Cb1100 handling (geometry questions)

[Hondahawkrider_imp]

The handling of the CB1100 was the one thing I didn't like about the bike. I thought it might be the tyres but a friend suggested it was more likely the suspension at fault. I bit the bullet and had Maxton (UK) fit their own custom cartridges to the front forks and shocks to the back. They suggested 10mm longer shocks to raise the back and alter the steering angle. They then set the bike up on their rolling road and set up the suspension for my weight. The bike has been totally transformed and corners as well, if not better than any bike I've ever owned. The honda suspension is 'cheap and cheerful' and designed to be all thing to all men from light weight solo riders to two up heavies with luggage.

I asked Maxton about fitting a fork brace and they advised against it. They tune top level race bikes and they told me that to work properly each fork must be allowed to flex independently, they even suggested that I ditch the steel front mudguard and replace it with a plastic one.

I no longer feel the need to change from standard tyres and my sports bike riding friends are embarrassed enough to be calling Maxton. Maxton do export sales and can set the suspension correctly at their factory as they kept my bike for a couple of weeks and ran a whole series of tests to find the correct settings for different weight riders.

The new triumph thruxton R 1200 is going to fit the bill for a lot of people and is already turning heads on this forum and is going to steal some customers. What a beautiful retro classic and performance as well.

Of this I'm sure... However, there is a benefit to this... If you also factor that Honda is keeping the cb1100 alive, with what seems to be a more radical version...

It's that as other newer versions come out.. Some folks will sell there initial cb's on the used market..

While I don't want to see early cb's devalued, part of me could care less, a used market will get more folks to buy em.. I got a 2013 with 1k miles in perfect shape with a bunch of cosmetic mods (look up GIXXERMAN - I bought his his from Speedgeezer, so I'm the third owner and it had 1k miles) for 1/2 of a a new one..

After 20 years of riding, I have sold bikes to get something new, while sound economic decisions, I miss one or two.. I feel a connection to my CB.. To me it what motorcycling should be, a little bit unrefined (no mono shock) and room for customization and improvement, less hp than some others, but explain that while I blow by you.. For all its limitations, it's pretty stable..

I'm sure future hotter versions will be way cooler, or more performance orientated than mine.. However, I'm sure I will get one of those on the used market as well, if I'm lucky. Future bikes or even future cb's will come and go, as I usually have more than one bike.. My plan is to keep my 2013.. It's a Honda, it will last.. Maybe I'll get lucky and it will be sought after like the initial sandcast 750's. Not that I'll care.. Ill still want to ride it.

[Ulvetanna_imp]

For me this is all about riding style. To use movies to illustrate, I'm more 'The Wild One' than 'Easy Rider'. I was at the first showing of Easy Rider in the UK and it was a culture shock to see cool guys riding slowly, laid back and chilling (am I using old man vocabulary ?). We have never had a cruiser culture in the UK, there are a few Harley's now but not many. Here it was all about speed and racing. Ride to work on your bike all week and then race it at the weekend. I read recently that during the development of the Ducati Diavel X the designers were sent to America and made to cruise around for several weeks so they could learn what the cruising culture is all about. I want a retro, cool bike that that can keep pace with modern machinery. The Bandit 1200 I had came close but it wasn't a 'looker'. The CB1100 with new suspension now works for me. I would like 100bhp but I don't want a radiator to achieve it. My perfect bike? Lets see what comes out in the next couple of years.

I have been lurking here for a bit, but am with Paulb in terms of my riding style. I've noticed the large majority of CB1100 owners are mostly into the cruiser or recreational mode but I, like Paulb, am a performance rider, have done for many years, and wanted to get my 2013 CB1100 working as well as possible. I track a high-perf bike and also run a late model literbike (2015 Kawi ZX-10R) on the street so I like the good suspension, grip, and handling of a well-sorted machine.

I mostly rode other bikes and did not really put much time into the CB in the two years or so since I bought it (just turned over 8,000 miles on the clock) and was near ready to trade it or sell it but then made one last effort. Aside from Ikon shocks set up for my specs I also went with your Chip Beck's handlebar modification. That made a huge difference in riding position and control and I found it superb, still very comfy especially compared to the ZX-10R, but much more weight on the front tire and a better angle into the wind as I do a lot of freeway as well as twisting roads.

