Honda's New CB1100 concepts

[jas67]

Which V-4 ? Not the VFR 800 .

  Dusty

ST1300
CTX1300

[jas67]

Ahh ...couldn't make the connection from CB1100 to either one of those behemoths .

  Dusty

Me neither, but, they're the only V4's that Honda make which weigh in the 700 lb. range.

[Murray]

I really don't understand why they don't just paint them beige, then people would immediately understand what the bike is all about.

[ohiorider]

Stopped by a very nice Honda-only (is there such a thing?) shop east of Burton, Ohio, almost into Middlefield, Ohio.  They had 3-4 CB1100s on the floor at very attractive prices.

I somewhat agree with a previous poster, yeah, maybe beige is the right color.  However, I may just take the $$ from the recent Griso sale and spring for a leftover 2014 CB1100.  I like the concept of a smooth engine, an easy to actuate clutch, a relatively narrow bike, and quite simply, what in the past would have been categorized as 'Motorcycle 101.' 

After all, I still have the 1200 Sport to keep me tuned into the Guzzi forum, and the older yet Beemer R100GS (1991) so that I stay informed of all things airhead.

But, perhaps, just maybe, a CB1100 might make a nice ride for someone wanting a 'hit the key and it starts everytime' machine.  Now, of course, I'm basing my reliability concepts on what I've heard about Honda over the years. Maybe they really aren't that reliable, and I'll be disappointed.

I've been disappointed before.

Bob

[rboe]

Check out the forum: http://cb1100forum.com/forum/index.php

It's not roses, cold beer and easy good looking women. But it's close.   

Biggest complaint: Not powerful enough, not fast enough. Simple case of folks thinking or wanting the bike to be one thing - and its' not.
Second complaint: Too quiet. Very subjective, but I'm a fan of quiet. Your mileage may vary.
Third complaint: Seat sucks. Again, subjective, but it appears many folks think the seat is good for an hour or so then they need break. Solutions are all over the board.
Forth complaint: It needs farckles, pick your poison, anywhere from putting on CB500 mirrors to a Whitehouse Kit to make it look like a 1976 CB750.

I added SW Motek case savers, Lamm seat, CB500 mirrors, rear rack, and 2014 side covers (my personal nit-pic, non-color matched side covers) and a windscreen (well, three actually, they get moved around).

You can ride it like a beige bike and it will be one of the best damn beige bikes you've ever ridden. But it has a wild side (not crazy red head Italian gal crazy, but it can cause you to change your shorts  ).

[MGPilot]

In general, I think there's a lot to like in Honda reliability.

On the other hand, don't their bikes seem relatively heavy? 

I see similar engines/displacements in other marques, and Honda often seems heavier--as much as 120 lbs heavier for about the same sized engine.

Why would a manufacturer allow that other than it's probably cheaper to make? 

I suppose it might be more stable on the highway, but a lot harder to wrestle around at slower speeds. It's probably just me, but as a bike approaches 600+ pounds (and upward), it really starts to become a lump. Not that it won't handle well at speed....but a lot of your attention seems to go to managing the weight rather than just riding.

What am I missing?

[Penderic]

Reminds me a little of my old CB750 - had one of the first ones before anyone else did. Lots of attention back then, Four Pipes! Wow! Had her for 13 years and by then everone was sick of them ... "its just an old UJM", thats all, they would say.

But I was the first to make lots of never heard before, on a street bike, sounds from those pipes! It was great.


Exactly like mine!

[Penderic]

Looks exactly the same to me!

 

[rboe]

Some folks do see the point and bless their hearts they do it as it makes for interesting conversation. But ain't my cup of tea either.

There are a lot of really good bikes out there, buy what you like and what spins your propeller. Thank goodness there are choices for each of us.

[Cage Free]

The black one is STUNNING.

Lose the way over done café racer checkered flag stripes and I think it would look better.

[Nic in Western NYS]

Me neither, but, they're the only V4's that Honda make which weigh in the 700 lb. range.

I loved the V4 750 in the Magna but that was 18 years ago.   A lot of 'character' with that one.  I'll never by an inline 4 due to the frequency of the buzz - v4 I'd consider for sure.