Yesterday, I finally got to do what I've been longing for for a very long time...ride the roads of Angeles Crest Forest east of Los Angeles. My friend took me on over 150 miles of the best riding roads in the USA, in some of the nicest scenery imaginable.

First stop was Racy Rentals in LA, where I picked up a Honda NC700X. The $99/ day special. In that this was done last minute, their selection of Ducatis and Triumphs was already out. So, I took the commuter bike, and boy is it an adequate motorcycle. Ideal for students, urban dwellers, and couriers. But once I got used to it's diesel- like engine dynamics, powerful engine braking, and 6500 RPM redline, it actually acquitted itself well for the day, comfortable and stable. I was able to stay within sight of paul on his Ducati Multistrada.

If you are not familiar, google Angeles Crest, Angeles Forest, Nine Mile Road and Tujunga Canyon Road. Here's a taste:

http://www.pashnit.com/roads/cal/LittleTujungaRd.htm

These winding, nicely manicured roads spin up from 300 feet to 7000 feet in altitude. There are hundreds of switchbacks, compound turns and sweepers. There are no street lights or intersections to speak of for over 100 miles.  9 mile road (actually a section of Tujunga) is just that. 9 miles of 100 + MPH heaven. There is little traffic. At all. ( Angeles Crest road gets traffic as the day unfolds and the tourists come out, but Paul's knowledge of the better, less traveled canyon roads paid off) We got there around 9 Am, and by our first stop, after 60 miles of twisties, we had passed no more than 4 cars and 5 cruisers...and by the way, every one of them pulled aside or waved to let us past. It is hard to believe that you are only 20 minutes from Los Angeles.

We paused for refreshment at Newcombes Ranch, altitude 5500. http://03837ad.netsolhost.com/   Newcombe's is THE destination for motorcycles in the area, and there were hundreds of them there. Along with some exotic cars. We climbed a bit higher, where there was still some snow on North- facing hills, and at this altitude, it had changed from high desert to Alpine. Really amazing. We wound down for another 35 miles to the dusty Western town of Acton for a meetup with some of Paul's friends, and took off back up into Angeles Crest, three Ducatis, A BMW R1000RR, and me on my Dominoes Pizza delivery bike.

At the end of the ride, we pulled into The guys cool little 'clubhouse.' 20 guys, each paying $80 / month for nice little garage, with a workshop, lounge area, stocked fridge, and great camraderie. Oh, and a bunch of MVs Ducatis, Aprilias and a Triumph or two. 15 minutes from the base of the greatest riding roads imaginable. And it is walking distance to Pro- Italia motors, two beautiful dealerships with every Italian make plus KTM and Triumph. I very well May be stashing one of my bikes there, as I'm in LA often on business.

This is probably a yawner for those lucky enough to live in SoCal but for a Jersey guy who's bikes have been on trickle chargers for 4 months during this brutal winter, it was quite an awakening. Oh, and so was the earthquake that rocked my Hotel this morning!

Can't wait to come back in April.

after reading separate threads on plugs, valves, tires....I'm thinking I will bring my CB1100 to the dealer and have all 3 done at the same time.
- valve check/adjust
- spark plugs
- rear tire ( may use this as the deciding factor on when to schedule)
? brake/clutch fluid or wait...

On a motorcycle, do most people use or avoid using their high beam during day light hours? I was thinking it may be safer, but at same time, don't want to be rude to other drivers or even wear out the bulb sooner...any thoughts?

I just received the new issue of 'HOG' (sorry) magazine and thought you'd be interested in a few apps (some new..) that look to be great for motorcycling. The first one is intriguing since Florida riding has a lot to be desired especially when you're used to the mountains of N. Georgia. I'm always looking for twisty roads... hard to find here.







This is just a listing of the rest... you can ignore the HD Ride Planner...LOL. Enjoy.





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So am I missing something, or is it unusually difficult to use the helmet lock on this bike? I have a Bell RS-1 (which doesn't have an abnormally short chin strap, so far as I can tell), and I can't get the D-ring anywhere near the lock. The helmet shell hits the bike, and that's all the further she goes. Haven't tried another helmet yet, but I don't see any way the Bell is gonna hook up.

