So I went out for a ride in the hills this morning and popped by Alice's Restaurant, and found a real treat. This really made my day!

So, I need 3 bikes: A commuter for the week, a tourer for two-up and moto-camping, and a sportbike for Saturday morning.

Luckily, I have a 2014 Honda CB1100 EX, so I'm all set!

Here are my farkles:

* Fairing ---------------------------------------------

ChicDesign RoadComet 2, from Samurider.com
http://www.samurider.com/?p=18765
$398.86

I like the looks of the RoadComet 2 better than the 1. Mr T. took care of me when I accidentally ordered the wrong one. An awesome screen, for me. Looks perfect, and really does a great job of taking pressure off of my chest at freeway speeds. A bit louder in my helmet (An Arai Signet Q) than without it, but no buffeting felt or heard at all. The finish matches the tank perfectly, everyone thinks it's stock.

Installation required some very careful selection of washers for the front mounting point (the horn bracket). With the stock washers, there was a slight buzz of the fairing and the headlight at some engine speeds. I tried a couple of different thicknesses of washers to slightly change the position, and got it so it never buzzes at all.

Bottom Line: Excellent product, good value.
* Mirrors ---------------------------------------------

The much-discussed CB500 mirrors. I think the stock mirrors are just too chrome-in-your-face, I really prefer the look of these. As a bonus, they give a much better view to the rear. They just screw right into the stock mounts, so there is no real 'installation'.

Here are the part nos and what I paid. Lots of people carry them, I got mine from Gearhead, their service was fine.

Right 88210-MGZ-305 $43.98
Left 88220-MGZ-305 $43.98

Bottom Line: Depends if you like them, good value.
* Lowered Pegs ---------------------------------------------

I felt a little cramped on longer rides, so I went with the lowered pegs from Knight Design:
http://www.knightdesignllc.com/Products/..._Pegs.html

I got the Silver Anodized Sidetrax tread for $119.95. The quality is excellent, and they bolt in perfectly, but the back brake pedal will not adjust far enough without modification to work with them. I've attached a pic of that mod, it's minor and not a problem if you are up for that kind of work. The shifter adjusts far enough to not be a problem.

I chose these pegs because they are a simple 1-piece design, and don't decrease clearance because they have no (really long) feeler like the stock ones do. I'm not a peg dragger, but they are low enough that I have felt the edge of my boot touch down a couple of times. I was a bit concerned about vibration from these after looking at the fat rubber top on the stock pegs, but there is none that I can detect.

Bottom line: Glad I have them, installation requires a Dremel tool, kinda pricey.


* Luggage ---------------------------------------------------

After tons of thinking and browsing, I settled on the Hepco line, from MotoMachines:
http://www.motomachines.com/Junior_c_22.html

I got:
650.989 00 02 Lock-it Side Carrier - Honda CB1100EX Version $329.18
610.233 00 09 Junior Flash 30 Side Case Set $568.38
650.989 01 02 Rear Rack - Honda CB1100EX Version $258.87
610.047 00 09 Junior 55 Top Case - Silver $328
700.320 Back Rest - Junior 55 Top Case $88.24
Total Price: $1572.67 (!!)

To me, the luggage is central to this being the Perfect Bike. I run the side cases when I commute, my 15" Dell notebook goes in a normal soft briefcase into the side case. I put the topcase on when my wife rides, she likes the security of the backrest, and it gives a place to put her helmet when we get there. On my Saturday Strafe of North County San Diego, I take all of the bags and the side racks off and ride naked. I'll be doing some moto-camping this summer with the boys, so that gives me 30+30+55 = 115 liters of capacity. I can go backpacking for a week with an 80 liter backpack, so 115 should be plenty for a weekend -- I can bring steak and beer.

The 2014 EX mounts differently than the Regular, and it was mis-labeled on the MotoMachines website, and it comes from Germany on a boat, so it was Forever And Ever before I finally had all of the correct pieces. Everything fits well, although I did have to work it hard to get the top and side racks to nest together happily, the instructions do not address using them together. It is in fact possible, but took me about 2 hours of rearranging washers and bushings to get it all flush and tight.

The quality is absolutely first-rate, the racks are heavy and thickly chromed, the hardware is flawless, the cases look and feel premium and are truly watertight, with a fat rubber 0-ring in a wide flange all around. They go on and off effortlessly, lock securely, and they are so firmly attached I think you could pick up the bike with them. They do not shift, rattle, or buzz at all.

The turn-signal relocation is less successful. It works, but it's ugly. I will re-mount the turn signals from the license plate bracket, and trim off the mount/signal bracket after the mount point. That requires lengthening the wires, I'll try to post a pic or two once I get that all done.