I noticed straightaway that the vibration lessened in the revolution range I like to ride in. It smoothed out above 70 mph, and in the area of sport riding for the CB1100 it is going to be always above 5000 RPM, or most of the time at any rate. So this mod works really, really well and I highly recommend it as the first thing to do to sport up your CB1100. Next is the shocks for sure, Ikons are the least expensive but yes, they are darn good, a triple-rate spring and plenty of damping and compliance.

Last but not least are the tires and I have been very surprised to see no one on the forum has yet seemed to try the [url=http://www.continental-tires.com/motorcycle/tires/motorcycle-tires/classic-classic-racing/contiroadattack2cr]Continental Road Attack 2 Classic Race tires. These are designed specifically to fit our bike, the CB1100, and use a production or "classic" race compound and special carcass design, but are DOT approved. The rear is a 150/65-18, with all the sidewall the CB1100 could ever use.

These tires are not cheap, they are quite expensive, as I believe I paid about $350 for the set, but they are superb. I would compare them to the Dunlop Q3 as far as a sport tire. The grip is unreal, and the handling very linear and predictable and the compliance excellent. With these tires there will be no call for complaints about grip or handling.

It took me around two weeks to dial in the suspension settings to match these tires. The rear ride height needs to come up a bit to get some weight on the front tire, and the front ride height needs to be tweaked until the handling is balanced. I had to work back and forth, shocks to fork, many times over about 300 miles of riding but I eventually found the right setup and I can say without a doubt this motorcycle handles, and not just OK for what it is. It handles brilliantly, the only real limitation being cornering clearance. I've got very short peg feelers, about 1/3 the length of stock, and I have removed the centerstand to get maximum clearance. I've scraped the pegs with great comfort and no drama.

This bike needs to be ridden like a dirtbike, old-school, square off the turn, give it the stick, because lean is limited, but when set up right I promise it will surprise the daylights out of many riders on much more modern bikes. I have pulled up the front wheel an inch or so coming out of turns, it does have excellent torque, and the brakes are very good as well.

I have no plans to do anything else to the bike, it's completely stock with the exception of a K&N air filter and wants nothing more than to be ridden.

If you love your CB1100 don't give up on the handling. This thing can be a real sleeper and looks the business with the low bars and DOT racing tires.

Don't expect fantastic mileage, BTW, but surprisingly the multi-compound thing Conti is doing seems to be lasting very well. If I get 3K miles out of the rear I will be smiling about it.

[Ulvetanna_imp]

The handling of the CB1100 was the one thing I didn't like about the bike. I thought it might be the tyres but a friend suggested it was more likely the suspension at fault. I bit the bullet and had Maxton (UK) fit their own custom cartridges to the front forks and shocks to the back. They suggested 10mm longer shocks to raise the back and alter the steering angle. They then set the bike up on their rolling road and set up the suspension for my weight. The bike has been totally transformed and corners as well, if not better than any bike I've ever owned. The honda suspension is 'cheap and cheerful' and designed to be all thing to all men from light weight solo riders to two up heavies with luggage.

I asked Maxton about fitting a fork brace and they advised against it. They tune top level race bikes and they told me that to work properly each fork must be allowed to flex independently, they even suggested that I ditch the steel front mudguard and replace it with a plastic one.

I no longer feel the need to change from standard tyres and my sports bike riding friends are embarrassed enough to be calling Maxton. Maxton do export sales and can set the suspension correctly at their factory as they kept my bike for a couple of weeks and ran a whole series of tests to find the correct settings for different weight riders.

I missed this post but yes, you are just right about all this. I cannot see any need at all for a fork brace on this bike, it's got big, beefy forks and just needs to be set up properly. I don't think I will be tossing my steel fender, though.

I have not done anything to the forks but go to a 15wt oil. Springs are stock, but I am a light rider, about 145 pounds. Anyone over 160 pounds is going to need to do something about the forks for sure. The custom cartridge and better springs are sure to transform the bike although at my very light weight the stock parts do get the job done.

