For those of you wanting to defeat the speed limiter...

[furious_blue_imp]

Any thoughts as to why Honda put the limiter on to begin with? Or if the bike is stable/safe above that speed without mods?

VStroms are able to go faster than the stock suspension, windscreen, and bodywork can handle. The fixes are easy enough, but more than one owner crashed or ruined ther riding pants finding that out.

That's an interesting point.
It may be that Honda was just lazy and left in the domestic limiter so as to have one less production variation, but compared to my Blackbird or the Speed Triple that I sold to get the CB1100, I don't feel as confident about taking the CB1100 up much past 100. Maybe it's the skinny tires, maybe it's the twin shocks but it just doesn't inspire the feeling solid stability at speed. That's kind of surprising as the steering geometry of the Speed Triple is not as conservative so it's got to be the frame, tires or suspension that's making the difference.
I'm all good with it, I obviously didn't get this bike for it's top speed :-)

[jamboa_imp]

Any thoughts as to why Honda put the limiter on to begin with? Or if the bike is stable/safe above that speed without mods?

VStroms are able to go faster than the stock suspension, windscreen, and bodywork can handle. The fixes are easy enough, but more than one owner crashed or ruined ther riding pants finding that out.

That's an interesting point.
It may be that Honda was just lazy and left in the domestic limiter so as to have one less production variation, but compared to my Blackbird or the Speed Triple that I sold to get the CB1100, I don't feel as confident about taking the CB1100 up much past 100. Maybe it's the skinny tires, maybe it's the twin shocks but it just doesn't inspire the feeling solid stability at speed. That's kind of surprising as the steering geometry of the Speed Triple is not as conservative so it's got to be the frame, tires or suspension that's making the difference.
I'm all good with it, I obviously didn't get this bike for it's top speed :-)

That's an interesting point.
It may be that Honda was just lazy and left in the domestic limiter so as to have one less production variation, but compared to my Blackbird or the Speed Triple that I sold to get the CB1100, I don't feel as confident about taking the CB1100 up much past 100. Maybe it's the skinny tires, maybe it's the twin shocks but it just doesn't inspire the feeling solid stability at speed. That's kind of surprising as the steering geometry of the Speed Triple is not as conservative so it's got to be the frame, tires or suspension that's making the difference.
I'm all good with it, I obviously didn't get this bike for it's top speed :-) I don't mind that it want go over 100 mph but the rev limiter on my bike hits the limiter at 6500 rpm! Anybody else?

[ChipBeck_imp]

Any thoughts as to why Honda put the limiter on to begin with? Or if the bike is stable/safe above that speed without mods?

VStroms are able to go faster than the stock suspension, windscreen, and bodywork can handle. The fixes are easy enough, but more than one owner crashed or ruined ther riding pants finding that out.

That's an interesting point.
It may be that Honda was just lazy and left in the domestic limiter so as to have one less production variation, but compared to my Blackbird or the Speed Triple that I sold to get the CB1100, I don't feel as confident about taking the CB1100 up much past 100. Maybe it's the skinny tires, maybe it's the twin shocks but it just doesn't inspire the feeling solid stability at speed. That's kind of surprising as the steering geometry of the Speed Triple is not as conservative so it's got to be the frame, tires or suspension that's making the difference.
I'm all good with it, I obviously didn't get this bike for it's top speed :-)

In 1986 Suzuki built a couple hundred GSX-R750 Limited Edition motorcycles for homologation purposes so they could race them in the Superbike Series here in America. They had dry clutches, all kinds of trick bits, and everything was super light weight. Kevin Schwantz was a holy terror on that bike hitting 140+ at high speed venues like Daytona. The tires on that motorcycle were 110/70-18 front and 140/60-18 rear. The CB1100 tires are 110/80-18 front and 140/70-18 rear, same size tires and rims as that Superbike with one size taller sidewalls.

Even at 80 MPH the air blast on the naked CB11 is pretty ferocious. It's gotta be even more fun at 110+. I think the CB11 tires are fine for high speeds if you use the Rollie Free riding technique he demonstrates below at 150 MPH on the Bonneville Salt Flats. With apologies to Thumper, "ATTGAT MY ASS" appears to be his motto as he sets a new land speed record for motorcycles on a Vincent. And if you do this and you're built like Guth, you're guaranteed to get unlimited squeals of delight from minivans full of high school cheerleaders!! Yeah baby!!!!!

[url=http://s288.photobucket.com/user/chipbeck/media/Rollie_Free_record_run.jpg.html]

Chip

[jamboa_imp]

Any thoughts as to why Honda put the limiter on to begin with? Or if the bike is stable/safe above that speed without mods?

VStroms are able to go faster than the stock suspension, windscreen, and bodywork can handle. The fixes are easy enough, but more than one owner crashed or ruined ther riding pants finding that out.