Anybody else have this experience? Is there some "secret" I'm missing?

I was curious about the ventura bike pack system for the cb1100. Does it come in black only or can you get it in chrome? Also would like to see some pictures of it with the sport rack installed without a bag. Also pictures of it with grab handle from side and rear. And pictures of it with the L-brackets without grab handle from side and rear. I need a luggage rack but would like to easily remove it leaving only minimal hardware so as not to distract from the beauty of the bike. Thanks.

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I had to return from Daytona in a hurry due to what turned out to be a minor issue. Its about 220 miles. I'm afraid I have to strenuously disagree with those who say the CB is not a good highway bike from an engine or gearing perspective.

Thanks to Florida's typically fast traffic, I was able to run the entire way at 80+. Frequently the traffic was over 90, especially on the Turnpike. The CB was smooth; solid, absolutely no feeling it was being pushed or over-revved. Obviously with only the Flyscreen I had to tuck in to stay on the bike, but man, I wished I could keep going another couple hours when I got to my exit.

It will be interesting to see how the revs compare between the 5 and 6 speed bikes when they arrive. I was in the high 4,000's most of the time on this trip.

3 issues I have to take my CB in for, wondering if anyone else notices this on theirs. I'll try to explain them the best I can but #1 is kinda weird and I think you'd have to ride it to know. Everyone I've let ride the bike says "man that is abrupt".


1) (the big one) when I open or close the throttle abruptly - I don't even have to be giving it a lot of power - it feels very strange. Almost like riding with a very loose chain. I feel a TON of drive line lash. Its like i'll hit the gas and BANG, then I'll close throttle and BANG.

I've adjusted the chain, it's 100% within spec. My VFR is really smooth, this thing feels like I'm going to break the transmission whenever I load/empty the throttle. imagine loosening your chain as far as you could, then riding along at 5mph and slamming the gas. Then imagine closing the gas as fast as you opened it, that loose, jerky chain lash - yeah its like that times 10 haha. The only way I can get it to be smooth like my other bikes is to seriously feather the throttle slowly, and I mean sloooowly.


2) I think my fork seals are leaking, my forks are always very dirty with a very thin film, and I've never once wheelied her. Actually I've never really wheelied anything so I know nothing about fork seals. I've never changed a fork seal on any bike I've had so I'm really ignorant about them. I keep my bike spotless at all times, I'll wash it and ride around the block - bam my forks have that film on them.


3) my idle (I put a PCV in so I'm sure that's the problem wanted to see if anyone else experienced this) is very high a lot of the time. It idles at about 17-1800 a lot of the time. Once in a while it'll drop down to 1000+/-; I tried to pull fuel out of it and put the stock fueling back in my map, with no luck. This has made #1 slightly more noticeable, but #1 was still there long before the Power Commander 5.


Sorry for the novel haha, I wanted to be as descriptive as possible. Anyone else notice any of this?

Thanks guys!

What is really cool about the 2013 Honda CB 1100 in the U.S. Is it will always be the original. A rare one year edition. The only one with with the Glory Red paint, the 5 speed trans, and the straight forward instruments. Years from now, they be the most sought after CB 1100 units by collectors. Some day on some forum someone will post up a pic of one found in a barn or garage, with low miles, in like new condition that they paid a boat load of money for, or you will see one at a bike show or maybe a small row of them at the Concours de Elegance and you will be able to say I had one of those. Who knows you may still have it. How cool would that be?

I finally decided that it was time to retire the original rear tire. I probably could have gone further on it, but I'm not one to push my tires to totally bald any more, and NEVER on a motorcycle.






And the new one.



I also made another modification while I had the rear wheel off.













And while I was at it I checked for the rusting that others have complained about under the rear fender.



Looks good to me.

This was my day, and I didn't get to go riding because I had other household chores that were begging for my attention....like swapping out the front door knob and deadbolt.....ugh. I killed 3 screwdrivers, a pair of vise grips (to turn the screwdrivers) and tore up both of my hands, but I got it done.

Tomorrow maybe.