The CB1100 Community Forum

Cory, here is my two cents. (Disclosure: I am not nearly as experienced as most forum members here, but here it is.)

Like yourself, I had off-road experience with motorcycles growing up, but had never owned a proper street bike. Rode a few of my dads, but it was limited and a long time ago. That being said, I got the itch to hop on Craigslist one day last July to see what turned up, and lo and behold, there she was. I knew nothing about CB1100s, or any modern motorcycle for that matter, but the price was fair, miles super low, so I decided to go look at it. Might has well have handed the cash over during the introductory handshake with the seller. Love at first sight you could say. But, I did my due diligence and asked lots of questions and looked it over top to bottom. Sat on it, and it just fit. Like it was tailor made for me. Finally popped the question if I could take it around the block. He was definitely apprehensive, for good reason. I hadn’t touched a bike in a loooong time, but proposed that I would take it down to the end of the driveway, and if I didn’t feel comfortable past that I would park her and come on back to the garage. Well, none of that happened, seeing as soon as I let the clutch out and rolled on the throttle, it was as if I had just rode it yesterday. I kid you not, I probably hadn’t sat on a bike in 5+ years and after a lap around the block I was goosing the throttle and having a properly good time on it.

Needless to say, I bought it, there was nothing that was going to stop me from doing so. 7ish months later, I feel reasonably qualified to give you my opinion of the bike.

Many people will try to discourage you of the weight of the CB1100. Yes, it’s a heavy bike, especially for a first timer. But you’re not a first timer, and neither was I. Do I have to concentrate on my balance when slow speed maneuvering the bike? Sure I do. That goes with any bike I feel. I haven’t had one instance where I had to “catch” the bike or any “near drop” circumstances though. Take that as you wish. Also worth noting, I’m not a big guy. 6 foot, but a lanky 155 pounds. So I feel if I can handle this bike this well, most could. As far as riding goes, the weight is moot. This bike carries it effortlessly.

Now power. Some might discourage you of getting a liter bike to start out with. Buttttt, this isn’t really a liter bike. Sure it has 1140 cc displacement, but a 600 cc CBR is going to get you in trouble wayyy faster than this engine will. Simply put, it goes exactly as fast as you want it to. No more, no less. It’s perfectly content to lug around lazily at 2500-3000 rpm all day long. Want to go fast? Twist the throttle. This is not a slow bike, by any means. And it will do everything in between. I have never been intimidated or surprised by this motor, except for 6000+ rpm. It really turns into a different animal up there. But still, predictable and manageable.

My advice: if you find a good deal on a CB1100, go check it out with an open mind. If possible, take a test ride. Take it from there, though chances are high that there will be no turning back. But, overall I think you could manage it with no problems and fall in love with it as quickly and completely as I have.
Also, just looked back and noticed you want two-up capability. My girlfriend LOVES the big, comfy seat and plenty of leg room on the CB, I love not being crowded, and the 1100 has more than enough power for the both of us. This bike rules for two-up.

Cory,

I grew up with dirt bikes, riding just for fun with no motocross racing involved. I was a pretty scrawny kid and never rode any bike bigger than a 125. But I learned quite a bit during that period of time. I stopped riding after I graduated from high school. 37 years later, I returned to riding — this time on the street. I took the MSF class and bought a Honda Hawk GT (410 pounds wet). It's a great bike, was not intimidating and at 5' 8" it fit me really well. I've never had any regrets about buying the Hawk.

I instantly became infatuated with the CB1100 when I saw early photos of the bike before it was released here in the States. I placed my deposit on one the day Honda officially announced they were going to bring the CB1100 over here. My biggest concern back then was the fact that it was a "big bike" (over 1000cc). I was also worried about the weight of the bike. When I picked the bike up from the dealer I had to ride it home in rush hour traffic during a downpour — it proved to be no problem at all as this bike functions so nicely. I find the CB1100 to be a wonderful bike to ride. I certainly wouldn't mind if the CB were a bit lighter. That's somewhat due to my height as I sometimes have a hard time getting leverage over the bike while moving it around when straddling it. I think that just as I had absolutely no issues returning to riding on the Hawk, I would have been just fine on the CB1100. If I was your height, all of this would have been much less of a worry for me.

If you don't have the proper mindset for riding on the street then I don't think it will matter if you start off on a CB1100 or a much smaller bike. But given the fact that you've already developed a good deal of helpful riding skills in your youth, I also feel that with the proper mindset you would be just fine on a CB1100. I wouldn't give this same advice to someone who had never ridden at all before. But you have no doubt already learned more than enough to be able to hop on a CB1100 and ride it without a problem.

I do feel that I benefitted quite a bit from the MSF course before joining the fray out on the streets and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is in a similar position as the one I found myself in now more than a decade ago. When I hopped on the Hawk and rode off down the street for the first time ever I was embarrassed as I was sure that people could see me grinning from a block away (and I was wearing a full face helmet). Everything felt immediately familiar and wonderful. I have no doubt that I would have felt the same way had I been riding a CB1100 instead. Best of luck to you with your decision!

