I have been watching the new/retro Honda CB1100 with interest. I have been losing faith in my GL1200/California rig and have been thinking a new rig, professionally assembled would be nice.
The CB1100 has a double loop frame and no plastic or electronic gizmos. The price is quite low on remaining new in stock bikes and the dealers seem anxious to move them. Those are in the plus column. Perhaps this model will soon become extinct. Certainly a negative, except I seem to collect the orphaned models.
What would you, the more experienced forum members think of this paired with a Champion Escort?
When you're doing your price comparisons be sure to figure in a subframe and the cost of professional mounting. Since you are in my backyard, I can recommend Kevin Hahn at Scrambler Cycle as an experienced tech to do the mounting.
Regards the bike... it's a Honda or about the right size. What could go wrong?
I've been eyeballing the CB1100 ever since it came out. 3.2 gallon fuel tank won't give you very long legs for touring, but fine for around town. Skinny rear wheel not too conducive to darksiding but, again, fine for a rig being used locally and for day trips. Great retro look and plenty of power with 88 horses. Beefy brakes and ABS available too. The pic you posted of the CB1100 leaves a little to be desired. How about this one? --
Not sure I like the picture in my mind of a Champion Escort hanging on the side, though. Seems like a little too much car. Here's a CB1100 with a Hannigan --
Again, not sure I like the look. I think I'd prefer more of a 70's era sidecar to match the retro look of the Honda.
It really makes little difference if the bike has a duplex type frame as any properly done sidecar is not going to be a bunch of frame clamps but rather a mounting system designed specifically for the bike in question. While we do not have a mount for this bike if we were doing the work then we would have the bike in our shop and would develop a proper mount. Often people will buy a bike local to us, have us pick it up and then we install the sidecar. Shipping a finished bike with a sidecar does not cost much more then shipping a crated sidecar.
If I were looking for a bike, I would not worry about the type of frame it has, you are buying in essence a toy, find a bike that speaks to you first, then check to see if there are any issues with adding a sidecar. For me I would also be looking into a bike that triple tree's have been designed for and that can have an automotive tire on the rear. And where as price is important, chances are you are going to have the rig for many years it makes sense to spend perhaps a bit more up front in order to have what you really want. As to the sidecar, the Escort is nice, so are a lot of other sidecars on the market which is why so many different styles of sidecars are built. One bike that is really speaking to me now are the new Indian's. We have done a few Chief's as well as Chieftains and have mounts and triple tree's for both of these, we have just developed mounts for the Scout and one of our suppliers is working on tree's for the Scout. In any event, take your time to figure out what bike and what sidecar speak to you. I would also be happy to speak with you on the phone about bikes, sidecars, options and proper mounting hardware.
Jay G
DMC sidecars
www.dmcsidecars.com
866-638-1793
Al Orme, Price isn't the only plus. I am into the old school look of this (and many other bikes). I figure by the time I get a new pro-built on the road I'll have more into the car and mount than the bike. I do enjoy the sidecar around town and short rides more than on the long road trip. Especially in the mountains. The big Old Wing just isn't doing it for me there.
DRONE added the picture of the Hannigan with this tug. And I must agree. The look isn't right. As to the picture, I just pulled it off a Craig's List post. I would probably choose a different color (Red) and pick up the '14 model year. Bigger tank and 6 speeds.
jaydmc: I really appreciate the importance of the subframe attachment. the rig I have is clamped together. I had to replace most of the bolts and spend a lot of time re-aligning it, once I got it home from Phoenix. I have admired the pictures of the Indian/Tomahawk rig. They are beautiful. Thanks for the offer to talk on the phone. I will take you up on it when the time comes. I would like to ride my current rig to the rally next July then put it on the market and begin the process of a new one.
jim