On top of it all, the bike looks just plain bad-a**. Yes, the new Thruxton has a lot more power, Ohlins, and all that jazz but it's not really a retro-bike at all. The CB1100 is truly a retro-bike, with the massive 1140cc air-cooled engine hanging out there in the breeze to be admired, and it just looks right. And handles very, very well.

[CIP57_imp]

For me this is all about riding style. To use movies to illustrate, I'm more 'The Wild One' than 'Easy Rider'. I was at the first showing of Easy Rider in the UK and it was a culture shock to see cool guys riding slowly, laid back and chilling (am I using old man vocabulary ?). We have never had a cruiser culture in the UK, there are a few Harley's now but not many. Here it was all about speed and racing. Ride to work on your bike all week and then race it at the weekend. I read recently that during the development of the Ducati Diavel X the designers were sent to America and made to cruise around for several weeks so they could learn what the cruising culture is all about. I want a retro, cool bike that that can keep pace with modern machinery. The Bandit 1200 I had came close but it wasn't a 'looker'. The CB1100 with new suspension now works for me. I would like 100bhp but I don't want a radiator to achieve it. My perfect bike? Lets see what comes out in the next couple of years.

I have been lurking here for a bit, but am with Paulb in terms of my riding style. I've noticed the large majority of CB1100 owners are mostly into the cruiser or recreational mode but I, like Paulb, am a performance rider, have done for many years, and wanted to get my 2013 CB1100 working as well as possible. I track a high-perf bike and also run a late model literbike (2015 Kawi ZX-10R) on the street so I like the good suspension, grip, and handling of a well-sorted machine.

I mostly rode other bikes and did not really put much time into the CB in the two years or so since I bought it (just turned over 8,000 miles on the clock) and was near ready to trade it or sell it but then made one last effort. Aside from Ikon shocks set up for my specs I also went with your Chip Beck's handlebar modification. That made a huge difference in riding position and control and I found it superb, still very comfy especially compared to the ZX-10R, but much more weight on the front tire and a better angle into the wind as I do a lot of freeway as well as twisting roads.

I noticed straightaway that the vibration lessened in the revolution range I like to ride in. It smoothed out above 70 mph, and in the area of sport riding for the CB1100 it is going to be always above 5000 RPM, or most of the time at any rate. So this mod works really, really well and I highly recommend it as the first thing to do to sport up your CB1100. Next is the shocks for sure, Ikons are the least expensive but yes, they are darn good, a triple-rate spring and plenty of damping and compliance.

Last but not least are the tires and I have been very surprised to see no one on the forum has yet seemed to try the [url=http://www.continental-tires.com/motorcycle/tires/motorcycle-tires/classic-classic-racing/contiroadattack2cr]Continental Road Attack 2 Classic Race tires. These are designed specifically to fit our bike, the CB1100, and use a production or "classic" race compound and special carcass design, but are DOT approved. The rear is a 150/65-18, with all the sidewall the CB1100 could ever use.

These tires are not cheap, they are quite expensive, as I believe I paid about $350 for the set, but they are superb. I would compare them to the Dunlop Q3 as far as a sport tire. The grip is unreal, and the handling very linear and predictable and the compliance excellent. With these tires there will be no call for complaints about grip or handling.

It took me around two weeks to dial in the suspension settings to match these tires. The rear ride height needs to come up a bit to get some weight on the front tire, and the front ride height needs to be tweaked until the handling is balanced. I had to work back and forth, shocks to fork, many times over about 300 miles of riding but I eventually found the right setup and I can say without a doubt this motorcycle handles, and not just OK for what it is. It handles brilliantly, the only real limitation being cornering clearance. I've got very short peg feelers, about 1/3 the length of stock, and I have removed the centerstand to get maximum clearance. I've scraped the pegs with great comfort and no drama.

This bike needs to be ridden like a dirtbike, old-school, square off the turn, give it the stick, because lean is limited, but when set up right I promise it will surprise the daylights out of many riders on much more modern bikes. I have pulled up the front wheel an inch or so coming out of turns, it does have excellent torque, and the brakes are very good as well.

I have no plans to do anything else to the bike, it's completely stock with the exception of a K&N air filter and wants nothing more than to be ridden.

