Coming to America, CB1100

Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2012 1:03 am

But the average 600cc bike makes more power these days..
Its a silly undertaking by Honda IMO..

Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2012 3:17 am

What were they thinking? 18" wheels with 140 series tire on the rear! Many of us have more serious rubber on our F's. Not bad looking but fails in every spec category. Kawasaki did the ZRX the right way.

Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2012 3:35 am

Finally, though, there is a decent flat seat for a pillion. I've had the same rider since 1970. She detests the modern seats for their passenger accommodations. She claims the best seat is still the one on our 1969 CB-750. She is a bit long-legged and likes the passenger pegs as low as they can go without being a hazard on sporting roads. This new bike has promise.

We recently bought a 2002 Triumph Sprint ST largely because of the seat and pegs. (BTW, it is sneaky FAST and rock steady in the curves.) R-90-S's also have good ergos. Honda hasn't made anything we've been interested in for 10 years or more. VFR's are solo only, 1300ST's are too porky, I'm not old enough for a GoldWing yet, that new VFR1300 thing doesn't float my boat. The Kawa ZRX and Suzuki 1200 Bandits come closer. Our 1100-F is better than all of them, though. I'd pay $12 large for new one with good shocks, FI or CR's, and 50lbs trimmed out someplace. I'm sure I'm not alone on this board with that wish.

Tyson

Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2012 12:29 pm

To me this bike is more a replica of the 750Four. There is a great following of these bikes and this new CB1100 should be a great improvement for them. Definitely not a replica of the F. Maybe Honda will do one in the near future.

Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2012 12:38 pm

If Honda could have found a way to shed 50 or so pounds off this bike,,it would still be a bit under powered, but being 50 pounds lighter would really improve my opinion of the bike. this is a modern bike yet the 1979 750F is lighter than this thing

Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2012 2:24 pm

Yes.....it's disappointing that this thing only pumps out 85hp. Man....I was hoping for something closer to 95.

That definitely put a damper on my interest a bit, especially with the price tag.

My guess is that they've angled this towards the retro bike guys who ridden Triumphs and want a little more umpf....but not enough to scare them. The Bonnie's are super tame. I won't say lame, I mean they're fun, and look cool....but they're not exciting. At 85hp, this thing will be more exciting for sure....but, yeah...it will get smoked by old guys on adventure bikes.

It is what it is - retro coolness. Unique for sure. But failed to capture the muscle and iconic fame, power, and early 80's styling of its predecessors.

I'd like to test ride one and see exactly how tame it is. If it has more punch than my '82 Gpz750, then I'm definitely interested. But for now, I think my search for an awesome black 900F still continues!

Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2012 2:56 pm

If anyone goes to Daytona bike week, Honda always has a HUGE tent area with all thier bikes for test rides. I would be suprised if they didn't have one there

Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2012 3:05 pm

CowTownBiomed wrote:

But the average 600cc bike makes more power these days..
Its a silly undertaking by Honda IMO..

Not a good comparison....
Two cylinders (300cc) of a modern 600 makes more power than all
of a 883 cc Harley......wrap your head around that.....a Harley is 1/3 as effcient!
At least the new Honda is only 1/2 as efficient.....and it has a chance of running more than a 100 mph in the 1/4 mile!
Laughing

Peace,
Jebby

Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2012 3:22 pm

Jebbysan wrote:

CowTownBiomed wrote:

But the average 600cc bike makes more power these days..
Its a silly undertaking by Honda IMO..

Not a good comparison....
Two cylinders (300cc) of a modern 600 makes more power than all
of a 883 cc Harley......wrap your head around that.....a Harley is 1/3 as effcient!
At least the new Honda is only 1/2 as efficient.....and it has a chance of running more than a 100 mph in the 1/4 mile!
Laughing

Peace,
Jebby

Some Sportster yes,, but NOT all Sportsters and certainly NOT all HD's

Anyone care to run thier 1123F or 1147 CBX against a Harley V-Rod,,1250cc, makes 125 bhp and runs in the 11 second range 1/4 mile

Engine Displacement to Weight (cc) 1.96

Performance
Horsepower (bhp): 125 bhp
Torque (Ft Lbs): 83.3 lbs

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/2013/harley_davidson/v_rod/night_rod_special/specifications/125941/05

Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2012 3:56 pm

cbxdog wrote:

Jebbysan wrote:

CowTownBiomed wrote:

But the average 600cc bike makes more power these days..
Its a silly undertaking by Honda IMO..

Not a good comparison....
Two cylinders (300cc) of a modern 600 makes more power than all
of a 883 cc Harley......wrap your head around that.....a Harley is 1/3 as effcient!
At least the new Honda is only 1/2 as efficient.....and it has a chance of running more than a 100 mph in the 1/4 mile!
Laughing

Peace,
Jebby

Some Sportster yes,, but NOT all Sportsters and certainly NOT all HD's

Anyone care to run thier 1123F or 1147 CBX against a Harley V-Rod,,1250cc, makes 125 bhp and runs in the 11 second range 1/4 mile

Engine Displacement to Weight (cc) 1.96

Performance
Horsepower (bhp): 125 bhp
Torque (Ft Lbs): 83.3 lbs

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/2013/harley_davidson/v_rod/night_rod_special/specifications/125941/05

Good debate....I rode a V-Rod the other day...and it was impressive....but it is not a real Harley in the Old School respect...it is a bit of a bastard child....

