The CB1100 Community Forum

How about a winter-time thread since it's a bit slow around here...

When did you buy your current CB1100? Have you owned more than 1?  New...used...miles / kilometers...and maybe the earliest photo you have of your CB1100?  

I bought my 2017ex in Feb of 2018.  It was a new left-over on sale and I drove 4 hours to a dealer east of Seattle to pickup it home.  It has just under 31k miles.

 
I also had a 2014 Standard; I also bought it on sale as a left over, back in Jan of 2015.  I owned it 2.5 years and traded it in for a Triumph Speed Twin. It had around 14k miles when I let it go.



Would love to hear stories of your CB1100 acquisition.

In December 2010, after an absence of many years, I decided to get back into motorcycling. I bought a second-hand Honda Shadow.


A couple of days later I went to the Honda dealer to buy a jacket and was struck by a white 4-cylinder bike in the showroom. It must have been one of the first CB1100s to come to Australia. It was almost the bike I'd wanted in my late teens when the CB500-4 seemed the bike for me. This new-fangled version was missing the 4 exhaust pipes a proper bike would have had. But it was still lovely. The salesperson encouraged me to take it for a ride. I resisted knowing I'd just want it. It was also a great deal more than I was prepared to pay for a bike before I was sure I would stick with riding again. So I lusted but walked away.

Over the next couple of years I saw very few of them about, but every time I did see one, I was again struck by how attractive I found them.

In July 2013 a mate came to stay and we went on a motorcycle rally for the day. We got to talking about bikes and the CB1100 specifically and he told me that, if it was the bike I really wanted, I should get one. If I didn't I'd regret it. (This from a bloke who changes his underpants less frequently than he buys new bikes) My wife was not impressed, but eventually she agreed. Nothing happened as we went overseas to visit family.

After we returned, I got down to hunting for a CB1100. There were almost none for sale, but I did find a lightly-used 2011 model with 2,091 kilometers on the clock at a dealer in Brisbane. it was much more reasonably priced than than the new one I'd lusted after in 2010.

On 23 September 2012 I went to Brisbane, test rode it and bought it. They let me ride it to the bank to pick up the bank cheque I used to pay for it. I took this photo at a service station a few kilometers north of the dealer. I can say with some confidence that it's never been that clean again.

[attachment=960]

I can also say with confidence that 12 years and 160,000 plus kilometers later, I'm still delighted to own it.

I bought my 2014 CB1100 DLX in July of this year, after a long time deliberating on what motorcycle to get.  This forum had much to do with my decision.  I watched the ads for many weeks and was prepared to "fly-and-ride" if necessary.  In fact, I was about three days away from flying from MD to OH to fetch a high-mileage DLX when a low-mileage bike showed up on FB marketplace, within a two-hour drive.  I bought it the next day and trailered it home.

Over the next few days, my wife repeatedly found me in the garage with the bike and referred to it as my mistress.  I told her it wasn't funny and she shouldn't say such things.  The next day she caught me outside taking glamour shots of the bike.  It had about 4600 miles when I bought it, and it now has about 6600.


[attachment=965]

(12-27-2025, 08:19 PM)Lunchbag Wrote: [ -> ]... Over the next few days, my wife repeatedly found me in the garage with the bike and referred to it as my mistress.  I told her it wasn't funny and she shouldn't say such things.  The next day she caught me outside taking glamour shots of the bike. ...

 ...  ...   ... 

Ok I’ll play. When the CB1100 came out in 2013 here in the US, I thought it was gorgeous. But, I had just bought a 2007 R1200R in like-new condition from a local BMW dealer with just 1700 miles on it. My second bike was a ‘93 Nighthawk 750 that I had restored to like-new condition.
I would sell the Nighthawk in late 2014 for the ‘12 Bonneville I still own.

Fast forward to April 2019. The BMW had 26k miles and was springing one electronic gremlin after another. Repeated fuel gauge issues. ABS problems. I loved it, but it became more aggravating to silently pray each time I turned the key that everything would work. And being a BMW, a malfunction like the ABS system didn’t just mean that the ABS didn’t work, it also meant the bike had no brake light. A broken fuel gauge also meant that warnings on the dashboard would constantly nag for attention.

I decided that it was time to let the R1200R go for something simpler and more reliable. I was shopping NC750X, but heard they were boring. FZ09s were high on my list, but they were out of my budget and most had modifications I didn’t care for.

Then, cruising Craig’s List while Mrs. G and I were waiting for our dinner in a Culver City Indian restaurant, I saw a ‘13 CB1100 in Bellflower with 1700 miles, described as like-new. I thought about how much I loved the first one I had seen, and that I missed that inline four on my Nighthawk. This was like a bigger, classier Nighthawk, sort of.

