Honda recommends....

[FakeIrish]

I called into a main Honda dealer in Kent over the weekend to discuss new bike requirements.

I mentioned the primary use would be for commuting to London and that I really love a naked bike and a CB1300 is my preference. I did say that I am looking for a fairly cheapish bike to run due to regular servicing and high mileage and that a CBF600 is probably the better option, although it would probably be a bore.

So he suggested as a compromise - the Varadero! This is hardly a naked bike, but boy, what a heavy beast this is, with poor economy too.

He essentially ridiculed the CBF600 and steered me to the 1000 Varadero.....and said this is the "compromise" choice between the CBF600 and CB1300.

Anyone else understand the logic here?

[FakeIrish]

Oh, please do not confuse the CBF600 with the Hornet - completely different bike!

[Kris]

[UnspeedySam]

[Kickstart]

Hi

To some it might be. Some people want a naked bike for the (generally) upright riding position, and these might appreciate the screen for commuting.

But if you want a naked bike because it is naked then a faired bike is a lousy suggestion.

At least a Varadero might have a decent size petrol tank to compensate for the lousy fuel economy.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[yen_powell]

I'm using a Varadero to commute on at the moment. I tend to stay at 90mph for the vast majority of the journey (50 miles each way) and get an average of 48mpg. It filters well in London traffic. It is a heavy old lump though, only really noticable when pushing it in and out of my garage.

I have been quite impressed with the servicing so far. Oil and filter changes are extremely easy, the spark plugs are easy to change and even putting a new clutch cable on took only a few minutes. The fairing comes apart really quickly with lots of quick release fasteners.
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Blackmail is a nasty word........but not as nasty as phlegm!
XT1200Z and a DR350 in bits

[FakeIrish]

Faired version of CBF600? Nah, I want naked even for all year commuting. Don't need a woman to tell me to cover up This discussion was held on another thread but appreciate the good comments about the bike itself. People say it's slow and has no torque - but the torque figures and 'quarter of a mile' stats for the CBF600 virtually matches others in the mid-range bikes.

I was a bit cynical and did wonder whether they saw me as a mug and ideal opportunity to shift obsolete stock - I must have mug written across my forehead.

I likle they way Honda gave it a large fuel tank in a cycnical move to make riders think the mpg figure is good.

I wouldn't want to commute on a bike that is greater than a quarter of a ton in weight - I used to ride like the couriers in hustling the bikes through town so I'm thinking this is simply too big a beast for hustling the bike through traffic. This probably applies to the CB1300 too.

PS - I do like the look of the Tiger 800 too.......(a contradiction I know!)

[DrDonnyBrago]

If you want a cheapish naked commuter but don't want a dull CBF600 then consider the hornet. It's no cb1300 muscle bike but the hornet and CBF are a world apart in terms of performance.

IMO the actual compromise between the CBF600 and CB1300 is the CBF1000. Big engined commuter, a mate's dad has one and loves it - does a lot of touring, commuting and scratching and thinks it is perfect.

[FakeIrish]

DonnyBrago

Have been looking at the Hornet and the only thing that annoys me is the daily fuelling due to the small tank. But I suspect I am going to have to compromise. But I also prefer the "retro" naked bikes rather than the sharp angular modern bikes. However, it's half on my list to test ride.

I think the CBF1000 is a superb bike but shouts "old fart" and I have yet to hit my 40s... One for the future though.

Thanks for your views. Anyone have any idea how the Hornet (and rider) performs on the motorway?
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Previous steeds: VFR800, CBR600F & ZX9R
Current: Volvo V50...

[multijoy]

I'm early 30's and I've got a CBF1000

They're good bikes. Fireblade lump, albeit detuned to put the torque in the midrange. Not to everyone's taste, but it'd be a dull world if we all liked the same thing.

Why not get the CB1300, if that's what you want? Might be more expensive to run, but you can't put a price on happiness, n' all that.
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'11 CBF1000A, '99 C90, '98 CB500
silky666: He rode amazingly well considering his bike is the weight of a small van and had slicks on.

[Adamantis]

[FakeIrish]

Multijoy

No offence intended - but I did say they are great bikes. I just may look at them to humour myself

As for running costs of the cb1300, I have a family to support and they won't appreciate it if I choose the expensive option!

Go on "sell me the cbf1000"....do you use it for commuting? I could bring myself to look beyond the appearence as it will principally be a commuter bike after all. I have heard nothing but praise for the bike. I just wished it came without a half-fairing!
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Previous steeds: VFR800, CBR600F & ZX9R
Current: Volvo V50...

[multijoy]

On the plus side:

they're reliable (stator issues aside, but that's a warranty matter), pretty manoeuvrable for a thou (but there is some weight there). Brakes are good, some reasonable weather protection (you can get some fairing lowers as well, if that's your thing, although I'm getting the feeling that it's not!). The CBF1000A, which is the one they're trying to really sell, has 0% finance on it. I commute into central london on it, so filtering is fine (although not as good as a scooter, obviously).

Fuelling is good across the rev range, it's a lazy style of riding but it'll pick its skirts up when you want to shift. The A is more or less unchanged since it's introduction, so lots of aftermarket stuff. Old man style means the feefs'll take the GSXR parked next to you first (true story!). It's not a CBF600. They seem to hold their value well.


On the downside:

A face only a mother could love. It's not a big single. It's predictable right through the rev range. The new CBF1000F is better (albeit £3k more). Screen introduces some turbulence, a lot of people change it for an MRA. It's not a 'blade. It's crying out for some akaprovic lovin'.
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'11 CBF1000A, '99 C90, '98 CB500
silky666: He rode amazingly well considering his bike is the weight of a small van and had slicks on.

[Rogerborg]

[ThoughtContro...]

[multijoy]

[ThoughtContro...]

So get a small, cheap hooligan bike for being a hooligan if the CBF tarnishes your image so

Still use your CBF for the commute. Best of both worlds.

Either that or fuck em and whatever else they think.
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Prize cunt
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"In a world of universal deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act" - George Orwell

[Polarbear]

If you fancy a Tiger 800 why not try one. I had a 955i Tiger and the only bike more comfortable than that I have ever ridden was a Goldwing.

Are you set on a Honda or open to other makes?
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Adamantis]

[Flip]

[Pol Anorl]

i rode past there yesterday lol, its about 10 mins from where i live, adrian is a fucking star he really is, i always take my bike there for an mot just prices are a bit steep on certain items.
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[FakeIrish]

[FakeIrish]

[Skudd]

[yen_powell]