Modern Motorcycle most like a real 80's UJM ?

[Redman]

Carl,

Ask this guy. Kevin, first post a week ago.
Kevin is about 150 miles east of you (although would involve a ferry to go that way).

.....
Oct 6 found me buying a brand new 2014 Honda CB1100!
........

View attachment 53437
Picture after last Sundays ride

Custom painted to look more like the 80s version.

.

 

[GS1150Pilot]

That Z900 is pretty sweet. The XSR700 from Yamaha is pretty much a UJM. Its a bit thick looking, and a mite industrial, but it's a performer.

 

[Jedz123]

That Z900 is pretty sweet. The XSR700 from Yamaha is pretty much a UJM. Its a bit thick looking, and a mite industrial, but it's a performer.

View attachment 53460

If released when they released the Street-Rod I would have bought it...

Pure rubbish to the UJM Purists but there not the ones buying new motorcycles, we are.... Hence it's release to the states, gotta love supply and demand!

I did find love for my XR1200 Sportster after making the mistake and buying my 17 Street-Rod (which could go here too) It's marketed to be a standard bike but it's just a half A$$-ed bike IMHO. Phenomenal motor, good geometry, HORRIBLE ergonomics... If the the XSR700 came out when the XG750A did I would have never bought a Harley and not ended up on a XR1200... So I'm not too mad about it for I LOVE my Sporty... Acts like the XG750A but better and is way more comfy. It's quick but it easily won't get me into too much trouble.

I did think about the XSR900 but issue being is that where I live I don't need a big liter bike. I thought I did in my mid to late 20's (I HAVE THE POWER!!!!) but now as I'm a little older (turning 34 next month) less is more on a motorcycle... The XSR900 is a bit excessive for my needs and 50mph speed zones.

I intend to sell off the FZ6 and replace it with an XSR700... Some-point down the line in the next year or so.

 

[Guest]

Saw this on the FZ1 forum yesterday "Cycle Center in Huntington, WV just got a super clean 2017 CB1100EX in with 61 miles on it. Msrp is $12,199, they are offering it for sale for $6,499.

I think it will still be a slow sale.

 

[earlfor]

Saw this on the FZ1 forum yesterday "Cycle Center in Huntington, WV just got a super clean 2017 CB1100EX in with 61 miles on it. Msrp is $12,199, they are offering it for sale for $6,499.

I think it will still be a slow sale.

It's a nice looking snail. LOL

 

[bwringer]

I'd have to say the closest thing I've ridden to a GS850 + 20 years of development is a Bandit -- Suzuki GSF1250. I immediately felt at home on it.

There are several excellent naked bikes these days (SV650, Yamaha FJ, etc.), but as far as fulfilling the "all-purpose" role of a UJM and not just aping the aesthetic, I'd say a V-Strom is the closest. The DL650, especially -- there are tons of them around, so they're easy to find and cheap, there are TONS of accessories and upgrades available (and most used examples are wearing a nice selection), they're relatively simple, dead reliable, and they're generally owned by adults who take care of them.

The aftermarket support is a key element missing from most modern naked bikes.

 

[salty_monk]

bmw s1000r?

Yep... This one

Although that's not me.... Has all the toys, clutchless shifting, all sorts of stability control etc. Far too much oomph for the street!

Nardy's aprilia could have come under modern EU UJM as well. Fun bike too

 

[KEITH KRAUSE]

If bikes don't look like a bug it seems kids don't want to buy them and they are the ones with disposable income prior to their first emasculating relationship with a bike hating woman.

:lol: Damn, that's funny. Sad, true, but funny.

 

[KEITH KRAUSE]

Kaw's ZRX 1100/1200 pretty much did it for me. Carbureted, twin shock, liquid cooled, 145+ HP, classic lines, plenty of aftermarket goodies available, comfy, etc. etc. Of course, the Big K decided that such a fine, affordable bike should be discontinued in 2007, and resulted in the things gaining cult $tatus. Pity.

