The CB1100 Community Forum

I agree with pdedse--it's difficult to say what "the market" thinks, without hard numbers. Kawasaki imported the W650 to the US for only two years, 2000 and 2001. The 2001 had improved geometry, seat, and a nicer color scheme on the tank, but they sold far more of the 2000s than the 2001s. The reason is that those who were enthusiastic for this retro bike went out and bought one in 2000, when they were first available. By the following year, that limited market was largely saturated with happy 2000 model owners. Kawasaki realized this and pulled the bike from our shores, though it continued on in Europe and Japan and eventually became the W800. I would not assert that this was because the esthetics or performance of the 2000 was preferred; the company learned what the depth of demand was by having lots of leftover 2001s.

Assessing the failure or success of the 2014 would need to take into account the total market--not just DLX but also how many potential CB buyers already bought a 2013. I doubt it was price alone.

I know it's not necessarily a good or reliable sample, but the forum registry tends to bear out baxtercat's view about the US market. There are 242 2013 bikes and 172 2014s, standard and DLX.

The highest VIN for 2013 is 1785; the highest for 2014 standards is 2497. That makes me wonder whether, buoyed by the sales of the 2013, Honda made a lot more 2014s than 2013s and then found much of the market likely to buy the bike had want they wanted. Hence there are now a lot of unsold standards in a warehouse somewhere and people are getting serious bargains at the expense of sales of the 2017.

I bought my 2013 in late 14 or mid 15. I was unaware at that time that there were 2 different versions of the 14 on the market. Had I known this I might have gone for the DLX first (heavily dependent on what the final price would be vs the 13). Second choice prob would have been the black also dependent on the total cost vs the 13. At no time would looks have played a part in the selection process as I like all three of them pretty much equally. Biggest consideration would have been the larger tank, then 6th gear. Having lived with the 13 now for 15.2K miles 6th gear would no longer be a decision factor for me. But the larger gas tank still is.

We all like different things and features about the CB 1100. I bought the 13 CB because it was the only one available. If the black 14 had been the only one available I would have bought one of those. If the 17 had been the only one available, I would have bought one of those. I bought the Deluxe because it actually had more of the features I wanted in a bike over the 13 I had originally bought.

If all 4 had been available in the dealership when I walked in, I'd have chosen the DLX first, the 17 ex second, the 13 third, and the black 14 last. Just a matter of personal taste.

If I could have whatever I wanted, it would probably be a deluxe in black with black side covers, but I'm ok with the red.

Funny thing is, if somehow my dlx paint got damaged, I'd probably have it painted like one of the Whitehouse retro versions. I love the look of Alprider's blue bike.

Ferret, I'm 100% with you on preference pecking order. And I agree, a gloss black DLX would be incredible.

Mangos and potatoes
Quote:... The base price of a 2017 CB1100 EX is US$12,300. The base price of a comparable Triumph 80 HP 1200cc T120 Bonneville is $11,800, but if you add the two-tone fuel tank it is US$12,300... North American motorcycle market is so dominated by HD that the vast majority of potential customers consider two cylinders to be not a compromise for budget-conscious, but something entirely appropriate on a top-tier offering. Or, IMHO, comparing an I4 Honda with an I2 Triumph is not comparing apples and oranges, it is comparing mangos and potatoes.

(04-22-2018, 01:10 PM)VLJ_imp Wrote: [ -> ]

(04-22-2018, 12:32 PM)NightRider_imp Wrote: [ -> ]

(04-22-2018, 10:50 AM)VLJ_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Besides all the extra chrome and aluminum, the main differences for the '17 EX are the forks, shocks, wheels, inlets, tank, headlight, and tail light.

Which btw is why perhaps they are still sitting in the showrooms and being discounted and the new Harley bikes are black and dark chrome. Dark is in even at harley Davidson.

Which btw is why perhaps they are still sitting in the showrooms and being discounted and the new Harley bikes are black and dark chrome. Dark is in even at harley Davidson.
Nope, that's not the reason at all. The bike's looks are not the problem. In general, people who appreciate retro standards love the overall aesthetics of every CB1100 model. The issue with the '17 EX is the same problem that has always afflicted the CB1100 model line: too high of an initial msrp for what is perceived by many as too little relative performance from a Honda-built 1140cc I4.

