Honda's New CB1100 concepts

[Travman]

What do you think of Honda's latest CB1100 concepts shown at the Tokyo show?  I see the tank shape has changed. I may have to test ride one of these.

[rboe]

Dang! Maybe the ol' gal ain't dead after all! I was never a fan of the silver side covers (replaced mine with red from 2014).

A test ride is dicey. I love mine around town. On the open road, less so.

[Lannis]

If I were to pack it in and buy a Japanese in-line four, it would be the Suzuki Bandit or this ....

Strictly one-up for me, though, Fay and I test-rode a CB1100 at the Honda dealer and it's too short-coupled for the two of us together.

Lannis

[rocker59]

They're looking better.  Those tanks look much improved.

I'm done with Japanese 4-cylinder bikes, though my CB650SC was pretty kickass when I was a teenager...

[AJ Huff]

Love these!

-AJ

[LowRyter]

They're looking better.  Those tanks look much improved.

I'm done with Japanese 4-cylinder bikes, though my CB650SC was pretty kickass when I was a teenager...

The Tuono and Suzuki GSX-S1000 both are pretty tempting.

[ohiorider]

I like what Honda is doing with the bike.

I have a little extra biking money since selling the ever-lovely Tenni Green Griso 8vSE.  It's not burning a hole in my pocket, and I'm in no huge rush to fill the vacant slot in the garage, but when I do, I'm thinking maybe something a bit less 'exotic' than another Guzzi.  After all, I still have the sweetheart of heavy sport-tourers, my 1200 Sport, to satisfy my Guzzi habit.

I'm a rider who doesn't think a Bonnie is too small to take on a multi-day, 4000 mile road trip.  And when I look at the CB1100, I think it would also fill that role in spades, maybe better than the 865cc Bonneville.

What kind of bucks is Honda talking about?  $10-11k for one of these machines?

Talk to me, Honda dudes!

Bob

BTW, Guzzi ..... if you intend to do a big block standard ... hurry up.  I don't have forever.

[rboe]

My CB has made me realize I prefer singles or twins. So far I still prefer the looks of mine compared to the two models shown. For the most part. Still would like spoked wheels. Oh well.

Now that said, the CB rides nicer than the Griso, is much more nimble and just plain easier to ride. Where the Griso excels, touring on the road, fast sweepers (almost a tie) and 70mph roll ons. The Griso leaps, the CB spools up (OK, the CB is down about 20hp and hauling the same mass so it's tough to match up). Looks wise, apples and oranges.

Alas; I may end up taking the CB to the Death Valley Guzzi Gathering instead of the Griso as she may be showing signs of early tappet failure. That will be a kick in the pants.

[rboe]

So far, Honda has not said they will bring the CB back. You are looking used but I hear there are some new old stock to be had. Check the CB1100 forum for any rumors.

I've ridden a couple Bonnies, prefer the CB. Motor has more character than the stock Bonnie, tons of torque and when wound out, that wonderful inline turbine sound in anger. I do prefer the steam locomotive pulses on the Griso, but both have their nice spots.

Very easy bike to ride, simply a joy to ride in town. She eases out of stops, brakes are better than the Griso (I heard they came from the 1100R model, very linear and aggressive). Beefy frame, handles very well (I don't know how it compares to true sport bikes, but others that do also compare it very favorably - but their equal).

Should be able to get one for well under $10.

[Kev m]

The black one is STUNNING.

[steven c]

I second that.

[wymple]

I prefer the yellow

[jas67]

The Tuono and Suzuki GSX-S1000 both are pretty tempting.

The GSX-S1000 is a fun bike to ride, but, the I4 sound leave me wanting. 

For those who may not know, the GSX-S1000 has the old K5 GSXR1000 motor (longer stroken/smaller bore than the current GSXR) retuned for better low and mid-range torque.     They did a good job.    It's torque is more like a V-twin (think 1200 Monster), but has top end too.    6th gear roll on from 55 to 90 is pretty impressive.   Of course, lower gears are more so.

After my test ride, I got back on my Monster 796, and was very happy with what I've got!     I don't want or need 140 HP and  I like the sound of the  air cooled Desmo V-twin sound WAY better.

[jas67]

The black one is STUNNING.

 :1:

[jbell]

I prefer the yellow

 :1:

[bad Chad]

I bet they don't come here.  The originals didn't sell very well.  And the guys that wanted them bought them, don't think Honda will risk having them wither on the floor.

[ohiorider]

I bet they don't come here.  The originals didn't sell very well.  And the guys that wanted them bought them, don't think Honda will risk having them wither on the floor.