If you love your CB1100 don't give up on the handling. This thing can be a real sleeper and looks the business with the low bars and DOT racing tires.

Don't expect fantastic mileage, BTW, but surprisingly the multi-compound thing Conti is doing seems to be lasting very well. If I get 3K miles out of the rear I will be smiling about it.

I have been lurking here for a bit, but am with Paulb in terms of my riding style. I've noticed the large majority of CB1100 owners are mostly into the cruiser or recreational mode but I, like Paulb, am a performance rider, have done for many years, and wanted to get my 2013 CB1100 working as well as possible. I track a high-perf bike and also run a late model literbike (2015 Kawi ZX-10R) on the street so I like the good suspension, grip, and handling of a well-sorted machine.

I mostly rode other bikes and did not really put much time into the CB in the two years or so since I bought it (just turned over 8,000 miles on the clock) and was near ready to trade it or sell it but then made one last effort. Aside from Ikon shocks set up for my specs I also went with your Chip Beck's handlebar modification. That made a huge difference in riding position and control and I found it superb, still very comfy especially compared to the ZX-10R, but much more weight on the front tire and a better angle into the wind as I do a lot of freeway as well as twisting roads.

I noticed straightaway that the vibration lessened in the revolution range I like to ride in. It smoothed out above 70 mph, and in the area of sport riding for the CB1100 it is going to be always above 5000 RPM, or most of the time at any rate. So this mod works really, really well and I highly recommend it as the first thing to do to sport up your CB1100. Next is the shocks for sure, Ikons are the least expensive but yes, they are darn good, a triple-rate spring and plenty of damping and compliance.

Last but not least are the tires and I have been very surprised to see no one on the forum has yet seemed to try the [url=http://www.continental-tires.com/motorcycle/tires/motorcycle-tires/classic-classic-racing/contiroadattack2cr]Continental Road Attack 2 Classic Race tires. These are designed specifically to fit our bike, the CB1100, and use a production or "classic" race compound and special carcass design, but are DOT approved. The rear is a 150/65-18, with all the sidewall the CB1100 could ever use.

These tires are not cheap, they are quite expensive, as I believe I paid about $350 for the set, but they are superb. I would compare them to the Dunlop Q3 as far as a sport tire. The grip is unreal, and the handling very linear and predictable and the compliance excellent. With these tires there will be no call for complaints about grip or handling.

It took me around two weeks to dial in the suspension settings to match these tires. The rear ride height needs to come up a bit to get some weight on the front tire, and the front ride height needs to be tweaked until the handling is balanced. I had to work back and forth, shocks to fork, many times over about 300 miles of riding but I eventually found the right setup and I can say without a doubt this motorcycle handles, and not just OK for what it is. It handles brilliantly, the only real limitation being cornering clearance. I've got very short peg feelers, about 1/3 the length of stock, and I have removed the centerstand to get maximum clearance. I've scraped the pegs with great comfort and no drama.

This bike needs to be ridden like a dirtbike, old-school, square off the turn, give it the stick, because lean is limited, but when set up right I promise it will surprise the daylights out of many riders on much more modern bikes. I have pulled up the front wheel an inch or so coming out of turns, it does have excellent torque, and the brakes are very good as well.

I have no plans to do anything else to the bike, it's completely stock with the exception of a K&N air filter and wants nothing more than to be ridden.

If you love your CB1100 don't give up on the handling. This thing can be a real sleeper and looks the business with the low bars and DOT racing tires.

Don't expect fantastic mileage, BTW, but surprisingly the multi-compound thing Conti is doing seems to be lasting very well. If I get 3K miles out of the rear I will be smiling about it.
U,

Welcome to the forum. I don't believe these tires where available two years ago, but there you go the perfect tire and match for this bike. Dual compound should get you 5K with the power of this bike similar to what I get on PP'3 on my N1K. Softer suspension requires a softer tire, wish I had put these on my CB. I'm also in your range @ 165lbs and found the suspension above average for a UJM but I can see someone 190 or over having to make suspension modifications if they want to ride this bike hard.
Powering up out of a turn, I've caught some good lines but never got the front off the ground powering out.