Cory, I'll add my two cents in too (doesn't make this a cheap thread, tho!) for a perspective from a bit smaller person than some of our other members.

Having graduated from a Cushman scooter to a Honda S90, I went directly to the top for my third motorcycle, a 1953 Indian Chief 80 cubic inch. Foot clutch, hand shift. I was 18, (invincible) 5'8", 150lbs. I had no problem switching over to the different controls on the Indian, and no problem with the bulk and weight of the machine.

Fast forward 46 years: like everyone else on this forum, I was instantly attracted to the classic looks of the CB1100. It looks like a real motorcycle! The CB is certainly no lightweight, but lighter than some of the bikes I've had over the years. So here's the deal: at 64 years old, I'm not as limber or as strong as I used to be. I don't like a tall, heavy motorcycle much anymore. And, I went on an extreme weight loss program last summer, dropping from 170 down to 130lbs. And it wasn't picky, I lost a lot of muscle along with the fat. I will admit, hoisting the CB1100 up on the center stand takes all I have right now, but otherwise the weight doesn't bother me at all. As soon as the clutch engages, the weight disappears. I was riding my CB (The Big Pussycat) around town doing errands today, and several times I thought about what an easy, pleasant bike for city riding!

So, a couple examples of a rider with experience going to a heavy large displacement bike and easily adapting. I think you'll be fine with a CB1100. Just do all that common-sense stuff, take it easy and practice, practice, practice! Enjoy the adventure!!

Thanks for all of the responses. Every one is exceptionally helpful.
If it's any consolation I just taped the CB1100 brochure with my salesman's card on it on the wall in front of my desk.
Will take the safety course which concludes with a license.
Thanks again future fellow CB1100 owners.

When people ask me about riding on the street I always ask if you grew up on dirt. Dirt bikes are tall, squirrelly, and sometimes (2 stroke) unpredictable. If you have ridden dirt you have crashed a few times and have learned to RESPECT a bike and what it can do to you.

Now, different story on the street because, unlike on dirt, other folks are out to kill you. Your main danger on the street is cagers. They are big, distracted, and also unpredictable. That's what you need to learn as it sounds you have bike control already figured.

Take the MSF course. I bought the CB to two up with my ex-wife. She's 6' 4" and the CB had no problem with both of us. A little cramped but we did a few day trips that were pleasurable. She ended up taking the MSF course and starting riding with me. So the first 2 wheeler she EVER drove was the CB. She handled it well. Never dropped it.

Don't be afraid of this bike. Go ahead and take the course then get yourself a beautiful, RED, shiny CB and you won't regret it.

Your welcome.

If you don't mind one more quick question - Yamaha XSR900?
Thanks again.

Cory,

At age 50 my very first bike was a Vulcan 900...not a ton of horsepower but a very heavy 640 lbs (I think). I had no problems with the weight, you’ll do fine with any of the bikes mentioned. Your experience in riding dirt bikes is a huge plus for you.

(02-28-2018, 08:46 AM)Cory_imp Wrote: [ -> ]If you don't mind one more quick question - Yamaha XSR900?
Thanks again.

I think VLJ addressed the XSR900 on page 1, you might have missed it. No personal experience with it but it sounds like quite a hooligan from what he has described.

Thanks. Just to close things out - I think it's the CB1100. The good Honda shop is about an hour away, but that's not terrible.
The good Suzuki/KTM and Kawasaki/Yamaha ones are very close which would be a bonus so still not totally ruling out an SV650 or Bandit (with the SV maybe being the smart move, but this is no time for intelligence).
Saw the new Z900RS yesterday and everything about it seemed really phenomenal except for the bulbous gas tank. Some of the others there seemed great, but just too space-age looking. Sadly, not sure that there's a Kawasaki or Yamaha that jumps out.
Both local shops have a connection to my racing days so there's that, but the Honda might be worth the effort. There is a local Honda shop, but seems like a rough crowd so I'll pass.

(03-01-2018, 04:03 AM)Cory_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Thanks. Just to close things out - I think it's the CB1100. The good Honda shop is about an hour away, but that's not terrible.
The good Suzuki/KTM and Kawasaki/Yamaha ones are very close which would be a bonus so still not totally ruling out an SV650 or Bandit (with the SV maybe being the smart move, but this is no time for intelligence).
Saw the new Z900RS yesterday and everything about it seemed really phenomenal except for the bulbous gas tank. Some of the others there seemed great, but just too space-age looking. Sadly, not sure that there's a Kawasaki or Yamaha that jumps out.
Both local shops have a connection to my racing days so there's that, but the Honda might be worth the effort. There is a local Honda shop, but seems like a rough crowd so I'll pass.

Yeah, those Honda types are sketchy
Whatever bike you end up with, ride happy and be safe. You live in a busy busy part of the country.