Redesign ideas

[Retsel_imp]

This bike to me, is different from any I've owned in the past 30 years. It is taking some "getting use to" but I am getting use to it. That said I have been making some purely functional changes, i .e . sliders, mirrors, and rear rack. I'll be holding off on any comfort changes until I've had time to become ONE with the CB1100 the way it is design. If there is anything that gets in the way of that, I'll change it.

[curlyjoe_imp]

To each their own, but my only gripe is the seat being too low. I wish Honda offered an accessory tall and short seat like so many other bikes. For instance, the Suzuki tall saddle for the DL650 is a little over $200. That's quite reasonable. Actually, my gripe could be extended to a lack of available accessories through Honda. As much as I enjoy dealing with Mr. T for my farkling needs, it would be nice to have more choices from the local dealer.

Sargent in Jacksonville, FL will modify your existing seat to be as high as you want with any contour you want. I had this done for my wife's Bonneville SE a few years back with very good result.
I like the CB just as is. It's a perfect fit for my 5' 6" stout frame, I can stand on the pegs when need be and the seat is comfortable. Because the fuel mileage is excellent for an 1100cc bike, I find the fuel tank acceptable but a little more capacity would have been nice. Having had four shaft drive bikes in the past (a BMW, Kawasaki, Honda and Moto Guzzi) I much prefer the simplicity of a chain now. Shaft drive is nice but a nightmare if they break or have leaking seals. The CB is plenty powerful for the niche Honda created it for. Years ago it would have been one of the world's fastest stock bikes and even by today's standards it is still plenty quick. As for the top speed limiter, 112 mph is "go to jail" speeding in all 50 states.

I had a Sargent saddle on my 06 V-strom and it was pretty comfy. I looked at the Sargent for the CB, but it's not to my liking aesthetically. I also like having the stock saddle unmodified for when I do eventually sell the bike.

I just placed my order for the K&H tall and should have it in less than a month. I'll hopefully be satisfied with that.

I had a Sargent saddle on my 06 V-strom and it was pretty comfy. I looked at the Sargent for the CB, but it's not to my liking aesthetically. I also like having the stock saddle unmodified for when I do eventually sell the bike.

I just placed my order for the K&H tall and should have it in less than a month. I'll hopefully be satisfied with that.
What part number. I saw a couple of different ones on Samurider and I got confused. (mine's a 2013, btw)

I had a Sargent saddle on my 06 V-strom and it was pretty comfy. I looked at the Sargent for the CB, but it's not to my liking aesthetically. I also like having the stock saddle unmodified for when I do eventually sell the bike.

I just placed my order for the K&H tall and should have it in less than a month. I'll hopefully be satisfied with that.
What part number. I saw a couple of different ones on Samurider and I got confused. (mine's a 2013, btw)
For a 2013-14 standard CB (not deluxe), these are the options for the K&H "high" seats:

http://www.samurider.com/?p=13103
http://www.samurider.com/?p=13099
http://www.samurider.com/?p=13096
http://www.samurider.com/?p=13091

[the_undecider_imp]

Oops, I missed your question, MTC. I feel bad for not replying to you. Looks like Curlyjoe took care of that for me.

[uscgmac_imp]

This may have been answered already, but there are a couple of design things which could be improved on the CB1100.
1. A more friendly seat--wider, softer, tipped up at front.
2. Wider mirror stems
3. Re-position driver pegs forward. (I feel like I'm riding a tricycle trying to fold my legs back.
4. Shaft drive
5. Much larger capacity gas tank
6. Offset handlebar risers (to allow more upright sitting)
7. A diffferent configured rear brake lever

I have had to purchase after-market for all the above except 3, 4 and 5 for my 2014 Standard. I had my brake lever heated and bent, and added other farkles. Not every rider stands 5'5" and weighs 120 lbs, which seems to be the standard for many Asian cycles. I've always owned Honda cycles but have had to alter many of them to provide comfort for my 6'0" big-sized body. Why doesn't Honda design a cycle for the American rider? Does Honda have financial ties to all the accessory manufacturers?

Then it would be called a cruiser. The bike was made like this because this is what a universal motorcycle is. That many changes would make it something its not.