2017 CB1100EX Color matched side covers

[Dave Swanson]

Red side covers borders on heresy for an 2017 EX !

[pekingduck]

I really like the red sidecovers, but it's a shame to cover up that aluminum finish. I can't think of any Honda with metal sidecovers since the 305s.

[Mercurysilver_imp]

Red + 3miles

[Bosti]

Red is better.

[CB1100DLX_imp]

Red def

[GoldOxide_imp]

Red + 3miles

Welcome to this fine Forum Mercurysilver.

Wad'ch you ridin' these days?

[ceeko_imp]

Hey all, I decided I am selling these, will entertain any offer. Technically they cost over $500 (OEM side covers are expensive, plus professional paint job) but I’m not gonna ask for that, of course, so please just offer whatever they might be worth to you. Happy to take a hit on this fun experiment. Thanks!

[Gone in 60]

I know that a few pages back, I voted for silver, saying that it was one of the things that attracted me to the bike when it came out in '13. However, when Elipten put his custom '13 painted side covers for sale here on the forum, I snapped them up. I really love them and will be keeping my original silvers wrapped and stored with the rest of the OEM parts.

That being said, I have some thoughts on why Honda may have gone with silver side panels instead of matching red on the '13, '17 and '19 (U.S. Market, at least). The tank has lots of curved surfaces, while the side covers are a flat surface. With the way light hits the two parts, the pearl or candy base causes reflections that sort of bend the colors. In shade, like this picture, the color looks like it matches perfectly. But, in some light, at some angles, the flat side panels look darker than the rounded tank. In fact, based on the pictures that Elipten posted with his classified ad, I asked him to confirm that the color was indeed '13 Glory Red.

It doesn't bother me, because I know that the colors really do match, and that any variance is a play of light. On a black '14 standard, it wouldn't matter. But, the matching red side covers on the '14 Deluxe are curved, not flat, making the colors change at the same hues on the tank and covers.

Maybe going with a completely different silver color on the flat side panels was a decision to prevent buyers from complaining about colors not matching between the tank and sides.

[Tev62]

I decided I wanted to see what it would look like with color matched side covers. I bought some OEM covers, and had them professionally painted by a local body shop. They used the factory color code to match paint. I think they turned out great.

That being said, after some back and forth, I've decided I'm going to stick with the stock covers after all, and think I'm going to try and sell these painted ones. It was worth the experiment, though, and I thought y'all might like seeing how they turned out:







Original for comparison:

Interesting. When I look at the red cover photo, I'm drawn towards the curvy tank.

When I look at the silver cover photo, I'm drawn towards the the silver cover.

Interesting. When I look at the red cover photo, I'm drawn towards the curvy tank.

When I look at the silver cover photo, I'm drawn towards the the silver cover.
The Sun was on the tank in picture 1 but you can see it has moved off the tank in picture 2, maybe that explains why your eye was drawn?

Red gets my vote.

[Gone in 60]

Following up on my comments a moment ago, I just glanced up from doing some paperwork in my warehouse, and caught my bike from a different angle. Note the perceived difference in shades of red between the side and tank.