Eclipse Ride

Posted: Mon Apr 08, 2024 10:15 pm

After getting 5" of heavy, wet snow late last week, we finally turned the corner and good riding weather finally arrived. My good friend Brett and I were able to get in a nice 2.5hr ride this afternoon. I can't remember the last time I rode with snow still on the ground. The roads were dry and the riding temperature was perfect in the low 60's.

Brett and I were co-workers for many years and we have been riding together for a long time. Back when he bought his new Kawasaki Concours, he let me try it out on one of our rides. What a great first impression and such an amazing bike! I told him that I wanted first dibs on it if he ever decided to sell it. Last spring he decided it was time, and for less than the cost of an 1100F engine rebuild, it was mine. I immediately did what he should have done to it years ago - removed the giant, heavy muffler and replaced it with a Delkevic 14" carbon fiber can. I also sent out the ECU and had it flashed to improve engine performance based on the new exhaust (no baffle) and the original (and restrictive) EPA requirements. It now makes approx. 165 hp and sounds great. It's not loud, but it makes a nice growl when I open it up. I also installed a fender eliminator to give it more of a street fighter look when the hard bags aren't on the bike.

While I love my 1123F and my Interceptor, there's a lot to be said for modern motorcycle technology. After sitting dormant since November, it fired up within a second of pushing the button. Fuel injection is a wonderful thing. And considering that it's a fairly tall, heavy bike, it handles like a sport bike and is INSANELY fast. The brakes and suspension are superb and it's very comfortable on the highway.

Next time I go riding, it will be on RMII and it will be a blast. It's a totally different bike and awesome in its own ways.

Posted: Mon Apr 08, 2024 10:36 pm

Nice review Tom. Sounds like a fun ride!

Posted: Tue Apr 09, 2024 12:25 am

Looking good Tom! That exhaust is a nice improvement! I got my bike fired up yesterday afternoon for the first time since early November. It took some cranking to get the fuel flowing, but then it started and idled nicely. Out for a quick 20 km ride.

I noticed last October, after I put on a new speedo cable, that my kph seemed to be reading higher than my actual speed. On Sunday, when I took it out, I tracked my ride with a gps tracker and yes, my speedo is reading 10 kph higher than my actual speed. Strange!!

How was the eclipse in your area? We were down near the north shore of Lake Erie, just south of Windsor/Detroit. We had about 2 minutes of totality. Pretty cool, literally!! The temp dropped by 10 degrees.

Cheers!
Chris

Posted: Tue Apr 09, 2024 1:10 am

Nice Tom, I agree with the modern ride. I myself have a Yamaha FJR1300 and I love the hell out of it.

Posted: Tue Apr 09, 2024 12:38 pm

Nice looking bike Tom. I have an ST1300 as my ‘modern’ injected bike. I keep her road ready all year to grab any riding opportunities that arise during the off season. I was riding in December! I recently replaced the horrible standard mufflers with a pair of Delkavics, look and sound much better.

We went down to Toledo to view the eclipse. Heavy traffic both there and back but well worth the effort. It was surprising how the temp fell then rose again.

Red CB1100F Joined: Jul 19, 2010 Posts: 6420 Location: Ct

Nice bike Tom. I’m very surprised that you modified a Motorcycle that you bought Laughing

I just called work (cough cough cough). It’s gonna be 70+ today and then rain and back in the crapper for the rest of the week so I’m headed out today Cool