The cases come with trim pieces that can be painted to match the bike. I did mine with a paint kit from ColorRite:
http://www.colorrite.com and got: R345C Candy Alizarin Red for $140.90

The quality is good, a very complete kit with pro-grade masking tape and different grades of sandpaper, and cutting compound along with the primer, base, and color paint. But, I don't think the color is a good match, it's too pink. I actually resanded and reprimered a couple of times looking for a combination of base and color that would match the tank. It's decent, but not a perfect match like the fairing is. I spent waaay too much time on this, but it helps tie the overall look together. I replaced the Hepco badges with reflectors on the side, and an OEM Honda badge (from Gearhead) on the topcase. Once again, people think they are factory accessories.

Bottom line: For me, totally essential. Great quality, *really* expensive. The racks and cases are also heavy, even empty. I definitely feel it when I'm canyon carving on the weekend without them, after riding with them on all week.


* Frame Sliders ---------------------------------------------

One look at those engine cases hanging out in the breeze, and I wanted protection. The Honda crash bars are too big and chrome for me, and I went with the GSG Sliders from Wild Hair:
http://www.whaccessories.com/Honda-Sliders-CB-1100.htm for $180.00.

Installation was a huge problem. These sliders do not fit the CB1100EX. Perhaps they fit the other versions, I don't know. But, the bolt holes do not line up with the frame. It's just enough off that you think it could fit, but it *does not*. I wound up enlarging one of the holes on each side to get the bolts to fit through, a real pain with a piece of machined aluminum.

After that FUBAR, the quality is outstanding, they are super-rigidly mounted, and have replaceable ends, which is nice. In a fit of total stupidity, I actually 'tested' them outside my buddy's house the other day (at zero miles an hour and with the engine off). Notwithstanding feeling (and looking, I'm sure) like an moron, I was saved by these - not a scratch on the bike, the replaceable slider end with a little scuff.

Bottom Line: An essential accessory, Pricey (again!), fit is an F-, glad I have them.


* Future Farkles ---------------------------------------------

Heated Grips
USB Socket for the dash
Upgraded Seat: http://www.samurider.com/?p=22622/
Phone holder
Here's some pics ...

I will be the first to admit I often look at the hp output of bikes in reviews. When I take a critical look at how I ride based on rpm and the CB's dyno chart, I find I use maybe 50 hp on any sort of regular basis and maybe 65ish during "hard" acceleration or passing. I don't putt around nor do I ride like a hooligan, but I still find myself watching out for the police from time to time. Many high hp bikes have a lot of electronics to tame the hp/performance to "manageable" levels. This then leads to my question of how much hp do you actually use? I am by no means suggesting that hp should be limited or anything like that, I'm just curious how much is used.

https://www.motorcycleclassics.com/order...%20Archive

Motorcycle Classics is discounting its 10 years content until 15 May 2015. It is available on a flash drive

Hey, CB11'ers, I'll be heading to the Isle of Man for the TT again, my 8th year now, and doing some media work as well, because what's a vacation without the pressure of deadlines! I'll be writing for Motorcycle.com and capturing and producing video for some TV segments. Next week, my friend, and brave young man Graham English, takes on the North West 200, Ireland’s largest sporting event and one of the world’s fastest road races. Here is the new video we produced for him, and I encourage friends and enthusiasts to support and sponsor Graham on this mission. It's a wonderful event, which, sadly, gets no coverage here in the US. But you can listen in online at:
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/northern-ireland/motorbikes/
And find more information here:
http://www.northwest200.org

Hope you like the video, here:

Finally had a chance to have her climb on the new ride with the promise of a stop at the ice cream stand. Her favorite place is about a 25 minute ride north. It didn't take 25 minutes to figure out she did not feel comfortable on the CB. I could feel her shifting around and trying to figure out how to get secure the whole way there. The ride back was no better. In fact, by the time we got back I was sore from tensing up knowing she was uncomfortable. So, when we dismounted I got the report: she misses the security of the grab rail and the comfort of the Mustang seat I had on the Bonneville. Ugh. Now, she might ride with me 4 or 5 timea a year so I'm not about to switch bikes (not to mention I am really enjoying the 4 and comfort isn't an issue for me). So, I'm looking at some possible solutions.

1. Corbin seat. Pros? I can order one with a back rest and that takes care of both issues. Cons? I like the look of the stock seat, dislike the look of the Corbin and darn is it expensive (for an academic's salary, anyway).

