Suspension

[TCinNC_imp]

Riding weather was nice for contemplation today, eh Ferret? I'll bet the roundness of the alloys rims and the quality of today's tires help a lot. Honda knows how to sort out a bike's suspension (without breaking the bank) very well.

I'm one of those who rides some of NE Ohio's most scenic two lane roads. I've owned multiple BMWs (K and R Series,) a Kaw W650, a Honda ST 1300, and a 2003 Triumph Bonneville, along with a 2008 Moto Guzzi Sport and a Guzzi Griso 8vSE. And now a Honda CB1100. Of all these bikes, only the Griso 8vSE and the Triumph Bonneville (and now the CB1100) have beaten me up, and caused me to take alternate routes to avoid less than perfect road surfaces.

I'll be on the phone tomorrow with Traxxion Dynamics to discuss their suspension kit for the front fork of the CB1100. If the conversation goes well, first step will be to install their kit. And if that works out, next step will be a more compliant set of rear shocks. I'm not one who spends $$ on aftermarket exhausts. But if in my opinion my CB1100 requires more compliant suspension for the roads I ride and my weight, that's the route I'm taking., and I'll throw some $$ at it.
My buddy who owns one of the new Triumphs (2008 T100) and even newer 2016 T12, agreed with me that the CB1100 and his T100 were similarly rough riding on our roads. OTOH, his new T120 is compliant when riding our two lane, chip and seal secondaries. We both agreed to this.

If I lived in SoCal, or perhaps further south where the roads don't take such a beating from our winters, (or perhaps weighed another 30-40 pounds,) the CB would probably be ok 90 % of the time. But I don't, and it isn't.

I like everything else about the bike. The engine and tranny are fine. The fuel injection seems to be mapped as good as any FI bike I've ridden. Overall fit and finish is super.

Bob

I'm one of those who rides some of NE Ohio's most scenic two lane roads. I've owned multiple BMWs (K and R Series,) a Kaw W650, a Honda ST 1300, and a 2003 Triumph Bonneville, along with a 2008 Moto Guzzi Sport and a Guzzi Griso 8vSE. And now a Honda CB1100. Of all these bikes, only the Griso 8vSE and the Triumph Bonneville (and now the CB1100) have beaten me up, and caused me to take alternate routes to avoid less than perfect road surfaces.

I'll be on the phone tomorrow with Traxxion Dynamics to discuss their suspension kit for the front fork of the CB1100. If the conversation goes well, first step will be to install their kit. And if that works out, next step will be a more compliant set of rear shocks. I'm not one who spends $$ on aftermarket exhausts. But if in my opinion my CB1100 requires more compliant suspension for the roads I ride and my weight, that's the route I'm taking., and I'll throw some $$ at it.
My buddy who owns one of the new Triumphs (2008 T100) and even newer 2016 T12, agreed with me that the CB1100 and his T100 were similarly rough riding on our roads. OTOH, his new T120 is compliant when riding our two lane, chip and seal secondaries. We both agreed to this.

If I lived in SoCal, or perhaps further south where the roads don't take such a beating from our winters, (or perhaps weighed another 30-40 pounds,) the CB would probably be ok 90 % of the time. But I don't, and it isn't.

I like everything else about the bike. The engine and tranny are fine. The fuel injection seems to be mapped as good as any FI bike I've ridden. Overall fit and finish is super.

Bob
I agree ohiorider, the CB1100 is great 90% of the time suspension wise, it's just that other 10%. My knowledge of motorcycle suspensions is rudimentary at best, I was looking at the Traxxion Dynamics site today at the CB1100 front fork kit for around $300. Would that be more worthwhile then say just the Race Tech fork spring replacements for $110?

I'm one of those who rides some of NE Ohio's most scenic two lane roads. I've owned multiple BMWs (K and R Series,) a Kaw W650, a Honda ST 1300, and a 2003 Triumph Bonneville, along with a 2008 Moto Guzzi Sport and a Guzzi Griso 8vSE. And now a Honda CB1100. Of all these bikes, only the Griso 8vSE and the Triumph Bonneville (and now the CB1100) have beaten me up, and caused me to take alternate routes to avoid less than perfect road surfaces.

I'll be on the phone tomorrow with Traxxion Dynamics to discuss their suspension kit for the front fork of the CB1100. If the conversation goes well, first step will be to install their kit. And if that works out, next step will be a more compliant set of rear shocks. I'm not one who spends $$ on aftermarket exhausts. But if in my opinion my CB1100 requires more compliant suspension for the roads I ride and my weight, that's the route I'm taking., and I'll throw some $$ at it.
My buddy who owns one of the new Triumphs (2008 T100) and even newer 2016 T12, agreed with me that the CB1100 and his T100 were similarly rough riding on our roads. OTOH, his new T120 is compliant when riding our two lane, chip and seal secondaries. We both agreed to this.

If I lived in SoCal, or perhaps further south where the roads don't take such a beating from our winters, (or perhaps weighed another 30-40 pounds,) the CB would probably be ok 90 % of the time. But I don't, and it isn't.

I like everything else about the bike. The engine and tranny are fine. The fuel injection seems to be mapped as good as any FI bike I've ridden. Overall fit and finish is super.

