The CB1100 Community Forum

(12-28-2015, 11:22 AM)Motogeezer1949_imp Wrote: [ -> ]I was talking to the rider of a retro-styled Triumph today who postulated that American CB buyers, much like those of other like machines are relatively affluent, old, fat, bald, out of shape white guys wanting to re-live the past. A market that is dying out. On that note, I find it of interest that all the Asian CB Face Book sites I frequent seem to be populated by energetic, enthusiastic young people, who I assume have to be pretty financially successful since as best as I can tell, CB's aren't inexpensive there.

don't they have the perfect word for that too, its been called here already: hipsters

IF they do bring out the concept bike posted else where here, as the 2016 model I think they "may" steal some Bonnie customers. The new Bonnies, at least in the photo's, do not look as handsome as the current crop. I reserve the right to change my mind once I see them in the flesh. That said, the CB looks good in photo's and darn good in person. Still, I think hipsters prefer singles and twins.

I think it's the weight. If the bike came in at 480lbs and 100 hp it's competition would be the Ducati Scrambler, not the Bonnie. And those Scramblers are selling quite well.

(12-29-2015, 04:20 AM)DAC_imp Wrote: [ -> ]I think it's the weight. If the bike came in at 480lbs and 100 hp it's competition would be the Ducati Scrambler, not the Bonnie. And those Scramblers are selling quite well.

Just tripped over this: http://motorcycles.axlegeeks.com/compare...mbler-Icon

Like comparing Apples and Lemons (just a color reference, I like the Duc)

Huh the scrambler is worlds apart from the CB...you even said the biggest difference, horsepower and weight.

No, the Bonnie is his closest competition, the new T120 that is.

Dual disc brakes with ABS.
Dual analogue and digital display, incl gear indicator.
15nm more torque! Horsepower figures and weight unknown..
Electronic slipper clutch.
Tractioncontrol.
Ride modes!
Heated grips as stock!! (expensive option at Honda)
LED lights.
USB connection.

And if thats not enough, cheaper than a CB that has far less (electronic) gizmo's stock...
No doubt the Triumph is much more attractive, on paper.

Still I prefer the CB even after Triumphs updated Bonneville...

I was just noting some reasons for disappointing sales. I'm aware the two bikes as currently made are very different. Carry on.

I can share that I was just at my local dealer and he let me go through his 2016 Honda Redbook list of models and there were no CB1100s on the list. Also no CTX1300, No ST1300 except for the Police Model, no NC 700.

There was a Goldwing, an F6B, CBR1000, CBR 600, CB 500F and X, CBR300, Fury, Rebel 250 and NM4. Magazines are reporting an updated NC700x but it was not in the book.

So for 2016, we have the NM4 but no CB1100. Heaven help us.

Sorry for turning left a bit here, but I really thought the CTX1300 would be a winner... Great motor, although Honda should have attached 6 gears instead of the 5. When I bought my '14 CTX700 a year ago I sat on one... and my opinion mellowed some: HEAVY and a bit wide in the hips. All the same, a smooth motorcycle. Guess it just didn't "take".

... Now back on track.

There are a LOT of good bikes out there so you can't just bring a "good" bike to market and do well without a great hook. The CB1100 had very good hook, but the target audience was small and it appears no effort was made to expand it. When the original CB came out it killed the Bonnie in price and performance. In the retro market looks is much more important and the Bonnie has a classier classic look than the CB. It has a couple generations of British singles and twins behind it; the CB just has the UJM inline four look going for it - not quite the linage and history going for it. So in this redo the Bonnie is doing better. In my ever so humble opinion anyway.

But it makes me wonder how a redo of the CB-450 Black Bomber would do. And for Pete's sake, bring the GB500 back! Maybe as a 650.