10-12-2015, 02:36 AM
Aside from a recommendation from by MSF BRC1 Rider Coach, this forum was a major contributor to my choice to find a CB11.
In early August of this year I found a 2013 non-ABS in Cycle Trader at a dealer in New Jersey. The bike had 29 miles on it (39 miles after my test ride). The dealer was 99% a Harley dealer so they probably didn't see much floor traffic looking at the CB11. It was over on the side away from the hogs, kinda looking lonely. Purchase was made and I trailered it home that day. No I didn't ride it home through a rain storm.
I am a little different from those here who have been riding many many years. For my 50th birthday I got my first PTW vehicle in the form of a 2008 Vespa GTS 250 i.e. and got my license on it. Height of the gas price bubble, and height of my kids needing to drive mine and my wife's car, so I figured a Vespa was better than buying another car.
Got hooked on riding using the big Vespa, so this summer I decided to upgrade to a larger machine. I took the BRC1 course to gain manual shifting skills, and did really well. After chatting about what I could see myself on, the rider coach said "you should buy a Honda CB1100." One web search and I found this forum. Within a month, had my 2013. He was right.
Learning curve on the bike was really short with you guys around. Here's what I have done:
1) Givi rack with GIVI monolock case, brake light activated (did a home run wiring job back to the harness);
2) Gearing: I upgraded to a 19T front sprocket and did the sprocket guard mod. I feel the taller gearing is perfect for me now.
3) Riding position: I felt I was leaning forward too much and purchased a set of SW-Motech barbacks. Perfect now.
4) Seat: I'm not really tall (5' 10") but have longish legs, so I wanted a higher seat than stock. It felt as though I was "crouching" on the stock seat and sliding forward too much. I sprung for a high K&H seat through Samurider with red stitching. Beautiful seat, and comfortable, gave me just the lift I needed.
5) Shield: Installed a StreetShield EX and found the noise and buffeting to be uncomfortable. Tried angling it, but did not help. I cut off 6" and it's very quiet now. I may take another little bit off, but I will play with angles first before deciding to do that.
6) Adaptation: I'm still getting used to the size and weight of the bike. I rode the big Vespa about 4000 miles before getting this bike, so I felt ready for it, but still learning. I took the MSF BRC2 course this weekend with the CB11 and got the chance to do a lot of low speed tight maneuvering and got good pointers from the Rider Coach. On the way home I got caught in a downpour so I declare myself as having passed initiation.
I only have about 400 miles on it so far, but plan to pick up the pace this fall. I think I have it set up just right for me now. Been sailing a lot and also ticking off too many things on the "honey do" list on weekends!
Reading over this list, it would have taken years to figure all this out (if at all) without this forum, better than any owner's manual out there. Thanks everyone!! I'll try to post some pix soon.
In early August of this year I found a 2013 non-ABS in Cycle Trader at a dealer in New Jersey. The bike had 29 miles on it (39 miles after my test ride). The dealer was 99% a Harley dealer so they probably didn't see much floor traffic looking at the CB11. It was over on the side away from the hogs, kinda looking lonely. Purchase was made and I trailered it home that day. No I didn't ride it home through a rain storm.
I am a little different from those here who have been riding many many years. For my 50th birthday I got my first PTW vehicle in the form of a 2008 Vespa GTS 250 i.e. and got my license on it. Height of the gas price bubble, and height of my kids needing to drive mine and my wife's car, so I figured a Vespa was better than buying another car.
Got hooked on riding using the big Vespa, so this summer I decided to upgrade to a larger machine. I took the BRC1 course to gain manual shifting skills, and did really well. After chatting about what I could see myself on, the rider coach said "you should buy a Honda CB1100." One web search and I found this forum. Within a month, had my 2013. He was right.
Learning curve on the bike was really short with you guys around. Here's what I have done:
1) Givi rack with GIVI monolock case, brake light activated (did a home run wiring job back to the harness);
2) Gearing: I upgraded to a 19T front sprocket and did the sprocket guard mod. I feel the taller gearing is perfect for me now.
3) Riding position: I felt I was leaning forward too much and purchased a set of SW-Motech barbacks. Perfect now.
4) Seat: I'm not really tall (5' 10") but have longish legs, so I wanted a higher seat than stock. It felt as though I was "crouching" on the stock seat and sliding forward too much. I sprung for a high K&H seat through Samurider with red stitching. Beautiful seat, and comfortable, gave me just the lift I needed.
5) Shield: Installed a StreetShield EX and found the noise and buffeting to be uncomfortable. Tried angling it, but did not help. I cut off 6" and it's very quiet now. I may take another little bit off, but I will play with angles first before deciding to do that.
6) Adaptation: I'm still getting used to the size and weight of the bike. I rode the big Vespa about 4000 miles before getting this bike, so I felt ready for it, but still learning. I took the MSF BRC2 course this weekend with the CB11 and got the chance to do a lot of low speed tight maneuvering and got good pointers from the Rider Coach. On the way home I got caught in a downpour so I declare myself as having passed initiation.
I only have about 400 miles on it so far, but plan to pick up the pace this fall. I think I have it set up just right for me now. Been sailing a lot and also ticking off too many things on the "honey do" list on weekends!
Reading over this list, it would have taken years to figure all this out (if at all) without this forum, better than any owner's manual out there. Thanks everyone!! I'll try to post some pix soon.