I showed the listing to Mrs., who said she knew how frustrated I had become with the BMW, particularly as the dealer had just quoted me $2800 to sort out the ABS once and for all. She said that as long as I thought I could get something decent for the BMW; I should call the guy about the CB1100, and that it looked pretty.

I arranged to see the Honda the next day, on a Sunday morning. Mrs. and I looked at it, and I was smitten. The bike lived in his garage next to his workout bench, and mostly he just admired it when he spent time in the garage. His wife however, wanted her parking space back, and as he never rode it, there was some clear pressure on him to sell it.

We negotiated a price, but being a Sunday, I couldn’t access the cash as the bank was closed. Also, I was about to leave for a week-long business trip. He agreed to hold the bike for me with a check for a deposit.

I left, with thoughts of the CB swirling in my head. I knew I would need things for it, like a luggage rack. I started searching online for information about the bike, and found this forum. I started asking the experts here for advice, and got a warm welcome.

As soon as my plane landed the following Monday, Mrs. G picked me up after packing some riding gear in the car for me. We headed to the bank, got the cash, and I informed the owner that we were on our way.

He and I had kept in touch while I was gone and all seemed fine. When we arrived to consummate the deal the bike was in his driveway ready to go, however, he said he was having second thoughts about selling. As he said this, his wife emerged from the house and said, glaring at him, that the bike was indeed for sale.

Looking a bit glum, he said that I should test ride it, that maybe I would not like it. I went around his neighborhood and although a bit heavier and smoother it did remind me of the Nighthawk. I loved it and went back to do the paperwork. He said “You were only gone a few minutes, that wasn’t enough time. Go take it on the freeway. You really won’t like it on the freeway.” I assured him that I was satisfied with it, but to appease him, I went out for a longer test ride and came back.

While I was gone, Mrs. G had been sharing pleasant conversation with the owner’s wife. We did the paperwork, payment was made, hands were shaken, and Mrs. followed me home. When I parked, the owner had texted me that if I decided on the way home that I didn’t like it; he’d take it back and refund my payment. I assured him that I was happy with it and that I’d take good care of it.

The next day, I listed the BMW for sale, and two days later, I sold it for the same price I had just paid for the CB1100. I was upfront about the ABS. The buyer said he wasn’t concerned. My bike had a one-year-only optional paint scheme , he was a collector looking for that exact bike and it would be parked in his collection. Cleanliness was his only consideration. Fine by me! (Coincidentally I saw that bike last year at a Cars and Coffee in San Clemente. Still looked as clean as the day i sold it. I hovered around it for a while but the owner didn’t come around. I’d love to know if he’s still the owner and if it has been fixed or if it’s riding around with no brake lights)

I sent the original owner of my CB1100 pictures of it for a while to show him it was well cared for. Never did get a reply. She now has around 14,000 miles and is the queen of my collection.

When I was 15 years old, I was homeless. But I did own a motorcycle. That Yamaha SR250 did far more than provide transportation. It centered me during a difficult time.

When I graduated from the University years later, the motorcycle was left behind. I worked as a management consultant and travelled extensively, much of it internationally. I was grateful for the opportunity and the means to provide for my family, but I felt the absence of a motorcycle.

In 2010, I managed to refocus my professional life in the United States and announced a motorcycle would be joining the family soon. Like Cormanus, I purchased a used Honda Shadow and spent five years making that motorcycle my own. In 2023, my nephew faced some life challenges that resonated with me. I gave him my motorcycle in hopes that he could use it to find his way home. Here is that motorcycle before I shipped it to him:



I immediately began looking for another motorcycle. I committed to myself that it would be the last motorcycle I would ever own. I saw a 2013 CB1100 in a local motorcycle shop, which I almost bought on the spot:





But the voice in my head told me it was not my motorcycle, but it was a 1st cousin. 

I researched the CB1100 product line. When I saw the 2017 CB1100EX, I knew that was the one. I spent a year looking, and in July 2024, I saw a slightly modified CB1100EX for sale in Sacramento with 6,800 miles on the clock. I contacted the consignment dealer, made an offer, had it accepted, and wired the money. I know it sounds insane that I would purchase a motorcycle without even a test drive, but I knew to my very core that was the motorcycle I was meant to own.

See the YouTube listing my search query found:



I took an Uber to pick up the motorcycle. Here is the first picture I took when I returned from Sacramento.



Soon after, I found myself in Hospital, recovering from reconstructive surgery. The CB1100EX and the good Members of this Forum were as important to my recovery as the doctors, nurses, and therapists who worked so hard to put me back together.

I am still recovering and continue to rely heavily on my CB1100EX and this Forum to remain centered and positive. With each passing month, I try to make the motorcycle mine while also preparing it also for its next owner. Like me, the CB1100EX is a work in progress.

