Them ugly side covers.

[Ghis_imp]

It should come as no surprise to anyone who has been around this forum for a while that I dig the 2013 CB1100 pretty much just the way Honda shipped 'em to the US. Silver side covers included. I'll admit to being really tempted by the gloss black side covers (giving the bike more of the look of the '76 and '77 CB400F) and I think the "color-matching" side panels look good as well. But I like the fact that the silver side panels are the CB1100's "thing". While not really the same as those sported by the prototype bike I drooled over all those years ago, it's still a nice carryover. I also really like the shape of the 2013 (and earlier) side panels that don't cover up any of the frame. It's just a cleaner, leaner look all around. (The CB400F also shared this look).

The only thing I've installed on my CB1100 purely for visual reasons are the chrome gauge covers. It's doubtful that I'll change back to the original look, but you never know. If I were to install a flyscreen/windscreen/fairing of any sort, I'd have to say that Chip's photo makes a really strong visual argument for me personally. Very nice.

Now I suppose it might be fun to swap the silver side panels out for a gloss black set on occasion. But that could be a slippery slope. The next thing you know I'll be looking for a set of red RLETs just to change things up. Egads.

What??? There are such things as red RLETs? Oh my! Where?