2. Airhawk passenger pillion. Pros? Cheaper, temporary. Cons? Doesn't solve the grab rail issue.

3. Add a grab rail from Samurider with the Airhawk. Pros? Uh, I guess that makes the problem of no grab rail a non-issue. Cons? No idea what the shipping on that item will be from the land of the rising sun. I could be looking at a large percentage of the cost of the Corbin with the Airhawk plus the rail plus shipping.

Any advice here? Some obvious solution (besides a new wife, which is the most expensive option of the bunch) I'm overlooking? Thanks.

Kentucky is an interesting US state for motorcyclists, especially if you are willing to go off the beaten path down lanes with no white side markers and in some cases no center lane markers. In most US states, 4-digit route numbers are rare, however Kentucky has route numbers into the 3600s. Yep, Kentucky has a lot of roads. Yet, most of them are rural and therefore make for excellent motorcycle riding if you relish the thought of winding, curving roads with little to no vehicular traffic and no sign whatsoever of a stoplight.

On April 18, 2015 I rode to Carrollton from my base in Northern Kentucky, intent on nothing except to ride through a town with the interesting name of Bagdad. No not Baghdad, but still...interesting.

[url=http://goo.gl/maps/YKPZS]Route, starting in the west, heading SE and ending heading NE:



I rode about an hour and a half to reach Carrollton, and when I arrived it was time to have lunch. When you ride in Kentucky, you can't expect haute cuisine but you can expect good home cooking. There were several cars in the parking lot of Cooper's Restaurant...always a good sign.



This is the white meat "snack" with fries, slaw, and a roll. Does it get more Kentucky than this? No.



Full stomach, time to get on with the program.

KY 389 south of Mill Creek, west of the Kentucky River. [url=http://goo.gl/maps/UzerQ]38°36' 57.190"N 85°6' 55.120"W.



KY 574 Maddox Ridge Road, south of Port Royal, west of the Kentucky River. [url=http://goo.gl/maps/HesxX]38°32' 5.040"N 85°5' 15.75"W.



KY 574 Maddox Ridge Road, west of the Kentucky River. [url=http://goo.gl/maps/uU51B]38°31' 22.49"N 85°2'49.88"W.



Troutman Hill Road between KY 574 Maddox Ridge Road and KY 202 Drennon Road. The most wonderful shortcut I ever took. [url=http://goo.gl/maps/ityQ8]38°31' 19.10"N 85°2'25.93"W.



Drennon Creek running high along KY 202 Drennon Road, as seen from the junction of Troutman Hill Road. [url=http://goo.gl/maps/ityQ8]38°30'54.8"N 85°02'45.7"W.



KY 1360 Franklinton Road at Bullitt Hill Road. [url=http://goo.gl/maps/Q4FDu]38°28'33.8"N 85°03'57.8"W.



Rest stop at Point Pleasant Christian Church, Disciples of Christ. Point Pleasant Road at KY 573 Property Road. [url=http://goo.gl/maps/tOhcy]38°24'31.4"N 85°06'17.6"W.


Eminence-Point Pleasant Road. [url=http://goo.gl/maps/y2rvb]38°24'25.7"N 85°06'27.6"W.



[url=http://goo.gl/maps/usnbf]Pleasureville: the America that used to be. The hardware store and pool hall are still going.



This must have been a railroad hotel at one time. There are no tracks in town anymore.



The original depot. It's great to see these nostalgic structures preserved.

As most of you know, the American CB's come with virtually no tools out of the approximately 20 available. I brought this to the attention of my salesman and he ordered the complete set for me and comp me on it. I believe all in its about $82.

[url=http://s189.photobucket.com/user/HedgeFundGeek/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-05/C5690F1D-63D9-4B97-890D-174F0B27C287.jpg.html]

Installing new magnesium wheels; anyone know what the rotor bolt torque spec happens to be? 6mm bolts, so I'm guessing in the 7Nm range?

I had my 2014 CB 1100 for sale for a couple of days. I was lamenting the fact that I sold my K1200 GT and it seemed that any medium to long range touring was no longer in my future. Hence I bought the CB1100, great bike pretty simple, a nice alternative to my Griso. Last week I started looking at mid sized sport tourers. I originally sold my BMW for a variety of reason first being it was a whale, once under way it did handle very well however. Secondly it was over engineered and complex to the point of discouraging DIY. All the mid sized tourers I looked were complex, and really expensive. This morning I realized that I could probably make the CB a decent tourer with a few additions. I went to Moto Machines and priced a set of the Locket side carrier racks and a set of Junior Flash 30 hard bags. $928 in all with free shipping. I will probably have the panels on the bags painted to match the bike. I already have a gps unit and a windshield. I live in AZ so I really don't need a heated seat or grips or an electrically adjustable wind shield or ESA. I just want a simple tourer. Thoughts?