See a couple of recent pictures:





Have a wonderful New Year. The best is yet to come. David

(12-28-2025, 02:32 AM)Gone in 60 Wrote: [ -> ]...When I parked, the owner had texted me that if I decided on the way home that I didn’t like it; he’d take it back and refund my payment. I assured him that I was happy with it and that I’d take good care of it....

Awesome story, Gone.  Now I remember a few of the details, in particular the owner's reluctance at selling. I can feel a little of his pain, having sold my W800 recently.  Not that my wife pressured me into selling--she's actually very understanding and thinks it's good for me to have a passion for motorcycles--but for me I simply don't want to take care of 4 bikes (or more).  I don't like having objects that just sit there and do nothing and have found that 3 bikes is already a challenge to ride them all.  Both she and I are pretty quick at letting go of things if they are never or seldomly used.  It's amazing that you found a buyer for the BMW with its mechanical issues.  Sounds like the perfect buyer came along at the right time.  

I might have an opportunity to ride to San Diego this summer to visit my daughter and take care of her cat again!  This time it would be on the CB1100.  If it works, we'll have to do a ride.

---

(12-28-2025, 03:24 AM)rdprdp01 Wrote: [ -> ]... I purchased a used Honda Shadow...

... When I saw the 2017 CB1100EX, I knew that was the one. ...
Soon after, I found myself in Hospital, recovering from reconstructive surgery. The CB1100EX and the good Members of this Forum were as important to my recovery as the doctors, nurses, and therapists who worked so hard to put me back together.
...
Have a wonderful New Year. The best is yet to come. David

That Shadow is in every bit amazing shape as is your CB1100ex.  Glad you found your CB1100...if you hadn't, there's a good chance that we have no current forum.

 

Who new the significance of you giving your brother the Shadow which would lead you to buying a CB1100, which allowed this forum to take shape, built on the labor of Guth's original forum.   And may you also have a blessed New Year!

Great strories, folks.  Would love to hear more if you are inclined.

Gentlemen, I see a distinct pattern developing. Guess what my first bike was? Yup.

When I turned 40, Mrs. G asked me if I wanted anything really special to mark the occasion. I blurted out "A motorcycle" to get a rise out of her, but she said "Well, you do love to conquer mechanical objects", and she gave me an MSF basic rider course as my present. My MSF bike was a Rebel 250, and I took to it like a duck to water. I thought my first bike should be similar to the Rebel, but I knew I needed freeway capability. So, its bigger brother the Shadow 750 seemed logical. 

I found a very clean 2006 model, and rode it for a year. It was a great starter bike, and when I became comfortable with freeway traffic, I  found its upper limits to be a bit lacking, and graduated to a VTX1300. I put over 20k on that bike and was happy with it, until I tried a BMW R1200GS, and realized that bikes that could turn and stop, as well as travel in a straight line had their advantages! The VTX gave way to a string of naked standards before I landed on the R1200R that eventually resulted in my abhorrence of electronic wizardry, unless it was produced by Honda.

Here's my Shadow
[attachment=966]

Here's one of the first pictures I have of my CB1100. I had a luggage rack and Givi mount plate on order during the week I was travelling for work and was anxiously anticipating picking up the bike when I got home. The Givi V47 case looked more at home on the BMW from an aesthetic standpoint, but served me well to take my gear to the Petersen on weekends (it now looks perfect on the NC). Here's a picture on the roof of the museum the first time I rode it there.
[attachment=967]

---

Pdedse, glad to hear that you might be coming down here again! Funny, Mrs. G was observing me farkling the NC the other day in the garage, and asked "So, if the idea of buying this bike is to go longer distances more comfortably, it will go to Oregon, won't it?"

(12-28-2025, 09:03 AM)Gone in 60 Wrote: [ -> ]...Pdedse, glad to hear that you might be coming down here again! Funny, Mrs. G was observing me farkling the NC the other day in the garage, and asked "So, if the idea of buying this bike is to go longer distances more comfortably, it will go to Oregon, won't it?"

Bless her heart!

If there's a will, there's a...

1) CB1100, or a 
2) Triumph, or a 
3) NC750
4) heck, there's even an orange RE Interceptor 650 

(12-28-2025, 06:16 AM)pdedse Wrote: [ -> ]...When I parked, the owner had texted me that if I decided on the way home that I didn’t like it; he’d take it back and refund my payment. I assured him that I was happy with it and that I’d take good care of it....

pdedse,

I lease a "Corporate House" in the East Bay to help our Team Members avoid the dreariness of a hotel when they travel from out of state. You are welcome to spend a few nights there if you want to take a break. I also have a network of AirBNBs that have been validated by Staff and Family who have visited previously. The East Bay looks like a nice mid-point for the trip to and from Portland. If you would like to explore NorCal with me or like some company on a trip to SoCal, I would be delighted. Please reach out if any of the offers spark your interest when the time is right. Regardless if I can tag along or not, we all look forward to your trip report. Best in 2026. David