Honda CB1100!

[Unkept]

So after all of the fanfare, has anyone actually seen a CB1100 on the road, at least in the U.S.? I haven't. Wonder if it will be pulled from the market after a year or two, like the W650. I hope not.

I've seen one so far, but it was near our local Honda dealer so I have no idea if it was a purchase or just a test drive... ;)

They look nice to me, but I'm not shopping for a bike. Our V11 LeMans and the baby Breva are a nice collection in my eyes.

-Joe

[Travman]

So after all of the fanfare, has anyone actually seen a CB1100 on the road, at least in the U.S.? I haven't. Wonder if it will be pulled from the market after a year or two, like the W650. I hope not.

I havent seen one on the road either. However, I know my local Honda dealer.  Our kids go to school together. He says that he has sold 5 of them.

[rboe]

Via the CB1100 owners forum there are several guys in Phoenix besides me that have them. Word is out that 2014's can be ordered here in the states, but in Australia it has been discontinued.

I have not been out much on mine, between crash (and now surgery) recovery, weather and vacation as well as a 650L and the GRiso to ride (owning four bikes is a cool concept in theory but in reality not such a great idea - but it was a complete accident anyway...) so getting it seen on the road has been a bit problematic.

In a month or so the weather will be better, hopefully the herd will be smaller and I can ride again.

I think they have sold well enough in most areas but I also think it's a limited market and once Honda sells them to all that want one; sales will fall flat quickly. In about five years folks will be clamering for them and they can't be had for wine or song.

[Sack]

So after all of the fanfare, has anyone actually seen a CB1100 on the road, at least in the U.S.? I haven't. Wonder if it will be pulled from the market after a year or two, like the W650. I hope not.

One of my buddy's sons bought one after owning a Kawasaki 1000. He loves it!

[thessler3]

Test ride the CB1100 and you will find one significant fault.  It is a prodigious vibrator with tons of second order vibration.  I don't think it has any balancer shafts, but I am not sure.  The old CB750's were pretty smooth compared to their competition back in 1969 but the increased displacement to 1100 cc of the new model makes a big impact.  The CB1000R with a balancer shaft is much smoother than the CB1100 but also gets buzzy over about 5K RPMS. 

As motors get bigger, expect more vibration.  Some of it is countered by running taller gearing, but the CB1100 does not have tall gearing.  I have a 1973 Ducati 750GT that is much smoother than the air-cooled Ducati 1100 motors today.  The 750GT has fairly modest displacement and fairly tall gearing.  No, it is not particularly fast compared to today's bikes, but is smooth at elevated highway speeds.

[thessler3]

I saw a couple of comments on how much a Griso weighs.  You can weigh your bike with a bathroom scale, assuming it will go up to 300 pounds or so.  All you need is a scale and a couple of 2X4's.

Put one end of the bike on the scale and the other end on the 2X4 and the sidestand on a 2X4.  Mark down the weight.  Reverse the scale & 2X4 to the other wheel leaving the 2X4 under the sidestand and mark down the second weight.  Now put the scale under the sidestand with the 2X4's under the wheels.  Record the third weight.  Add up the three weights and you have an accurate measure.  Maybe not so easy to do, but it is accurate.

Much easier if you have a centerstand (measure centerstand & front wheel only) but the weight on the centerstand can exceed 300lbs. 

I recently weighed my old Ducati 750GT both ways and the measurements matched within 2 lbs.  (433 and 435 lbs.)

[BrianK]

Hello,
Yes indeed, this is a fine looking machine! But I got friend's comments who test-rided it that it is a dull machine whithout vibes and soul.

Gosh, a dull machine without vibes and soul... from Honda?

Unheard of!

[rboe]

Somewhere in the upper 3000rpm range a buzz creeps in. Below that (and in town you'll spend most of your time between 2200 and 3400, mostly right around 3K) it is as smooth as glass and very torquey. Above 65mph I prefer the Griso motor but I have not spent a good hour or more at speed so I reserve the right to change my mind. Short 20 minute bursts at speed seem to be pleasant enough. Just not as pleasant as the Griso joy box. Any vibration I've seen is very minor and of low amplitude (but of a higher frequency than the Moto Guzzi). My Quota thumped more at 5K than this bike.

It's no Griso in the handling department either but then the focus of the two bikes is completely different. If you want a Griso type bike you would not look or waste your time with the CB1100. I'm only comparing them because I have both. Not good data points to start with but better than nothing!

It has character, like most bikes have, it's just not in your face like a V twin can be. Put the time in, get to know the bike (any bike) and the character will reveal its's self. Not saying you will like it, but you'll see it. There are a lot of good bikes out there. Plenty for us to choose from (and making it very unlikely we'll all choose the same bike for even the same reasons.

[Yeahoo Whoyah]

Anybody mention that Honda is offering 1.99% APR for up to 36-months on the 2013 CB1100? 

[boatdetective]

I saw a couple of comments on how much a Griso weighs.  You can weigh your bike with a bathroom scale, assuming it will go up to 300 pounds or so.  All you need is a scale and a couple of 2X4's.

Put one end of the bike on the scale and the other end on the 2X4 and the sidestand on a 2X4.  Mark down the weight.  Reverse the scale & 2X4 to the other wheel leaving the 2X4 under the sidestand and mark down the second weight.  Now put the scale under the sidestand with the 2X4's under the wheels.  Record the third weight.  Add up the three weights and you have an accurate measure.  Maybe not so easy to do, but it is accurate.

