TimXX

I had Pilot Roads last for 17,000km rear and the front came off with about 2-3,000 km left. I then got Pirelli Stradas [front one was free- so price was right] and have about 10,000 km on them so far. Both sets of tires corner well enough for me, but I was in the slow group at Red Bluff.

I have over 35,000km on my original chain [what is it?] and it still is good. It took a few adjustments when new but I just did a 5,000 km trip, including the TBME run, and needed NO adjustments on the whole trip. I adjusted the chain just before the trip- mostly to align the back wheel. I use MAxim clear spray on lube and only clean the chain and sprockets in December when I put the XX to bed for the winter. When this chain goes, I would like to get the same kind- very little hassle and great durability.

I tour solo or with my wife and have found that the GIVI Wingrack setup works well. I transfered the wingrack from my FJ1100 after using it for 10 years. I only had to buy the adapters for the XX. On long trips I use my old E45s- these are huge and bulbous. When I get to a place I am staying at for a while [or while at home in the city], I use one of the bags as a top box. These bags hold 2 helmets plus a jacket. These bags are completely water proof, even in downpours [i live in Vancouver and this does happen]. So- Givis are ugly [mostly because the XX body work forces the bags to stick out further than they might] but very practical.

Thank you all- I will change them before the trip. :icon_clap:

I currently have a set of Pilot Roads on my bike. The fronts have gone 10,700km and have 3.5mm left on the center tread The rears have gone 15,500 km and have a tiny bit less than 3mm left on center. I always ride with 42 psi in both tires. Anyway- I am going on a 6-7,000 km trip in June [TBME + visits to friends in Calif]. How long do you think these tires will last? What is the minimum tread depth one should ride at. Also- what happens with the grip of tires as they wear- lots of heat cycling, but more rubber on the road. Is the wear even over distance or does the tread wear out faster when deepest and less when near the end? My current thinking is to put on the set of Diablo Stradas I bought [front was $25- almost free] and not worry. Any thoughts? TimXX

I just measured My Hyperpro rear shock with remote adjustable preload and comp. damping. It looks like 330mm, about 15mm longer than my stock one. This seems a bit strange since it only was 12mm higher than stock at the rear axle when the bike was on the center stand. It was had to get a tape measure in there but I doublt that I am more than a few mm out. Measured it again and got 325mm eye-eye. I think this is more accurate than my previous measurement. This is only 10mm longer than stock. The remote preload is important to me since I have to change sag quickly when my wife and all our gear go for rides. After we retrun, it is back to me riding solo for many short trips. 4 half turns on the preload wheel sorts out the different weight preloads.

When I put on the Hyperpro it was 12mm taller at the back axle. I am not sure how much taller a 6mm shim would make your bike at the back axle. I could measure the eye to eye length of the Hyperpro if you really need this info- give me a day or 2.

I have had similar problems with the stock shock- especially since I ride with a passenger 1/2 the time. I got the Hyperpro with remote preload adjustment and compression damping. This makes it quick and easy to readjust the rear suspension depending on use. Check Hyperpro's WEB site for current prices. They also installed a spring based on the weight variation I ride with: 200-450lbs.

I now use my stock screen with a newly acquired Laminar Lip. So far it has less buffeting at about 100-130 kph. I haven't tried it at higher speeds yet or with a passenger. TimXX

When I bought my first bike in 1960 [a Honda 90], I always carried a plastic hose for siphoning gas. But then, I was a poor student and couldn't afford the 25 cents a gallon that gas cost. Gas just hit $1.05.9 per liter in Vancouver. Maybe I should go back to doing this again- unless stealing gas is now considered grand theft Re: the kitchen sink- I do carry a bicycle water bottle with me. I also have 2 45 liter GIVI bags and a Skookum tank bag. On long trips I ride with these plus a tent and a sleeping bag in a waterproof kayak bag. AND- it all fits on a XX. Who needs a Gold Wing or Civic? TimXX

At the risk of being accused of not having a sense of humor [is this topic serious? :icon_duh: ] I will add my list of things to travel with. 1. A small can of chain lube [with tube duct taped onto can]- on long trips the chain needs to be lubed periodically. 2. A can of Honda polish-gets bugs and crap off bike with very little effort. 3. small rag for 2. 4. small tool kit with 2 wrenches for adjusting chain; a bicycle foldable collection of allen [alan?] wrenches and screwdriver; small socket wrench with 6, 8, 10,12,14,15,17mm sockets; small vice grip; tire repair kit with pressureized gas [to refill tire, eh?]; defogger and cleaner for helmet viser; a load of ear plugs; some plastic tie downs [what are these called?]; 5. rain gear. 6. I am sure I carry evan more stuff- just forget what. What did I miss? TimXX

I have had the Hyperpro front spring and fork oil on for about 2.5 years and the rear spring on for a year before I got the rear shock with remote preload and compression damping. The handling in front is perfect. The rear spring was better than stock and is great when riding solo. However, I often switch from solo to double with full bags, and I needed an easy and quick way to change preload. With the Hyperpro remote, my problem is solved. The only problem I sometimes have is that the damping is too stiff when riding solo on bumpy roads, even when adjusted full soft.

I currently have a rear Pilot Road with maybe 1,000 km left on it and a front with about 3,000km left. Anyone who has used Stradas- how are they compared to Roads? Also- any ideas re: how mixing the 2 tires would work? Or should I just dump the front when I change the rears? Please respond quickly while there are still free fronts left. Thanks TimXX

Eh Byrdman, Your setup looks good. How does it sound? Also- how does it feel with the exhaust coming out under your foot? What does a passenger feel? AND- does someone make a slip on that fits there? Thanks for any info.

