A month ago, I bought a Kawasaki KLX250SF supermoto because I wanted a bike with a bit different personality and less "pretty" for those days where I might encounter rain or a dirt road...who knows what. My first thought was to get a newer KLR650, but I've long wanted a supermoto. For that, I would have preferred a DRZ400, but my cheapness and impatience won over when I found a good deal on the Kawi.

I've rejetted it and added a slip on exhaust. It runs much better, but is loud. You have to spool it up to run on the highway, it's fuel tank requires frequent fills, and it's really only fun on tight twisties and back roads. The 400 would be a little better at speed, but I don't think it's going to be what I want in a smaller bike. There are 3, maybe 4 bikes I am thinking about. Part of me wants something with a little bit of hooligan with some bit of comfort for a day ride and able to take on some soft luggage or a top case.

My least favorite may actually make the most sense. The Versys has an upright position and longer travel suspension so it may feel most like a motard. They are cheap and abundant on the used market and have a lot of aftermarket support. I've heard they are quite buzzy, so not sure how bad it is. I need to test ride one.

The other Kawi is the KLR650. I grew up on dirt bikes and dual sports, so throwing one of these around feels natural. They are heavy, but I've owned one and know what to expect. Decent wind protection and luggage capacity are plusses, but I have never been enamored with the way the KLR makes power or how it sounds. It just isn't getting me fired up.

The Honda CB500X is an odd duck in that I really like the way I fit on the bike and feel like it punches above it's weight for it's engine size, but I just don't get excited. It's my favorite on paper, but it seems to be missing that special feel.

Last, is the Yamaha FZ07. I haven't ridden one, but it's supposed to have a great engine. It's the smallest, lightest, and most powerful. On paper, it screams hooligan. When I sit on it, it feels a little cramped. It's the one I want to like the most, but am afraid I won't agree with the ergos. Like with the Versys, a test ride appears to be in order.

Has anyone purchased this item, Samurider Honda:Top-box kit /CB1100. I'm interested in buying this item, but would like some feed back on it first. Thanks much!

Note the newer instrument cluster. He also does not shift thru the gears and prefers to let it wind up and see what's it got in the higher rpms. Not a slow motor by any means: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0YaVKfurQU

I've been drooling over this Nojima exhaust for months now. I'm really close to taking the plunge but I have a few questions.
Will the CB operate OK without have the ECU reflashed or buying a Power Commander? (I'm still overwhelmed with all the info about reflashing, etc).
Is there a special tool needed to remove that sensor from my stock exhaust and installing it on the Nojima?
Sorry if all this has been covered before, but I have read every thread and every post and am still not clear (shocker!!!) about what all the facts mean.
But check out this beautifully-crafted exhaust!! MERCY!!!!
http://www.samurider.com/?p=18295


I also found a sound clip on youtube that pretty much sold me on making the purchase. This pipe sounds so sweet!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aVg8B7IjNA

Have I been asleep? Never noticed a CB1100 with this dark gray paint before. Looks good, as does the Tadao powerbox exhaust.

Well this just seems to be a never ending part of my life. I had an MRI this passed week and got the results on Friday. It looks like I'm in need of surgery on my right hip to repair a torn labrum that is causing me fits. I have MAJOR issues putting on my right sock and shoe and trying to wash my right foot in the shower. I also get a stabbing pain in the joint from time to time when changing direction when walking.

It will be an arthroscopic procedure so no large incision and the recovery time won't be all that long, but it just seems like this will never end. UGH.

Fun, fun fun!

What would be good "tip-over" protection for my '14 CB1100 Deluxe? I especially worry about scratching or denting the beautiful chrome pipes. Some threads mention the OEM Honda engine guards to protect the engine. What other areas to be concerned about?

Starts slow, but give it a bit. Sure wish I could understand Japanese! They start it on stage, and then slowly start to disassemble the bike, bit by bit. Never seen a show with a format like this, but what a treat for a gear head!

About 30 minutes in, a sound engineer graphs out sound samples of the 250cc six cylinder RC166 engine versus a six cylindar CBX engine, a v-twin engine, and then a Formula 1 engine. When he overlays the sound graph, you can see that the RC166 is almost identical to the Formula 1. Pretty amazing technology for 1966.

Just got the latest Rider and there is a "Favorite Ride " - The ride to Red Wing.
Very well written in a different sort of way by a couple of flat landers.
Have been on all of these roads over the years on many bikes but
will always remember my week end trips to Red Wing . We used to go up watch a hill climb they use to have up there. The river roads
near Red Wing and the village are just a great place to ride.

Your dominance has officially come to an end.

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