Special Recipe Cbr
SPECIAL RECIPE CBR
CW PROJECT
A sportbike for the long haul
MATTHEW MILES
HONDA'S CBR 1000 HAS REEN one of this magazine's favorite motorcycles ever since it was introduced in 1987. That year, we chose the CBR as Best Open Streetbike. Of the re vamped 1990 version—which differs from the `91 model only in choice of paint and tires—we said, "The CBR is one of the most rational and most exciting bikes in its class, combining top-level performance with an appearance that wouldn't be out of place in a concours d'elegance."
But, as good as the CBR 1000 is, we wanted to make it better.
Mainly, we wanted to improve the CBRIOOO’s sport-touring abilities. We began by ordering a set of detachable Krauser saddlebags from Mike Corbin. Considerably more expensive than soft luggage, hard-plastic saddlebags have advantages that offset their cost: They can be locked shut and locked to the bike; they are more weather-resistant than soft bags; and there's no possibility of them shifting under braking or cornering loads. The Krauser bags, each with a 30-liter capacity, are imported from Germany, and are available in a variety of colors.
Mounting the bags and their hardware was a fairly simple procedure, but not without its problems. We had to slightly modify two of the six mounting brackets and file dow n several sections of the bike’s plastic seat pan in order to achieve proper fit. Thankfully, no drilling of the CBR’s expensive plastic sidepanels was required, though the Krausers’ mounting brackets eliminated the neat, retractable bungee hooks located in the CBR’s passenger grabrail.
Corbin also modified our CBR's saddle. Denser foam, along with an attractive, all-black cover, created a more comfortable long-distance platform. An adjustable, removable passenger backrest completed the seat alterations. Although comfort was improved over stock, our test riders— pilots and passengers alike—voted that even stiller foam would be a blessing for extended saddle time.
We also tested Corbin’s Rumble seat, built specifically for the CBR 1000. With its stiller foam, the Rumble model was more comfortable than our custom saddle, but too deeply dished, making the seat-topeg relationship uncomfortably tight. And. ironically, the Rumble saddle wouldn't lock into place, fouled bv the Corbin/Krauser saddlebag mounting system. Nor could the Rumble seat’s fiberglass base be modified to fit around the brackets as the stock plastic base was. Corbin says it is aware of the problem and is working on a solution.
Extra carrying capacity for our sport-touring CBR came by way of a Held 409 magnetic tankbaa and a
Targa Tail Bag. The tankbag mounts without any straps, held securely in place even in strong crosswinds by its eight-magnet base. In addition to its main compartment, the tankbag has a clear-plastic map pocket and a pair of small, zippered side pouches, and it is expandable, courtesy of its twotiered zip-together design. Targa’s Tail Bag can swallow a full-face helmet, with three additional pockets available for smaller items. Four bungee-cord-mounted plastic hooks secure the bag in place on the rear of the seat.
One characteristic that bothered us on l 990 and '91 C'BRs was a heavyfeeling front end. The earlier model, fitted with Bridgestone rubber, was
the worst offender. On top of that, the front tire wore out quickly when the bike was ridden hard. Our '90 test bike pulverized its front tire in less than 2000 miles of backroad blitzing. Our '91 came fitted with Dunlops, which gave improved feel and better wear, yet within 4000 miles, the front tire was shot.
Looking for extended wear and even better front-end feel, we levered a fresh set of Michelin radiais onto the CBR’s wide rims, an A59 l 20/70l 7 up front and an M59 l 70/60-1 7 in the rear. These ZR-rated tires have a more triangulated profile than the stock Dunlops and they quickened steering slightly. With just 1000 miles on the Michelins, we can't fully evaluate the tires' wear characteris-
ties, but they give every indication of lasting longer than the stock set-up while offering better traction.
Next, we turned our attention to the front brakes. Like almost any stock brake system would, the CBR’s benefited from a change of pads and brake lines. We slipped in a set of 2453-compound Ferodo pads, and the stock rubber brake lines were shelved in lieu of custom-built, steelbraided lines, fabricated at a local bearing house using the stock lines as patterns. To complete the brake upgrade, we filled the master cylinder with Motui 300°C DOT3 brake
Huid, and carefully bled the system.
In hopes of finding radar traps before they found us, we mounted a Liberty radar detector. Manufactured by Whistler, this particular model has been discontinued for several years, although a large supply is still available. Originally priced at $330. the Liberty currently retails for a bargain $99. Although the kit includes mounting hardware fora variety of motorcycles, only three items— the remote receiver, control console and power cable—were needed on the CBR. The remote receiver slipped into the left side of the fairing, held in place with velcro. The console resides behind the ignition switch, also attached w ith velcro. A simple circuit from the battery to the console to the receiver and back to the battery completed the wiring requirements.
We found the con sole-mounted speaker plenty loud around town and at legal freeway speeds. For higher velocities, an earphone jack is provided. Like many detectors, the Liberty system picks up random readings in town, but outside the city limits, the signal was very consistent. On an isolated stretch of roadway, the Liberty detected the official CW topspeed radar gun from about a mile away.
Our final additional was a Datatool Mk. V burglar alarm. A British system that has just come on the market in America, the Mk. V can be purchased at select dealerships, which also install the unit. The alarm is wired into a bike's electrical system, and when activated, triggers a I 13decibel siren and the bike's own horn and turnsignals, as well as incapacitating the bike's ignition circuit.
A key fob with an infrared beam arms and disarms the system w ithin a range of approximately five feet. A small red light, which we mounted on the C’BR’s cockpit fairing, constantly blinks to confirm that the Da ta tool is armed. Although the motion sensor used on the alarm is quite sensitive, a standard motorcycle cover can be fitted without setting off the armed system.
Our modifications—all relatively simple—have transformed the Honda (BRI000 into a dynamite package. It’s still one of our favorite sportbikes, but now it's one of our favorite sport-tourers, as well. S3
SUPPLIERS
Corbin Saddles
11445 Commercial Parkway Castroville, CA 95012 408/633-2500
Custom seat: $225, backrest $100 Rumble seat: $296 Krauser saddlebags: $620
Datatool Alarms
369 South Doheny Dr., Suite 411 Los Angeles. CA 90211 800/992-2527 (in Canada, 416/821-4687) Mk. V alarm: approx. $400 (installed)
Helimot European Accessories
1305 Old Oakland Rd.
San Jose, CA 95133 408/298-9608 Held tankbag: $150
Mesa Bearing, Inc.
1932 Placentia Ave.
Costa Mesa, CA 92627 714/646-1641 Brake lines: $95
Michelin Tire Corp.
P.O. Box 19001 Greenville, SC 29602 803/458-6053 A59 front tire: $115 M59 rear tire: $160
Motul
13555 Ramona St., Suite 5008 Chino, CA 91710 714/627-2263 Brake fluid: $12.50/liter
Performance Research Organization
1194 Shetland Way El Dorado Hills, CA 95630 916/933-4166
Ferodo brake pads: $35/caliper
Targa Accessories
23601 A Ridge Route Dr.
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
714/472-1022
Tail Bag: $60
Zero Gravity
5312 Derry Ave.
Unit D
Agoura Hills, CA 91301 818/597-9791 Windscreen: $85
