I just got this Christmas ornament from my sister for Christmas this year...They know me so well.

http://www.helminc.com/helm/product2.asp...itemtype=N

does anybody have it?is it true OEM copy?
thanks

The CB began to experience a significant loss of power at all RPM's recently. I took it to several different shops. None of the motorcycle gurus could find any problem.

Finally down a back alley, I found a guy with a little shop in a garage with a pull-down steel door that someone had hipped me to. His name was Art B. Trary. He said "Son, the cause is obvious. You are missing a critical component". I looked the bike up and down, wondering what could Honda have left off in the factory that could make such a difference. Perhaps during assembly, the local dealership tech forgot something, or worse yet, pocketed it. My face reddened with anger at the thought.

"What the heck did they leave off?" I asked Art, concealing my displeasure with all things Honda, and even all things Japanese. These things just don't happen to Honda customers.

Art continued, "Son, open your eyes. You have no RLETS on your bike. How do expect to extract any kind of performance from your machine without RLETS? Here is the part number. Go get on ebay and get yourself some RLETS. Your bike will fly like a sirocco over the desert. "

When the RLETS arrived I promptly installed them. Well, not so promptly, but let me not interrupt the story. Sure enough, it was like a new bike. Faster, sleeker, and even better smelling! I have not dyno'd it since, but I can tell it has picked up 6-10 BHP.

Why did not you guys tell me about this all-important component ?

he had crossed in front of me left to right and stopped, so I grabbed my camera to take a pic. Just then he turned and ran along the weed line parallel to the road same direction I was going... then all of a sudden he swung left to come back across the road. We were nearly level when he turned and I snapped the pic and gassed it lol. 12:45 in the afternoon.

dang forest rats

Hi everyone, I’m new to the forum. I have a Candy Red 2013 Honda CB1100EX that I believe to be one of the sweetest bikes I have owned. I have had many different bikes and I find this one to be a real joy to ride. I have decided to do some up grades and wanted to mount the RC2 fairing to the bike. I contacted Webike to order a fairing for the 2014 they have listed only to be told the fairing will not fit my 2013 bike. I have done a lot of research, and can not find any real useful information concerning differences between the two years. I have found that the there are some difference in the instrument cluster, paint, and the 2014 is a six speed. When I look at pictures of the two bikes side by side. I can’t see why the fairing will not mount to the 2013. Can anyone out there help me with any information, has anyone installed this fairing on a 2013. Thanks in advance for all and any help you can provide.

A friend of mine bought a Yamaha SR400. It is a 2015 -2017. Unbelievably he paid the same price for that bike as I did for my CB. Go figure. Anyhow, he wants to get some slip on exhaust to increase the sound. Has anyone owned one of these bikes and would have a recommendation? Thanks in advance for any guidance.

In my country it is almost winter now.
I have some time to prepare for the next season.
For a long time I have been looking for an interesting idea (for me) for the use of canvas saddlebags.

I found new 50 years old Polish military backpacks on the local market.
Originally, there were disinfection equipment in them.
I made some changes:
I removed the belts. And I sewed up leather stripes.
I painted the bags to remove the ugly green color.
I ordered stainless steel bushes for the construction of the mount.
I gave it to bending and welding.
In my opinion the panniers look too big but are very useful.
My goal was to obtain the old character of panniers and to mask military origin.
The previous and final effect looks like this:
4 pictures more

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2018/12/t...ith-video/

Looks like what the CB could have been, in one sense anyway with the rounder tank look from the get go, though I do like the latest CB1100 tank myself. I was not a huge fan of the old 80s tank look of the '13/'14 CB1100. It's good. I just lean towards these rounded tanks. - This Speed Twin is just a really sharp looking machine. Very well done. Power. Torque. Fork gaiters. Nice little accents here and there.

Have you seen this recent video?

It is a decent summary of some of those rare bikes/engines that you may have once followed.

https://youtu.be/Klb2UYcvrPc

So I sold my 2014 DLX a few months ago, largely due to a combination of family responsibilities and health concerns. Neither the responsibilities or concerns have gone away . . . But I have some major remorse about selling the bike, and feeling like I’m a happier and healthier guy with a motorcycle in the garage.

I gave serious thought to the 2017 CB1100 EX, but for now at least am leaning more toward a well-cared for low mileage Honda ST1300 (I owned a 2005 dark red one for 5 years and, other than a bit of a heat issue on my lower legs, loved it). I’m looking at a couple of 2004’s in that beautiful blue. It’s the color I always wished I owned. Found one in NJ with about 15,000 miles, mostly stock, looks well cared for, has had 3 owners, and he’s asking about $4,800. Was always a powerful, smooth, and elegant bike to own. Made going anywhere fast and effortless. Would also be a modest investment. At least initially!

The other bike I really love is again similar to one I owned before, for 2 years prior to owning my CB1100 DLX. I owned a 2012 Triumph Tiger 800XC, and it was a revelation — smooth, comfortable, go anywhere, flickable and fun. No heat issue that I ever noticed. I would get a brand new or barely used 2018 (or 2019 once they come out) Tiger 800XCA or XCX. Full price is 15,800 plus fees for the XCA. Right now Triumph is offering a sweet finance deal, and I bet they’d also knock close to $2,000 off the price. Here in NJ it feels like the prices will only drop on either bike over the next 2 or so months as winter hits.

Other than the advice that life is short, to follow my heart and get the bike I am most excited by, etc., . . . What I am really asking for is the more rational and objective feedback. Especially on the maintence costs of a 14 year old bike like the ST. I know they are bullet proof, and this one seems to have just had new tires put on and most of the other key services done. But I know myself and if I got it I would probably re-do some of that “routine” maintence just to be sure it was done. I would likely buy a sergeant seat like I had on my old one, I think it was about $600. Maybe some heli - risers. New grips. Larger foot pegs. I can easily see $1,000-1,500 of extra expenses in the first year. On the other hand the Triumph pretty much comes loaded with all I would ever want — heated seats and grips, fancy and larger foot pegs, LED lights all around, electronic suspension with special modes, TFT screen, adjustable seat and bars and windshield, and tons of other extras I can’t recall. Pretty sure there is nothing else I would need to buy.

Cost of the ST1300 would be 35-40 % of the Tiger . . . But I would have to cut the check all at once. No warranty. For the bike that is near me at least — 3 owners and the uncertainty that comes with that.

Truth be told I should probably sit tight for a year or so to let some other things in my life settle down a bit. But I am drawn to both of these bikes. A demo ride on each is probably an option and that might help me decide. They are incredibly different, but both bikes I have loved before and would love again.

Any thoughts on the above questions? (From a more rational point of view)

Any one own both bikes have story or perspective to share?

Many thanks for insights!