Even the XR1200 only makes 85 horsepower....a guy at work here has one....and it is a rip...I rode it too....wheelie monster....
Getting a bit off track....but I believe Honda's intent to bring this to the states is direct competition for the Bonneville....which makes 67 horsepower from its 860 cc's...and weighs 100 lbs. less....

Magazine shootout material....

http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/triumph_bonneville_2010.php

Jebby

Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2012 10:54 pm

Yeah - this definitely is meant to be in the Triumph Thunderbird Sport 900, Thruxton, W650, or heck....even the Ducati 1000 Sport Classic class.

To bring back what someone else mentioned earlier....Kawi really had it right with the ZRX11 and 1200's....and Honda had the chance to answer with this thing and didn't go there.

The Thunderbird Sport 900 looks awesome and will dance circles around the Thruxton's tame 67hp. But, like the GB500 and W650, there just wasn't interest and it only was around for two, maybe three years, I think.

You know....the only thing that worries me is that other than the Bonnie, we're comparing this new 1100 to bikes that didn't last..........

Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2012 12:25 am

The rotors look like the F2 style but are full floaters.

Has anyone seem the rotor up close and can the F2's be modified similarly to become floating rotors?

Jim

Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2012 12:50 am

f4fast wrote:

Looks like Honda is concentrating on making cheap bikes to a low price point now.

Looks as if it was designed to get new buyers into the game.

-A basic twenty first century UJM.....

-Not many "tasty morsel" parts on that thing.

-I don't think that bike appeals to enthusiasts.....

But Kawasaki hit all the right buttons with their ZRX and that didn't sell well either

I was thinking exactly the same thing! My clearly biased opinion is that the ZRX is a much better looking bike and I suspect significantly more competent.

I had a chance to buy a 'last years' brand new silver ZRX the second year they were 1200's for a bout $6500 and I've kicked myself in the ass ever since for not doing it. If it had been a blue one, I would have jumped and would still own it today.

Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2012 1:02 am

It's about a grand too expensive, missing a gear, and also missing about 25 HP. Otherwise it looks OK, and might be a less finicky maintenance hog. But I think it was a mistake to build it so devoid of improvements in power, gears, and tires. The tires really leave something to be desired. It should have tires in sizes that you can buy decent radials in. And it could carry a bit more fuel too.

Just because we'd like our UJMs back, doesn't mean we wanted them to go backwards in performance. I'll bet a low mileage original and perfect 83 CB1100F would kick that bike's ass all up and down the canyon. About the only thing better on it looks like the brakes and maybe the maintenance and parts availability. But those will be real expensive.

And being a Honda, I wouldn't count on it being easy to give it a 25HP power boost either, or numerous other things you might like to change.

Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2012 1:09 am

We have one of the ZRX's the 1100. That bike is a bitch to work on just to get the valve cover off.

As to power it has 5 low gears. Throttle and start shifting getting in to 5th where it stays. Drives like a tractor and has no power or revs.

First deal got a real header. The stock pipe actually has a muffler inside the collector. This really helped,got a Kerker off E-Bay. Got us say 3000 rpm,stock was dead by 7000 and made it a decent bike to ride.

Now is getting the ZX cams to replace the stock ZRX cams. Made it dead in the middle because the cams were not degreed correctly but now runs on top.

Even as this Kawasaki ended this bike and was water cooled and modern design.

Wonder how many dogs Honda must make before finally figuring out it is not the standard bike styling it is the non performance as the reason they do not sell.

Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2012 3:50 am

I think it looks outdated and lame. Im not exactly the demographic in my mid 20's but i sure as shit wouldnt spend 10k on it. A new rc8 though Yessir!

Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2012 12:21 pm

Bucko wrote:

f4fast wrote:

Looks like Honda is concentrating on making cheap bikes to a low price point now.

Looks as if it was designed to get new buyers into the game.

-A basic twenty first century UJM.....

-Not many "tasty morsel" parts on that thing.

-I don't think that bike appeals to enthusiasts.....

But Kawasaki hit all the right buttons with their ZRX and that didn't sell well either

I was thinking exactly the same thing! My clearly biased opinion is that the ZRX is a much better looking bike and I suspect significantly more competent.

I had a chance to buy a 'last years' brand new silver ZRX the second year they were 1200's for a bout $6500 and I've kicked myself in the ass ever since for not doing it. If it had been a blue one, I would have jumped and would still own it today.