View attachment 53457

Great bikes! Probably the best standard ever. I can't understand Kawasaki's thinking either. When I was still in Southern Cal', ZRX's were everywhere. That was the only thing negative about them...everyone had one. So not only did they quit making them, I heard they didn't offer them in green the last year, even though the green outsold the red, blue and silver ones like 4-1 combined. I'm not a businessman, but I could've made smarter decisions than the idiots they hired. Marketing suicide.

 

[Guest]

The CB1100 has ABS and FI.

This one may qualify as modern classic too...

This would be my choice as well.

 

[KEITH KRAUSE]

I like that Z900 too. The Honda 1100 styling looks a little cleaner, less busy, but the spoke wheels are a deal breaker with me. I grew up with spoke wheels but I just don't like them anymore.
I hope the Z900 will prove to be a good buy and still around in about 5 years. I may buy one and it will probably be my last bike. I like the Honda Interceptor too. Always has to be a decision.

 

[wymple]

Sometimes enough is enough. While not a burner by today's high tech standards, there is nothing slow about 90-100 hp. My money would go to the 1100 Honda.

 

[Jedz123]

Sometimes enough is enough. While not a burner by today's high tech standards, there is nothing slow about 90-100 hp. My money would go to the 1100 Honda.

Yeah but when you can't break 108mph we have problems...

This is why I never considered the Honda:

The speed and rev limiters take allot of fun out of the bike so I'm told by guys my age...
Why it was discontinued in 2014.
They only rebooted it to try to capture some of those retro inspired bike sales (which Triumph and Ducati are raking in the coin on).

I personally will never buy a CB1100 with the influx of awesome new Retro inspired modern bikes on the market.
The CB1100 will likely fade away into the background in a year or two. It's just not impressive and to the guys buying brand new bikes there is no WOW factor.

This is a new Honda CB I would be more likely to buy ...

Don't be surprised when the CB1100 goes away that this steps into it's spot on the lineup.

 

[Jedz123]

The new Husquavaran Vitpilen 701 looks AWESOME.... Although I'm not sure if I'd be interested in buying one... Maybe a 401 to replace the TUX... Maybe put into my mind for consideration

I pretty sure it's a KTM in sheeps clothes. The 700cc KTM motor is brutal.

 

[GS1150Pilot]

Yeah but when you can't break 108mph we have problems...

This is why I never considered the Honda:

The speed and rev limiters take allot of fun out of the bike so I'm told by guys my age...
Why it was discontinued in 2014.
They only rebooted it to try to capture some of those retro inspired bike sales (which Triumph and Ducati are raking in the coin on).

I personally will never buy a CB1100 with the influx of awesome new Retro inspired modern bikes on the market.
The CB1100 will likely fade away into the background in a year or two. It's just not impressive and to the guys buying brand new bikes there is no WOW factor.

This is a new Honda CB I would be more likely to buy ...

Don't be surprised when the CB1100 goes away that this steps into it's spot on the lineup.

Holy hipster fest!

It looks like it stole styling elements from Buell and Ducati, and there isn't much by way of a pillion. Same goes for that Vitpilen. The seat is part of what makes a great UJM, to me. Part of being able to do everything is being able to take a date somewhere without her hating life before we get there.

 

[Jedz123]

Holy hipster fest!

It looks like it stole styling elements from Buell and Ducati, and there isn't much by way of a pillion. Same goes for that Vitpilen. The seat is part of what makes a great UJM, to me. Part of being able to do everything is being able to take a date somewhere without her hating life before we get there.

Hmm well I see the point to that but I guess why each to their own with motorcycles. I'm finishing my season up at 22K miles, I rode 2 up for maybe 1500 miles... So 93% of my riding was done solo... I only care about me HAHAHA... I don't really (I'm not a narcissist), I do need to find a comfortable bike for my Mrs. & I, the FZ6 does the job ok... I will likely be getting a Corbin single saddle for the XR some point this winter for her and I.

