GS1100 vs CBX - page 7

The fact that the Honda could be revved to redline probably worked against the CBX in one respect. During our day in the mountains, we got the CBX's fuel mileage down to 29 mpg. The Suzuki never got below 36 mpg, partially because it wasn't run at high rpm as often. Of course, the lighter, narrower, torquier Suzuki would have gotten better mileage under any circumstances, but the difference probably wouldn't have been so great.

Although GS fork (diagrammed above) has just one air valve, two bolts admit air.

Just turn the plastic knob at the bottom of the GS fork to set damping rate.

CBX shock (diagrammed above) has lever in clevis to set compression damping.

Besides its vibration, the Suzuki's engine slightly diluted our mountain-road fun in another way. The 1100 suffers from a drive-train snatch problem. Not terribly, but more than the CBX, (which is excellent in this respect,) and more than the last GS1000 we rode (which didn't have CV carbs). Some of the snatchiness comes from the 1100's drive-train lash and some from the abrupt response of the lean-mixture CV carbs. The Honda's accelerator pump probably helps overcome the problem in the CBX. In the GS, especially in the lower gears, you have to be extra deliberate when rolling on the throttle in slow corners. If you just roll it on normally, you get an awkward lurch.

   

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