That's an interesting point.
It may be that Honda was just lazy and left in the domestic limiter so as to have one less production variation, but compared to my Blackbird or the Speed Triple that I sold to get the CB1100, I don't feel as confident about taking the CB1100 up much past 100. Maybe it's the skinny tires, maybe it's the twin shocks but it just doesn't inspire the feeling solid stability at speed. That's kind of surprising as the steering geometry of the Speed Triple is not as conservative so it's got to be the frame, tires or suspension that's making the difference.
I'm all good with it, I obviously didn't get this bike for it's top speed :-)

In 1986 Suzuki built a couple hundred GSX-R750 Limited Edition motorcycles for homologation purposes so they could race them in the Superbike Series here in America. They had dry clutches, all kinds of trick bits, and everything was super light weight. Kevin Schwantz was a holy terror on that bike hitting 140+ at high speed venues like Daytona. The tires on that motorcycle were 110/70-18 front and 140/60-18 rear. The CB1100 tires are 110/80-18 front and 140/70-18 rear, same size tires and rims as that Superbike with one size taller sidewalls.

Even at 80 MPH the air blast on the naked CB11 is pretty ferocious. It's gotta be even more fun at 110+. I think the CB11 tires are fine for high speeds if you use the Rollie Free riding technique he demonstrates below at 150 MPH on the Bonneville Salt Flats. With apologies to Thumper, "ATTGAT MY ASS" appears to be his motto as he sets a new land speed record for motorcycles on a Vincent. And if you do this and you're built like Guth, you're guaranteed to get unlimited squeals of delight from minivans full of high school cheerleaders!! Yeah baby!!!!!

[url=http://s288.photobucket.com/user/chipbeck/media/Rollie_Free_record_run.jpg.html]

Chip

In 1986 Suzuki built a couple hundred GSX-R750 Limited Edition motorcycles for homologation purposes so they could race them in the Superbike Series here in America. They had dry clutches, all kinds of trick bits, and everything was super light weight. Kevin Schwantz was a holy terror on that bike hitting 140+ at high speed venues like Daytona. The tires on that motorcycle were 110/70-18 front and 140/60-18 rear. The CB1100 tires are 110/80-18 front and 140/70-18 rear, same size tires and rims as that Superbike with one size taller sidewalls.

Even at 80 MPH the air blast on the naked CB11 is pretty ferocious. It's gotta be even more fun at 110+. I think the CB11 tires are fine for high speeds if you use the Rollie Free riding technique he demonstrates below at 150 MPH on the Bonneville Salt Flats. With apologies to Thumper, "ATTGAT MY ASS" appears to be his motto as he sets a new land speed record for motorcycles on a Vincent. And if you do this and you're built like Guth, you're guaranteed to get unlimited squeals of delight from minivans full of high school cheerleaders!! Yeah baby!!!!!

[url=http://s288.photobucket.com/user/chipbeck/media/Rollie_Free_record_run.jpg.html]

Chip Rolly must have already made his contribution to the gene pool! LOL!

[Guth_imp]

If ever a name fit a character, Rollie Free would have to be in the all time top 5.

Looks like Rollie was sporting the same "six pack flabs" back then that I do today. Thank goodness for protective gear (protective for the eyes of others that is).

[Rolls_imp]

<Insert origins of planking joke here>

[jamboa_imp]

<Insert origins of planking joke here>

In1965 I had to do thisvto reach indicated 65 mph!
back in 1966 on my 305 Superhawk wevjust called it laying down on the seat!

[Buffalorider_imp]

That's an interesting point.
It may be that Honda was just lazy and left in the domestic limiter so as to have one less production variation, but compared to my Blackbird or the Speed Triple that I sold to get the CB1100, I don't feel as confident about taking the CB1100 up much past 100. Maybe it's the skinny tires, maybe it's the twin shocks but it just doesn't inspire the feeling solid stability at speed. That's kind of surprising as the steering geometry of the Speed Triple is not as conservative so it's got to be the frame, tires or suspension that's making the difference.
I'm all good with it, I obviously didn't get this bike for it's top speed :-)
Hi, Furious....somewhere in this forum I posted a rant about the governed speed of the CB100, based on the then latest edition of Motorcycle Consumer News write up of their test of the CB. MCN claimed Honda, when questioned about the speed limiter, said it was becaue of their (Honda's) concern regarding 18" wheels/tires, no fairing, and lack of liquid cooling. To which I would reply, similar to Chip Beck's
analogy to the Suzuki, that I had a Suzuki 1100E vintage 83 with worse size tires, no fairing, also air cooled, and went as fast as you dared to go. That motor, of course, became on of the standards used by drag and track racers for years. But I digress......I, too, don't feel as confident on the CB at high speed......and not because of my now advanced age..........it just doesn't inspire confidence. Don't get me wrong, I love running the canyons with the CB.......it is bitchin.......but not my choice for straight-out top end work.
Just sayin....
Mike
I have only tested the limiter on mine on three occasions; it reliably kicks in at 112 mph every time. I also first thought about by-passing it or removing it. While I find the frame and suspension to be predictable and stable at that speed I am less inclined to change it now opting instead to fine tune the handling a bit and just personalize it. Maybe it is age but I don't really care that the top end is restricted. I'm not going there any way. The CB has been too enjoyable as it it to bother changing it.
I'll just find another Road Star 1600/1700 and build another locomotive.

[Yoyodyne_imp]

It sounds like MCN is making stuff up, I can't imagine an official from Honda saying that.

I think the much more likely explanation is that the limiter was already in place for the Japanese market, there was no real need to incur the cost and hassle of removing it, and removing it could potentially open up Honda to off-the-wall liability lawsuits. "My client was killed riding 135 mph, Honda's removal of the limiter tacitly encouraged owners to ride at that speed."

[Lord Popgun]

+1 on yoyodyne's opinion.