First Ride Report

[Hedge_imp]

So as most of you know I bought a 2014 Standard Black leftover from my local dealer in February. It was a brutal winter here in CT so I had 2 months of wait time before I could take her out for her maiden break in ride. Meanwhile, I had a lot of time on my hands to read this Forum and gather ideas for how I wanted my bike to look and ride. So as not to be repetitive and for those that might not know what I did, you can catch up here -
http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=5364

So this morning I left my house around 9am, temperture was almost 50. Yes usually to cold to ride but I have been chomping at the bit to see how the CB1100 rides compared to my 2007 Bonneville. I put on 158 miles today. As you are all aware of, this is a heavy bike; but once you get under speed the weight disappears immediately and is a perfectly balenced. I actually felt more connected to this bike while riding then my Bonneville. So out I go from my street heading North on back country roads. Traffic was unusually light for a Saturday so I was able to take full advantage of the trip. The first thing I noticed was gobs of torque bringing it quickly through the first 3 gears at 5k per shift. She was crisp and certain with zero lag. After riding for about 10 miles upshifting and downshifting making her work, I opened her up to 7k. By the time I got to 4th I had hit the "Ton Up" rocking double zeros plus so I let off. The brakes are outstanding, especially the fronts which if you dont feather will really dip down quickly. It was a pleasure driving her, powering out of turns and cranking on the throttle. I got about 25 miles out and was cruising through the town of Danbury when I decided to take my first break . . . Seeing a barber shop and needing to get my haircut. So I decided to double dip and get a cut and warm up. I continued on to the town of Kent and during that leg of the ride I realized that while going through the first 3 gears between 3.4 to 4.1 RPM's there was a buzzing. For the life of me I could not figure out where it was coming from. Lower then 3.4 I would not hear it and as soon as I got above 4.1 it flattened out. I am pretty certain it is not engine noise. It sounds more like a body buzz. Now that it registered with me it became fairly annoying. I will need to investigate the cause of this and put an end to it.

So as I entered the town of Kent and I saw what I thought was another CB1100 in Red so I spun it around and parked right next to it and went in search of its owner.
[url=http://s189.photobucket.com/user/HedgeFundGeek/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-04/FD4536E1-74A1-421A-B014-0895C38B049A.jpg.html]
I couldnt immediately find him so I got a cup of coffee and sat down and waited. 10 min later he appeared, introduced himself as Scott from Sherman and we shot the Bull for the next 20 min. His 2013 was bone stock. He bought it with 500 miles on it from someone who wanted to buy a Black so he got a good deal on it. There is now 1200 miles on his bike. I told him about this Forum and told him to join for a plethora of knowledge. We chatted about my bike and the mods and I mentioned Mr. T to him and told him to check out Samurider.com. We shook hands and bid each other a nice day and agreed that it would be nice to ride together in the Future.

Onward for me to Kent Falls State Park which would give me a very nice photo opp for my bike!
[url=http://s189.photobucket.com/user/HedgeFundGeek/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-04/DE790A4D-E9E8-4A6C-8226-5D615117CEA4.jpg.html]
[url=http://s189.photobucket.com/user/HedgeFundGeek/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-04/4DA7E1EC-B29A-4911-ABB1-62B59424CA59.jpg.html]
I continued on to Falls River with my destination being the Toy Maker Cafe whose owner Greg has a barn full of old classic British motorcycles and a ton of hard to get parts. I got there and the trip count showed 80 miles. I was happy so I went in and had a nice cheeseburger. On the way out I was chatting with Greg and he said he wanted to come outside and check out my CB1100. He loved everything about it , especially the sound of the exhaust. It was now time to start heading home. I backtracked basically the same way I came but when I got to Rt7 highway I decided to cut my return trip a little because I was really cold and my butt started feeling the seat. All in all I didnt find the seat unbearable but after an hour of riding it does seem to lose its softness. I goosed her up to 8000 RPM's in 1st, 2nd & 3rd and ran her through 4th, 5th & 6th pretty hard on a empty highway road and backed off at 115mph. Im gonna take her out tomorrow for another 150 miles . . . Gonna dress warmer !

[clearviewx]

Now that is cool.

[Capo]

Nicely done, Hedge! Where are you gonna stick the 8- ball?

