So, I need 3 bikes: A commuter for the week, a tourer for two-up and moto-camping, and a sportbike for Saturday morning.
Luckily, I have a 2014 Honda CB1100 EX, so I'm all set!
Here are my farkles:
* Fairing ---------------------------------------------
ChicDesign RoadComet 2, from Samurider.com
http://www.samurider.com/?p=18765
$398.86
I like the looks of the RoadComet 2 better than the 1. Mr T. took care of me when I accidentally ordered the wrong one. An awesome screen, for me. Looks perfect, and really does a great job of taking pressure off of my chest at freeway speeds. A bit louder in my helmet (An Arai Signet Q) than without it, but no buffeting felt or heard at all. The finish matches the tank perfectly, everyone thinks it's stock.
Installation required some very careful selection of washers for the front mounting point (the horn bracket). With the stock washers, there was a slight buzz of the fairing and the headlight at some engine speeds. I tried a couple of different thicknesses of washers to slightly change the position, and got it so it never buzzes at all.
Bottom Line: Excellent product, good value.
* Mirrors ---------------------------------------------
The much-discussed CB500 mirrors. I think the stock mirrors are just too chrome-in-your-face, I really prefer the look of these. As a bonus, they give a much better view to the rear. They just screw right into the stock mounts, so there is no real 'installation'.
Here are the part nos and what I paid. Lots of people carry them, I got mine from Gearhead, their service was fine.
Right 88210-MGZ-305 $43.98
Left 88220-MGZ-305 $43.98
Bottom Line: Depends if you like them, good value.
* Lowered Pegs ---------------------------------------------
I felt a little cramped on longer rides, so I went with the lowered pegs from Knight Design:
http://www.knightdesignllc.com/Products/..._Pegs.html
I got the Silver Anodized Sidetrax tread for $119.95. The quality is excellent, and they bolt in perfectly, but the back brake pedal will not adjust far enough without modification to work with them. I've attached a pic of that mod, it's minor and not a problem if you are up for that kind of work. The shifter adjusts far enough to not be a problem.
I chose these pegs because they are a simple 1-piece design, and don't decrease clearance because they have no (really long) feeler like the stock ones do. I'm not a peg dragger, but they are low enough that I have felt the edge of my boot touch down a couple of times. I was a bit concerned about vibration from these after looking at the fat rubber top on the stock pegs, but there is none that I can detect.
Bottom line: Glad I have them, installation requires a Dremel tool, kinda pricey.
* Luggage ---------------------------------------------------
After tons of thinking and browsing, I settled on the Hepco line, from MotoMachines:
http://www.motomachines.com/Junior_c_22.html
I got:
650.989 00 02 Lock-it Side Carrier - Honda CB1100EX Version $329.18
610.233 00 09 Junior Flash 30 Side Case Set $568.38
650.989 01 02 Rear Rack - Honda CB1100EX Version $258.87
610.047 00 09 Junior 55 Top Case - Silver $328
700.320 Back Rest - Junior 55 Top Case $88.24
Total Price: $1572.67 (!!)
To me, the luggage is central to this being the Perfect Bike. I run the side cases when I commute, my 15" Dell notebook goes in a normal soft briefcase into the side case. I put the topcase on when my wife rides, she likes the security of the backrest, and it gives a place to put her helmet when we get there. On my Saturday Strafe of North County San Diego, I take all of the bags and the side racks off and ride naked. I'll be doing some moto-camping this summer with the boys, so that gives me 30+30+55 = 115 liters of capacity. I can go backpacking for a week with an 80 liter backpack, so 115 should be plenty for a weekend -- I can bring steak and beer.
The 2014 EX mounts differently than the Regular, and it was mis-labeled on the MotoMachines website, and it comes from Germany on a boat, so it was Forever And Ever before I finally had all of the correct pieces. Everything fits well, although I did have to work it hard to get the top and side racks to nest together happily, the instructions do not address using them together. It is in fact possible, but took me about 2 hours of rearranging washers and bushings to get it all flush and tight.
The quality is absolutely first-rate, the racks are heavy and thickly chromed, the hardware is flawless, the cases look and feel premium and are truly watertight, with a fat rubber 0-ring in a wide flange all around. They go on and off effortlessly, lock securely, and they are so firmly attached I think you could pick up the bike with them. They do not shift, rattle, or buzz at all.
The turn-signal relocation is less successful. It works, but it's ugly. I will re-mount the turn signals from the license plate bracket, and trim off the mount/signal bracket after the mount point. That requires lengthening the wires, I'll try to post a pic or two once I get that all done.
The cases come with trim pieces that can be painted to match the bike. I did mine with a paint kit from ColorRite:
http://www.colorrite.com and got: R345C Candy Alizarin Red for $140.90
The quality is good, a very complete kit with pro-grade masking tape and different grades of sandpaper, and cutting compound along with the primer, base, and color paint. But, I don't think the color is a good match, it's too pink. I actually resanded and reprimered a couple of times looking for a combination of base and color that would match the tank. It's decent, but not a perfect match like the fairing is. I spent waaay too much time on this, but it helps tie the overall look together. I replaced the Hepco badges with reflectors on the side, and an OEM Honda badge (from Gearhead) on the topcase. Once again, people think they are factory accessories.
Bottom line: For me, totally essential. Great quality, *really* expensive. The racks and cases are also heavy, even empty. I definitely feel it when I'm canyon carving on the weekend without them, after riding with them on all week.
* Frame Sliders ---------------------------------------------
One look at those engine cases hanging out in the breeze, and I wanted protection. The Honda crash bars are too big and chrome for me, and I went with the GSG Sliders from Wild Hair:
http://www.whaccessories.com/Honda-Sliders-CB-1100.htm for $180.00.
Installation was a huge problem. These sliders do not fit the CB1100EX. Perhaps they fit the other versions, I don't know. But, the bolt holes do not line up with the frame. It's just enough off that you think it could fit, but it *does not*. I wound up enlarging one of the holes on each side to get the bolts to fit through, a real pain with a piece of machined aluminum.
After that FUBAR, the quality is outstanding, they are super-rigidly mounted, and have replaceable ends, which is nice. In a fit of total stupidity, I actually 'tested' them outside my buddy's house the other day (at zero miles an hour and with the engine off). Notwithstanding feeling (and looking, I'm sure) like an moron, I was saved by these - not a scratch on the bike, the replaceable slider end with a little scuff.
Bottom Line: An essential accessory, Pricey (again!), fit is an F-, glad I have them.
* Future Farkles ---------------------------------------------
Heated Grips
USB Socket for the dash
Upgraded Seat:
http://www.samurider.com/?p=22622/
Phone holder
Here's some pics ...
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