cb1100 vs gt750?

[Eddie]

high, im just wondering if anybody on here owns a cb1100? I know this is a Suzuki site but I have really been looking at the cb1100 deluxe, its a good looking bike, not the 2013 model but the 2014, but its pricey and im wondering how the gt750 feels compared to the cb1100, the horsepower is almost the same, the cb1100 has I believe 86 ponies and the gt750 like 70 ish? The reason im asking is because I rode the gt750 over to a local bike shop and the owner seemed to really, really like the buffalo and offered me money or a trade in , he knows I keep looking at the cb1100 and told me he would knock 6 grand off the price! I couldn't believe it,,,, but the problem is I love the gt750 and at this point I cant give her up unless I had to,,,,the only reason I was looking at the cb1100 is because I have never owned a new bike, this gt750 is the newest I have ever owned and its a 1974!, my other bikes are from the 60's and I still ride them. I was looking at the bonnies 1st then the cb came out, I am not really into the sport bikes , I love the old school bikes and riding position ,,, so im keeping the gt750 because I love that bike and its really unique , but if you guys were looking at say a bonnie or thruxton vs cb1100 deluxe which would you get?

[Alan H]

A 2 stroke triple for runs up to about 100 miles, the CB for touring ~ possibly.

[Eddie]

yup that's kinda what I was thinking, ill have to wait for the cb1100 ex to get cheaper, maybe get a used one if I can find one, I use the gt750 as my main bike so I kinda wanted to get something else so I can kinda save the old girl. The Bonneville is easier for valve adjust I would think, since there's less valves but I have helped a friend of mine adjust his concourse valves and what a pain in the a@##$$! they all seem to have shim under bucket now which I don't care for that much, as far as maintenance . The cb1100 would be better I think long distance than the bonnie, well thanks for the input!!!!!

[Coyote]

But a used Harley. The posers are getting bored. There are at least 30 in the paper every weekend. The market is so saturated, they can't figure out why it ain't worth nothing like they paid.
If you want to go touring, buy a used Gold Wing. Otherwise be happy with your Buffalo and use your money on something more useful. Like bourbon..

[yeadon_m]

If you want an involving hobby bike with increasing rarity, stay with the GT750. There's nothing like it now and will never be.
If you want a bike thats as turn key as a modern car and will do all you could want (on road) the CB1100 will be perfect. There will be no maintenance that you could likely do and its dull as ditchwater, in the sense of being pretty much like most other similar machines. There is little danger you'll really love a CB but you probably won't want to hit it with a hammer either.
Don't be fooled by the ponies - my own GSX1400 is nominally 'only' 50% more power than my Kettle and a similar mass, but the torque - ah the torque. The '14 is outrageous at all RPMs and throttle openings. I would bet the CB will feel very darn powerful vs a GT750.
Before I took delivery of my 2007 GSX1400 (only new machine I've ever bought) I did think am I being a wooz, won't the power be 'only' a bit more than I'm used to? nope, years later it still plasters a grin on me every time I get a chance to get it wide open in 4th going onto a main road. Jaysuz. But, its not equal to the GTs in terms of long term ownership pleasure and pride, for me anyway.
Mike

[Eddie]

I know these new bikes are not originals, I have a few originals, its just that I like the styling and they are fuel injected, I have never had a fuel injected bike, so the thought of no carb rebuilding is nice, and when I want to ride the originals I can, im not really a Harley fan , I like some but not all, I used to work at a bike shop when I was in my 20's and I worked on a lot of Harleys , im not really going touring either, maybe a 5 hour ride one way and 5 back the next day kinda deal, a Goldwing is really nice for long , long rides , I guess it would be nice to have something new with old styling , that's what attracts me to them... I will never get rid of the gt750 though , I agree its a great bike that is very different than others, I love all my old bikes and I have a big problem letting them go, according to my wife,,,,

[jabcb]

Have both the GT750 & a modern Bonneville.

The Bonneville's stock seat is awful but there are plenty of alternatives available.
If you are short you'll probably like the Bonneville but if you are tall you might find it a bit too confining for long trips.

A plus for the Bonneville over the CB1100 is the broad range of accessories & aftermarket parts.
A plus for the CB1100 is the availability of ABS brakes.

Its a tough call, but I think I'd pick my red GT750 a my favorite in the collection I currently have.
The Bonneville is a good modern bike & is better in so many ways, but it is just a bit boring.

If its in your budget, having a vintage bike + a modern retro makes for a great combination.
I've taken a close look at the CB1100 at the local Honda shop but haven't ridden one yet.
For now, I think I prefer the Bonneville.

For a bit more pain in the wallet but a lot less boring ride, a BMW boxer or Moto Guzzi Griso are worth a close look.

[Suzukidave]

Maybe i am a bit biased as i and several others here on the list own them ( SmokyAllan owns more than 1 ) .. Suzuki 1200 Bandit .. they are a very under rated motorcycle with a basically detuned GSXR engine . the early models are oil cooled engines with screw valve adjustment ( no shims ) .. the bikes can be found with low mileage and at great prices , cheap enough you could get one and still keep the GT

[Suzsmokeyallan]

I would not say you're biased Dave at all, as an owner of both, a few GT750s and a few Bandit 1200s amongst other bikes, I would not trade or sell either for the new CB1100.
I looked at that bike and the reality is that its not worth the money they expect you to pay for it. If it was around $6,000 you might say ok but you can buy way better more modern bikes for less money used, and do mild restoration work to have a way better bike with better performance/fuel mileage, more style and character.

