2017 CB1100 EX First Ride Review

[SportsterDoc]

Guth, while MotoGP riders obviously occupy a different planet than we do, they also have a bazillion pre-set traction-control and engine-mapping parameters built into their bikes' ECUs, which are monitored in real time by the tech crew, who alert the rider via dashboard messages to any necessary changes he needs to make, which can then be made by the rider by switching maps with the press of a bar-mounted thumb-controller.

Despite ever increasing power numbers, notice the drastic reduction in recent seasons of highsides in the dry, compared to the Good Old Days. The days of Garry McCoy-style magical throttle hands to manage slides and prevent highsides in Grand Prix racing may not be completely behind us, but they're drawing ever nearer to a close.

LongRanger, my bike has Dunlop D205 Sportmax Touring radials. I know nothing about them, or any other 18" tires. Until you asked and I went out and checked, I'd never heard of them.

That reminds me...

I asked, and my dealer's service department had no answer for me regarding two basic questions I have about this bike. One, do those spokes require any maintenance, the way spokes on motocross bikes do? The owner's manual includes absolutely nothing about the wheels, other than directions on how to remove them. There's no mention whatsoever of the spokes. Two, can I switch to synthetic oil at the 600-mile service, or do I need to wait until the 4K oil change?

Also, were you guys aware that the owner's manual for the '17 specifies 12,000 miles for the valve-adjustment interval, rather than the 8,000 miles it's always been for every other model year?

Purely personal preference or opinion.
I am waiting for 4,000 (next week) to switch to HP4S.
My thinking is that the second oil change is a final "flush" before switching.

Got in 210 miles today. Fantastic weather. 3,610 miles on the odometer. Did another chain lube. Chain still does not require adjustment.

Also, although Honda is aggressive concerning completion of break-in, I think both my 1976 CB750F and my 2014 CB1100 were not fully run-in until 2,000 to 2,500 miles.

That's interesting VLJ. 8,000 or 12,000 won't make much differenc on these bikes as the valves rarely go out of adjustment, but it's nice that Honda extended the time closer to what other mfgs recommend.

I suspect that is why Honda lengthened the mileage span.