Highway Riding

[Jonz_imp]

I'm wondering if the condition of your tires is a factor. Maybe I'm just thinking about what tire I'm gonna get soon. Jon Z

[Townie_imp]

I'm wondering if the condition of your tires is a factor. Maybe I'm just thinking about what tire I'm gonna get soon. Jon Z

Only 1600Km (1000 miles) on the bike. Tires are like new.

[Pterodactyl_imp]

In a previous thread on this subject the OP said he "struggled" to control the bike. If you find that riding gear is not a factor, the bike set up is normal (the Dart should not be a problem) then, with respect, maybe you should look at your riding style. I posted this in that thread.


The CB has good stability and can be ridden with confidence. I would say that most riding instructors would say that "over controlling" a bike has the opposite of its intended effect by producing out of synch inputs that reduce the bikes natural directional stability. I am far from an expert in this field and am just quoting people like Keith Code or Lee Parks. And those boys do know what they are talking about. In fact, Lee Parks book "Total Control ..." is a good read for any rider regardless of skill level. I believe there is a new edition available.

Cheers and hope you get this sorted.

[Townie_imp]

In a previous thread on this subject the OP said he "struggled" to control the bike. If you find that riding gear is not a factor, the bike set up is normal (the Dart should not be a problem) then, with respect, maybe you should look at your riding style. I posted this in that thread.

The CB has good stability and can be ridden with confidence. I would say that most riding instructors would say that "over controlling" a bike has the opposite of its intended effect by producing out of synch inputs that reduce the bikes natural directional stability. I am far from an expert in this field and am just quoting people like Keith Code or Lee Parks. And those boys do know what they are talking about. In fact, Lee Parks book "Total Control ..." is a good read for any rider regardless of skill level. I believe there is a new edition available.

Cheers and hope you get this sorted.

The CB has good stability and can be ridden with confidence. I would say that most riding instructors would say that "over controlling" a bike has the opposite of its intended effect by producing out of synch inputs that reduce the bikes natural directional stability. I am far from an expert in this field and am just quoting people like Keith Code or Lee Parks. And those boys do know what they are talking about. In fact, Lee Parks book "Total Control ..." is a good read for any rider regardless of skill level. I believe there is a new edition available.

Cheers and hope you get this sorted.
Thanks Ptero, that's good advice, and my riding style could indeed be part of the problem. In the twisties I feel very confident with hitting the throttle hard, with hard leans.....feels exciting, and I feel in control.

But on the highway, everything goes a bit crazy. The wind gusts are what seem to be moving me around, and I don't feel nearly as in control as in the twisties, or fast roads where I'm in clean air. I'll try to relax a bit more on the highway, and try to be conscious of over-correcting, but I think it'll be tough if I'm being thrown around my lane.

I'm really hoping I get this sorted too. I love this bike, but limiting riding to non-highways puts a bit of a damper on things in places as vast as Canada.

When I bought this bike, the other contender was the ST1300. In my ideal world I think I'd have both.

[the Ferret]

I have both the ST1300 and a CB 1100. The ST is affected by windgusts and dirty air far more than the CB1100. All that ST body work becomes a sail in heavy winds.

[Townie_imp]

I have both the ST1300 and a CB 1100. The ST is affected by windgusts and dirty air far more than the CB1100. All that ST body work becomes a sail in heavy winds.

Hmmmm....that interesting Ferret. I'd have thought a fully faired bike would have better handling than a naked in strong winds, but what you say makes sense.

I'm motivated to make the CB1100 work for me. If after I do my experiments with riding gear I still can't figure it out, then I'll get a friend who recently had an Aprilia Shiver (also a naked) to take the CB for a spin on the highway & give me his opinion. He's a very experienced rider, and if he's a bit off-put by the CB highway experience then I guess it'll be off to the dealer.

[the Ferret]

If you have already told him what you are feeling his opinion will be tainted and he will feel something. I do test riding for a shop that have bikes with issues that mechanics can't feel, and I insist on not knowing what the issue is before the test so I don't imagine hearing or feeling something.

The ST is like a big flat sided crappie. They put up a good fight because that put their big flat sides against the direction they are being pulled. It's all about resistance to forces.

[kennyw]

What preload settings are you running on the shocks?

[Townie_imp]

What preload settings are you running on the shocks?

Factory-set standard positions:

Front: 3 grooves showing.
Rear: position 2 (1 more than softest possible)

[kennyw]

What preload settings are you running on the shocks?

Factory-set standard positions:

Front: 3 grooves showing.
Rear: position 2 (1 more than softest possible)

Factory-set standard positions:

Front: 3 grooves showing.
Rear: position 2 (1 more than softest possible) I have found being set too high will make things react funny. But it doesn't sound like you are there. But it won't hurt to try a softer setting.

When I bought my CB750C, it had 2 extra shocks/springs added to the rear. That thing went all over the road until I removed them and went to a softer setting.