2017 CB1100 EX First Ride Review

[Mandrau_imp]

I really enjoyed reading your ride review. What an understatedly gorgeous bike! Congratulations on your new ride. Since I am snowed in up here Northern Ontario, the only thing I envy more than your bike is your weather. Cheers...and great choice.

[the Ferret]

That's interesting VLJ. 8,000 or 12,000 won't make much differenc on these bikes as the valves rarely go out of adjustment, but it's nice that Honda extended the time closer to what other mfgs recommend.

[VLJ_imp]

We did have very nice weather yesterday. It was absolutely beautiful up in the mountains.

I should have hit up Eric to join me.

mickey, why do you suppose Honda increased the interval? Was it merely in response to all the internet criticism of such a short interval on a modern bike, or do you think the changes they made to the motor for the '17 EX and RS gave them the confidence to extend the interval?

[the Ferret]

I dont know, I tend to think the former more than the latter though. Heck the Goldwing had the same valve layout, a similar rpm spread and the suggested valve inspection for them was 32,000 miles..purportedly because they didn't think touring riders would want to check their valve clearances that often.

[Mandrau_imp]

Just wondering if the CB1300 has caught your glance yet? A different bike to be sure, liquid cooled for starters but appears to have that magical CB motor. I only mention it because you mentioned an alternative bike for longer touring. A ride review on You Tube describes it as extremely comfortable. Probably heavier though. But what a buxom beauty she is.

[SportsterDoc]

Guth, while MotoGP riders obviously occupy a different planet than we do, they also have a bazillion pre-set traction-control and engine-mapping parameters built into their bikes' ECUs, which are monitored in real time by the tech crew, who alert the rider via dashboard messages to any necessary changes he needs to make, which can then be made by the rider by switching maps with the press of a bar-mounted thumb-controller.

Despite ever increasing power numbers, notice the drastic reduction in recent seasons of highsides in the dry, compared to the Good Old Days. The days of Garry McCoy-style magical throttle hands to manage slides and prevent highsides in Grand Prix racing may not be completely behind us, but they're drawing ever nearer to a close.

LongRanger, my bike has Dunlop D205 Sportmax Touring radials. I know nothing about them, or any other 18" tires. Until you asked and I went out and checked, I'd never heard of them.

That reminds me...

I asked, and my dealer's service department had no answer for me regarding two basic questions I have about this bike. One, do those spokes require any maintenance, the way spokes on motocross bikes do? The owner's manual includes absolutely nothing about the wheels, other than directions on how to remove them. There's no mention whatsoever of the spokes. Two, can I switch to synthetic oil at the 600-mile service, or do I need to wait until the 4K oil change?

Also, were you guys aware that the owner's manual for the '17 specifies 12,000 miles for the valve-adjustment interval, rather than the 8,000 miles it's always been for every other model year?

Purely personal preference or opinion.
I am waiting for 4,000 (next week) to switch to HP4S.
My thinking is that the second oil change is a final "flush" before switching.

Got in 210 miles today. Fantastic weather. 3,610 miles on the odometer. Did another chain lube. Chain still does not require adjustment.

Also, although Honda is aggressive concerning completion of break-in, I think both my 1976 CB750F and my 2014 CB1100 were not fully run-in until 2,000 to 2,500 miles.

That's interesting VLJ. 8,000 or 12,000 won't make much differenc on these bikes as the valves rarely go out of adjustment, but it's nice that Honda extended the time closer to what other mfgs recommend.

I suspect that is why Honda lengthened the mileage span.

[VLJ_imp]

Mandrau, Honda has never offered the CB1300 in the U.S., so it's never really been on my radar.

Ditto, for Yamaha's air-cooled XJR1300.

[Mandrau_imp]

Thanks. Guess I’ve been watching too many motorcycle videos trying to get through the winter. Wait til cabin fever kicks in...

[PowerDubs_imp]

We did have very nice weather yesterday. It was absolutely beautiful up in the mountains.

I should have hit up Eric to join me.

mickey, why do you suppose Honda increased the interval? Was it merely in response to all the internet criticism of such a short interval on a modern bike, or do you think the changes they made to the motor for the '17 EX and RS gave them the confidence to extend the interval?

There is no difference in the motor. All the same parts.

[VLJ_imp]

Bare minimum, they changed the timing of cylinders one and two to give the motor a lumpier feel and meaner growl. This was mentioned in every press release, and is evident the moment you blip the throttle.