Just ordered a new reusable filter from BMC Racing, part #FM375/12 from http://www.hardracing.com. Look forward to giving a review on the filter after it arrives. Should me a nice match for my new Ti full-exhaust system.

Saw another fellow CB rider at Lake City Powersports on Tuesday when I stopped in to get another gallon of oil. Sorry I didn't say much more than a passing, "nice bike", I was itching to get to my next errand. If you are on this forum, I hope the service went well and that you keep it shiny side up. See you out there another time I am sure.

Gary

After 3 fronts and two rears of the stock BT54 variety, 26,900 miles [correction, 25,900 (got a little carried away )], lots of research, and Pterodactyl's helpful updates I put in an order today for Angel GTs in the sizes you'd expect, if you've been following these newer option tire threads: 110/80 F (stock) and 160/60 rear (closest available to stock).

My conclusion, after lots of research was that the PR3sand the Angel GTs were both great choices, offering a bit of performance improvement, better road feel, and long, more even f/r, life. It helped my decision to deviate from stock to hear the excellent experience many forum friends were having with these options, including some of our most experienced, Ptero and The ferret, among others. A real good price on the Pirellis made it easier for me to pull the trigger today. So did a possible track day at Thunderhill about 10 days from now.

That last bit, and our dry weather and comfy temps, made me really tempted to try a pair of the ContiRoadAttack 2 CR hides that Ulvetanna is enjoying. Ultimately, $ and durability conspired to help me conclude that the Angels would the best bet for me right now.

The value of the depth and breadth of experience among our members and their willingness to share their insights cannot be overstated. Sure has made my miles on this fine bike safer and more enjoyable. For that, I continue to be grateful.

Hi...I just received an email from Southern Powersports in Chatanooga, Tennessee. They have at least one new 2013 standard ($7752) and at least one new 2014 standard ($7676). These are their out the door prices. You pay your tax and license fees when you register it. All paperwork must be signed in person per HONDA.

I'll cut to the chase. I love this bike. Picked it up at Cross Country In Metuchen, NJ ( ace dealer by the way) and promptly took it to The Gathering of The Nortons in Washington Crossing, PA, followed by a seriously fun ride through NE Pennsylvania and NW NJ. Over 250 miles in the first 24 hours. Since then, another 100 miles on the slab and NJRATS 'loop' in Western Monmouth and Burlington Counties. My observations:

Fit and Finish: Outstanding. Attention to detail is similar to the CB. When you build a house, the advice is to invest and put thought in the things that people touch...door knobs, switches, countertops...because tactile elements are important to the perception of quality and comfort. Triumph applied this to the Thrux R in spades. The top yoke is a work of art, as an example. Countless small details that catch the eye and show how much thought went into the design. It was a massive source of interest at The Gathering, with everyone from old Norton blokes to sport bike squids interested in it.

Comfort: The 'R' has a more committed rider triangle, but is a perfect example of why sitting on a bike at rest is not the way to determine comfort in riding. The lean to the bars becomes second nature after only a few minutes, and allows for effortless handling and less blow-age at highway speeds. The Thrux at 80MPH on the freeway is a good deal more comfortable than my experience on the CB. Bottom line is that even at 58 years of age and a BMI that wouldn't win any prizes, 250 mile days with some gas and grub stops required the same end of day dose of analgesics as any of my other bikes.

Performance: Sublime. The engine is just ladled with character, and the 270 degree firing interval gives it a distinct V-twin like feel. I've not redlined it yet, but it's got grunt across the rev range. The sport setting on rider modes makes it nice and snappy, but not snatchy and the fueling is fine. (this is the first bike I've owned with the combo of rider modes, TC, ride by wire, and ABS, so getting used to all that.) The 'R' has a different camshaft profile, lighter crank and some other internal changes from the standard Thruxton, and while sharing the basic config with the T120 Bonnie, it is a significantly different and higher performing machine. Oh, and the R has, subjectively, the best stock pipe, in- helmet exhaust sound I've ever experienced. It's addictive.

