E11even_Hunnit
Been there
Thread starter
Haven't posted here in ages.
Figured I'd take the opportunity to have some fun trying out the brand new forum sharing a pleasantly unexpected, but intense encounter I was not prepared for the other night..
Tensions have been running a bit high on my mind recently with regards to my beloved CB. I originally purchased it to replace an original '82 Freddie Spencer 900F that I owned for under 3 years. Tall, somewhat impractical, raw, and full of character, but man did I grow to love that bike, and miss it dearly.
Outside of not making me smell like I had showered in gasoline for the day, I had no real expectations getting into the CB11. During my test ride, I was blown away at how smooth and composed it was compared to the old F. Modern fuel injection and a 6th gear sealed the deal for me, and the shorter height turned out to be somewhat of a plus in disguise. Now approaching my 7th year of ownership, It's the single bike I've owned the longest, and needless to say, I've come to really love this bike- especially after "dialing it in" my way over the years.
Ironically enough, the guy who sold me the 900F confidently told me "these bikes will go up in price since they're bringing back a new 900F based on it". That was back in 2018. Naturally curious by his statement, I did periodical digging and researching if his claim was any true, and found that as with most rad vehicles, we tend to get the short end of the stick here in the North American market- only rumors and opinion pieces that claimed the bike was "in development" stages but with no real plans of stateside arrival.
My daydreaming window-shopping attention turned to the CB11 that I had always quietly admired from a far since first laying eyes on it on Shattuck Ave. sometime in 2014. It was an Alizarin red '13 which reminded me alot of the unattainable 750k I was after for years before settling for an XS650 some time prior. Almost like love at first sight for those of you who've experienced it firsthand. 5 years later, the improved 6 speed blacked out version had made it's way to the second hand market, at a time where I was eyeing a worthy replacement for the 900F.
Guhl tuned, cafe'd out, she's by far the most reliable vehicle on the current fleet and is amazing to ride, for the most part. I developed a left fork leak that has progressively gotten worse over the last 2 years. The valve cover too, I believe, due to the prolonged higher RPM freeway mileage. It's been on my mind for the longest to address these main pain points with a proper sprocket setup for my riding habits, as well as an upgraded front end- which I've been wrestling with for the longest due to the complexity and plain fear of ruining the bike's handling and stability.
Over the last year or so, I've finally acquired most of the parts for what I feel is a reasonable but mild front end upgrade- '17ex Showa upgrade, clip-ons, front fender, and Motodemic headlight. Not the modern sportbike inverted front end I'd like, but more of a direct swap that does not leave me with mismatching diameter wheels and a whole other drawing board on sorting out the rear end setup. Then, in the last ~month or so, 2 things I kinda wish hadn't happen sorta did:
1.) The arrival of the new '26 1000F, in Freddie Spencer bodywork, for my luck.
2.) A recent DIY "write-up" for a viable 17" wheel upgrade using Yamaha parts.
This has me hesitating, almost sweating cold, trying to decide on what the best path forward is and sensible next steps...
Since fellow forum member @DutchRutter recent jumping of ship into a new 1000F, I've felt conflicted with regards to making a decision. Told myself I'd hold off on my planned CB11 overhaul until I'm able to catch a 1000F at a showroom somewhere for first-hand impressions that would hopefully allow me to have more clarity and keep me from making a bad decision.
Then, out of nowhere, she came looking for me, and not the other way around, as I figured would be the case with the current stealership allocations. This particular one had less than 50 miles on the clock, and no owner immediately around for me to ask 1,000 questions. Figured with so little seat time, his impressions probably still aren't fully developed to be valid anyway.
At a glance, she's taller, shinier, and more reminiscing of a 919 hornet continuation rather than a return of the original 900F. Strikes me like more of a neo sports cafe dressed up in iconic Freddie Spencer fairings. Nicely executed, no doubt, but I do wonder how raw this thing really is when compared to the well-reviewed 1000R that was almost sold at the same time as the last '17 ex models.
All of this to say, I'm confused as ever. If the 1000F hadn't made it this side of the pond, maybe I'd be leaning more towards the 17" wheel upgrade. but in that hypothetical scenario, am I then left with a UJM playing neo cafe? And if that's the case, is she even good at playing that part at all? It's likely around ~$1,500 going that route once all is said and done, but would it deliver objective handling benefits ontop of the visuals? Or am I actually ruining the bike altogether by Frankensteining in the name of aesthetics?
I realize many of you are die hard RLET-level purists, which I'm clearly not. But I'd still value any input, thoughts and perspectives on my current dilemma. There isn't a ton of info out there on the 1000F yet, so all I can really do is try to solve for the other side of the equation, it seems.
Thank you for coming to my Ted talk. In the rare event you made it this far, you're the real MVP's!
Bonus points to whoever can figure out which CB this random gyal was breaking neck for!!
