Living with X11

[Guest Andrew]

Hi Folks

Happy new year to you all !!

Not been on here much at all ...life changes and all

Anyway... just thought I would pass on some info about my LIFE with my X11

Now approach 40,000 miles ....30,000 in past couple of years since I bought it.

Firstly without a doubt THE most reliable bike I have owned...and now been riding for 40 yrs

Cant wait to get rid of this snow..and get the feel good..BIG grin back on my face

Run bike on semi synthetic oil...though have tried full syn. and spoke to to few HONDA Blackbird specialists who have recommended the semi stuff , as it has proven great on high, high mileage bikes...but of course your choice.

Changed plugs at 9-10,000 miles with recommended plugs , and although looked OK , when removed , bike felt so much sweeter , powerful with new installed.

Have ORIGINAL chain , sprockets on bike , and still looking good for a few more miles !!! Have Scottoiler in situation, which obviously has helped greatly BUT I perhaps have been too good to the chain , by brushing it with oil prior to most runs , only takes a matter of seconds

AND no I do not pussy about at 45 miles an hour...this X11 gets run..and power used.

Tyres !!! The big money issue..lol

Tried in pairs and mix and matched... really LITTLE difference !!

Avon . Michelin , Bridgestone and Continental all used

I have found worst wear..Bridgestone...toast at 3,000 miles , whilst best for wear and overall use Continental , with replacement at 5000 rear

Best price was in France 2010...Euro 101 , for Michelin !!!!rear

Brake pads... using HONDA stuff..with front lasting 30k..( yes , I use engine braking ) but certainly new ones fitted are much stronger..maybe new material from Honda ?

Gear box..best ever had..and getting smoother / better with age

Be aware CHAIN needs to be looked after..correct tension ( I may have only adjusted 4 times..and run slacker than book says )..and in MY experience if not correct alignment , you may suffer from vibration through bars , other than the wee tingle at 5k which I believe they all have

Petrol , anything between 40-50 depending on right hand

Cold hands... NOT an issue in south of France , in fact was too hot some days..difficult to get hand into leather gloves...sticky !!

But here ...tried heated grips ..warm the palms ..fingers cold...so bought , Italian Bar Muffs £46.00 and whilst look naff ...keep cold, wind and rain off the wee paws... and make riding so much comfier and safer !! AND can be removed in minutes .

Corrosion ..LITTLE ..great build quality .. use WD40 to protect vulnerable places..and re-apply after power washing , (careful not to get into wheel bearings , electrics obviously etc.)

Tank bag used all rides..and paint still looking strong

Wear AEROSTICH 1 pc suit and a heated kidney belt in colder days...and when used (including when used heated grips) no issues with electric power / draw.

Still original battery

Bike overall..GREAT ..so much usable power , ANY gear , ANY revs..it goes..stable and loves fast sweeping A roads

Comfy ..they could all be better ... but 1450 miles back from France was OK.. in spite of 1000 of those in rain..then heavy rain..then canny see a bloody thing stuff

Use sometimes an AIRHAWK cushion to help...works well

OK..could go on and on....BUT OVERALL A GREAT BIKE..FANTASTIC ENGINE..

ONLY EVER failure !! Sitting at Calais after 1000+ miles most in heavy rain , and when asked to start and go on to ferry....NOTHING !!

AHHHHH .... lucky I carry spare key / fob , so that worked first touch of button.

Back home..... main key / fob , had by then dried out, and worked fine.

..so much rain through France , one can hardly expect anything to work

[Guest Andrew]

Hi Folks

Happy new year to you all !!

Not been on here much at all ...life changes and all

Anyway... just thought I would pass on some info about my LIFE with my X11

Now approach 40,000 miles ....30,000 in past couple of years since I bought it.

Firstly without a doubt THE most reliable bike I have owned...and now been riding for 40 yrs

Cant wait to get rid of this snow..and get the feel good..BIG grin back on my face

Run bike on semi synthetic oil...though have tried full syn. and spoke to to few HONDA Blackbird specialists who have recommended the semi stuff , as it has proven great on high, high mileage bikes...but of course your choice.

Changed plugs at 9-10,000 miles with recommended plugs , and although looked OK , when removed , bike felt so much sweeter , powerful with new installed.

Have ORIGINAL chain , sprockets on bike , and still looking good for a few more miles !!! Have Scottoiler in situation, which obviously has helped greatly BUT I perhaps have been too good to the chain , by brushing it with oil prior to most runs , only takes a matter of seconds

AND no I do not pussy about at 45 miles an hour...this X11 gets run..and power used.

Tyres !!! The big money issue..lol

Tried in pairs and mix and matched... really LITTLE difference !!

Avon . Michelin , Bridgestone and Continental all used

I have found worst wear..Bridgestone...toast at 3,000 miles , whilst best for wear and overall use Continental , with replacement at 5000 rear

Best price was in France 2010...Euro 101 , for Michelin !!!!rear

Brake pads... using HONDA stuff..with front lasting 30k..( yes , I use engine braking ) but certainly new ones fitted are much stronger..maybe new material from Honda ?

Gear box..best ever had..and getting smoother / better with age

Be aware CHAIN needs to be looked after..correct tension ( I may have only adjusted 4 times..and run slacker than book says )..and in MY experience if not correct alignment , you may suffer from vibration through bars , other than the wee tingle at 5k which I believe they all have

Petrol , anything between 40-50 depending on right hand

Cold hands... NOT an issue in south of France , in fact was too hot some days..difficult to get hand into leather gloves...sticky !!

But here ...tried heated grips ..warm the palms ..fingers cold...so bought , Italian Bar Muffs £46.00 and whilst look naff ...keep cold, wind and rain off the wee paws... and make riding so much comfier and safer !! AND can be removed in minutes .

Corrosion ..LITTLE ..great build quality .. use WD40 to protect vulnerable places..and re-apply after power washing , (careful not to get into wheel bearings , electrics obviously etc.)

Tank bag used all rides..and paint still looking strong

Wear AEROSTICH 1 pc suit and a heated kidney belt in colder days...and when used (including when used heated grips) no issues with electric power / draw.

Still original battery

Bike overall..GREAT ..so much usable power , ANY gear , ANY revs..it goes..stable and loves fast sweeping A roads

Comfy ..they could all be better ... but 1450 miles back from France was OK.. in spite of 1000 of those in rain..then heavy rain..then canny see a bloody thing stuff

Use sometimes an AIRHAWK cushion to help...works well

OK..could go on and on....BUT OVERALL A GREAT BIKE..FANTASTIC ENGINE..

ONLY EVER failure !! Sitting at Calais after 1000+ miles most in heavy rain , and when asked to start and go on to ferry....NOTHING !!

AHHHHH .... lucky I carry spare key / fob , so that worked first touch of button.

Back home..... main key / fob , had by then dried out, and worked fine.

..so much rain through France , one can hardly expect anything to work

PS....Added a 5mm shim between rear shock and frame !!!!!!!!!!!

Bike turns in so much quicker..easier

A great wee modification

[blueboy 138]

HI Andy glad you are back seems you had a full life since last post,the 5mm shim is something I may try and also good feedback on tyres thanks Bry

[Kenko 335]

A great write up Andy..

[Mick 162]

Book or film next? Good, useful info, well done.

[Guest catsx11]

Nah, keep it as a screen play

Good write up

[Guest raeman]

Nice one Andrew. Good to have you back.

[Guest JamesCates]

Welcome back Andrew and wish I'd heard about that 5mm shim before I'd left the UK w/out my X! HAHA