The CB1100 Community Forum

This seems to have turned into a H&B thread, so here's my little unfinished tale:
For the CB1100RS, I wanted a set of solid panniers and top box. I emailed H&B, and was assured that the Explorer set would fit nicely. So I ordered a set of black Explorers. When they arrived, the dealer (I had not yet picked up the bike) installed the rack and promptly discovered that the Explorer panniers do NOT fit the RS. Remind me to write H&B and whine about that. So they recommended a kit called Gobi, and I said fine, OK, order those, then. Not the look I had in mind, but now I'm in a more pragmatic mode and let's just get some bags on here. But a month passes and no Gobis. Covid-19 has thrown a spanner in the supply chain somewhere, apparently. Then, yesterday, the dealer called and said that H&B are unable to deliver at all, and would I like the Junior set instead? Well, now we've moved from the aluminium adventure boxes to rounded, 80s plastic cases, and I'm not 100% happy with that, but they fit the rack that is already installed (which excludes looking at other manufacturers) and they're currently available in Norway. So now I'm waiting for a set of Junior cases, and this thread has calmed me somewhat: it looks quite good!
There's also a substantial price difference, so I'll probably look into getting a GoPro or something for the remainder. Or a pair of leather pants or something. I'll post a picture when it's all mounted, probably next week.
I hope I can fit a helmet in the top box, and that the panniers don't bother my SO when she rides pillion.
I do like that the side racks are so easy to remove, the RS does look better without them.

Sorry you are having continuing troubles, Hovmod. I have been very happy with my H&B side cases (the '80s plastic kind), though I have found that they do leak a bit when the rain is heavy. I just keep some plastic garbage bags in them and use those as a liner. Style-wise, I'm very pleased. They look like they belong.

(05-07-2020, 12:28 AM)Inhouse Bob_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Sorry you are having continuing troubles, Hovmod. I have been very happy with my H&B side cases (the '80s plastic kind), though I have found that they do leak a bit when the rain is heavy. I just keep some plastic garbage bags in them and use those as a liner. Style-wise, I'm very pleased. They look like they belong.

That's what I thought when I saw this thread. They do.
My troubles are the same as everybody else's, though, I hope I don't come across as whiny or entitled. We're all just coping, including H&B.

(05-07-2020, 01:00 AM)Hovmod_imp Wrote: [ -> ]

(05-07-2020, 12:28 AM)Inhouse Bob_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Sorry you are having continuing troubles, Hovmod. I have been very happy with my H&B side cases (the '80s plastic kind), though I have found that they do leak a bit when the rain is heavy. I just keep some plastic garbage bags in them and use those as a liner. Style-wise, I'm very pleased. They look like they belong.

That's what I thought when I saw this thread. They do.
My troubles are the same as everybody else's, though, I hope I don't come across as whiny or entitled. We're all just coping, including H&B.

That's what I thought when I saw this thread. They do.
My troubles are the same as everybody else's, though, I hope I don't come across as whiny or entitled. We're all just coping, including H&B. Yup. Hang in there. Things will get better!

Hope it's OK to keep hijacking this thread with my Hepco & Becker tale.
Went to the dealer's to pick up my H&B today, and I'm only medium happy. The side panniers are just a tad to far forward for my SO's feet to fit nicely, and the top box is too small for a helmet, which is a bit of a deal breaker. They've ordered the bigger one now (55L vs 40L), so we'll see.
Here's what it looks like now:

Hovmod, maybe some adjustable passenger pegs? A quick search brought up some possibilities. https://www.ebay.com/b/Motorcycle-Foot-P...bn_1396850 Scroll and check them out. Just a start. I didn't look at any other sites that google brought up.

(05-12-2020, 12:04 AM)Lord Popgun_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Hovmod, maybe some adjustable passenger pegs? A quick search brought up some possibilities. https://www.ebay.com/b/Motorcycle-Foot-P...bn_1396850 Scroll and check them out. Just a start. I didn't look at any other sites that google brought up.

We'll wait for the snow to go away and go for a ride and find out if she's ok with it. If not, that's indeed an option.

Update:
Received the new top box, and decided after some deliberation to keep it.
It is HUGE, and it doesn't have the same coarse texture as the panniers, so it is a little bit of a Frankenstein job, even though it's all from the H&B Junior series. Weird.
Last night I went to pick up my kid from his mother's, and it could easily fit a helmet and a riding jacket for him, plus my rain suit. Also, bonus, it easily fits vinyl albums. Yay!
For everyday use I'm leaving it off, it's super quick and easy to mount. It's going to be a challenge to stay below 5kg for long trips, tbh. It's huge.

Edit: the rear pegs weren't an issue after all, my SO said she has no problems at all. Guess my boots are just bigger. The RS is now a naked touring café or something. So cool.

(05-11-2020, 11:02 PM)Hovmod_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Hope it's OK to keep hijacking this thread with my Hepco & Becker tale.
Went to the dealer's to pick up my H&B today, and I'm only medium happy. The side panniers are just a tad to far forward for my SO's feet to fit nicely, and the top box is too small for a helmet, which is a bit of a deal breaker. They've ordered the bigger one now (55L vs 40L), so we'll see.
Here's what it looks like now:

I think that looks really good.