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iamlegend21087 · 04-21-2018 05:42 PM

Alright guys. Here is the million dollar question. 5 or 6 speed?? There is a left over 2013 near me that is so tempting. I think I am sold on the idea of being able to "tour" and camp and do awesome things. Will the 6th gear really make that much of a difference?

misterprofessionality · 04-21-2018 05:50 PM

The 6 speed version, as I understand it, is better for touring. Being able to shift into 6th and cruise down the highway at 80 and still be well under 4K rpms is pretty great. Somebody with a 5speed would have to comment on just how tall the 5th gear is.

iamlegend21087 · 04-21-2018 06:48 PM

(04-21-2018 05:50 PM)misterprofessionality Wrote: The 6 speed version, as I understand it, is better for touring. Being able to shift into 6th and cruise down the highway at 80 and still be well under 4K rpms is pretty great. Somebody with a 5speed would have to comment on just how tall the 5th gear is.

I'm curious what the 5 speed guys have to say. I just love the red so much, it's a pain to find any left over Deluxes

misterprofessionality · 04-21-2018 06:55 PM

(04-21-2018 06:48 PM)iamlegend21087 Wrote:
(04-21-2018 05:50 PM)misterprofessionality Wrote: The 6 speed version, as I understand it, is better for touring. Being able to shift into 6th and cruise down the highway at 80 and still be well under 4K rpms is pretty great. Somebody with a 5speed would have to comment on just how tall the 5th gear is.

I'm curious what the 5 speed guys have to say. I just love the red so much, it's a pain to find any left over Deluxes

red '13 or '17 tanks are easy to come by on samurider.com

kennyw · 04-21-2018 07:11 PM

I have done a little touring on my 2013. No complaints from me with the bike setup for my comfort. WA>ID>MT>WY>CO>NE via 2-lane (some not paved) then back on the freeway at 85 mph. The freeway was tiresome riding 16+ hours straight.

**The ferret** · 04-21-2018 07:15 PM

16 hours on a seat ( any seat) seems like forever. My wife and I rode straight thru coming back from Florida one year. 942 miles, 17 hours. Ugh..no desire to repeat any time soon.

**Cormanus** · 04-22-2018 02:02 AM

Courtesy of Qantas, lucky Australians who can afford it can spend 17 hours sitting in one seat on a Boeing Dreamliner as they travel between Perth and London. But I digress.

iamlegend, I’ve done a bit of touring, camping and even a few awesome things on my 2011 CB1100 and hope to do more. Since 80 mph is faster than the maximum allowable speed pretty much anywhere in Australia, I couldn’t comment on sustained travel at that pace. I also prefer to avoid freeways and major highways, largely because they’re usually less fun to ride on and, if they’re busy, more uncomfortable due to the higher level of turbulence. However, at 110 kph (just under 70 mph) the speed limit on freeways, the CB is very comfortable in 5th and can cruise comfortably for long periods. A 6th gear would be a bonus, but is by no means a necessity.

~~Banned~~ · 04-22-2018 02:04 AM

Yeah, in '91 I rode the 1750km from NB to London, ON in one shot. I didn't even want to look at my bike for about 2 weeks after.

dbarkdoll · 04-22-2018 01:15 PM

(04-19-2018 10:44 PM)Cormanus Wrote: Why only short touring, dbarkdoll?

No reason in particular. Just havnt had the right combination of time off from work and good weather to do any multi day trips. Should have some opportunities coming up soon that I am looking forward to though.

(04-21-2018 06:48 PM)iamlegend21087 Wrote:
(04-21-2018 05:50 PM)misterprofessionality Wrote: The 6 speed version, as I understand it, is better for touring. Being able to shift into 6th and cruise down the highway at 80 and still be well under 4K rpms is pretty great. Somebody with a 5speed would have to comment on just how tall the 5th gear is.

I'm curious what the 5 speed guys have to say. I just love the red so much, it's a pain to find any left over Deluxes

2013 owner here. Cruising at 70 mph has me around 4000 rpm, which honestly is a bit smoother than the 3500 rpm range. Less vibey. Something about Honda's choice to make this engine run a little rougher to add "chatacter"

misterprofessionality · 04-22-2018 01:28 PM

(04-22-2018 01:15 PM)dbarkdoll Wrote: 2013 owner here. Cruising at 70 mph has me around 4000 rpm, which honestly is a bit smoother than the 3500 rpm range. Less vibey. Something about Honda's choice to make this engine run a little rougher to add "chatacter"

on the 6speed, i don't find the smoother range until 5k and up, and i don't usually maintain the 5-7k range unless i'm just passing everybody on earth, or going into "sport mode" to bend a series of really fun turns. the 3500 range is really just for saving gas, which it seems to do.