Winter thread...how long?

[pdedse]

...When I parked, the owner had texted me that if I decided on the way home that I didn’t like it; he’d take it back and refund my payment. I assured him that I was happy with it and that I’d take good care of it....

pdedse,

I lease a "Corporate House" in the East Bay to help our Team Members avoid the dreariness of a hotel when they travel from out of state. You are welcome to spend a few nights there if you want to take a break. I also have a network of AirBNBs that have been validated by Staff and Family who have visited previously. The East Bay looks like a nice mid-point for the trip to and from Portland. If you would like to explore NorCal with me or like some company on a trip to SoCal, I would be delighted. Please reach out if any of the offers spark your interest when the time is right. Regardless if I can tag along or not, we all look forward to your trip report. Best in 2026. David

Thanks so much for the kind offer, David.  I'll def. keep this in mind as I would love to ride with you.  

I was telling Gone via txt that my daughter who lives in San Diego is visiting for Christmas and we got to talking about summer plans.  Hers may include a conference in London during July, and when she travels she always needs help with her cat.  She studies at UCSD in La Jolla and lives just minutes from the beach, so it's a great place to visit.  I met Gone on my way there in summer of 2022 when I rode my RE INT650 to watch daughter's cat for a couple of weeks. 

We met up for lunch on my way to SD




Gone still has his, but mine is... gone.  





This is in the dream stage right now, but if it materializes, I'll be on the CB1100.

[Cormanus]

I rode my RE INT650 to watch daughter's cat for a couple of weeks. 

We met up for lunch on my way to SD




Gone still has his, but mine is... gone.  

[dave]

Ok, after reading all the previous posts, I just had to add mine:

The first time I saw a CB1100 in person was at the moto GP at Laguna Seca Raceway, in Monterey Ca., in 2013. It was on display at the Honda exhibit. I fell in love with this bike immediately, but there were just a few items that I didn't like about it that I said "If Honda makes these changes to this bike next year, then I will buy one". These changes were:

1. Put in a six-speed transmission.
2. Remove the black paint from the engine, and make it all silver, like the original CB750.
3. Put a four-into-four exhaust on it - like the original.
4. Put spoked rims on it.
5. Replace the silver side cover with with a color that matched the tank.

I followed the internet closely, waiting for the 2014 models to come out. Low and behold, Honda had made 3 1/2 of the 5 changes that i wanted: 6-speed transmission, all silver engine, red, matching side covers, and a 4 into 2 exhaust (I count this as a half change). 3 1/2 changes that I wanted out of 5 was close enough, and I put a deposit on one before ever seeing one. I am sure I am one of the first owners, if not the first, of a 2014 CB1100 Deluxe in San Diego. 

Over the years I have made a few changes to my bike to personalize it like adding a Dart windscreen, Ohlins shocks, luggage rack and removable Givi trunk, Corbin seat, engine guards, a year 2013 CB1100 left-hand side handlebar switch assembly, and stock, 2017 CB1100 forks with rubber fork gaiters. 

After 40,000 miles the only issue I have had with my bike was the Idle Air Control Valve (high / low idling, and stalling), and chrome chipping off one of the fork tubes (this is why I replaced the forks with the upgraded 2017 model forks). It still runs and looks as good as new, and I'll never sell it. I love this bike, and use it for running local errands (the trunk works great), and the occasional Sunday afternoon ride my wife (as a passenger). It's not my all-time favorite bike (I presently own 8 bikes, and my 1998 Honda VFR800 is my all-time favorite), but it puts a smile on my face every time I ride it. The transmission has excessive slop compared to other bikes that I own, and it goes through tires quickly, especially front tires (I don't ride this bike hard, and most of my miles are 2-lane, back roads and freeways).

[Ollie]

Around 2,000 a friend and I were at a Rider Rally in (I believe) Kentucky and had demo'd an assortment of motorcycles a Shadow, DR650, Sportster 883, and a couple others. Late afternoon with just enough time for one more demo we went back to see what Honda had available. Most of the "desirable bikes" were spoken for but there were 2 CB750 Nighthawks so we signed up for them.
We both came away very impressed with just how well those UJM bikes worked. They were smooth, powerful enough, comfortable, shifted like butter, handled and rode nicely, and switch gear and controls felt high quality.

I never got that bike out of my mind and around 12 years later when I stumbled on a low mileage 2000 Nighthawk 750 I bought it. I rode that motorcycle for a few years and about the only thing I wished it had was just a bit more power and FI would be nice.

