12-21-2015, 09:09 AM
I got home from work at 3:15 pm, ran in and got my gear. Got the CTX out of the shed. The sales guy was there 10 minutes later with my new 2014 Honda CB1100.
I will readily admit that I was a Nervous Wreck. The last inline 4 I rode was in 1975: My then new Honda CB550 Four.
To cut this down and not write a novel, the sales guy helped me by spotting the bike as I practiced getting her up on the center stand - another thing I haven't had in years.
Then... he loaded my CTX on his trailer, waved bye.. and off he went.
I muscled the new CB1100 out of the shed, got her turned around and started... and away I went - mouth dry, hands shaking, half expecting disaster to strike at any moment...
Out the driveway, onto the street and down the lane I go.
I rode my first 11 miles - Wow, what an experience! The bike handles amazingly well - easy to ride, stable and SMOOTH. I would say the experience was better than SE* but of course, I'd be lying (lol). But trust me, it was CLOSE.
You will laugh though, I still do, at myself:
The first 1 or 2 miles (in reality, more like 1/16th of a mile) the bike had NO power! Acted like it wasn't getting fuel... Then WHAM! I looked down at my right boot, and ut oh, the dang toe was depressing the rear brake! Ages since I rode a bike with mid controls and I am definitely needing practice.
I immediately started working on my foot position on both sides.. and after I got things arranged somewhat, zoom - that thing got going, smoothly, effortlessly.
Anyway... after 11 or 12 miles I got myself calmed down and began enjoying the ride, the bike and this new experience. Just incredible. Even a bit smoother than the CB550 I had decades ago.
I got home, rolled it into the shed, set the clock, then got that thing up on the center stand without problems.
Sorry for the long note... but I did want to share my "adventure".
I LOVE this motorcycle - I can see 4 - 500 mile days, and without effort.
The motorcycle 'gods' are smiling - Xmas day is predicted to hit 70 degrees (F), so y'all know what I will be doing.
Just wanted to share...
... quietguy
I will readily admit that I was a Nervous Wreck. The last inline 4 I rode was in 1975: My then new Honda CB550 Four.
To cut this down and not write a novel, the sales guy helped me by spotting the bike as I practiced getting her up on the center stand - another thing I haven't had in years.
Then... he loaded my CTX on his trailer, waved bye.. and off he went.
I muscled the new CB1100 out of the shed, got her turned around and started... and away I went - mouth dry, hands shaking, half expecting disaster to strike at any moment...
Out the driveway, onto the street and down the lane I go.
I rode my first 11 miles - Wow, what an experience! The bike handles amazingly well - easy to ride, stable and SMOOTH. I would say the experience was better than SE* but of course, I'd be lying (lol). But trust me, it was CLOSE.
You will laugh though, I still do, at myself:
The first 1 or 2 miles (in reality, more like 1/16th of a mile) the bike had NO power! Acted like it wasn't getting fuel... Then WHAM! I looked down at my right boot, and ut oh, the dang toe was depressing the rear brake! Ages since I rode a bike with mid controls and I am definitely needing practice.
I immediately started working on my foot position on both sides.. and after I got things arranged somewhat, zoom - that thing got going, smoothly, effortlessly.
Anyway... after 11 or 12 miles I got myself calmed down and began enjoying the ride, the bike and this new experience. Just incredible. Even a bit smoother than the CB550 I had decades ago.
I got home, rolled it into the shed, set the clock, then got that thing up on the center stand without problems.
Sorry for the long note... but I did want to share my "adventure".
I LOVE this motorcycle - I can see 4 - 500 mile days, and without effort.
The motorcycle 'gods' are smiling - Xmas day is predicted to hit 70 degrees (F), so y'all know what I will be doing.
Just wanted to share...
... quietguy
Enjoy that ride like all the rest of us do!!!!