[Pterodactyl_imp]

Hedge, that is one good ride report. Must have been good to get out and enjoy all the effort you put into preparing your bike. CT is a place I have visited and, from memory, there are some good rides available. I will look forward to further reports.

The Buzz? Let us know how you go. Seeing another CB in the wild doesn't happen that often. Maybe we will hear from Scott in the near future. If so, put the bite on Guth for a spotter's fee .

Cheers

[CIP57_imp]

Nice ride, RT7 is one of my favorites, I head up the Taconic to 44 and than take RT 7 South through Kent and cross back over at NY 55. Sounds like you had a nice break-in day. The buzz at 4000 rpm's is normal. Sweet spots are 3700 or 4500 on a 5 speed your gearing is slightly different.

I'll be back in NY next week and we'll hook up.

[Rocky_imp]

Good report. Nice read

[Hedge_imp]

Now that is cool.

Thanks - where in New England you from clear?

Nicely done, Hedge! Where are you gonna stick the 8- ball?

Haha - no place to stick it on Capo and unfortunately, as you know, I lose that extra 3.7 HP gain we all got on the Bonneville's!

Hedge, that is one good ride report. Must have been good to get out and enjoy all the effort you put into preparing your bike. CT is a place I have visited and, from memory, there are some good rides available. I will look forward to further reports.

The Buzz? Let us know how you go. Seeing another CB in the wild doesn't happen that often. Maybe we will hear from Scott in the near future. If so, put the bite on Guth for a spotter's fee .

Cheers

There are excellent back country roads in upstate CT and bordering NY. If you ever get back here look me up . . . there will be an extra bike for you!

[the Ferret]

Cool, you spotted a rare in the wild CB 1100 AND met it's owner AND directed him to the forum. Nice job!
Beautiful place to ride New England. My wife and I were impressed when we were up there a couple of years ago.

[Hedge_imp]

Nice ride, RT7 is one of my favorites, I head up the Taconic to 44 and than take RT 7 South through Kent and cross back over at NY 55. Sounds like you had a nice break-in day. The buzz at 4000 rpm's is normal. Sweet spots are 3700 or 4500 on a 5 speed your gearing is slightly different.

I'll be back in NY next week and we'll hook up.

Thanks Steve - when you get back we can meet around Greenwich and take Riverside Road North all the way up to Armonk, then Bedford, Salem and onward to the Titicus Reservoir. Excellent back country riding all around there and it is pretty central to where you live and I live.

Cool, you spotted a rare in the wild CB 1100 AND met it's owner AND directed him to the forum. Nice job!
Beautiful place to ride New England. My wife and I were impressed when we were up there a couple of years ago.

Yeah Imagine that Mick - I had to take a second look and then flip the bike around. New England back country roads are awesome cruising. It's hard to beat it in the Fall when the leaves change.

[Capo]

Nice ride, RT7 is one of my favorites, I head up the Taconic to 44 and than take RT 7 South through Kent and cross back over at NY 55. Sounds like you had a nice break-in day. The buzz at 4000 rpm's is normal. Sweet spots are 3700 or 4500 on a 5 speed your gearing is slightly different.

I'll be back in NY next week and we'll hook up.

Thanks Steve - when you get back we can meet around Greenwich and take Riverside Road North all the way up to Armonk, then Bedford, Salem and onward to the Titicus Reservoir. Excellent back country riding all around there and it is pretty central to where you live and I live.

Cool, you spotted a rare in the wild CB 1100 AND met it's owner AND directed him to the forum. Nice job!
Beautiful place to ride New England. My wife and I were impressed when we were up there a couple of years ago.

Yeah Imagine that Mick - I had to take a second look and then flip the bike around. New England back country roads are awesome cruising. It's hard to beat it in the Fall when the leaves change.

Thanks Steve - when you get back we can meet around Greenwich and take Riverside Road North all the way up to Armonk, then Bedford, Salem and onward to the Titicus Reservoir. Excellent back country riding all around there and it is pretty central to where you live and I live.

I used to live in Waccabuc, right across from the Pound Ridge Reservation, and my wife is from Bedford. Really lovely riding. And tons of deer, especially this time of year. Careful!