04-05-2016, 08:21 PM
(04-05-2016, 07:55 PM)Paulb_imp Wrote: The handling of the CB1100 was the one thing I didn't like about the bike. I thought it might be the tyres but a friend suggested it was more likely the suspension at fault. I bit the bullet and had Maxton (UK) fit their own custom cartridges to the front forks and shocks to the back. They suggested 10mm longer shocks to raise the back and alter the steering angle. They then set the bike up on their rolling road and set up the suspension for my weight. The bike has been totally transformed and corners as well, if not better than any bike I've ever owned. The honda suspension is 'cheap and cheerful' and designed to be all thing to all men from light weight solo riders to two up heavies with luggage.
I asked Maxton about fitting a fork brace and they advised against it. They tune top level race bikes and they told me that to work properly each fork must be allowed to flex independently, they even suggested that I ditch the steel front mudguard and replace it with a plastic one.
I no longer feel the need to change from standard tyres and my sports bike riding friends are embarrassed enough to be calling Maxton. Maxton do export sales and can set the suspension correctly at their factory as they kept my bike for a couple of weeks and ran a whole series of tests to find the correct settings for different weight riders.
Very interesting post Paul! It inspired me to find your separate threads about the Maxton suspension and your extended test of it ([url=http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=7717]here and [url=http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=7838]here) which have more info including costs. Thanks! It would still be interesting to hear your thoughts once you change your stock tyres since there seems to be a consensus that better tyres can be had for our bikes (PR3 or T30 mainly).