The only model of CB1100 that sold out was the very-limited-production '14 Deluxe, which, like the '17 EX, was also extremely red, and slathered in shiny chrome. Honda produced so few '14 Deluxes, however, that it's difficult to gauge how successful the model would have been had it been produced in the same numbers as the '14 Standard.

Anyway, it's very simple. Drop the '17 EX's initial msrp to $9,999 and add twenty-five ponies to the stable, and there would be precious little reason to buy any other naked retro.

Edit: I agree with Stichill. The murdered-out look of the '14 was a contributing factor in its poor sales numbers, as was its lack of dual exhaust pipes. Of course there are plenty of owners of the '13 model and the '14 Standard that prefer the lighter weight of the single exhaust, but the general consensus is that the red models were prettier, and, more importantly, more period-correct for a CB Honda. Additionally, the numerous upgrades touted by Honda for the '14 Deluxe left the '14 Standard looking like an entry-level model for the budget-conscious buyer, which, as it turned out, is exactly what it ended up being.

Which btw is why perhaps they are still sitting in the showrooms and being discounted and the new Harley bikes are black and dark chrome. Dark is in even at harley Davidson.
Nope, that's not the reason at all. The bike's looks are not the problem. In general, people who appreciate retro standards love the overall aesthetics of every CB1100 model. The issue with the '17 EX is the same problem that has always afflicted the CB1100 model line: too high of an initial msrp for what is perceived by many as too little relative performance from a Honda-built 1140cc I4.

The only model of CB1100 that sold out was the very-limited-production '14 Deluxe, which, like the '17 EX, was also extremely red, and slathered in shiny chrome. Honda produced so few '14 Deluxes, however, that it's difficult to gauge how successful the model would have been had it been produced in the same numbers as the '14 Standard.

Anyway, it's very simple. Drop the '17 EX's initial msrp to $9,999 and add twenty-five ponies to the stable, and there would be precious little reason to buy any other naked retro.

Edit: I agree with Stichill. The murdered-out look of the '14 was a contributing factor in its poor sales numbers, as was its lack of dual exhaust pipes. Of course there are plenty of owners of the '13 model and the '14 Standard that prefer the lighter weight of the single exhaust, but the general consensus is that the red models were prettier, and, more importantly, more period-correct for a CB Honda. Additionally, the numerous upgrades touted by Honda for the '14 Deluxe left the '14 Standard looking like an entry-level model for the budget-conscious buyer, which, as it turned out, is exactly what it ended up being.
So, I'm a budget-conscious buyer riding an entry-level model that is murdered out.

One of the deplorables too, I suppose.

Guess I need to make some deplorables tee shirts for us six speed light weight single pipe cheapo riders for the meet-up. It will say "Cheapo Biker" on the back and a black CB1100 engine over the heart although you overweight red bike owners (the bike, not you!) will likely only see our backs and my special shirt that says on it also on the back, "Kiss the Big Pipe".
BTW, it's a pearl black with chrome accents, you pretty bike rider, not exactly "murdered out". But I have to admit the red is "pretty", oh so "pretty" when I see one in the rear mirror.
You DLX and other red bike riders kill me everytime I see this stuff, I'll bring you some bike polish to the meet and maybe some chrome polish also. Give you something to do.

NightRider, by all means then, go ahead and provide us with your reasons as to why the '14 Standard sold (and continues to sell) like sand in the Sahara.

That's not the question. The question is why you choose to insult most of your fellow forum members and their beloved rides as if the 14 STD model is somehow less of a bike because it is targeted toward a different buyer than yourself.

That buyer is one who likes to save money and/or enjoys the pearl black finish and mags and the slim, and in the opinion of most, the best looking tank on any bike. The same buyer who likes mounting and dismounting on the side without the hot pipe, duh, and enjoys the look of a bike that follows the tradition born of the 750F.

Slim and lighter and faster and does not care that beautiful tank holds less gas and even loves that it makes it slimmer than the red bikes. The DLX with a beautiful and less slim tank and hot pipes on both sides, that's okay because it is beautiful also, just in different ways and that's okay too.

Okay in my rear view mirror.

If I had the means, I would buy a fleet of '14 standards. It's a whole lotta bike for under $7K. It's half the price of the cheapest Softail. I would open a motorcycle renting/touring business. If I cashed out my retirement... Nah. But I'm tempted to buy one for my son, who will be legal to ride on the road in another year.