Looking for a CB1300 owner in Auckland.

[kave]

I am considering buying one of these, but as it is in the other end of NZ I may be hard pressed to get a test-ride. I assume the ride will be the standard of most other big naked bikes, so I don't really need to take one for a ride. All I want to do is check the seat height to make sure that I am able to get at least one foot down.

Is there anyone in Auckland who will let me have a sit on their CB1300? I promise I wont scratch it.

Thanks.

[Scouse]

I am considering buying one of these, but as it is in the other end of NZ I may be hard pressed to get a test-ride. I assume the ride will be the standard of most other big naked bikes, so I don't really need to take one for a ride. All I want to do is check the seat height to make sure that I am able to get at least one foot down.

Is there anyone in Auckland who will let me have a sit on their CB1300? I promise I wont scratch it.

Thanks.

PM maha he's got one

[AllanB]

If you are buying new shop around. The 'new' official price is $19500! you'll find them several K cheaper easily.

Bloke at work has one - he's pleased. He has commented that the seat padding is a bit thin for a tourer (he got a sheepskin). Apparently Honda lowered the seat height after year one but did not lower the seat base - ie just less padding!

And they need a horny pipe - too quiet.

[kave]

Unfortunately new is out of my range. The one I am looking at is a 2001, and even that will be a stretch for my budget.

[AllanB]

Unfortunately new is out of my range. The one I am looking at is a 2001, and even that will be a stretch for my budget.

If its a clean one it will be just as good - other than the seat and colours nothing has changed on them. Must be good

[kave]

I would always buy a bike where both feet could touch the ground as if one foot touches gravel you can put the other foot down for balance.

I guess it is what you are used to, and confident with. I want to buy a bike that I can at least touch toes down on both sides. If I decided that I needed to be able to flatfoot any bike that I bought, that would be a very small list of bikes. I would like to be able to get both feet down flat, but so far the only bikes that I have liked that I could flatfoot (a list of about three, as I am not a fan of cruisers) have been unsuitable for pillioning.

Maha has offered to help, which is really good of him, so by tomorrow I will know if the bike is too big for me or not.

[jrandom]

... by tomorrow I will know if the bike is too big for me or not.

You'd have to be very diminutive for a CB1300 to be too big for you, IMHO. The first time I picked one off the sidestand I was surprised at how light it felt compared to my GSX1400. (Seat was lower, too.)

They're nimble minimalist bikes without too much fat on 'em, don't be fooled by the '1300' part.

[Mom]

I guess it is what you are used to, and confident with. I want to buy a bike that I can at least touch toes down on both sides. If I decided that I needed to be able to flatfoot any bike that I bought, that would be a very small list of bikes. I would like to be able to get both feet down flat, but so far the only bikes that I have liked that I could flatfoot (a list of about three, as I am not a fan of cruisers) have been unsuitable for pillioning.

Maha has offered to help, which is really good of him, so by tomorrow I will know if the bike is too big for me or not.

I can vouch for the pillionability (is that a word?) of the CB. I am a shorty, the only problem I have is at times the step up to the pillion pegs is a bit of a mission, we have become adept at finding good places to make that step easier. Great pillion seat configuration too.

[jrandom]

... the step up to the pillion pegs is a bit of a mission

[Mom]

Now there is a thought How do you suppose I could carry that? I wonder if ventura have a ladder rack attachment?


Bastard!

[The Pastor]

Now there is a thought How do you suppose I could carry that? I wonder if ventura have a ladder rack attachment?


Bastard!

make some straps and turn it into a back pack!

[Mom]

The problem is you do not mostly get a chance to check if your feet are
going to touch gravel or not. However if you think the risk is worth it
good luck. Perhaps others who can not put both feet down could post comments about touching gravel. Some bikes with a tall seat can be ok
if the seat is narrow. I found when I was test riding the H Bars were too low
in relation to the seat height for me on a lot of bikes

I have found over the years I have been riding I have become very adept at finding good places for me to stop. I scan for clear foot placings and angle of camber well before I commit to putting my feet down. I will park at different angles to other riders, not because that is the first place I thought to stop, but where I have judged to be the easiest to ground my feet safely.

I am lucky my current bike is low seat height and I can comfortably get both feet, balls of feet, on the ground. Hardest is manouvering it on gravel or loose chip seal that is not swept when stopped. I have had the foot skid from under me doing that and it is not a good feeling at all.

[jrandom]

Um. Regarding all the 'touching gravel' stuff... has anyone ever noticed that pretty much all the adventure, trail and motocross bikes out there are high up enough that many riders can't flat-foot them on either side?

Staying upright in gravel isn't about putting your feet down, it's about throttle control and balance.

In my own limited experience, of course.