By this time (2016) I had eyed the CB1100 and actually rode my Nighthawk to the dealer with the intent of trading it on a 2014 CB1100 leftover that they had on the floor. But after sitting on it and my Nighthawk back and forth and pondering,  the CB1100 would have the power and FI, but just wasn't as roomy, seat not as comfortable, it had a smaller tank, didn't have self adjusting valves, and would cost a good bit more than my Nighthawk was worth, so I rode back home on the Nighthawk. After a couple more years I needed to sell something as I was out of room, was getting a little bored with the Nighthawk, and it was using a little oil, so I sold it.

Well after a few years I missed having a UJM and started rethinking a CB1100. I could always put on an aftermarket seat and pegs which'd solve the comfort issues I had with it so I started searching the classifieds. I wanted the overdrive 6th gear so I focused on 2014+ and eventually found a 2014 with 2,000 miles about 3 hours away.

The owner in his 20's bought the bike from the original owner (who aged out of riding) with the intent of riding with his father and his father's friends. It was his first motorcycle and my impression was he never felt comfortable so after a few rides it just sat in his garage until his wife finally convinced him to sell it. The original rear tire had plenty of tread but oddly the front was bald in areas and badly cupped. They needed replaced just from age anyway. It had been dropped twice in his driveway backing it out so there were light scratches on the bottom of stator and clutch covers, and it was covered in dust like it hadn't been washed in years. But the gas smelled ok and no moisture or rust in the tank. So I bought it paying a little too much, $5,500 IIRC. I had $6,100 in it after replacing the two covers and tires.

The first image I have is it on the lift after I had cleaned it and was changing oil, brake and clutch fluid, and detailing it but before I replaced the covers, tires, and added a Corbin seat, and foot pegs. The rear tire had 22 and the front only 13 psi, no wonder it was cupped and worn.



I ride this motorcycle mostly local, around northern WV, western MD, and SW PA. I did take it to the CB1100 gathering in Bluefield a couple years back. Being old myself I like these kind of motorcycles and it's one of 3 "retro bikes" I enjoy, the other two being a 2008 Sportster XL1200R and BMW R100R.

[pdedse]

A great story, Ollie.  For me it's neat to hear how owners came across the CB1100, a bike that didn't receive a lot of fanfare. 

When I get comments at a gas station that begin with "I had me one of those back in the day..." or something similar, I can't really relate.  Guys who look whistfully at my '17ex always seem to be about 10 years older than me.  I'm 62 at present, and I think I was just a few years behind the UJM era as far as wanting / noticing motorcycles.  When I first started thinking of buying a motorcycle, I remember gathering brochures of one bike in particular: the Honda XR250, must haven been in '79 or '80 right when they first came out.  I would go to the dealership and ask for brochures and drool over the bike.  I couldn't understand why my older brothers were interested in street bikes, when you could have a bike that would ride trails and street.  But I never had the money to buy one, and settled for a '78 green Kawasaki KLE250 2 stroke purchased in '82 for $800 and owned for just 6 months--needed money to go to college.  And college led me to study abroad programs and living in other countries where I had less money and owning motorcycles simply wasn't on my radar.

So zero bikes till 2003, at which time there was a show on Discovery--likely everybody has seen episodes of Orange County Choppers.  It got me interested and there was only one bike I was interested in: a 2004 Sportster.  This time I had the funds.  In 2013, I was on the other end of a study abroad program as the leader of one in Costa Rica.  I needed transportation and I bought the cheapest, decent bike I could: a '13 Honda CGL125, which has a certain "classic" look to it, albeit...tiny.  But I loved it.

Yep, the CGL125 laid the groundwork for me to become interested in "the look", a more retro / classic look.  It had a kickstarter that you could turn over with your hand it was so easy.  When I got back to the U.S. I wanted a classic, kick-start bike.  A couple of Yamaha XS650s cured me of that. Then I saw a CB1100 and it just "looked" right.  Maybe it brought up memories of motorcycles that my brothers had or talked about, I can't be sure. 

23 years later and I just bought a green Kawasaki KLX300...something about it hearkens back to a day when I was 18 and eating up the country roads outside of Topeka, Kansas I guess.  I feel like I've come full circle!  I have a classic-looking bike that maybe reminds me of what was out there in the early '70s, yet too young to really appreciate them, and another that could be the great grandchild of the first bike I ever owned.