For me I'm still sold on the XSR700... It is just exactly what I'm looking for in a neo-retro modern motorcycle. If I get a bike like this its going to be for my daily rides to work and back. I'l always have more than 1 bike in the shop... You know me .

 

[Guest]

Among the population that frequent this message board I would guess that most will agree the
mid-80's UJM (GS Series style) bikes have a certain ..cachet ?A definitive look, style and riding position that we seem to find appealing or else why would we work so hard to keep these old beauties on the road -

IF you were able to pick ONE bike from the past few years (2010 and up) to buy today NEW --

Which would you pick that most closely resembles the UJM of our collective admiring ?

Why ?

Please discuss -

Not even a question, the CB1100 is the only one that has the closest look, style and riding position of our old bikes. Bandits? They look like crap and certainly NOT like a UJM. The new Kawi is close but with a monoshock? no can do. This one is easy, its the Honda.

Give me a break on the performance BTW. Most of the old dogs on GSR will never out work the output of a CB1100 on the street.

EDIT: Bonus, You can pick new old ones sitting on showrooms for a song and I have seen some very nice deals on used ones.

 

[Jedz123]

Not even a question, the CB1100 is the only one that has the closest look, style and riding position of our old bikes. Bandits? They look like crap and certainly NOT like a UJM. The new Kawi is close but with a monoshock? no can do. This one is easy, its the Honda.

Give me a break on the performance BTW. Most of the old dogs on GSR will never out work the output of a CB1100 on the street.

EDIT: Bonus, You can pick new old ones sitting on showrooms for a song and I have seen some very nice deals on used ones.

Kawasaki was asked in press why they didn't go with a twin shock rear for the Z900RS like the original Z or ZRX. The answer was performance and comfort, you can't beat a mono shock.

I found this review most interesting:

The Dollar is our last honest ballot... Best worked if cast.
The CB1100 Came out as a 5-speed in 2013 then all black (which I love) in 2015, then 3 years it wasn't in the USDM...
Coming back for 2018 with Spokes and 2-4 exhuast for 2018. Clearly a direct competitor with the R nine T...

Issue being is the CB1100 is not competitive at all, Honda marketers were relying on nostalgia to drive sales. A nostalgia most folks my age that are buying new bikes don't have or can appreciate. We like the classic look but we love the performance and experience found on a modern motorcycle OR a cheap old one, Why spend new money on an old bike???... Our purchases are driving the production of modern standard machines... Not new old bikes.

Even Harley is catching on with the totally revamped Cruiser line...

Sure the CB1100 would work best for most on this forum but not so much for those looking to buy new in the bike market...

The Honda Goldwing gets a total revamp this year because the demographic that currently own and rides is dying off (no offence).

They need to appeal to Millennials and you can definitely see it in their new commercial (which my fiance showed me immediately and asked if we could look at one to purchase).

It's about the experience, I can honestly attest to that...
https://www.cnbc.com/2016/05/05/millennials-are-prioritizing-experiences-over-stuff.html
Less is more... Motorcycles are a great tool for experience. I don't just buy bikes I RIDE THEM for the experiences I gather from them...

There are some awesome deals out there, I would stay clear of the 2013 model with the 5-speed transmission. Those are going for a song for sure but you'll want the 6-speed...

 

[850 Combat]

Well honda missed the ball there. They went for a "cruiser" style Modern classic, they should have modeled it after like A CB1100f.. hell even tge tank has the correct shape already... now kawi did exactly what was needed to sell. They modeled it after their classic sport bike that kids lusted over back in the day. Not the bike your pops would ride..

Also, it shouldn't have been slower than a 35 year old CB1100F.

 

[Guest]

I'm not implying the CB1100 is the best performer, simply that it is the closest all around to what we are riding. The "old" style UJM is never going to be the industry standard again and I don't see any of them becoming overly popular with the younger crowd. I'll just keep running my old stuff and let the Harley guys poke fun.