I had my valves checked at 28,000 km and they were well within spec. This is an expensive service in Vancouver [$340CAD incl tax]. Is there any sound or feel that indicates when they are too tight [i am assuming they get tighter as the shims wear]? I just hate to pay that much when I oculd go 100,000 km without adjustments needed. On the other hand, having a piston hit a valve doesn't thrill me either. Any suggestions?

Hi Pug, If you phone the number I posted for Hyperpro and talk to Doug, you can find out if they have a spring with the length and lbs/in range that suits you. Perhaps the diameter is different so tell them that too. TimXX

I bought Hyperpro front progressive springs and used 5 the wt oil they sent with it. I also put in the Hyperpro rear shock with hydraulic preload adjustment- mainly because I do sport touring solo and tour with my wife on the back with fully loaded bags plus tent and sleeping bags. The variance in weight goes from 200lbs solo to about 500lbs. I definitely needed an easy way to change preload on the rear. The front sag did not change much and so does not need preload. There is a lot of adjustment on the rear available with remote compression hi and low speed damping and rebound [which is easily reached at the bottom of the shock. When I ordered the shock, they asked me what my minimum and maximum weights would be and sent the proper progressive spring. BTW: the rear spring gave 1/2" more clearance on the back, and the front spring was about .4" longer and gave some preload. I did not lower the front even thoug it was suggested. I like the ride and the US distributer is near Chicago and is very informative, and helpful- they are repairing the leak in the hydraulic preload for free even though I have had the shock for over 2 years. I definitely reccommend this setup for the XX. If the Hyperpro WEB site is not helpful, phone Doug at 888-963-1212. He can answer any questions you have. TimXX

I stopped in at Rick Mayer Cycle [off I5 in northern Cal] and he measured me sitting on the bike and made a seat for myself and my pillion that fit me [us]. This seat has gel in the center and different foam in different spots for comfort. I cna now ride for 7-8 hours a day without getting sore- my thighs were killing me on the stock seat after 3-4 hours. My wife doesn't slide into me unless I brake hard [and then she uses her arms for bracing]. Look at http://www.cbr1100xxforums.org/photos/disp...10172&pos=-1632 for a photo of my bike that shows the seat. Her big complaint now is the wind buffeting- the rear seat is a bit higher than the front. I must find a way to fix this.

Great photos-but it doesn't answer the original question. I too am not very happy with my screen. I get a lot of turbulence over 140kph. I have helibars and am 175cm tall [short?]. For long trips, the wind gets tiring. So- regarding all the windshields listed- which gives the least turbulence- or, how much more comfortable are they than stock, and why? Thanks for the info. TimXX

I have seen ads for this and it would suite my riding style since I want a shorter screen for day trips but a higher one for long trips. Has anyone used this on a XX? If so, on which screen? Thanks for any info. TimXX

Hey Oz, I do not know the model of the Hyperpro shock but I have a 2002 CBR1100xx [it came with hydraulic adjustable preload and compression damping and rebound damping at the bottom of the shock] and when I installed it I got 12.5mm [1/2"] greater rear clearance at the wheel bolt when fully extended on the centre stand. When I ordered the rear shock, I filled out a form that listed my different riding weights 94-205kgs [from solo to 2 up and full bags]. They gave me a progressive spring that is 16-28 kg/mm [184-330 lbs/in I think]. I like this because I can wind in 35mm of sag and still have it firm up on uneven roads. Re: Price, I bargained with them and got a price a lot cheaper than the Ohlins. They asked me not to say how much I paid-so I won't. I also got the front fork springs which are progressive and are about 15 mm longer than the stock ones so there is some preload in them. I get 27mm sag with me on the bike and 29mm with it fully loaded. I really don't need an adjustable preload on the front with these sags. For touring, I like progressive rate springs since I can make it slightly softer for smooth roads and yet have it stiffen up on rough ones. BTW: I was wrong on the total number of clicks- there are 30 total for each damping adjuster. TimXX

I have a Hyperpro rear shock. The hydraulic remote preload adjuster fits on the inside of the left passenger foot peg and the remote compression adjuster [fast and slow] fit on the inside of the right passenger peg. Works fine but I still can't figure out what setting work best. I set it up loose for rough roads and then on smooth ones I stiffen out the damping. Sag is easy, but how do you figure out the fast and slow compression damping rates [15 clicks] and the rebound [also 15] and how to match them :???: ?

I've got Hyperpro front springs and 5 wt fork oil. Works well. I weigh 190 and often travel with my spouse for a total weight of 300lbs with Givi and tank bags.

I don't remember how much I paid for my Hyperpro spring. A year and a half ago, I got front and rear springs + 2.5 weight fork oil. Later on I got a Hyperpro rear shock and spring with remote hydraulic preload adjustment and fast and slow compression and rebound damping. This mad it much easier to balance the handling for solo mountain riding and 2 up long distance riding, etc. It now takes me only 5 minutes to adjust my suspension to my riding circumstance. I love this set up. BTW: Hyperpro had m fill out the minimum and maximum weights I carry so they could give me the proper spring.

I got the Hyperpro springs. They are a little bit longer than the stock springs and are slightly compressed when the caps are screwed in. They are also progressive rate springs. I get 27mm of sag with me and all my bags on it-I weigh 200lbs with gear on. There is 29mm of sag with two people [ 370lb for both with gear on] and all our crap on. No spacers needed and I like the fact that they have a higher spring rate near the bottom of travel.