[Ulvetanna_imp]

For me this is all about riding style. To use movies to illustrate, I'm more 'The Wild One' than 'Easy Rider'. I was at the first showing of Easy Rider in the UK and it was a culture shock to see cool guys riding slowly, laid back and chilling (am I using old man vocabulary ?). We have never had a cruiser culture in the UK, there are a few Harley's now but not many. Here it was all about speed and racing. Ride to work on your bike all week and then race it at the weekend. I read recently that during the development of the Ducati Diavel X the designers were sent to America and made to cruise around for several weeks so they could learn what the cruising culture is all about. I want a retro, cool bike that that can keep pace with modern machinery. The Bandit 1200 I had came close but it wasn't a 'looker'. The CB1100 with new suspension now works for me. I would like 100bhp but I don't want a radiator to achieve it. My perfect bike? Lets see what comes out in the next couple of years.

I have been lurking here for a bit, but am with Paulb in terms of my riding style. I've noticed the large majority of CB1100 owners are mostly into the cruiser or recreational mode but I, like Paulb, am a performance rider, have done for many years, and wanted to get my 2013 CB1100 working as well as possible. I track a high-perf bike and also run a late model literbike (2015 Kawi ZX-10R) on the street so I like the good suspension, grip, and handling of a well-sorted machine.

I mostly rode other bikes and did not really put much time into the CB in the two years or so since I bought it (just turned over 8,000 miles on the clock) and was near ready to trade it or sell it but then made one last effort. Aside from Ikon shocks set up for my specs I also went with your Chip Beck's handlebar modification. That made a huge difference in riding position and control and I found it superb, still very comfy especially compared to the ZX-10R, but much more weight on the front tire and a better angle into the wind as I do a lot of freeway as well as twisting roads.

I noticed straightaway that the vibration lessened in the revolution range I like to ride in. It smoothed out above 70 mph, and in the area of sport riding for the CB1100 it is going to be always above 5000 RPM, or most of the time at any rate. So this mod works really, really well and I highly recommend it as the first thing to do to sport up your CB1100. Next is the shocks for sure, Ikons are the least expensive but yes, they are darn good, a triple-rate spring and plenty of damping and compliance.

Last but not least are the tires and I have been very surprised to see no one on the forum has yet seemed to try the [url=http://www.continental-tires.com/motorcycle/tires/motorcycle-tires/classic-classic-racing/contiroadattack2cr]Continental Road Attack 2 Classic Race tires. These are designed specifically to fit our bike, the CB1100, and use a production or "classic" race compound and special carcass design, but are DOT approved. The rear is a 150/65-18, with all the sidewall the CB1100 could ever use.

These tires are not cheap, they are quite expensive, as I believe I paid about $350 for the set, but they are superb. I would compare them to the Dunlop Q3 as far as a sport tire. The grip is unreal, and the handling very linear and predictable and the compliance excellent. With these tires there will be no call for complaints about grip or handling.

It took me around two weeks to dial in the suspension settings to match these tires. The rear ride height needs to come up a bit to get some weight on the front tire, and the front ride height needs to be tweaked until the handling is balanced. I had to work back and forth, shocks to fork, many times over about 300 miles of riding but I eventually found the right setup and I can say without a doubt this motorcycle handles, and not just OK for what it is. It handles brilliantly, the only real limitation being cornering clearance. I've got very short peg feelers, about 1/3 the length of stock, and I have removed the centerstand to get maximum clearance. I've scraped the pegs with great comfort and no drama.

This bike needs to be ridden like a dirtbike, old-school, square off the turn, give it the stick, because lean is limited, but when set up right I promise it will surprise the daylights out of many riders on much more modern bikes. I have pulled up the front wheel an inch or so coming out of turns, it does have excellent torque, and the brakes are very good as well.

I have no plans to do anything else to the bike, it's completely stock with the exception of a K&N air filter and wants nothing more than to be ridden.

If you love your CB1100 don't give up on the handling. This thing can be a real sleeper and looks the business with the low bars and DOT racing tires.

Don't expect fantastic mileage, BTW, but surprisingly the multi-compound thing Conti is doing seems to be lasting very well. If I get 3K miles out of the rear I will be smiling about it.

