The bike that keeps on surprising

[Sam Mac_imp]

In the winter time my other bike gets ridden the most, for several reasons like wind protection, and heated grips and the CB only gets ridden on really nice clear days when temps are moderate (35 and above usually), due to a lack of the same. Yesterday they called for a high of 47 and sunny so the CB got to go play.

Unplugged from it's battery tender jr, I backed the CB out of the garage, sat it on it's side stand, and turned the key, watching the needles complete their sweep before hitting the starter button. Effortlessly the bike fired up and began to warm up. We have some construction workers in, building a screened in deck, a request from my wife who is planning to retire in March. When they saw me roll the CB out they came walking over and , well, you know the conversation that followed...wow, that's a really clean old bike. What year is it? Really? it looks like a 1970's bike. Has all the new stuff to make it run good right? What? it's air cooled? That's amazing.

By the end of the conversation the bike was warmed up so I told them I'd see them in an hour or so, snicked the CB into gear and let out the clutch and started up the drive. I remember thinking before I even shifted into second gear how great the bike felt. I thought I would run The Loop, just under 40 miles of undulating curvy backroads I frequently ride. Ended up I was enjoying myself so much, I rode a bit further.

http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread....t=The+Loop

The recurring pleasant surprise:

Smooth, with just the right kind of power. Torquey. I love the way it pulls out of a curve and accelerates down the little straight to the next curve, how the transmission snicks from one gear to the next, up or down, but on a road like this how you are only using a couple gears due to the wide power spread. How it effortlessly leans left then swings over to the right, and how the brakes haul it down for the tight ones RIGHT NOW! How riding it seems so intuitive.

At this point, after having owned the CB for over 2 1/2 years, you'd think none of these things would be a suprise anymore. Afterall, after 27,000 plus miles one should be quite familiar with the characteristics of the motorcycle they are riding, but honestly, each ride fills me with suprise and astonishment. During each ride I find myself muttering, " What a great motorcycle". I am so thankful to Honda for making it, and for bringing it to our country.

It's been called slow by some, a fat pig, a poor handler, with junk suspension. Seat too hard, it vibrates too much, has poor ergonomics and a peanut tank. Personally I just don't see it. They must have a very high bar they are trying to jump over. I find the CB to be an awesome motorcycle. Engaging, entertaining, enjoyable, fun, and stunning to look at. A joy to ride.

I love mine.

[url=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/theferret111/media/DSCF5267_zpsk4ti7uw7.jpg.html]

[url=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/theferret111/media/11-18-2016%20069_zpshxssucps.jpg.html]

Couldn't have said it better. just a joy to ride.