Seattle Bird

DRBNWWAState

Good day, all.


On-again, off-again in various venues, over the years, seems to me the ‘Bird forums underwent a paradigm shift while I was occupied with other matters. I assume this, the offspring of the old, shall be as a phoenix rising from the ashes.

I am the proud seven-year owner of a 1999 CBR1100XX. As of yesterday, mileage is just under 53K. My riding has tapered off the past couple years, due to graduate school (= lack of time) and shifting tastes in motorcycles (2006 Husqvarna SM510R changed the whole paradigm). If you see a ‘Bird guy in Kushitani leathers w/ black Corbin Beetle Bags (that name, shudder) puttering around greater Seattle, give a “wave.”

My bike is a true workhorse, treated with dignity if not extreme TLC. Extras include Penske shock and Race Tech forks, the aforementioned Corbin bags, Throttlemeister, and uh, I guess not much else. Oh, crash spools, too, which came in handy on a low-speed slide six years ago.

I’ve always found the ‘Bird an exceptional commuter in the most god-awful weather this side of a snow storm. Best thing about the bike is it hasn’t ever let me down when-needed. It goes, it stops, without fuss. My only maintenance is routine, with a CCT or two thrown in the mix. Waiting for the stator to fry, wondering why the R/R hasn’t ever given notice. Cross your fingers…

Seems little reason to replace it, at-current, for what it is. The bike still runs, I have minimal sunk-cost in upgrades, when I need a motorcycle to run “right now” I flip off the battery tender, check the air pressure, and just go. Other than my vaunted FJ1100, which I ran literally until the compression gave out after years of flogging, I’ve yet to see a bike that just wants to run without any drama.

In my observation, other, lighter bikes can be finessed into corners on the brakes or conscientious body movement. This is the first sportbike I’ve owned driven mostly on the throttle: modulate in and feel the engine braking, power out and it spools through the turn, straightening the bike without any fuss. This is an interesting riding style and to me truly typifies a big, long, 1150cc inline way of riding. Try that on an SM510R Supermoto, though, and you’ll end up in the ditch. Fast.

Last time I dynod, couple years back, came in 138hp at the rear wheel. Seems plenty to me. I’ve watched comparable ‘Birds dyno more, and less.

Longest haul to-date was a Saddlesore 1000 to Alaska and back (from Seattle) in 2004 for the IBA HyderSeek. Return trip was a leisurely two-day romp through BC and other points, a 2500 mile long weekend. The bike came through like a champ. Surfing posts on the forum, I see other guys have flogged these things in ways dwarfing my “long” weekend ride: this gives me hope this could be a 100K motorcycle, in terms of ability to absorb abuse.

Mine shows little, if-any, sign of engine or other trouble. Honda isn’t always the most exciting thing on the road, but almost always is the last thing RUNNING on said-road when the dust settles.

Guess it stays, for now, though like many on this forum I’ll watch for the long-rumored V5 Viffer with interest.

See you!

DragonXX

G'day from Australia
That's a great part of the USA you're from (rain and cold aside), I have a brother who lives in Everett and we went through your neck of the woods a couple of years back.

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" 'Birds of a feather, flock together "

Quote of the month: "When the pupil is ready to learn, a teacher will appear." - Zen Proverb

Styles

"a bike that just wants to run without any drama"

I aimed to stay Saturday night in Eastern WA (near Waterville) but with rain predicted rode to the coast instead. That's Chelan to Grays Harbor with no fuss, on a bike smooth, fast, and deceptively quiet. You of course understand.

Welcome aboard -- and, oh, what are you studying?

Styles

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"STyle is the fashioning of power, the restraining of power." A. N. Whitehead

Strek

Welcome from the windy city. Seem like you are enjoying the bird

CanadianBird

Was that you I saw on #20 heading east at Newwhalen, Sat the 23rd at 1:30 pm? If not, take a trip through the N. Cascades to Twisp for an excellent ride. You, red Bird, waved at us.

Styles

You might have seen me Saturday, since I fueled at Winthrop at 3:00. Highway 20 is indeed "excellent," especially on a Bird.

Styles

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"STyle is the fashioning of power, the restraining of power." A. N. Whitehead

Nutter67

G'day from Oz.

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Paul

Never let a motorcycle take you somewhere your brain didn't get to three seconds earlier

CanadianBird

Did you wave at a red Bird, at the side of the road, just before the train, on your right, heading east? My wife and I, black Givi side bags. It must have been you. I like to ride as far as Twisp.

ArmyStrong

What an intro! from Gotham, to this side of Birdland!

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Murphys 6th law of combat operations:
If it's stupid but it works, it ain't stupid.

ArmyStrong

btw--pics woulda made it perfect!

__________________
Murphys 6th law of combat operations:
If it's stupid but it works, it ain't stupid.

Styles

Can't recall waving at that point, but I think I was following an '01 Bird.

BTW, beyond Twisp as I recall, I chanced to take this fun picture.

Styles

Attached Thumbnails

 

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"STyle is the fashioning of power, the restraining of power." A. N. Whitehead

Strek

Cool picture

CanadianBird

Very cool pic! Did you encounter all those EXOTIC cars ripping it up to Winthrop?

Styles

Yes, though I saw them heading west rather. What were they?

Styles

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"STyle is the fashioning of power, the restraining of power." A. N. Whitehead

Catenaccio

Welcome. Appreciate your summation of the bike.