I have been lurking here for a bit, but am with Paulb in terms of my riding style. I've noticed the large majority of CB1100 owners are mostly into the cruiser or recreational mode but I, like Paulb, am a performance rider, have done for many years, and wanted to get my 2013 CB1100 working as well as possible. I track a high-perf bike and also run a late model literbike (2015 Kawi ZX-10R) on the street so I like the good suspension, grip, and handling of a well-sorted machine.

I mostly rode other bikes and did not really put much time into the CB in the two years or so since I bought it (just turned over 8,000 miles on the clock) and was near ready to trade it or sell it but then made one last effort. Aside from Ikon shocks set up for my specs I also went with your Chip Beck's handlebar modification. That made a huge difference in riding position and control and I found it superb, still very comfy especially compared to the ZX-10R, but much more weight on the front tire and a better angle into the wind as I do a lot of freeway as well as twisting roads.

I noticed straightaway that the vibration lessened in the revolution range I like to ride in. It smoothed out above 70 mph, and in the area of sport riding for the CB1100 it is going to be always above 5000 RPM, or most of the time at any rate. So this mod works really, really well and I highly recommend it as the first thing to do to sport up your CB1100. Next is the shocks for sure, Ikons are the least expensive but yes, they are darn good, a triple-rate spring and plenty of damping and compliance.

Last but not least are the tires and I have been very surprised to see no one on the forum has yet seemed to try the [url=http://www.continental-tires.com/motorcycle/tires/motorcycle-tires/classic-classic-racing/contiroadattack2cr]Continental Road Attack 2 Classic Race tires. These are designed specifically to fit our bike, the CB1100, and use a production or "classic" race compound and special carcass design, but are DOT approved. The rear is a 150/65-18, with all the sidewall the CB1100 could ever use.

These tires are not cheap, they are quite expensive, as I believe I paid about $350 for the set, but they are superb. I would compare them to the Dunlop Q3 as far as a sport tire. The grip is unreal, and the handling very linear and predictable and the compliance excellent. With these tires there will be no call for complaints about grip or handling.

It took me around two weeks to dial in the suspension settings to match these tires. The rear ride height needs to come up a bit to get some weight on the front tire, and the front ride height needs to be tweaked until the handling is balanced. I had to work back and forth, shocks to fork, many times over about 300 miles of riding but I eventually found the right setup and I can say without a doubt this motorcycle handles, and not just OK for what it is. It handles brilliantly, the only real limitation being cornering clearance. I've got very short peg feelers, about 1/3 the length of stock, and I have removed the centerstand to get maximum clearance. I've scraped the pegs with great comfort and no drama.

This bike needs to be ridden like a dirtbike, old-school, square off the turn, give it the stick, because lean is limited, but when set up right I promise it will surprise the daylights out of many riders on much more modern bikes. I have pulled up the front wheel an inch or so coming out of turns, it does have excellent torque, and the brakes are very good as well.

I have no plans to do anything else to the bike, it's completely stock with the exception of a K&N air filter and wants nothing more than to be ridden.

If you love your CB1100 don't give up on the handling. This thing can be a real sleeper and looks the business with the low bars and DOT racing tires.

Don't expect fantastic mileage, BTW, but surprisingly the multi-compound thing Conti is doing seems to be lasting very well. If I get 3K miles out of the rear I will be smiling about it.
U,

Welcome to the forum. I don't believe these tires where available two years ago, but there you go the perfect tire and match for this bike. Dual compound should get you 5K with the power of this bike similar to what I get on PP'3 on my N1K. Softer suspension requires a softer tire, wish I had put these on my CB. I'm also in your range @ 165lbs and found the suspension above average for a UJM but I can see someone 190 or over having to make suspension modifications if they want to ride this bike hard.
Powering up out of a turn, I've caught some good lines but never got the front off the ground powering out.

Yep, I think you are right, sure did not see them last year when looking for rubber. I hope you are right about the mileage, I would be very happy to get 5K but I do see they are wearing pretty well. The rear has a solid strip of rubber about an inch wide right down the center.

The CB is getting to be my first pick to just go out and ride as it is also a lot more compliant on freeways and such now. Thanks.