The CB1100 Community Forum

Seem comfy looking, reliable, upright riding position, etc. What are some things to look out for on them, known issues, strengths or weaknesses? thanks.

(11-04-2015, 02:09 AM)MrGood_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Seem comfy looking, reliable, upright riding position, etc. What are some things to look out for on them, known issues, strengths or weaknesses? thanks.

Have a 2002 since new and agree with your good points. Really loved the look and that is main reason I bought. Honda aspect certainly a factor and I have had no regrets. Seems like biggest knock on bike was performance vs. cost at time (much like CB1100). Engine biased toward torque not horsepower and all feels good to me. Only knock I had was wind blast on long interstate runs. You really hang on from 60 mph up!

Bought small Honda fly screen available from British Honda. Disappointed that American Honda did not seem to support aftermarket like Brits do.

I was hot to buy a 919 back in the day, but, after getting a chance to ride one I passed.
Two things stick in my mind; vibration and riding position.
Vibration was notable through the bars. At freeway speeds it got old fast.
Riding position put me forward over the tank, felt like I was sitting over the front wheel, nothing I could not get used to... but the vibration was a deal breaker for me.

(11-04-2015, 02:22 AM)Teamwalker_imp Wrote: [ -> ]

(11-04-2015, 02:09 AM)MrGood_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Seem comfy looking, reliable, upright riding position, etc. What are some things to look out for on them, known issues, strengths or weaknesses? thanks.

Have a 2002 since new and agree with your good points. Really loved the look and that is main reason I bought. Honda aspect certainly a factor and I have had no regrets. Seems like biggest knock on bike was performance vs. cost at time (much like CB1100). Engine biased toward torque not horsepower and all feels good to me. Only knock I had was wind blast on long interstate runs. You really hang on from 60 mph up!

Bought small Honda fly screen available from British Honda. Disappointed that American Honda did not seem to support aftermarket like Brits do.

American Honda did offer the fly screen here in the USA, I know because I bought one and pit it on my `92 750 NightHawk.

Yeah I can see that. good point indeed. Ever compare it the FZ1 which it was matched against? The FZ1 seems much more a sport bike and less comfy for sure by looking at it.

(11-04-2015, 02:31 AM)MrGood_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Yeah I can see that. good point indeed. Ever compare it the FZ1 which it was matched against? The FZ1 seems much more a sport bike and less comfy for sure by looking at it.

My memory and impressions of it were much more in line with the Nighthawk 750 than the FZ1. A nice "naked" bike for the time, but no powerhouse by any means, just a torquey-enough largish engine that was enough to keep you amused, but not blow your hair off. The fact that it's a Honda should speak volumes in itself. I liked the 900cc class in the mid-90s to mid-2000s. Nice size frame, and a decent enough amount of power. I'm guessing you couldn't go wrong with a 919 in nice condition.
The FZ was much more bike in most every way; I'm not sure I'd even compare the two, to be honest. It had a slightly sporty position, but was extremely comfy anyway (even for my aging self), and had lots of power. (I sure miss mine! )
I wish I had some personal seat time on the 919 to add to that comparison, but I don't. I do love reading about others' knowledge and experience with these "other bikes" in this section, as like most, I couldn't ride EVERY bike ever made!

I test rode a 919 and bought an FZ-1 (1st gen). Really liked the looks of the FZ better. The 919 was a good bike but I thought it looked stubby. Anyhow sold that FZ-1 to my son after a couple years and bought a Nighthawk 750. Missed the power, handling and brakes of the FZ-1 so I bought another one. It really made a superb solo sport tourer. I sold both of them (the FZ to my brother who still has it and my son still has his as well..80,000 trouble free miles between them) to buy the CB 1100. Still think the Gen 1 FZ-1 was a very under rated motorcycle.

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I've had an '02 919 (CB900F in Canada) since new and still have it. I really didn't need another four-cylinder Honda, but when the 1100 showed up I had to have one.
I have enjoyed many great rides on it - including day trips; 3-4 days on the road as well as a couple of weeks on the road. It has been stone axe reliable and has never given me one second of concern.
I just feed it fresh oil, filters and tires and it seems to run forever - like most Honda's do.
I wasn't looking for a tire shredder and the "F" has plenty of power and torque for me. I even kept the factory seat.

I'd be curious how it compares to the cb1100. In other words is it different enough to own both? I want another bike but I think a v twin triple or v4 sport bike might be a starker contrast

(11-06-2015, 01:32 PM)Brookland27_imp Wrote: [ -> ]I'd be curious how it compares to the cb1100. In other words is it different enough to own both? I want another bike but I think a v twin triple or v4 sport bike might be a starker contrast

The answer is probably no. They are too similar in too many ways. If you want a sharp contrast look to another model.
The 1100 is much smoother and civil compared to the 919, but the 919 is much lighter and has more HP which makes it a bit of a hooligan bike and fun to ride.
That was my quandary. Did I really need another similar 4-cylinder Honda, but I loved the retro look of the 1100 so I made the leap.
To top it all of both are blue

[url=http://s392.photobucket.com/user/Rock500_2008/media/Motorcycles/IMG_2418.jpg.html]

(11-06-2015, 01:32 PM)Brookland27_imp Wrote: [ -> ]I'd be curious how it compares to the cb1100. In other words is it different enough to own both? I want another bike but I think a v twin triple or v4 sport bike might be a starker contrast

I can recommend the Moto Guzzi Griso, or if it's a wee bit too big, the V7ll. The Griso being the hooligan bike (think of it as a roadster/cruising sport bike).