The CB1100 Community Forum

Last year, when I was looking for a new bike, I was tempted by the Honda CB1000R. It is certainly a stunning looking bike and I am sure it is a hoot to ride!

However, I am not a big fan of that 'cut-off' seat-end that seems popular nowadays. The main thing however was that I just couldn't see past that GIANT radiator. That goes for all water-cooled bikes (with the exception of Triumph who somehow manages to make the radiator disappear), but on the CB1000R it is just ridiculously big.
I also think the bike may not age very well. It looks interesting and modern now but I suspect that I will no longer appreciate the look in 5 or 10 years from now. Time will tell.

(so I went for the safe route: the CB1100. A stunning looking bike that has already aged! )

Yesterday's social distancing ride- Hit Half Moon Bay via the 1 from SF, through the twisties in La Honda/Skyline(pictured) and right out through Woodside back to 280 Northbound. This is the only picture I got



130 Mile ride, great weather, and made 2 stops- 1 to Alice's for Ice-cream, another one to aid an extremely lucky squid who managed to end up on a ditch on his gixxer750 with possibly the most deteriorated(and cracked) rear tire I've ever seen on a bike. No injuries, and we managed to get the bike to start

It's still really cold around here, most days it's below 10C. This has not stopped me from reaching 2000km, though.

The last four seasons I have, for various reasons, not been riding at all, so I have some catching up to do. I'm certainly not the rider I used to be, but I'm improving, and I'm having a blast. Going through well known twisties with a lot more confidence (and faster), getting used to it all again. I was mentally prepared for a drop in skills and confidence, and it has been interesting to self-observe. Stiffening up in corners. Misjudging distances. But I'm getting there, and of course practicing is rewarding on so many levels (even a crappy ride is infinitely better than no ride).
My previous bike was a 1992 Ducati SS900, and this is a different beast altogether. Where the SS900 would sputter and complain below a certain rpm (also the clutch was either on or off), the Honda doesn't mind riding in town. It's so forgiving and friendly, yet it responds immediately and fiercely when tickled. It's just a joy to ride, and it's so, so gorgeous. I am totally enjoying this riding season and the CB1100 so far! Can't wait for double digit temps, though.

You live in a very beautiful country. I've been there for several times on motorbike trips. The last one with the CB a few years ago. Like to return, when things will hopefully normalize again in Europe and we're allowed to pass frontiers again on travels.

Being used to motorbike riding will come back with time and km until it is second nature, if it has been once. Whenever I ride on one of my bikes , I just ride and don't think about it. Something very natural with years and even many more km. All the best from the north of Germany, a little bit like Norway too these days. Not really warm but fresh around 10°.

Wisedrum

(05-05-2020, 08:35 PM)Hovmod_imp Wrote: [ -> ]

It's still really cold around here, most days it's below 10C. This has not stopped me from reaching 2000km, though.

The last four seasons I have, for various reasons, not been riding at all, so I have some catching up to do. I'm certainly not the rider I used to be, but I'm improving, and I'm having a blast. Going through well known twisties with a lot more confidence (and faster), getting used to it all again. I was mentally prepared for a drop in skills and confidence, and it has been interesting to self-observe. Stiffening up in corners. Misjudging distances. But I'm getting there, and of course practicing is rewarding on so many levels (even a crappy ride is infinitely better than no ride).
My previous bike was a 1992 Ducati SS900, and this is a different beast altogether. Where the SS900 would sputter and complain below a certain rpm (also the clutch was either on or off), the Honda doesn't mind riding in town. It's so forgiving and friendly, yet it responds immediately and fiercely when tickled. It's just a joy to ride, and it's so, so gorgeous. I am totally enjoying this riding season and the CB1100 so far! Can't wait for double digit temps, though.

I hope you get warmer weather soon so you can take advantage of the less-busy roads. I have family in Norway... the Hansons. Maybe you know them? ;-)

I know all the Hansons, actually! What a coincidence! Small world.
I'm looking forward to open borders again, too, I have a brother who lives in the NL, and I'm planning to visit. To avoid north Germany and NL, I'm thinking of taking a ferry to Newcastle and the channel tunnel, come to Haarlem from the east. Could be fun.

(05-05-2020, 11:12 PM)Hovmod_imp Wrote: [ -> ]I know all the Hansons, actually! What a coincidence! Small world.
I'm looking forward to open borders again, too, I have a brother who lives in the NL, and I'm planning to visit. To avoid north Germany and NL, I'm thinking of taking a ferry to Newcastle and the channel tunnel, come to Haarlem from the east. Could be fun.

I hope you get to make the trip soon.

(05-05-2020, 08:35 PM)Hovmod_imp Wrote: [ -> ]

It's still really cold around here, most days it's below 10C. This has not stopped me from reaching 2000km, though.

The last four seasons I have, for various reasons, not been riding at all, so I have some catching up to do. I'm certainly not the rider I used to be, but I'm improving, and I'm having a blast. Going through well known twisties with a lot more confidence (and faster), getting used to it all again. I was mentally prepared for a drop in skills and confidence, and it has been interesting to self-observe. Stiffening up in corners. Misjudging distances. But I'm getting there, and of course practicing is rewarding on so many levels (even a crappy ride is infinitely better than no ride).
My previous bike was a 1992 Ducati SS900, and this is a different beast altogether. Where the SS900 would sputter and complain below a certain rpm (also the clutch was either on or off), the Honda doesn't mind riding in town. It's so forgiving and friendly, yet it responds immediately and fiercely when tickled. It's just a joy to ride, and it's so, so gorgeous. I am totally enjoying this riding season and the CB1100 so far! Can't wait for double digit temps, though.

Nice post Hovmod and awesome pic.

It’s a fabulous photograph, Hovmod.

It was definitely time to get out of the house. With the temps topping 100F my friends and I decided to head for higher ground. With an early start we experienced comfortable riding temperatures for most of the ride. Since our favorite restaurant on this loop was closed, we decided to make a picnic of it. My always prepared buddy even brought his table cloth.

For the last half hour of the 195 mile ride it got a bit sweaty, but fun was had by all.