Look at this Bandit 1200 I've restored for example, all told theres about $4,000.00 invested including the bikes cost.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Q3_FIK9FgM" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[lrutt]

I would never get rid of one of my classics. Just could not do it.

[Eddie]

just saw your bandit! that's a beautiful bike! good job!, im not getting rid of any of my old bikes, and the bike shop here offered to sale me a 2013 cb1100 for 6 grand , brand new bike, but I like the 2014 cb1100 deluxe model not the 2013, so the guy offered to take my gt750 and take 6 grand off the 2014 model, but I cant trade my gt750 in , I love that bike ,,,,I like the 2014 model because of the bigger gas tank and 6 speed tranny, but like said before they are way over priced!!!!!!!! I will have to wait for a few years and get a used one cheaper....

[pearljam724]

There are both great pros and cons to owning/riding modern or classic bikes. You are highly over rating fuel infection vs. carburation. A clean and properly set up rack of carbs will perform just as well as any fuel injection. The biggest difference between the 2 is the fuel injection doesn't necessarily require warm up time. Other than mainly that. Fuel injection has very little over a set of good carbs. Yes, carbs do need cleaned every 2 or 3 years. But, it's very cheap, easy to clean. Easy to fix or adjust carbs. When you need to clean, have problems, want to adjust fuel injection it is very costly and sometimes difficult to pin point the specific problem. Contrary to popular belief. Throttle response is exactly the same if everything mechanically is correct. We always want, what we never had. In the earlier stages of my motorcycle career. I always owned the most modern, high performing bike that was available at it's time. " The Newest, Greatest Bike. " But, in recent years sold them all off and have gotten addicted to vintage or classics. I don't see myself ever switching back. And I dearly love modern bikes also. When you are spotted on a vintage bike. People of all ages want to see, listen, learn and talk about that bike. It's not about attention for me. Point is, a modern bike of any kind does not get that kind of attention. I believe, for great reasons. No kidding. I've had people ranging from 16 to 70 years old chasing and stopping me in hopes of getting a better look on dozens of occasions. Thinking initially, " Why in the hell is this guy chasing and following me around ? " I've been told why on many of those occasions.

[Eddie]

I agree 100 % , I have only owned classics, never a new bike, newest is my 1974 gt750, the rest are 60's and one 70 r5350 purple and white model , I love classics way more than new bikes, and cars for that matter, just thought it would be nice to have 1 new bike that I can just get on and not worry about it getting stolen or something like that (if the classic gets stolen its way harder to replace) and its easier to get parts for, I guess its because I have never had a new bike and would like to see how it is, but im not getting rid of my old bikes, I thought about the trade in for about 2 seconds and said no to the owner of the bike shop, and he wouldn't let it go, he collects old bikes for his show room and personnel use. I actually prefer carbs over fuel injection, (I can work on a carb, and im pretty decent at it I like to think) but I would not know where to start with fuel injection, but I have never even ridden a fuel injected bike! I think id like to at least once, maybe go test ride one , I don't even mess with new cars just for that reason! im a carb guy , and I don't like computers which is why I cant post pics on here!!! I just think It would be nice to have one new bike, and I kinda want it to be injected since iv never had one,,,,

[pearljam724]

I agree 100 % , I have only owned classics, never a new bike, newest is my 1974 gt750, the rest are 60's and one 70 r5350 purple and white model , I love classics way more than new bikes, and cars for that matter, just thought it would be nice to have 1 new bike that I can just get on and not worry about it getting stolen or something like that (if the classic gets stolen its way harder to replace) and its easier to get parts for, I guess its because I have never had a new bike and would like to see how it is, but im not getting rid of my old bikes, I thought about the trade in for about 2 seconds and said no to the owner of the bike shop, and he wouldn't let it go, he collects old bikes for his show room and personnel use. I actually prefer carbs over fuel injection, (I can work on a carb, and im pretty decent at it I like to think) but I would not know where to start with fuel injection, but I have never even ridden a fuel injected bike! I think id like to at least once, maybe go test ride one , I don't even mess with new cars just for that reason! im a carb guy , and I don't like computers which is why I cant post pics on here!!! I just think It would be nice to have one new bike, and I kinda want it to be injected since iv never had one,,,,

I know exactly what you mean. I felt the same exact way up until the point I bought my first injected bike. A newer model bike is something everyone should experience. They are awesome in their own ways as well. The difference you would experience is the difference in weight to power ratio, modern crown shaped tires that make cornering a breeze, perfected weight balance, modern cornering clearance, how smooth and effortless they are to ride, comfort, etc. Modern bikes have motors that produce amazing power. Would have very little to do with carburation vs. fuel injection.

[Alan H]

Biggest problem with a modern crotch rocket for me, is that if it had 200hp, I would want to use it and end up hallway up a tree in the first couple of days.
I'll stick to the 550s or similar and there's less chance of ending a promising retirement early with a pine overcoat.
Like you say though, it might be nice to try one and scare ourselves a bit, the once, then take it back before the paint gets scratched!