridden a CB750 Four back in the day possibly understand and compare it to modern offerings? I was disappointed for many years that the simple naked bike of the past was really not available, and that crotch rockets more suited for the track were all the rage.
In terms of riding enjoyment, riding position is a major consideration, based on experience with different riding positions. The forward crouch on a crotch rocket may offer good control, but I dont think I would want that position for commuting, a quick leisure ride, or a road trip, for comforts sake. The feet forward position I found with my Harley, is not one that gave me a feeling of natural control and balance either. In fairness, not all the Harleys are feet forward, but a large segment are. Once I got on my CB1100, seated upright, that natural feeling of balance and control came back to me. Over the years, even many of the pseudo retro bikes had a seating position semi slouched backwards, because the styling was emulating the Harley V twin.
As to the neutral indicator light, most of my early bikes didnt have it, so we got used to easing the clutch out slightly in neutral as a conformation we were actually in neutral before doing anything else, and it was just the way we were taught. The rev limiter doesnt bother me either. Back in the day we were taught that a two stroke would just top out, but a four stroke would keep running until it broke. I can remember getting my CB750 out on the freeway to see what it would do. At 95 mph I had to back off because even in a crouch, I was holding on for dear life, and thought getting blown off the bike was a real possibility. I was in my 20s at the time, and now at age 65, the CB1100 has more power than I will ever need, can do everything I want, and does it extremely well with pure enjoyment.
I would venture to guess that CB1100 fans, and perhaps the majority of the membership here, are older riders with many years of riding, and experience over those years with many different bikes. As the saying goes, there is no substitute for experience. That holds true here, because anyone that has never ridden an upright seating position classic naked bike, has no basis for comparison and no way of knowing what they are missing. I have heard some of the younger "nay sayer" riders describe the CB1100 as an "old mans bike". I always ask if they have ever ridden one, and to date have not found a single CB1100 skeptic that actually has ridden one. I just grin, and say that what the CB1100 really is, is a smooth, pure, enjoy the ride bike.
It seems to me that sometimes advances in the "latest and greatest" is a step backwards, but then without knowledge of what came before it, there would be nothing to use as a comparison to make that judgment. What I am talking about here is not necessarily on the technical side of so called advances, but rather the experience. How could anyone that had never ridden a CB750 Four back in the day possibly understand and compare it to modern offerings? I was disappointed for many years that the simple naked bike of the past was really not available, and that crotch rockets more suited for the track were all the rage.
In terms of riding enjoyment, riding position is a major consideration, based on experience with different riding positions. The forward crouch on a crotch rocket may offer good control, but I dont think I would want that position for commuting, a quick leisure ride, or a road trip, for comforts sake. The feet forward position I found with my Harley, is not one that gave me a feeling of natural control and balance either. In fairness, not all the Harleys are feet forward, but a large segment are. Once I got on my CB1100, seated upright, that natural feeling of balance and control came back to me. Over the years, even many of the pseudo retro bikes had a seating position semi slouched backwards, because the styling was emulating the Harley V twin.
As to the neutral indicator light, most of my early bikes didnt have it, so we got used to easing the clutch out slightly in neutral as a conformation we were actually in neutral before doing anything else, and it was just the way we were taught. The rev limiter doesnt bother me either. Back in the day we were taught that a two stroke would just top out, but a four stroke would keep running until it broke. I can remember getting my CB750 out on the freeway to see what it would do. At 95 mph I had to back off because even in a crouch, I was holding on for dear life, and thought getting blown off the bike was a real possibility. I was in my 20s at the time, and now at age 65, the CB1100 has more power than I will ever need, can do everything I want, and does it extremely well with pure enjoyment.
I would venture to guess that CB1100 fans, and perhaps the majority of the membership here, are older riders with many years of riding, and experience over those years with many different bikes. As the saying goes, there is no substitute for experience. That holds true here, because anyone that has never ridden an upright seating position classic naked bike, has no basis for comparison and no way of knowing what they are missing. I have heard some of the younger "nay sayer" riders describe the CB1100 as an "old mans bike". I always ask if they have ever ridden one, and to date have not found a single CB1100 skeptic that actually has ridden one. I just grin, and say that what the CB1100 really is, is a smooth, pure, enjoy the ride bike.
Wisedrum
Road warrior
I don't care for what people will take the CB for.
What is old? A personal feel, a social category?
Something like this and even more or less than this.
As for power the CB feels like a racebike in comparison to my newly bought Enfield. No wonder. Bu it doesn't want or need to be driven this way. That's the difference and shows how well Honda did the job to create such a nice machine, that also feels so good and satisfying been driven smoothly.
Wisedrum
What is old? A personal feel, a social category?
Something like this and even more or less than this.
As for power the CB feels like a racebike in comparison to my newly bought Enfield. No wonder. Bu it doesn't want or need to be driven this way. That's the difference and shows how well Honda did the job to create such a nice machine, that also feels so good and satisfying been driven smoothly.
Wisedrum
Mandrau_imp
Running like a top
Greetings Guth,
It is posts like yours that make this virtual gathering place great for me. It is a distinction of this CB1100 Forum that members communicate their passion in complete sentences and take the time and effort to do it intelligently. Thanks and look forward to more.
It is posts like yours that make this virtual gathering place great for me. It is a distinction of this CB1100 Forum that members communicate their passion in complete sentences and take the time and effort to do it intelligently. Thanks and look forward to more.
Thanks Mandrau — I would agree that this forum is pretty blessed by the fact that most members truly do make an effort to communicate clearly with one another. Those that lack my long-windedness tend to easily make up for it by displaying a much more efficient use of words.Mandrau_imp said:
egleaves_imp
Running like a top
Back home after the bike swap. 190 miles and too many curves to count. I think VLJ or I should start a new thread to share the experience. Gonna start a write up tonight while recovering in the hot tub.
the Ferret
Road warrior
Curves? Hot tub? Lucky dog!
Looking forward to your report
Looking forward to your report
I'll look forward to your take on the story egleaves. Please don't drop the tablet/laptop in the hot tub.egleaves_imp said:
