The CB1100 Community Forum

Perhaps they are referring to the CB's physical size. I've gotten looks of surprise when answering the cc question. They assumed it was a smaller engine like a 500 or a 750. My wife's V-strom appears large in comparison.

Z1 Kawasaki 59" wb
CBX Honda 58.9" wb
CB1100 58.7" wb
I think the motor is so physically big that it gives the impression of a shorter bike. What else can it be?

Older gent in the grocery store, "that your new bike out there? Is that fuel injected? I've had a lot of Hondas but all carbs. That's a timeless color, your always gonna love that."
We chatted again in the parking lot after I had started my red 2013.
"nice, runs like a little car I bet. Hey, Good Luck!"
He said it was the first one he had ever seen in person. Me too actually.

Other friends that just found out I ride when I pulled up to a BBQ on my bike said I looked badass on it.

My 3 year old niece told me she likes it better than my old blue one (shadow vlx) because it's shinier.

Two fellows on the same day thought my CB was a restored CB750 from back in the day.
I explained that it was a new bike and it wasn't until they looked at the bike closely (noticed the 1100 badges; single muffler) that they realized their mistake.
They were blown away and loved the bike.

I've had 5 complament's so far all from older men. they all say man that is a beautalful bike, what year is it?

At a Cadillac dealership (though not to buy a Cadillac) the sales manager said he thought it was mid 70s, around 500cc. Which means Honda did a great job accomplishing the retro look, and that the size of the bike doesn't always indicate the size of the engine! They were blown away when I told them it was brand new =]

The moment I saw a picture of a 2013 CB1100 last year in a US bike magazine I knew I had to have one.
It has "the look", whatever that is. It's like art; I don't know anything about art but I know what I like when I see it.

Precisely; in this case, the look is the ability to captivate an audience who spans over 50 years of riders!

Well in my country behind the "iron courtain" we did not have any Hondas in 60s and 70s and 80s so we don´t have the right history. Only thing I´ve heard from a bunch of riders on a 600s and 1000s rockets is that the CB lacks power and is expensive :-D But few moments after one gentleman took a photo of me on the traffic lights so this balanced out my bad feelings:-)

I was stopped literally moments after picking mine up at the dealer by an older guy (by that, I mean maybe in his 70s), who told me it was a beautiful bike, and asked what year it was. I told him 2013, and he said, "No, I mean what year was it made?". I told him again, "2013. It's brand new", and he got a pissed-off look on his face and walked away. I can only guess that he thought it was really a '70s CB, and that I was yanking his chain!