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+--- Thread: How good is the CB 1100? (/showthread.php?tid=1084)
RE: How good is the CB 1100? - ClassicVW_imp - 08-08-2014
I've become used to Honda reliability too. Don't forget about the Honda generators. They run for decades.
I just sold my 33 and 36 year old Honda CBs to make room for the new CB1100. Other than normal wear, items like tires, oil, throttle and choke cables were the things I did to them recently. Oh WAIT! I did replace the kill switch on the handlebar of the '78, why that POS!
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How good is the CB 1100? - Capo - 08-08-2014
The CB is a very, very good motorcycle, embellished by how beautiful it is to look at. If it looked like a transformer or more modern bike, it would still be good, just not as. My only complaint is the buzziness in the mid- to upper rev range, which I'm learning to accept, short shift, and enjoy (and my assumption is that it's just my particular feel versus my other bikes rather than a significant issue with the CB.)
The Honda- ness of the bike is a real bonus. I don't do 'character' when character is described by flaws. To me, character is quality and reliability, which the CB has in spades.
RE: How good is the CB 1100? - SanPete_imp - 08-08-2014
(08-08-2014, 06:26 AM)808_rider_imp Wrote: Prior to purchasing my 2014 CB, for over a year I extensively researched the bike (as well as other bikes I were considering). The lack of problems with the CB was a big factor in making my final decision. For the other bikes I were considering, I was reading of owner's frustration with clutch cable breaking, stator failures, throttle response issues, poor quality paint, foot pegs breaking, broken spokes etc.
Granted I have only had my CB for a few months, I have not for one moment regretted my decision in selecting the CB. Whenever I ride my bike I feel like I have a big grin on my face. The bike is so smooth and glides effortlessly on the road. Some complain of the lack of power but for me the power of the CB is much more than I need (or able to control).
And yes, the lack of discussion on this forum of any nagging problems with the CB is something I have observed however I am fine with this.
You are not allowed to argue here.
RE: How good is the CB 1100? - the Ferret - 08-08-2014
(08-08-2014, 11:36 AM)SanPete_imp Wrote:(08-08-2014, 06:26 AM)808_rider_imp Wrote: Prior to purchasing my 2014 CB, for over a year I extensively researched the bike (as well as other bikes I were considering). The lack of problems with the CB was a big factor in making my final decision. For the other bikes I were considering, I was reading of owner's frustration with clutch cable breaking, stator failures, throttle response issues, poor quality paint, foot pegs breaking, broken spokes etc.
Granted I have only had my CB for a few months, I have not for one moment regretted my decision in selecting the CB. Whenever I ride my bike I feel like I have a big grin on my face. The bike is so smooth and glides effortlessly on the road. Some complain of the lack of power but for me the power of the CB is much more than I need (or able to control).
And yes, the lack of discussion on this forum of any nagging problems with the CB is something I have observed however I am fine with this.
You are not allowed to argue here.
Lol respectfully disagreeing is ok though.
(08-08-2014, 06:25 AM)HikerToo_imp Wrote:(08-08-2014, 06:22 AM)The ferret_imp Wrote: No, there is a difference between perfect and good. THE CB 1100 isn't perfect...but it's VERY GOOD.
Would you sacrifice some of your reliability, or fit and finish, for more power?
Maybe, if I had a switch I could toggle, that would be nice :-)
The switch would give it more HP and make it uglier......
Maybe, if I had a switch I could toggle, that would be nice :-)
The switch would give it more HP and make it uglier......
RE: How good is the CB 1100? - OldF7Guy_imp - 08-08-2014
Yeah, its good. Real good. I have been following them since 2013. I tried my best to pick them apart and find flaws. Not much to be found. Honda knows how to build inline 4s. They evidently have every thing else down pretty much also. There is not a doubt in my mind that the 1100s would not be stone reliable air cooled and all.
I am not a fan of the new Honda cars with CVT transmissions though. Just dont like them. Drove a Civic and hated it. Not my cup of tea. I still like to row my own boat anyway.
RE: How good is the CB 1100? - xNE0x_imp - 08-08-2014
Me being a mechanic, I did my homework. I purchased a CB750K about 10 years ago on it's death bed. I put at least 4k miles with a bent rod, and bent valves. The original owner NEVER adjusted the cam chain tentioner, yet that engine kept on chuggin. My dad, while in the Navy stationed in Corpus Christie use to beef these bikes up and drag race them down in the texas heat. They are truly bullet proof, as long as you take care of them. I bought my 2014 CB1100 after honda listened to people about a 6th gear, MPG, and a gear indicator. I immediately traded in my Honda NC700X for it. It was a good bike, but I am all about old school. And Honda definitely delivered with the CB1100.