Figured I'd take the opportunity to have some fun trying out the brand new forum sharing a pleasantly unexpected, but intense encounter I was not prepared for the other night..
Tensions have been running a bit high on my mind recently with regards to my beloved CB. I originally purchased it to replace an original '82 Freddie Spencer 900F that I owned for under 3 years. Tall, somewhat impractical, raw, and full of character, but man did I grow to love that bike, and miss it dearly.
Outside of not making me smell like I had showered in gasoline for the day, I had no real expectations getting into the CB11. During my test ride, I was blown away at how smooth and composed it was compared to the old F. Modern fuel injection and a 6th gear sealed the deal for me, and the shorter height turned out to be somewhat of a plus in disguise. Now approaching my 7th year of ownership, It's the single bike I've owned the longest, and needless to say, I've come to really love this bike- especially after "dialing it in" my way over the years.
Ironically enough, the guy who sold me the 900F confidently told me "these bikes will go up in price since they're bringing back a new 900F based on it". That was back in 2018. Naturally curious by his statement, I did periodical digging and researching if his claim was any true, and found that as with most rad vehicles, we tend to get the short end of the stick here in the North American market- only rumors and opinion pieces that claimed the bike was "in development" stages but with no real plans of stateside arrival.
My daydreaming window-shopping attention turned to the CB11 that I had always quietly admired from a far since first laying eyes on it on Shattuck Ave. sometime in 2014. It was an Alizarin red '13 which reminded me alot of the unattainable 750k I was after for years before settling for an XS650 some time prior. Almost like love at first sight for those of you who've experienced it firsthand. 5 years later, the improved 6 speed blacked out version had made it's way to the second hand market, at a time where I was eyeing a worthy replacement for the 900F.
Guhl tuned, cafe'd out, she's by far the most reliable vehicle on the current fleet and is amazing to ride, for the most part. I developed a left fork leak that has progressively gotten worse over the last 2 years. The valve cover too, I believe, due to the prolonged higher RPM freeway mileage. It's been on my mind for the longest to address these main pain points with a proper sprocket setup for my riding habits, as well as an upgraded front end- which I've been wrestling with for the longest due to the complexity and plain fear of ruining the bike's handling and stability.
Over the last year or so, I've finally acquired most of the parts for what I feel is a reasonable but mild front end upgrade- '17ex Showa upgrade, clip-ons, front fender, and Motodemic headlight. Not the modern sportbike inverted front end I'd like, but more of a direct swap that does not leave me with mismatching diameter wheels and a whole other drawing board on sorting out the rear end setup. Then, in the last ~month or so, 2 things I kinda wish hadn't happen sorta did:
1.) The arrival of the new '26 1000F, in Freddie Spencer bodywork, for my luck.
2.) A recent DIY "write-up" for a viable 17" wheel upgrade using Yamaha parts.
This has me hesitating, almost sweating cold, trying to decide on what the best path forward is and sensible next steps...
Since fellow forum member @DutchRutter recent jumping of ship into a new 1000F, I've felt conflicted with regards to making a decision. Told myself I'd hold off on my planned CB11 overhaul until I'm able to catch a 1000F at a showroom somewhere for first-hand impressions that would hopefully allow me to have more clarity and keep me from making a bad decision.
Then, out of nowhere, she came looking for me, and not the other way around, as I figured would be the case with the current stealership allocations. This particular one had less than 50 miles on the clock, and no owner immediately around for me to ask 1,000 questions. Figured with so little seat time, his impressions probably still aren't fully developed to be valid anyway.
At a glance, she's taller, shinier, and more reminiscing of a 919 hornet continuation rather than a return of the original 900F. Strikes me like more of a neo sports cafe dressed up in iconic Freddie Spencer fairings. Nicely executed, no doubt, but I do wonder how raw this thing really is when compared to the well-reviewed 1000R that was almost sold at the same time as the last '17 ex models.
All of this to say, I'm confused as ever. If the 1000F hadn't made it this side of the pond, maybe I'd be leaning more towards the 17" wheel upgrade. but in that hypothetical scenario, am I then left with a UJM playing neo cafe? And if that's the case, is she even good at playing that part at all? It's likely around ~$1,500 going that route once all is said and done, but would it deliver objective handling benefits ontop of the visuals? Or am I actually ruining the bike altogether by Frankensteining in the name of aesthetics?
I realize many of you are die hard RLET-level purists, which I'm clearly not. But I'd still value any input, thoughts and perspectives on my current dilemma. There isn't a ton of info out there on the 1000F yet, so all I can really do is try to solve for the other side of the equation, it seems.
Thank you for coming to my Ted talk. In the rare event you made it this far, you're the real MVP's!
Bonus points to whoever can figure out which CB this random gyal was breaking neck for!!
Last edited:
David