Much easier if you have a centerstand (measure centerstand & front wheel only) but the weight on the centerstand can exceed 300lbs. 

I recently weighed my old Ducati 750GT both ways and the measurements matched within 2 lbs.  (433 and 435 lbs.)

Sorry-  I'm missing something. When I read instructions, I take them quite literally. You don't describe how to rig the 2x4s. Whe you say "put he other end on a 2x4", do you mean simply block a section of 2x4 under the wheel and another section under the sidestand?

[biking sailor]

I think he uses 2X4's to counteract the height of the bathroom scale, to keep the bike level.

Makes sense to me.

Darren

[rboe]

If the bike is long and the scale short the induced error will be small. I suspect for most scales of moderate height the error would be small enough to ignore.

[LongRanger]

I didn't need to know about that 1.99% APR offer...


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[Joliet Jim]

I didn't need to know about that 1.99% APR offer...


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now as long as i don't find a honda dealer that will take a centauro in trade I'm safe.

[Stormtruck2]

now as long as i don't find a honda dealer that will take a centauro in trade I'm safe.

I have first dibbies on that Centy!!!  ;)  No trades prior to my right of first refusal!! :D ~;  My fair offer of $500 stills stands.   ;-T  I didn't say fair to who though.  :D ~;

[Lannis]

Anybody mention that Honda is offering 1.99% APR for up to 36-months on the 2013 CB1100? 

What would guys our age be doing with getting further into debt and taking on another payment .... ?   :o

I made 4 payments on a Harley Davidson in 1984 when I was 30, realized how bad I was getting hosed, and paid it off with real money ... haven't BTDT again ....  8)

Lannis

[LowRyter]

I finally went to my Honda dealer.  The CB was gathering dust along with lots of new high tech (capable) bikes, the new 250/500/700 economy-tech bikes, cruisers and Wings.

[Joliet Jim]

Because i can borrow their money at 1.9 and invest mine for a higher return

[Lannis]

Because i can borrow their money at 1.9 and invest mine for a higher return

It's awful hard to make 2%+ off of $8 or $10k in the short term.   **C

Besides which, you aren't getting the same deal for the bike when you buy it on time as you would if you paid cash for it.   That difference alone would swamp out any premium you'd make over what you borrowed ....

There's a reason why bankers and financiers are the wealthy guys .....  ;D

Lannis

[Dogwalker]

Too bad Moto Guzzi does not make a bike like the CB1100 chassis with V8 850cc to 1200cc motor.

Or something based on the Bellagio.

[Tom]

This bike looks small compared to the CB750.  One of the friends bought one and the seat height is low.  He has about a couple of hundred miles on it now.  He says that he'll use it around town.  ::) ::) ::)  The red paint is pretty.

[jas67]

Or something based on the Bellagio.

WANT!

[rboe]

This bike looks small compared to the CB750.  One of the friends bought one and the seat height is low.  He has about a couple of hundred miles on it now.  He says that he'll use it around town.  ::) ::) ::)  The red paint is pretty.

From the questionable rose coloured memories (I spent little if any time on a CB750) it is about the size of the CB900 as I remember it. I would be instructive to place one side by side with an older 750.

This guy has installed the White House kit; simply amazing.
http://www.cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=1123

[Dogwalker]

WANT!

Made in Spain, by the guys of Italo Motos.
http://racingcafe.blogspot.it/2013/07/moto-guzzi-bellagio-936-cr-by-italo.html

It's impressive how simple the conversion is to make a so attractive bike, V7 Racer tank and saddle, lower handlebar, a small modification to the side panels, and the job is done (there are the Griso pipes, but they are not so important to me).

[rboe]

Tougher to do with a Griso chassis.

[Tobit]

Or something based on the Bellagio.

Now that is just a gorgeous, gorgeous bike.  Still not a fan of number plates on street bikes but wow, that thing is clean and executed perfectly.  From a visual standpoint anyway.  I'll have to tell myself that it's probably a pig to ride so I don't lust after it too much.

Tobit.

[Tilter]

Vive La Choice!

Considering there's not a bike on that list (I edited) that I have the SLIGHTEST INTEREST IN OWNING, YET I'D CONSIDER THE CB means YOU don't have to get it...

You wouldn't be interested in a Monster or a Speed Triple?  I've had three Triples and loved them - hated the one absolutely gorgeous Monster I rode.  I think if you like the Griso you will like the Speedie...

[Dave Swanson]

I had resisted the charm of the CB until I saw it up close at Rockerbox.  A very good looking bike!!

[Kev m]

Besides which, you aren't getting the same deal for the bike when you buy it on time as you would if you paid cash for it.

Facts not in evidence, especially if dealer gets a piece of the finance pie.

You wouldn't be interested in a Monster or a Speed Triple?  I've had three Triples and loved them - hated the one absolutely gorgeous Monster I rode.  I think if you like the Griso you will like the Speedie...

We own a Monster, I've ridden a number of sporting Triumphs, including a Speed Triple. Still not interested.

Griso is a different animal to me, though I'd probably still pass on it.

Or something based on the Bellagio.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHH  :drool :drool :drool

[faffi]

For 2014, the CB1100EX will have wire wheels, 4-2 exhaust and a 6-speed tranny plus some chrome trim on the clocks.