Bob
I agree ohiorider, the CB1100 is great 90% of the time suspension wise, it's just that other 10%. My knowledge of motorcycle suspensions is rudimentary at best, I was looking at the Traxxion Dynamics site today at the CB1100 front fork kit for around $300. Would that be more worthwhile then say just the Race Tech fork spring replacements for $110? Here's my thought on the matter. The Race Tech kit is more than different springs. If I understand the Race Tech system, it is designed to act like a cartridge fork vs the basic damper rod fork that comes on our bikes. So, what does that mean? I believe it means that the fork will respond over average smooth surfaces exactly like our stock forks. But when our front end encounters a harsh bump, the Race Tech cartridge emulator will allow a greater volume of fork oil to move through its valve pack, eliminating the harsh fork reaction caused by the fixed size (sort of a hydraulic lock-up) of the damping rod holes.

I'm not a suspension expert by any stretch of the imagination ..... I just know how I like a bike to respond over rough roads.

I'm one of those who rides some of NE Ohio's most scenic two lane roads. I've owned multiple BMWs (K and R Series,) a Kaw W650, a Honda ST 1300, and a 2003 Triumph Bonneville, along with a 2008 Moto Guzzi Sport and a Guzzi Griso 8vSE. And now a Honda CB1100. Of all these bikes, only the Griso 8vSE and the Triumph Bonneville (and now the CB1100) have beaten me up, and caused me to take alternate routes to avoid less than perfect road surfaces.

I'll be on the phone tomorrow with Traxxion Dynamics to discuss their suspension kit for the front fork of the CB1100. If the conversation goes well, first step will be to install their kit. And if that works out, next step will be a more compliant set of rear shocks. I'm not one who spends $$ on aftermarket exhausts. But if in my opinion my CB1100 requires more compliant suspension for the roads I ride and my weight, that's the route I'm taking., and I'll throw some $$ at it.
My buddy who owns one of the new Triumphs (2008 T100) and even newer 2016 T12, agreed with me that the CB1100 and his T100 were similarly rough riding on our roads. OTOH, his new T120 is compliant when riding our two lane, chip and seal secondaries. We both agreed to this.

If I lived in SoCal, or perhaps further south where the roads don't take such a beating from our winters, (or perhaps weighed another 30-40 pounds,) the CB would probably be ok 90 % of the time. But I don't, and it isn't.

I like everything else about the bike. The engine and tranny are fine. The fuel injection seems to be mapped as good as any FI bike I've ridden. Overall fit and finish is super.

Bob
I agree ohiorider, the CB1100 is great 90% of the time suspension wise, it's just that other 10%. My knowledge of motorcycle suspensions is rudimentary at best, I was looking at the Traxxion Dynamics site today at the CB1100 front fork kit for around $300. Would that be more worthwhile then say just the Race Tech fork spring replacements for $110? Here's my thought on the matter. The Race Tech kit is more than different springs. If I understand the Race Tech system, it is designed to act like a cartridge fork vs the basic damper rod fork that comes on our bikes. So, what does that mean? I believe it means that the fork will respond over average smooth surfaces exactly like our stock forks. But when our front end encounters a harsh bump, the Race Tech cartridge emulator will allow a greater volume of fork oil to move through its valve pack, eliminating the harsh fork reaction caused by the fixed size (sort of a hydraulic lock-up) of the damping rod holes.

I'm not a suspension expert by any stretch of the imagination ..... I just know how I like a bike to respond over rough roads.
I agree wholeheartedly, and our front forks provide a harsh ride over rough road surfaces for 165 lb riders

[jimgl353_imp]

I must admit, I have had my teeth nearly jarred loose from unexpected bumps that I didn't see due to blind curves or just plain sight seeing / day dreaming. Other than that, the CB legs are fine. See bump, slow down, no problem.

[Rocky_imp]

I must admit, I have had my teeth nearly jarred loose from unexpected bumps that I didn't see due to blind curves or just plain sight seeing / day dreaming. Other than that, the CB legs are fine. See bump, slow down, no problem.

I agree, but I suppose it's whatever the rider expects and their style of riding.
I did eventually change the shocks and fork springs on my Bonneville, and they made a big difference, and even though I often ride the CB in a mildly spirited manner, I have no complaints about the factory suspension.
Unless or until I think I have a problem I'm not changing anything either.
But to each his own and they are free to do as they wish.

[gtmn_imp]

anybody have any luck with Dan from Traxxion in the last couple days

[Guth_imp]

I can understand how some guys might want to upgrade the stock setup. Now I pretty much just put around on my CB and therefore rarely have any issues with the suspension. My weight and riding style are similar to the ferret's. But one of the few times that I could think of that I felt somewhat uncomfortable due to the factory setup was the ride I captured in the following video (yes, it's an old one). I wasn't pushing things and yet I can recall that there were times when I wished the bike was dealing with the undulating and sometimes rough surfaces a bit better. When I try to imagine someone running this stretch of road in an aggressive manner on a stock CB100 it doesn't seem like it would be all that enjoyable.

[jimgl3_imp]

wow. yeah, no roads that bad around here. bumps like that are miles apart.

[the Ferret]

That would be a great road with a re-pave

[Nortoon_imp]

My kind of road: no traffic, scenic, lots of hills and tight curves.

[CA200_imp]

In Wisconsin we would call that a very smooth road.

[the Ferret]

In Wisconsin we would call that a very smooth road.