You are probably right.  The Japanese manufacturers are finally getting wise to our motorcycle publications when they say "bring it, we'll buy it."  I was one of the small number who bought a Kaw W650 and rode the wheels off of it for 50,000 miles.  If Kaw had brought the W800 to the States, I would most likely have done the same with one of those.  But unfortunately for a small bunch of us, the Japanese have seen through our bike writers' encouraging prose, and now interpret it as "bring it, we'll buy it ..... oh, just kidding."

[Lannis]

You are probably right.  The Japanese manufacturers are finally getting wise to our motorcycle publications when they say "bring it, we'll buy it."

Yep.  If they're wondering what people will buy, all they have to do is park beside a popular curvy road anywhere in the country some nice day and take notes ..... The buying pattern will change VERY slowly ....

Lannis

[O]

We should be all the more thankful for Guzzi's low production output, and therefore low sales expectations.  I don't have the numbers but it wouldn't surprise me if the CB1100 outsold the top selling V7 last year.

[lucydad]

Love the yellow.

Vintage Honda CB 4 cylinder bikes fascinate me as I dreamed of a brown CB 500 four back around 1972.  Never made the dream happen.
Damn pretty bike, but I will take either my V7R or Triumph STRX instead.

Waiting to see what Luigi has behind the curtain.  Decided the big block Audace is likely too heavy for me. 

Guzzi ride Friday!!  Yay!!  Had last work day today!!  Time window is about to open wide as a barn door.

[rodekyll]

It's not a bad looking 'standard' bike.  If you threatened me with an ice cream headache, I'd take the black one -- with the yellow tank.

[stomatomoto]

  This changes everything... SO MUCH WANT.

[Dogwalker]

I was one of the small number who bought a Kaw W650 and rode the wheels off of it for 50,000 miles.  If Kaw had brought the W800 to the States, I would most likely have done the same with one of those.

Or you would have been one of several thousand stuck on the roadside with a problem to the fuel pump that Kawasaki recalled only two and half years later.

Obviously, many bikes are recalled for problems, but that of the W800 was particularly annoying, since the bikes could simply cease to function at any time and without warnings, and that, coupled with the lateness of the maker in taking actions, hampered the sales of the model soon after  it's introduction in Europe.

[Kev m]

Or you would have been one of several thousand stuck on the roadside with a problem to the fuel pump that Kawasaki recalled only two and half years later.

Obviously, many bikes are recalled for problems, but that of the W800 was particularly annoying, since the bikes could simply cease to function at any time and without warnings, and that, coupled with the lateness of the maker in taking actions, hampered the sales of the model soon after  it's introduction in Europe.

Wait, this sounds vaguely familiar. You mean like a manufacturer that say used a sub-standard fuel hose in the tank, which allowed the hoses to slide off and the bike to be suddenly stranded with no warning. That they never actually even recalled and seemingly took years to fix in production?

Where have I heard this before? 

[cruzziguzzi]

Wait, this sounds vaguely familiar. You mean like a manufacturer that say used a sub-standard fuel hose in the tank, which allowed the hoses to slide off and the bike to be suddenly stranded with no warning. That they never actually even recalled and seemingly took years to fix in production?

Where have I heard this before? 

While I've "seen that movie too..." it's still better than the manufacturer which set things up in such a way as to have the fuel pump blow the external fuel filter off and spray the rider with gasoline in the turbulence of a horrendously designed fairing... wait, never mind, all the same-same builder.

Drat, curse and tarnation upon Luigi!

The Hondas? I dig 'em, will enjoy seeing them on the road, appreciate what the resurgence of proper "standards" (not the faux lip-service versions of the 90's-00's) may say about society in general but like as not, would not be a buyer.

Todd.

[Mile High Guzzi]

I will give you my full impressions after LongRanger lets me ride his CB Deluxe someday  , but I pretty much like all the variants of the design.  I am a sucker for bikes with big round headlights, but it has been years since I have owned an inline 4, all my current bikes have two cylinders of various configurations.

I bought a '14 Deluxe to replace my V7C as a casual Sunday Bike. Obviously it's a different animal but it works better for me. It's a bit characterless compared to the Guzzi, but it has no pretentions and is just a good, solid (heavy), quiet, torquey bike, nicely suited when you just want to go for a ride and not make a big fuss about it. I'm not fond of these two concept bikes -- they're not as classical looking as the '14's in my opinion, but that's just personal taste. Hopefully we'll see them in the dealerships because there were no '15's and the bike is otherwise discontinued from what I understand.

[rboe]

If you are ever in Phoenix you are welcome to try out my CB1100 too.

[MGPilot]

I was thinking I might like to look at their V-4, but then saw it weighed 720 lbs.

[Offcamber1]

Needs a Vetter Windjammer

[rboe]

Needs a Vetter Windjammer

A couple guys are doing that over on the CB1100 forum. I'm considering a Pacifico Aero fairing. A bit smaller and lighter than the Windjammer.