Not too late to buy one. Just bought a 03 Blue one and loving it. Out performs the F in every area. Still love my Blue 1100F but now I can concentrate on keeping it all original instead of trying to improve its performance. The ZRX is a bike you would not mind to mod. Plenty of upgrades available and no shortage of parts.

Posted: Sat Nov 17, 2012 2:55 am

easyc wrote:

To me this bike is more a replica of the 750Four. There is a great following of these bikes and this new CB1100 should be a great improvement for them. Definitely not a replica of the F. Maybe Honda will do one in the near future.

You must have taken the time to watch the video from Honda about this bike. The original 750/4 was voted as the bike of the century. This bike has a similar styling. They are trying to go after that market. It is called a CB-1100, not an 1100F. Two totally different bikes with only the Honda name in common. Would I buy one, no. Too many other bikes out there with a better ride, performance, and overall value for the dollar. But comparing it to an F is apples to oranges.

Posted: Sat Nov 17, 2012 2:39 pm

I have a freind who works for a Canadian bike magazine. He is a longtime Honda fan, in fact he still has the 11F that he bought back in 87 (I know this because it has been in my garage for 7 years).
Anyhoo, when I got my F this spring he said he was going to try and come up with a cool idea where he could incorporate it into some sort of article. He has thrown out a few ideas, but last week we both had similar thoughts....even though this new model isn't an F, a full colour multi page article - side by side comparison, 83 1100F vs 13 1100, new vs old, acceleration, braking etc etc etc.
Who knows, may never happen, but I think if he can get his hands on the new 1100 next year. he will try to make it happen.
Steve

Posted: Sat Nov 17, 2012 3:20 pm

Jeeeezzzzzzzzzzz, this is a tough crowd!! I thought I was on the Goldwing forum for a minute. I like it but then I'm older than most of you here and still obsessed with the SOHC4's and enjoy riding my DOHC 750F. I'm looking forward to seeing it in the flesh which probably will be in the Spring here. Cliff.

Posted: Sat Nov 17, 2012 8:34 pm

I think it looks more like a "K" then an "F"

Posted: Sat Nov 17, 2012 9:16 pm

Am I only thinking a Suzuki but does Honda also have a modern engine,ie water cooled 1300cc naked bike?

I for one would much rather have the larger engine as well as no body work.

Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2012 11:41 pm

Just saw this picture posted on another forum. Make the exhaust chrome, return the fenders to chrome or paint them red, paint the fairing and side covers red possibly with silver accents to match the tank -- and I'd ride it all day long!

Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2012 11:48 pm

Another view. The seat really transforms the bike.

Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2012 12:12 am

I am loving it without the chrome. With the addition of the bikini flaring and maybe a tail with the piggy back shocks and sidecovers and front fender painted the color of the bike it begins to look like a F. Performance would still be lacking.

Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2012 12:25 am

Found this video online, too. Apparently it is not a new concept (from 2010).

Click Here

Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2012 12:41 am

Sounds pretty good with a Pipemasters exhaust.......

Link

Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2012 12:55 am

cbxdog wrote:

Jebbysan wrote:

CowTownBiomed wrote:

But the average 600cc bike makes more power these days..
Its a silly undertaking by Honda IMO..

Not a good comparison....
Two cylinders (300cc) of a modern 600 makes more power than all
of a 883 cc Harley......wrap your head around that.....a Harley is 1/3 as effcient!
At least the new Honda is only 1/2 as efficient.....and it has a chance of running more than a 100 mph in the 1/4 mile!
Laughing

Peace,
Jebby

Some Sportster yes,, but NOT all Sportsters and certainly NOT all HD's

Anyone care to run thier 1123F or 1147 CBX against a Harley V-Rod,,1250cc, makes 125 bhp and runs in the 11 second range 1/4 mile

Engine Displacement to Weight (cc) 1.96

Performance
Horsepower (bhp): 125 bhp
Torque (Ft Lbs): 83.3 lbs

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/2013/harley_davidson/v_rod/night_rod_special/specifications/125941/05

Perhaps not one of our Vintage 80's bikes, but I regularly blow the doors off of the V-Rod with my K1200S..
And its 7 years older than the HD's too..
And let me tell you, its fun, when you pull up beside them doing 220Km/hr..slow down to thier speed, then pull away like they are standing still...ya that kind of fun, watching them WOT on there brand new $20,000 bike and looking for more, as you pull away on your $8000 one without even having to really try.. Laughing

Even the new Diavel doesnt have that type of performance, or the V-max...they are just like the V-Rod..
With the added comfort, all the bells and whistles, suspension..you name it..

167BHP and 95.9FtLbs
They say 10.2sec 1/4mile but I have only been able to make high 11's at 3500' ASL..still fun though..maybe I need to loose some weight.. Very Happy

Link

Link

Compairing a V-rod to a CB1100F is as foolish as comparing a V-rod to a K1200S...
Besides this is a Honda forum..we already know what kind of crap HD makes...

Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2012 1:35 am

Yup.

Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2012 5:49 pm

Here is what i'd do to the CB1100.
F seat, tail cowl and tail light, front fender