Eddie...the j/k means " just kidding" I was being sarcastic and letting everyone know that I was kidding. Maybe you guys don't use that over here on ADV, they use it on other forums I frequent because its hard to express intent on the internet sometimes. The point was at the pace he was riding everything looked perfectly ok and the suspension looked to be performing as it was designed. He didn't look like he was having any handling issues at all. Lars, nice report. You lucky dog. Creamy is good for me, exactly what I am looking for. That little 125 looks like a mini CBR 1000 naked. Bet its fun to be a teenager over there.
Thanks guys for all your comment. @Gas Hog: i know work can be hard sometimes, but someone has to do it! To answer the other question: i am 6ft2 and just over 105kg and yes that makes me look like a giant on that MSX. Was fun to ride... The CB1000r is very much like Honda of old just with modern suspension and brakes. It rode very stable and i could take 90 degree turn or roundabouts almost in 3rd gear. I even tried u Accelerating from just over 50km/h in fifth (top) gear and it did so without any strain or juddering! Very milky smooth. Like i wrote due to weather i could try how it performs and higher rpm and speeds. Thx Lars
Thanks you for posting those photos, Lars. The CB1100 is simply a work of art. Despite the destruction of my retirement plan, I will have no choice but to purchase one. I am currently riding its older sibling, the 2003 CB750 Nighthawk, a perfectly fine bike in all respects, but a man has the right to have at least one of his lifetime dreams realized, hasn't he?
yep, I had a CB750 Nighthawk. I loved it for it's cooling fins and 4 headers that I kept gleaming (so many of these bikes can be seen with headers rotting from being dirty). At one point in time whilst going uphill on I-80 in Wyoming laden in top gear, downshifting to get some oomph, I remember starting to think 'I wish this were a 900'.. Dreams can come true (and with decent brakes too )
i just sold my 2000 750 Nighthawk...nice bike. Needed more power and better brakes. I always thought a liter Nighthawk would be the cats meow.
Wow, thats a lot of money for that bike. Its arguably worth $ 10 K, but more than $ 14 K I wouldn't be buying one.
The more I see these Euro bikes, the more I wish we were getting the silver engine in the USA. I'm obviously nitpicking, but I sure prefer the looks. - Mark
The 2011 CBR250R is listed OnTheRoad in the UK at 3688 pounds today that's about $5828 US. That's way more than what it cost me to get a 2011 CBR250R on the road in the US (I don't recall the exact price, on the road maybe about $4500 US). Are motorcycles more expensive in the UK in general ? Is this some kind of VAT ? Sorry for the bonehead questions.. I don't know about such things.
Yes, and more expensive in all the Euro countries. VAT in the UK is part of it but it's more complex than that - taxation, cost structures, regulatory climate, certification costs, advertising costs, lighting/emissions standards, import duties, shipping, cost of business, etc. are just very different. - Mark
If I had my way, it'd be the silver painted engine but with the unpainted-satin-finish case covers (clutch, alternator, etc) that come with the black engine. I'll learn to live with the darkened engine, but it will not show off those lovely fins as well as a silver engine would.
I too prefer the look of the silver engine. But I also prefer the look of the wheels with black centers. In my opinion, the two would not mix well. Given that, I could live with the black engine.
I think Triumphs are cheaper here. For comparison, a new Bonnie is £7000. I rather like the Honda and grew up with similar bikes back in the 80's. I was "vaguely interested" in finding out more, but at 9K, they are taking the piss.
I actually prefer the black engine. I finally saw the Moto Guzzi v7 stone in person last weekend and was impressed. I thought it was going to be my next bike. In the months of waiting for it to show up I have really grown to like the Honda. I've always been a honda fan and have a civic, pilot (wife's) and cbr250r currently. Life is good and I have already put 8500 mi. on my CBR. Truth be told I don't need more bike now but I like the idea of minimalist touring. Tried it on the 250 and could barely keep up with traffic when heading into strong head winds. I'm intrigued by the rumors of the new BMW retro that is supposed to be coming out but I would be a little scared of the cost associated with a BMW. I grew up riding a '72? Honda 450 twin and have always been a little dissappointed in the offerings of standard street bikes since then, save the cb1 and gb500. This really ticks all the boxes though. As great as it looks I absolutely love the Mugen Cafe package that can be seen on the interwebs. I'm torn between putting money down on it now or being patient and seeing how it goes. I don't like my nearest Honda dealer (several bad experiences buying and with service) so I may just wait and see what happens. I can't really imagine a scenerio where they sell out of all of them the first year and then decide they aren't going to bring them back the next year. I wonder how much they might raise the price if this model is successful as I think it will be though. Heated grips and ABS are really attractive options that I can't get on the v7 as well. I'm not really interested in pushing the limits of my bikes so I think this bike would be fine for me. My biggest concern is not having all of the character of a Ducati, Moto Guzzi, V-twin etc. that so many people go on about. So the CB1100 sounds like it is silky smooth (read boring). But if I am being honest with myself, I have ridden the Guzzi's and while I notice the character and appreciate it, I am one to really appreciate a well constructed smooth engine like my Civic SI as well. I am a little concerned about the weight too as I love the light weight of my 250 but might like the solid feeling of a heavier bike too, especially at freeway speeds. I have never ridden a bike with an inline four that I can recall so I will definitely have to get a test ride first. I have a feeling I will appreciate it being a Honda and all but until then I guess I'll just have to keep dreaming.
dpg, just to comment on one of your points, I've ridden a few inline 4s, but only on sportbikes. In each case, I loved the motor, but hated the seating position/bar reach. I think it will be a real treat to ride a bike with a more tractable four, but with rational ergonomics.
dpg: I hear you.. The first bike I ever rode was a '72 CB450, my neighbor and corrupter Phil put me on his bike and wished me luck. No such thing as MSF back then (as you know)... I've also decided that my CBR250R will be my long haul touring bike after a thoroughly enjoyable 5-6 day ride 2 summers ago. Having done the across the US and Canada thing a number of times on either an 1100 Shadow or a CBR1100XX blackbird, I needed 'something different' to get the feeling of adventure back. I found it to be more satisfying to do it with less... I mean, If I said to someone that I went across the US on a GoldWing.. the feeling'd be something like yes, 'and ???'. If my knees would let me, I'd be touring by road bicycle, but they won't. What I really look forward to on the CB1100 is having a big inch four tuned for low and mid-range.. just loafing along at low rpms around town and on back roads at 50 mph or so.. blub blub blub blub.. mmmm... heaven..
Yes. Plus 1. I, too had a inline-4 Honda, a CBR-600RR (2003). I bought it for it's performance and, honestly, it's looks and the company's reputation for building fine product. I was in my 40's at the time, and could handle it just fine. I sold it and bought an '06 Ducati S2R-800 Monster, because of the suspension, that great torque meister of an engine, and the more comfortable ergos. I ride 85% of the time around town, and about 2500 miles a year. That bike is great around town, and very comfortable. I'm going to keep it, even when I buy the cb1100. Well, I'm 57 as of yesterday, and although I'm 6'0" 172 lbs and keep myself in great physical shape (and always have), the ergos are amongst the most important reasons why I'm drawn to the cb1100. Could I handle another superbike? Yeah, but my wrists are already crying 'uncle.' I want to be comfortable, dammit. I saw, and sat on the bike in NYC, and loved it. The more I hear about this bike, the more I know it's the bike for me.