My new CB1100 Goal

[Ulvetanna_imp]

When I rode Eric's 2014 CB1100 Standard, I felt its biggest weakness besides the unnaturally heavy steering (which I'm convinced was nothing more than a tire issue) was the harshness of the suspension. My XSR isn't particularly plush over square-edged bumps, yet it was like a ride on a magic carpet compared to the way his CB ricocheted off of those same bumps.

Along with the forks, the shocks on the '17 are also supposed to be improved, but here's the thing. The suspension on the '17 is described as being plusher, which is exactly what I would want, after riding Eric's bike. Ulvetanna described the '17's suspension (the forks at least) as being firmer, following his little bounce test at the dealership. I'm not expecting it to be firmer. I'm expecting it to be softer, and possibly more boingy/floaty, which isn't necessarily conducive to going faster, even if it does do a better job of coping with bumps.

Yep, the Gen 1 bike is loosy-goosy, poorly sprung, underdamped, unless you ride very smoothly and sedately. Which neither of us do.

Heavy steering, that's got to be tire pressure and/or worn tires.

When I rode Eric's 2014 CB1100 Standard, I felt its biggest weakness besides the unnaturally heavy steering (which I'm convinced was nothing more than a tire issue) was the harshness of the suspension. My XSR isn't particularly plush over square-edged bumps, yet it was like a ride on a magic carpet compared to the way his CB ricocheted off of those same bumps.

Along with the forks, the shocks on the '17 are also supposed to be improved, but here's the thing. The suspension on the '17 is described as being plusher, which is exactly what I would want, after riding Eric's bike. Ulvetanna described the '17's suspension (the forks at least) as being firmer, following his little bounce test at the dealership. I'm not expecting it to be firmer. I'm expecting it to be softer, and possibly more boingy/floaty, which isn't necessarily conducive to going faster, even if it does do a better job of coping with bumps.

Firmer/stiffer on the showroom floor means more compliant, better-controlled.

It's counter-intuitive, one would think plush means softer, but the Gen 1 is soft and not plush, nor compliant. A heavy bike like the CB1100 needs much firmer damping rates in both directions and a much better-designed spring with a progressive wind. My sense is that the '17 has those features.

My '15 ZX-10R, with Showa Big Piston Fork, is almost impossible to get any front end movement out of whatsoever when it's parked. Very stiff. But once it's moving, even on rough pavement, it's the most compliant bike I own. Holds grip and tracks the pavement while cranked over, good control under braking/on the gas.

If the damping/spring rates/design are right, it may feel stiffer motionless but will work much better whilst moving.

After having done the "bounce" test on a lot of bikes, and having set up many high-performance machines, my sense of the '17 is that Honda got it right.

I understand the shocks have also been redesigned.

I am really stoked to try a 2017.

Also will be looking for an EX, even if the RS shows up here. As I speculated in my little diatribe from last year, the 17" wheels change the ride quality, slow the steering at low speeds, and generally will remove the whole "traditional" quality of the bike. I got 17" wheels on lots of other bikes. I'd want the 18-inchers for sure.

The more I think about this 2017 the more I want one.

Ulvetanna, I've posted this up a few times over the years, so chances are you've seen it. As I've said many times, I'm not fast. This video pretty much captures the maximum amount that I'm willing to push my CB. It would have been nice had this particular road been smoother, but even had it been so, I wouldn't have desired to go any faster than I already was. But I can understand how better suspension might improve the experience I had on this road the when I made this video. So that much maybe I can relate to. Most of the time I'm not dealing with roads quite this "lumpy" lol so I haven't really given the suspension all that much thought. I tend to sense more issue with the rear shocks than the front forks, but again not enough to have made any changes. Again, hopefully the new CB works out better for you if that's the route you decide to go down.

You ride that thing like a dirt bike, really good lines. Seriously. That's a good video to show how the bike really likes to be ridden, nice lean angles, not a whole bunch of on/off throttle, probably getting your boots pretty close to the pavement but leaving some leeway.

That's just how to ride a CB1100, nice and smooth.

That road seems pretty decent overall but you could see a few bumpy spots. Shocks alone will help a lot, but again, sometimes it's just not enough to worry about.

Just reminds me of what a nice smooth flow the bike can provide.

... 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.
...

Agree that there is huge opportunity to improve the front end. If you go down that path on your future CB11 have a look at the Andreani cartridge kits. I've installed them and am delighted with the improvement. Cost was about 60% more than springs and emulators but for the extra investment you get externally adjustable rebound and compression.
[/quote]
I'll second that, the Andreani's are great and very adjustable.

Worth thinking about the 2014 onwards CB with the 6th gear. For what you can get one for now, you could add everything you need and better than the 2017 model, and for less $$ if that is of interest...
Junking the twin std Exhausts for a Titanium single would save you around 15-20 kgs. Lighter rear shocks and an Aluminium swing arm and you'd have got your self a 30kg (66 lbs?) lighter bike! .... centre stand, lithium bat.... ;-)

You wanted it lighter didn't you?
[/quote] Good point about the six-speed; you're right, I could surely get a '14 for a lot less, even new. With ABS. So then, Racetech the forks, maybe do Ikons again. Still has another 1/2 gallon of gas. I wonder.