Interesting CB1100 moment

[Randy B]

On my way back from Tucson today I decided to pull into a rest area off the slab to stretch my legs and get a drink of water. I pulled into a spot next to a big white van that seemed to be loading a large group of Japanese tourists. I noticed a ruckus at the back of the van which resulted in a Japanese guy in his 50s pushing his way to the door and jumping out. He ran over to my bike and was yelling and gesturing towards a woman, whom I assume was his wife.

His English wasn't great, but I eventually figured out that he was a CB1100 owner from Osaka. He pulled out his wallet and showed me a pic of his 2010 dark blue CB1100. From what I gather, the CB1100 isn't a common sight in Japan and the guy was amazed to run across one in the middle of the American desert. We chatted for awhile and he was interested in knowing where I got my NC Deflector windshield and H & B Alurack. I told him that most of our accessories we get from Japan, but the windshield and rack were a few of the things I was able to get in the U.S. I ended up writing down the website info for Nat. Cycle and Motomachines for him.

Eventually the van driver, the other passengers and his wife harranged him into getting back into the van so they would go on their way, but not before the guy had snapped about a dozen pics of me and the bike to show his friends back home.

It was definitely an odd encounter, but I suppose if I was touring Japan, stuck in a van with a dozen people, I'd probably react the same way if I saw a CB11 at a rest stop.

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