My new CB1100 Goal

[Ulvetanna_imp]

Sorry- I don't follow peoples stories much... why did you sell your first CB?

The new ones aren't much different at all- a little change in looks, a little better suspension, a little better sound from the exhaust- but from an 'I'm on the bike riding it perspective' they might as well be the same- meaning if you sold the first one because it was 'boring' or some other reason that you were looking at other bikes- the 'refresh' isn't going to change that...

One of the main reasons was the suspension. The flaccid forks. I replaced the shocks with Ikons, which helped a great deal. Took me quite a while to get the forks adjusted properly so it would turn the way I wanted it to turn. The bike is very sensitive to front ride height and spring preload, surprisingly so.

Huge dive on brake application (sorry, that's just how I ride) which I KNEW could be made a lot better. But to start pouring $$$ into the forks seemed like a losing proposition.

Another thing that bugged me was range. 3.5 gallons was just not really enough for a bike with touring pretensions. That whole 'nother gallon gives me a whopping 40-45 more miles of range, so I can use the bike how I want to, which is for all-day rides with a decent amount of twisting road.

I've got a 200-mile loop I do most of the year (mountainous areas right now are not a good bet) and I like to have a bike that can be ridden a couple of hours with no possibility of running out of gas.

I actually ran out of fuel riding my ZX-10R whilst waiting at a stoplight. Had to push it across two crosswalks to fuel it back up, in pretty heavy traffic. No one even paid me the slightest attention, lol! When they say in CA that the fuel capacity is such-and-such, it's really less because of EVAP controls. Caught me out.

So 4.5 gallons is great. It'd give me the chance to stretch its legs.

I also appreciate the information provided on the LCD display regarding fuel used, remaining range, etcetera. I've found that to be very, very helpful on the other bikes I ride.

That brings me to the 6-speed transmission. That top gear will make a big difference since I have to run about 120 miles of slab for that 80 miles of great twists. The bike buzzed quite a bit more than I cared for sitting on it for hours.

There are all kinds of small refinements to the 2017 that, as as former 2013 owner, I can greatly appreciate. ECU tuning, a bit more power located where I like it (a little higher in the RPM band), assist-slipper clutch, and this time around, I'd for sure get the ABS-equipped version.

Take it all around, if I can find a red one for about what I paid for my 2013 new ($9,999, full pop), I'm all in.

The only thing they didn't change is the weight. I didn't care for the weight in terms of pushing the darn thing around in the garage. Never dropped it, thanks to great low speed handling and not riding whilst hung over (I don't drink no more so not really a problem now).

No, the 2017 CB1100EX is a very different animal. I am very sensitive to suspension, chassis, and power train changes and from all I can gather, Honda have done it up right.

Now, when I find that red one at a deep discount, I'll start working on getting it into my garage.

Reminds me, I've had a turnaround since seeing that red one in the showroom. Beautiful bike, I like it better than 2013. Seamless tank, lots of nice, nice bits. Don't care about spokes one way or another, but they DO look nice.

And now, one can get a whole range of excellent rubber for the thing. Metzeler Z8's for me.

Sorry- I don't follow peoples stories much... why did you sell your first CB?

The new ones aren't much different at all- a little change in looks, a little better suspension, a little better sound from the exhaust- but from an 'I'm on the bike riding it perspective' they might as well be the same- meaning if you sold the first one because it was 'boring' or some other reason that you were looking at other bikes- the 'refresh' isn't going to change that...

One thing I NEVER thought about the bike was that it was "boring":

[url=http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=9615]In Defense of the CB1100

[url=http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=9696]The CB1100RS: Can it Really Outperform the Standard?

[url=http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=10017]Sayonara to the CB1100, with an Exit Review

So it was about the weight. I'm more than willing to take another run at ownership and if it doesn't work out, no problem. I'll sell it. Also planning on getting myself a GPS Messenger prior to setting out on these long, lonely loops this year. If I drop the bike, have a mechanical issue, or pitch myself into a canyon somewhere, I know at least a recovery effort will ensue.

And engine guards will be the first accessory.

Egads — 120 miles of slab just to get to 80 miles of backroads? What's the shortest distance that you can travel (in total, there 'n back) to get to a similar length of backroad in your area?

I had a number of reasons for losing interest in motorcycles as a young adult. One of those being that riding bikes for extended periods of time on long stretches of freeways and/or highways has much less appeal to me than it does to some. I don't think that it's purely coincidence that I just so happened to be living in a place that typically required traveling on loooong stretches of highways to get anywhere interesting back when I lost my interest in motorcycles.

Egads — 120 miles of slab just to get to 80 miles of backroads? What's the shortest distance that you can travel (in total, there 'n back) to get to a similar length of backroad in your area? There is actually a superb road that begins less than one mile from the house, but the speed limit is 30 mph (like I really observe that!) and there is enough traffic to make it more of a scenic ride than a spirited jaunt. There are usually sections which open up and clear out for a mile or so, where I can get a few good corners in. That ride is about 18 miles long, double it including the ride back. That's just my short hop. But the good roads, the remote mountains and valleys that get me away from it all, it's 60 miles to where those start. But those 80 miles are worth the ride.

Any more than that is fatiguing.

That's why I picture the CB again in my future, it works well for that kind of sojourn. Eats up the slab, but handles the turns pretty well.

I took my 2013 on that ride several times, worked pretty well. I am very sure the 2017 will work a lot better and be much more comfy on the freeway, what with the sixth gear and much upgraded suspension.