Handling: This is what surprised me the most. The Ohlins/Showa BPF/ Brembo/ Pirelli Rosso Corsa combination makes the R a sport bike that looks retro, rather than a tarted up retro. Probably more akin to a Ducati Monster than anything in the modern retro competitive set. But compliant and comfortable, and within a performance range that is ideal for the road rather than the track, without beating you up. I've done our signature 35 mile 'loop' on 15 different bikes now, and I don't think I've enjoyed it as much on any other machine. It just leans, holds a line, and doesn't get upset with post- winter New Jersey farm roads. Switching off with my KTM/Ducati owning friend for a loop, he was speechless.

Other Stuff: OK, marketing and the like can irritate, but let me outline the process on procuring this bike, and compare it to the horrendous 'effort' that today's Honda puts out. It points towards how the CB, a fine bike, can languish. First, I was contacted by the dealer...live from London...at the unveiling of the new Bonnie line. He texted out to his customers as the bikes came on the stage. He then invited me to a private showing of the bikes at a bar in Brooklyn (free drinks and food!). Upon ordering, I was kept up to date from Triumph on the build, ship, and delivery of the bike. I was presented with the opportunity to... I almost said the now banned F- word... uh, customize it... from the over 140 accessories already created for the R (over 400 for the entire Bonnie line) which would be installed at ( or shortly after) delivery. At pickup, the dealership had a full display of the Bonnie line along with accessories and a trained sales team that knows the bikes well. Sorry, this might be fluff to some, but I'm in marketing, and Triumph nailed this.

So, in summary, it's a great bike, and while I'm moto- promiscuous, I don't see this one going away or collecting dust. It does challenge the use case for the CB1100 in my fleet. Switching over to the CB and taking it for a long spin, I couldn't think of a single attribute that I liked better than the ThruxR, save for the riding position for leisurely riding, and the fact that it is, in it's own right, a spectacularly beautiful motorbike. It would make a nice complimentary bike, but that darn inline 4 buzzing really bothered me again, especially in comparison to the pleasant vertical twin thrum. I also have an '06 Bonnie that I use for local beach jaunts and casual riding, which, while not fully comparable to the CB, is just as enjoyable for my usage. So, something to consider as I rearrange and perhaps, god forbid, pare down my stable a bit this summer.

That's the scoop. Happy to answer any questions.

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Has anyone added wide angle mirrors ? Or seen [url=http://www.huntercreate.com/]these ?

How can one tell if they have a leaking fork seal? If one sees oil on the shiny parts of the fork shock while riding is that a sign of leaking fork? How urgent is it to get it to a shop? In other words can it wait a few weeks. Never had one, but think i may have one on the CB at 8000 miles :, (

This should be a link to the CB1100`s modified as part of a Honda NZ sponsored competion involving 5 of their main dealers. I believe each machine has a seperate link on You Tube.

https://youtu.be/3Zu1G4WQ-TU

How would you guys fix this huge scratch on your gauge cover? It's driving me nuts.


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So I should preface this with the fact that I've NEVER done anything electrical in my life. That will become apparent as I describe the time I've had installing this.

I have a small alleyway off-street in which to do my wrenching, it's not ideal but it's better than most places in the city. I somehow get the old stupid tail light monstrosity off and try to wire up the new one without a proper wire stripper but the colors on the new wires are all different (black and red like you'd expect) and I have no idea how to test which is pos/neg on the old ones. Oh, and the new tail light doesn't have an obvious ground anywhere so I wasn't sure where to put that, is that what the black wire is?. Ended up blowing a fuse so I wrapped the ground (the black wire) around a steel bolt and taped it to the bottom of the fender until I figure out what to do with it, seems to work for now.

Anyway, I may have screwed up something because now my tail light doesn't come on as a running light, only when I depress a brake. I mean, I should be elated it works as a brake light but I want running AND brake lights if that's how it came factory. Any thoughts? Is this how it should work or am I missing functionality?
I actually found this:

[url=http://www.vsource.org/VFR-RVF_files/HondaWireColors.htm]http://www.vsource.org/VFR-RVF_files/HondaWireColors.htm

As a wiring color guide for Hondas and hopefully with this knowledge will be able to do a better job tomorrow. It's SUCH a pain because the mounting hardware was not at ALL adequate so with my 'solution' of using one of the bolts from the old tail light I have a real problem getting this on/off to adjust the wiring.