[MagnaRider]

Cool stories everyone so far, enjoyed reading each one

As of 2026 this will be my third year on two wheels besides my younger days being dominated by offroad ATVs and dirtbikes. (I am 28 currently)
In spring of 2024 I fixed a trailer for my dads friend, and he had a 84' Honda Magna 700 with 50k miles that had transmission issues and had been sitting for the past 10+ years that he would give me. I didn't know anything about motorcycles at the time, no idea what a UJM was, only thought motorcycles were loud Harleys and they never appealed to me. Well, the Magna got me excited, got it running and discovered yes, the transmission is toast (Somewhat common issue for that bike). I ended up finding an exact copy Magna about 4 hours away that had been sitting since the 80s with 6000 miles on it. Cost me $500 and a roadtrip. Engine was seized but didn't take much to free it up, then went through and replaced every rubber component, fuel lines  etc, the whole 9 yards. Learned a lot and found that I really liked wrenching on a motorcycle (Father was a mechanic, lucky to learn lots from him). It was great having a parts bike which I called my local NAPA. Need a part? Go to the other end of the barn and rob it lol.
Anyways, got that bike road ready by May of 2024 and put 6000 trouble-free miles on it and loved riding every day. Can't believe I hadn't found the joy of motorcycling earlier. And as I rode, my days were spent learning about all the other cool vintage bikes and different ideas that were tried through the years. Me being an engine guy, I thought the air cooled CB750s and CBX was so cool just because of the big engine and pipes sitting front and center. I thought the Magna would be all I needed forever, but my dads friend said I would outgrow it and keep my eyes open for something else. Started looking on marketplace and saw the CB1100.

WOWZA....

Everything I wanted, a super sexy bike, fuel injection and modern enhancements (Really want to do some long trips, a more modern bike was needed for that IMO). Joined this forum in September of 2024 and learned a lot about this bike. October 4th, 2024 (My birthday) my dad and I drove across the state to a dealer that had a CB1100 on a trade in. Came with repair manual, top and side saddle bags, arrow slip on, heated grips, aftermarket lighting (back to stock now). I had to take a small loan out to pay for it, but I was so in love it was worth it. Drove it home that day and loved the entire ride. Drove it as much as I could that year before the snow fell, then did all the maintenance to make sure it was up to specs for the next year. Absolutely love this bike, and I am hoping history doesn't repeat itself when I say this bike will be with me forever... sorry ol' Magna, you'll still be the first bike for me but the CB1100 is the best bike for me.

Here is the progression of the CB1100, from day one till this year.

[pdedse]

That's a cool story, MagnaRider. At 28, are you the youngest of the herd?

[Ollie]

A great story, Ollie.  For me it's neat to hear how owners came across the CB1100, a bike that didn't receive a lot of fanfare. 

When I get comments at a gas station that begin with "I had me one of those back in the day..." or something similar, I can't really relate.  Guys who look whistfully at my '17ex always seem to be about 10 years older than me.  I'm 62 at present, and I think I was just a few years behind the UJM era as far as wanting / noticing motorcycles.  When I first started thinking of buying a motorcycle, I remember gathering brochures of one bike in particular: the Honda XR250, must haven been in '79 or '80 right when they first came out.  I would go to the dealership and ask for brochures and drool over the bike.  I couldn't understand why my older brothers were interested in street bikes, when you could have a bike that would ride trails and street.....


23 years later and I just bought a green Kawasaki KLX300...something about it hearkens back to a day when I was 18 and eating up the country roads outside of Topeka, Kansas I guess.  I feel like I've come full circle! 

It seems like there were a lot of initial buyers that been anticipating the CB1100 coming to the US. I know one of my friends was and when it was announced immediately gave his deposit. After his came in the dealer received one more for the year and it was pre-sold when it came in so early on the CB1100 was a hot item when brought over in limited numbers.

Yeah I get the occasional person that tells me of the CB750 they had back in the 1970's as they look over my CB1100.
In addition to the Nighthawk, I had a 1974 CB750 back in 1975. My best friend traded his CB350 on it then less than a year later needed money to buy an engagement ring and asked if I'd be interested in buying the bike which was like new, so I did. After 12 years of marriage and 3 children his wife decided she wanted a divorce, LOL he often complains about selling that bike to fund the engagement ring!

Your interest in an XR250 as a first bike hits a chord with me. I'm about 10 years older than you and was looking to buy my first motorcycle in 1972. All my friends had Honda CB350's but, like you, I wanted a bike that would be easy to learn on and also be fun on dirt roads so I bought a new XL250. When riding with my friends we'd take turns leading and sometimes I couldn't stay with them up hills at 65+ mph on highways. But when it came time for me to lead I always ended up finding a broken up road with potholes and when they slowed down banging on all the rough places I just kept riding along at 50 mph.

I now have a Yamaha XT250 and often when riding it around I think back to 1972 and that XL250.

[pdedse]

The XT250 seems to be a very sold bike and I hear only positive comments about it.

[Ollie]

IMO the XL250's shortcoming is the suspension which I found a little harsh over say a rocky road. I re-did mine with parts from Cogent which made quite an improvement.

What it has going for it is lots of ground clearance yet a low seat, light at 290#, wide ratio 5-speed, lots of steering lock, and 70mpg with a decent size fuel tank. Its 2V FI engine is simple, air cooled, and makes good torque down low. The combination of these attributes make for an ideal little street legal trail bike.