Honda has a the crown with the air cooled inline 4. Nothing beat's it's reliability.
RE: How good is the CB 1100? - OldF7Guy_imp - 08-08-2014
(08-08-2014, 01:45 PM)xNE0x_imp Wrote: Me being a mechanic, I did my homework. I purchased a CB750K about 10 years ago on it's death bed. I put at least 4k miles with a bent rod, and bent valves. The original owner NEVER adjusted the cam chain tentioner, yet that engine kept on chuggin. My dad, while in the Navy stationed in Corpus Christie use to beef these bikes up and drag race them down in the texas heat. They are truly bullet proof, as long as you take care of them. I bought my 2014 CB1100 after honda listened to people about a 6th gear, MPG, and a gear indicator. I immediately traded in my Honda NC700X for it. It was a good bike, but I am all about old school. And Honda definitely delivered with the CB1100.
Honda has a the crown with the air cooled inline 4. Nothing beat's it's reliability.
Tickled to death with my 03 750 which was the last of them. It appears bullitt proof so far and the 1100s have to be better. Fear not buying a used inline 4 Honda motorcycle. Gotta lot of conficence in them. I would not trade my 750 for two 1200 sportsters and I owned one. Drinking a little koolaid but that is how much confidence I have in this nighthawk. Solid, reliable, dependable, and 11 years old to boot. Just cant fault it for its intended purpose. Never mind the mechanical advantages compared to the Sportster I had. Same year models as well.
In my way of thinking Honda has a better idea for old farts like me.
RE: How good is the CB 1100? - Guth_imp - 08-08-2014
I think the more pressing question is how well does the CB1100 sell? While Honda might not have a large number in mind, I for one wish that there were more of them rolling off of dealership floors.
RE: How good is the CB 1100? - Henrik_imp - 08-08-2014
This is an interesting, and reassuring thread. I have always felt that Honda make quality bikes, and my Z50 from 1972 is a perfect example of that quality. It may be a tiny motorcycle, but it also has what may just be the best motorcycle engine ever made. Having looked at Chinese imitations of this bike this fact becomes all the more evident.
Over the years I have had a few Hondas, and most of them were great. An Africa Twin I had for a few years was incredibly well built, and the VFR800 I then got was a real gem. I found that every detail of that bike was perfection, and loved it until it was stolen. Then I got a Varadero, and I was faced with the fact that everything Honda makes is not perfect. Although a good bike, it lacked the quality of detail that I had gotten used to. You could tell that many of the smaller details were "cheap", probably in an attempt to keep prices down.
I then went many years riding Italian bikes, and to be honest I really did find them much better than their reputation. Certainly they require a level of care to remain pristine, and there will always be a moment at some point that they would have an electrical failure. The thing is, there was a level of quality in the details that I loved. An earlier post mentioned that Hondas were more reliable than Swiss watches, and that is really the truth. Italian bikes are more like Swiss watches in that they have beautifully made details, but they need care and maintenance to work properly.
When I started looking at the CB1100 I was hopeful that Honda had decided to make this a top quality bike. The price certainly indicated this since it falls in a range of bikes that have considerably more bells and whistles. There are no electronic aids on it, the chassis is simple and the suspension has nothing exotic. The engine is a pure and simple air cooled in-line 4, and everything else may just seem a bit plain on paper. So, in order to justify such a price, my hope was that Honda had decided to put all their expertise in to building an immaculate and top quality bike.
Well, they have! It oozes quality, and I honestly can't think of anything I would change on it to improve it. And this thread basically provides further proof that I am not the only one who feels this way.
RE: How good is the CB 1100? - ride4now_imp - 08-08-2014
I agree with Guth...and not to be a downer... Is the bike (or Honda) really as good as everyone says? (uh oh...here comes the hate mail). Before you clobber me...maybe the quantity's sold of the CB are keeping the perceived number of problems low. Everything is a numbers game..all about percentages. I've never had a problem with any of my bikes...you can see below what I've owned. And I really have not had that many problems with my cars over the years either. I've owned mostly American cars (and a lot of them too...), along with 1 Toyota, 1 Honda, and 1 Mercedes Benz which I just purchased. I did have relatively minor transmission issues with a Trans Am and a Corvette... but the biggest problem was an engine block failure in the Honda which they replaced under warranty. My daughter still drives that 07 Civic but, to date, that's the most serious issue I've ever had with a car... and it was a Honda. They sell a lot of Civics... numbers game... my number was up. I LOVE MY CB. Be nice...