01-15-2018, 06:44 AM
VLJ, I certainly enjoyed reading your ride report. I picked up a 2014 CB1100 Standard (all black - 4 into 1 exhaust) last April and to date have approx 3000 miles on the odometer. I was glad to see that you and I agree on one of the few gripes I have with my bike. That is the suspension. I copied and pasted two of your comments I'm trying to address with mine.
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- Our girl needs to go on a major diet, and she needs to tone up those legs. A soft-riding bike of this sort needs to be plush. That's the expected trade-off one accepts for a soft, heavy-handling, laid-back, comfortable bike. The problem here is she isn't particularly plush. Yes, she's soft, but square-edged bumps overwhelm her suspension and transmit a sharp jolt that saps one's confidence heading into a fast corner.
- Even if I slow down, I still want a competent, plush ride. This bike's suspension, especially its forks, need a lot of help in that area.
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1. I've swapped out the OEM shocks for a set of Ikons, that still feel sprung too stiff. Once the garage warms up, I may pull them and send them to Ikon in Pennsylvania for lighter springs. Better for me than the stockers, but not quite there yet.
2. I've replaced the front fork springs and damper rods with a kit from Traxxion Dynamics that has also helped, but she's still too stiff over square edged bumps or frost heaves. The kit also provides a Race Tech cartridge emulator. I had a good conversation with a Race Tech rep who is willing to work with me to hopefully arrive at what you and I call a 'plush' ride. I mentioned that I'll accept an under sprung ride in place of a harsh fork. Hopefully I can get the supension where I want it. I've ridden older BMWs for years, and yes, they deserve the German nickname of "Gummikuh" or "Rubber Cow." But their suspension always worked for me personally, right out of the crate.
Bob (Ohiorider)
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- Our girl needs to go on a major diet, and she needs to tone up those legs. A soft-riding bike of this sort needs to be plush. That's the expected trade-off one accepts for a soft, heavy-handling, laid-back, comfortable bike. The problem here is she isn't particularly plush. Yes, she's soft, but square-edged bumps overwhelm her suspension and transmit a sharp jolt that saps one's confidence heading into a fast corner.
- Even if I slow down, I still want a competent, plush ride. This bike's suspension, especially its forks, need a lot of help in that area.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. I've swapped out the OEM shocks for a set of Ikons, that still feel sprung too stiff. Once the garage warms up, I may pull them and send them to Ikon in Pennsylvania for lighter springs. Better for me than the stockers, but not quite there yet.
2. I've replaced the front fork springs and damper rods with a kit from Traxxion Dynamics that has also helped, but she's still too stiff over square edged bumps or frost heaves. The kit also provides a Race Tech cartridge emulator. I had a good conversation with a Race Tech rep who is willing to work with me to hopefully arrive at what you and I call a 'plush' ride. I mentioned that I'll accept an under sprung ride in place of a harsh fork. Hopefully I can get the supension where I want it. I've ridden older BMWs for years, and yes, they deserve the German nickname of "Gummikuh" or "Rubber Cow." But their suspension always worked for me personally, right out of the crate.
Bob (Ohiorider)