Menus
- Discovery
- In the saddle
- Contact
- Routes
- Highway
- Duo
- Tires
- Consumption
- Conclusion
- Opinion of my friend Francis who rides in Varadero
- Opinion of my friend Bernard (Suzuki DL 1000)
January
2003, Brussels vehicle show, I wander through the
aisles from brand to brand, from vehicle to vehicle
(not one escapes me) in order to sit my posterior on
each piece of imitation leather, taking me in turn for Agostini
(yes, I’m 52), for Stefan Everts … I see her, in a corner
of the stand (! roadsters are not sold in Belgium) in their outfit
red and white and given my past, it’s love at first sight … (he
must be said that before the VFR, I had CB450, CB750, Big One), we do not remake
not ! but before I decide, I want a try! Not possible,
well you’ll see … I contact the factory and I manage to get
the motorcycle intended for motorcycle journalists for the afternoon,
ouawww !
Discovery
After
a few months of patience (Madame to convince, and above all to separate myself
of my faithful VFR 800), I therefore decided to do
not and to visit the local dealership, or rather "the"
dealer (Irène) who has been "official" Honda for over
20 years old. 1/4 hour and the deal is done … we are in September;
15 days of patience and here is my Belle waiting for me. She is
beautiful, with a superb finish like all "high end"
at Honda.
In the saddle
I get on it, big machine but perfect position (I measure 1m89,
it helps …), much lighter, lower saddle, in short
more natural than the Big One.
Contact
Muffled noise but "full", we "feel" the displacement
here we go. We take the benchmarks and in a few kilometers
city, I have the impression of having always known her, light
(for its weight, it’s not a Hornet 600), manoeuvrable, good turning radius,
very sweet controls. I squeeze between cars on a
gas net at 1,000 t / m; it resumes smoothly on
any report.
Routes
the
next day, I took leave, I made myself Brussels -Crupet: 90 kms
of winding roads and of good quality. My impressions ? ease,
trunk … For the power, it will be necessary to wait because of break-in,
healthy handling, but on the attack, it moves more than the
VFR, "classic" frame obliges, very lively front …
not surprisingly at the start, the powerful and very
easy to dose, the rear blocks the wheel quickly …
why not have it equipped with combined braking
so reassuring, too bad !
After a few weeks of quiet life and break-in (5,000
kms in 1 month 1/2), I replace the (too) big exhaust nozzle
by a titanium Akrapovic … the beast frees itself … then we
starts to go frankly and there, (good) surprise,
it takes its turns in a superb noise without loss of power until
8,500 and even 9,000 revs (unlike the Suz GSX 1400
who chokes very quickly: test the previous year),
it grows at all speeds and allows the ballad rhythm
on torque or attack in towers; mmm, want to pass it to
bench at Good Bike and there, big smile, 129.5 CV at 8,000
and 13.2 of torque at 5.950 rpm … I am proud as a kid; o))).
Highway
May 2004: 8-day trip in the Vercors with 3 friends, loaded
like donkeys.
600 motorway terminals on the 1st day (Brussels – Besançon), only
motorcycle not faired, up to 130/140, it’s ok, but beyond,
we suffer for long journeys. But this I knew when I bought
a roadster.
On the other hand, once in the Alps (Galibier, Alpes d’Huez etc) and the
Vercors: The Foot! The four-legged resumes after each pin
without downshifting or playing the clutch (unlike
my 3 friends and their Bi, hey, hey). In short, great trip of 3.000
kms in France, in your beautiful country…
Duo
Month of August, I am leaving with my other half for 3 days to "do"
Luxembourg’s Little Switzerland. The duo … what to think? saddle ?
very comfortable (more than for the pilot), but the footrests
are high perched … Fortunately my wife is of average height
(1m65), but the CB is less duo oriented than its competitors
Yamaha and Suzuki.
Tires
Let’s move on to the gums: original rise in Dunlop D220, it is a
good compromise (better in any case than the Macadam 100 from Michelin which
is "infect") longevity 8,500 behind
and 12,000 in front. The rear has been replaced
by a Bridgestone BT20NT: identical behavior, longevity
also. The front has been replaced by a Conti Road-Attack
(GREAT: it heats up faster than my rear BT20 !!!), it is
comfortable and sporty. I change the back next month by
the Road-Attack: it is the best tire tried for a long time.
Consumption
Knowing that I hate the freeway, so I avoid it as much as possible.
I "do" between 6 (long journeys) to 8 when I get excited
a little … Average over the year: 7.2 liters / 100.
The first maintenance at the 6,000 terminals (I am not counting that of the 1,000)
cost me + – 120 Eur, that of 12,000, 170 Eur … and the
18,000 … it will be for next month.
As for the little extras that I installed on the bike: handles
heaters (this is Belgium), Top case (not beautiful on this machine,
but …, wheel licker, protective wheels … phew, fallen motorcycle
when stopped because of the mini-block being forgotten).
Small remark that annoys me: I bought the small windscreen
Honda brand at the "democratic" price of 210 Eur (they
are crazy) and this one does not fit at all and is "very"
poorly designed: noise, turbulence … "have your necks",
I took it apart after 2 hours and brought it back.
My Honda dealership refuses any transaction. I will attack by
registered mail because I hate to be rolled.
Conclusion
Anyway, I love it and only regret the Dual CBS.
| Strong points | Weak points |
|---|---|
|
|
An experience told by Philippe M.
Opinion
of my friend Francis who rides in Varadero
He loves the CB 1300 but wants "protection", so he doesn’t like
not too much the "roadster" concept
Opinion of my friend Bernard (Suzuki DL 1000)
He really likes the engine, but not the motorcycle … because it is too small
and too light; o)))
Datasheet
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