My New 2013 CB1100

[Gumby 1100_imp]

Wow, talk about having "Junk in your trunk"! That's appears to be one massive top box. It looks like you are pulling a trailer in the rearview shot

I'm sure it's just an optical illusion making it look so large, but what size is it? All kidding aside, it looks good and the colours match well.

[Lord Popgun]

Going by the shape of the lights, which look like the box on my ST, I'm going to guess its the Givi E55. So, how did I do?

[Ralph_imp]

Givi top boxes are great I have the smaller E340 mounted on the Givi rear rack and I wish I had gone hard box along time ago. It looks good and holds an enormous amount of stuff and is water proof. I put a piece of rug in the bottom to keep stuff from bouncing around and making noise

Good looking top box

ralph

[Lord Popgun]

Nice Ralph. I have the B37 with a light kit on my CB. I cut a piece of thin sheet foam for the bottom of mine.

Worst part of the Givi lights: Can't buy one separate. One of mine failed and I had to order a whole new kit just to get the light I needed. OTOH, I have some spare parts now.

[Ralph_imp]

Nice Ralph. I have the B37 with a light kit on my CB. I cut a piece of thin sheet foam for the bottom of mine.

Worst part of the Givi lights: Can't buy one separate. One of mine failed and I had to order a whole new kit just to get the light I needed. OTOH, I have some spare parts now.

Thats a bummer, but I guess its good to have spare parts. I noticed that mine had the wiring track going down the inside for the wires but I didn't order the light kit. Tell you the truth the tail light on these bikes is so bright I didn't think I needed the light. The wrap around reflector does a good job of showing up in the dark.

Having seen the light maybe I should have ordered it.

Crud, rainy weather this week in Texas, but we need the rain, its powder dry I made a trim ring to go around the end of my exhaust, so the down time is not wasted:

[SailorRider_imp]

Wow, talk about having "Junk in your trunk"! That's appears to be one massive top box. It looks like you are pulling a trailer in the rearview shot

I'm sure it's just an optical illusion making it look so large, but what size is it? All kidding aside, it looks good and the colours match well.

It's all in the perspective. Yes, it's large, but that picture makes it look massive. I was actually trying to show how well the color matched!!

[Ralph_imp]

Wow, talk about having "Junk in your trunk"! That's appears to be one massive top box. It looks like you are pulling a trailer in the rearview shot

I'm sure it's just an optical illusion making it look so large, but what size is it? All kidding aside, it looks good and the colours match well.

It's all in the perspective. Yes, it's large, but that picture makes it look massive. I was actually trying to show how well the color matched!!

It's all in the perspective. Yes, it's large, but that picture makes it look massive. I was actually trying to show how well the color matched!!
It really does match well, makes the whole bike look balanced

ralph

[jerrycon_imp]

Aside from a recommendation from by MSF BRC1 Rider Coach, this forum was a major contributor to my choice to find a CB11.

In early August of this year I found a 2013 non-ABS in Cycle Trader at a dealer in New Jersey. The bike had 29 miles on it (39 miles after my test ride). The dealer was 99% a Harley dealer so they probably didn't see much floor traffic looking at the CB11. It was over on the side away from the hogs, kinda looking lonely. Purchase was made and I trailered it home that day. No I didn't ride it home through a rain storm.

I am a little different from those here who have been riding many many years. For my 50th birthday I got my first PTW vehicle in the form of a 2008 Vespa GTS 250 i.e. and got my license on it. Height of the gas price bubble, and height of my kids needing to drive mine and my wife's car, so I figured a Vespa was better than buying another car.

Got hooked on riding using the big Vespa, so this summer I decided to upgrade to a larger machine. I took the BRC1 course to gain manual shifting skills, and did really well. After chatting about what I could see myself on, the rider coach said "you should buy a Honda CB1100." One web search and I found this forum. Within a month, had my 2013. He was right.

Learning curve on the bike was really short with you guys around. Here's what I have done:

1) Givi rack with GIVI monolock case, brake light activated (did a home run wiring job back to the harness);
2) Gearing: I upgraded to a 19T front sprocket and did the sprocket guard mod. I feel the taller gearing is perfect for me now.
3) Riding position: I felt I was leaning forward too much and purchased a set of SW-Motech barbacks. Perfect now.
4) Seat: I'm not really tall (5' 10") but have longish legs, so I wanted a higher seat than stock. It felt as though I was "crouching" on the stock seat and sliding forward too much. I sprung for a high K&H seat through Samurider with red stitching. Beautiful seat, and comfortable, gave me just the lift I needed.
5) Shield: Installed a StreetShield EX and found the noise and buffeting to be uncomfortable. Tried angling it, but did not help. I cut off 6" and it's very quiet now. I may take another little bit off, but I will play with angles first before deciding to do that.
6) Adaptation: I'm still getting used to the size and weight of the bike. I rode the big Vespa about 4000 miles before getting this bike, so I felt ready for it, but still learning. I took the MSF BRC2 course this weekend with the CB11 and got the chance to do a lot of low speed tight maneuvering and got good pointers from the Rider Coach. On the way home I got caught in a downpour so I declare myself as having passed initiation.

I only have about 400 miles on it so far, but plan to pick up the pace this fall. I think I have it set up just right for me now. Been sailing a lot and also ticking off too many things on the "honey do" list on weekends!

Reading over this list, it would have taken years to figure all this out (if at all) without this forum, better than any owner's manual out there. Thanks everyone!! I'll try to post some pix soon.

Hi, Sailor.

Did you have any trouble with cable length? Or was there plenty to spare?

Do you happen to have a model/part number for the SW-Motech barbacks? Is it [url=http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/sw-motech-78-barback-offset-handlebar-risers]the following:

Product Style RevZilla Item # Manufacturer Product # Availability

Black / 31mm Rise / 22mm Pullback 1035160 LEH.00.039.152/B In Stock: Ships next business day

Silver / 31mm Rise / 22mm Pullback 1035149 LEH.00.039.152/S In Stock: Ships next business day
Thanks

[capttwb136_imp]

Congratulations! The CB is a heavy bike for a new rider but it sounds like you're very comfortable with it. Good on you for taking the riding classes. It's not a bad idea to go back for refreshers every few years. Enjoy!

Yes, at 540 LBS it does sound heavy for a new rider. However this motorcycle is so well balanced, it feels just about the same as a mid 60's 250cc. Its power band is pretty tame too, so for a seasoned beginner, it is a great purchase.