The CB1100 Community Forum

Tomorrow I begin a road trip...east.

My personal experience with the right coast is a couple of weekend visits to NY City back in 1985...and that's it.  The goal is Syracuse, NY.  I've been holding off making mention of this trip because of on-going back issue (stenosis) that started last November.  Had steroid injections about 2 months ago, but the positive effects have largely worn off.    

So this may be a short "east" trip.  But I've got a plan...a friend lives in Billings, MT, and I'm going to head there and see how I feel.  If the back won't behave, I'll head home and then fly to Syracuse.  But if I'm good, then I'll continue to Illinois where my 100 year ol' mom lives and thrives (I visited her on my 2014 standard CB1100 back in 2016--great trip).  If I make it there, I figure I should be able to ride to Syracuse.

My heart wants to take my 2021 Kawasaki W800, but reason says the CB1100 is the better choice because I have more room.  So...after a few days of getting the saddle bags and support "bars" sorted out, it was time to load things up to see if it all fits.

  
Rok Straps do a great job of cinching things down, and neither the saddle bags nor the rear bag budge.  A 10 mile trial run seems to indicate that I'm ready to go.

I'll be taking my time, limiting myself to around 300 mile days.  I'm packing a hammock and sleeping bag, no tent, and I hope to do 2 nights camping, 1 night with friends, family or hotel, then repeat.  Rough route is OR...ID...MT...ND...MN...Wis...Ill...Ind...OH...Penn...NY.  I want to do the Upper Michigan area, but not sure if that will be on the way to NY, or on the return.  If I'm feeling good, I might visit a sister in Cape Cod.  

Maybe meet some forum members?

It is a great setup! And anytime you can include a ROK Strap, you are assured of success.

On a much more important note, travel safely, please listen to your body and pace yourself, and have a great adventure. We look forward to the pictures and the stories.

Godspeed, pdedse. David

Yep. Have a great ride pdedse and keep notes. We like the ride reports.

Enjoy your ride and have a safe one, pdedse!

echoing others, have fun and ride safe. If you were going thru southern Ohio I have a room, but have a feeling you will be going thru northern Ohio.

The UP of Michigan is a very neat but desolate place. It's like being in another country with regards to scenery. If you can swing it, you should.

Check in and let us know ocassionally how you are doing.

(06-16-2025, 06:56 AM)the Ferret Wrote: [ -> ]echoing others, have fun and ride safe. If you were going thru southern Ohio I have a room, but have a feeling you will be going thru northern Ohio.

The UP of Michigan is a very neat but desolate place. It's like being in another country with regards to scenery. If you can swing it, you should.

Check in and let us know ocassionally how you are doing.

Thanks folks for for well wishes!  And thanks Ferret for the kind offer.  I'll look strongly into the possibility of including sourthern OH.  I'd consider it a highlight to meet you and other forum members.

Good luck on the trip! Have fun!
If you need a room in western WI I can easily hook you and your CB up with a room for the night. I'm about 30 min from Minneapolis.

Wow! What an exciting trip! Best of luck, ride safe, and really looking forward to hearing about your progress along the way.

And just darn jealous. Wish I could make the time to do anything remotely like that. Regarding upper Michigan, Mrs. G and I did a trip over the U.P. a few years ago and really enjoyed it. If you could work it in, give it a go!

I'm wishing you a very enjoyable and safe trip. You always post great pictures, so I'm looking forward to the report. Take care of your body.

Made it to campground along the Snake River, about 7 miles west of Lewiston, WA, near ID border.

Beautiful campground, only $8. swimming and hiking areas, showers, picnic tables, only a handful if campers.

350 miles… started getting warm in the afternoon… phone said 95!  I was shocked. It was 55 when I started this morning.