Feasibility of a Modern CB750

[Cormanus]

I don't know if it's as much the benefits of new technology as it is the styling. Today's new riders have no connection to the UJM's of the past. Instead, they're likely more influenced by today's designs.

As a new rider / driver growing up in the 60's, I had zero interest in the hot rods and motorcycles of the 30's / 40's / 50's. I wanted the current stuff. Back then, the styling of the CB750 was groundbreaking and very appealing. Those old '50's BMW's, Triumph's, Harley's and Moto Guzzi's? Too heavy and frumpy. Yuck!

So, perhaps today's new rider views a '70's or '80's superbike the same way. We may love those bikes, but today's kids didn't grow up coveting one, the bikes have dated technology and performance, and the colors are garish compared to today's matte and/or blacked-out finishes. Why would a CB750 redo hold any appeal to them?

Put so much better than I could manage it. Thank you.

[Nortoon_imp]

In the wake of Motus’s demise, I saw this comment in reaction to the Revzilla story about the end of Motus:

“Have Honda build a CB750 styled like its CB1100, give it a fuel injected inline 4 with about 90 horsepower and sell it for between $7500 and $8500. Keep weight to no more than 450 lbs and make it devoid of electronic gadgetry.”

Obviously it would have to be liquid cooled, but other than that compromise...reaction?


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It pretty much already exists.

Current CB650F: Liquid cooled I-4, 86hp, 454 lbs, base MSRP $8249. Only difference is more modern than retro style.

It pretty much already exists.

Current CB650F: Liquid cooled I-4, 86hp, 454 lbs, base MSRP $8249. Only difference is more modern than retro style.
Replace the angular headlights and fairing on the CB650F with a round headlight and you closer to the goal.

[Guth_imp]

the reality is, triumph secured the monopoly on the modern retro market over 10 years ago.and the modern sport and touring bikes are flat out fantastic as well. those bonnevilles and derivitives are EVERYWHERE. they did it with price point and quality, and until recently the retros were performance turds, and triumph sold millions of them anyway. honda, yamaha, and kawasaki missed securing the retro market due to price point, plain and simple. I NEVER would have paid 11, 12, 13k for a cb1100, never. the 6k i paid is less than i was willing to pay. When they came out, if they were in the 8500 range, i would have bought one. wasn't enough bang for buck. especially since i bought my ducati sport classic for 9k at the time.

As they seem rather desirable these days, I suppose I'm in the minority. But the Ducati Sport Classic always struck me as such a strange bike from a design perspective. There were a few angles where I personally thought that it looked attractive, with "few" being the operative word here. From the rear view it looks like it was built to carry two-up, side by side that is.

Out of all the modern retro bikes the proceeded the CB1100, Kawasaki's W650 was the one that I'd most have liked to own.

[Guth_imp]

Wide angle lenses can be deceiving. It's all got to do with the angle from which you view it. The first time I saw one in person I was wondering what on earth were they were thinking with that cowl?



"Did you hear the one about the motorcycle and the tractor that fell in love?" Sorry couldn't resist.

[url=http://thebikeshed.cc/sitting-pretty/]This guy goes into a bit more detail, lol.

[Guth_imp]

Didn't look like there was a difference in the seat/cowl design from the article that I linked to. Here was that bike before he slapped the aftermarket unit on there. Still looks like it's in need of a diet to me.



But indeed to each their own. That bike doesn't hold as much appeal to me but I'm sure that there are plenty who enjoy their Ducs over a bike like the CB1100. Variety is the spice of life.

[LongRanger_imp]

I'm the second. I think they're hideous. Even the Paul Smart. The fuel tank is mis-proportioned and there's too much distance between the rear tire and the rear fender. I like the DS1000 engine but I think the bikes look like bloated turds. Now, show me a real 900SS bevel and my opinion will change dramatically.

[LongRanger_imp]

No disputing the bikes held their value and became quasi-collectible, so I'm sure Guth and I are in the minority.

[Cormanus]

Take comfort, Guth and LongRanger. I’m with you. On second thoughts, maybe you should be afraid.

[Guth_imp]

Yes indeed. having actually owned both, the duc is a much meaner looking bike, not nearly as stodgy or stuffy as the cb is. More business, and the tail never bothered me. . in the pics you show, they look stubby, which is funny, they are not quite like that in real life. they do look terrible with the tail off, that i can assure you.

I sold mine because i had it for 8+ years, and figured id get out while the market was still strong, made quite a wad on it upon sale, which was nice, especially as i didn't buy it as an investment. Dead reliable, more comfortable that you'd think, and was quite fast with the termis and the fat duc ecu. I did a few 5+ hour rides on it.

I can say though, you are the -only - person i've ever ran across that didn't like the way they looked.

Well, me and the guy that wrote the article that I referenced, lol. Plenty of people have bagged on the rear fender clearance over the years, but that Duc is what it is. I'm the first to admit that looks are subjective. That was what turned me off to the Ducati and what was the single biggest draw for me when it came to the CB1100 — regardless of what anyone else thought of the bike.

oh, they are collectible, make no doubt. But i understand. I have my preferences as well. im prob the ONLY person on here that HATES the red deluxe whatever cbs with the bigger tanks and abs. If i hadn't seen a black one, in person, a year and a half ago, i never would have owned a cb1100 on looks alone, especially after seeing a 14 in red way back when they came out.. and i like red, had a 1st year CB400f super sport and a 75 CB750f in red. they both looked great IMHO.

to be honest, id love to see an 1100 in the old school gold color with black accents, but on the modern bodywork. (sic: 72 cb450). I bet that would be pretty trick. or horrible, i dunno. lol.

Well, I wouldn't say that I hate the Sport Classic, nor do I hate the DLX, but anyone that's been around here for a while knows that I've voiced my displeasure with the bulbous shape of the DLX tank plenty of times. I get the appeal of the added capacity (the Sport Classic tank didn't do much for me either for that matter). The 17 EX tank has become a non-discussion for me, not going there. The black 14's don't really do all that much for me visually either, but I can understand why others really dig them. Different strokes. One man's garbage is another man's treasure was likely never more true than when it comes to cars and motorcycles. Plenty of guys like the CB1100 but can't stand the signature silver side panels. I'm really glad that Honda ended up mixing it up with the CB, a little something for everyone (well, maybe not everyone).

I really liked the old CB400F — my favorite set of motorcycle headers ever. As far as Ducs go, nothing beats the styling of a Darmah to my eye. Love the way those bikes look.

[LongRanger_imp]

m in sc, I too had a CB400F SuperSport (1976 model in blue) and a CB750F SuperSport (1978 model in black). Both lovely bikes. The CB1100 feels and rides a lot like my '78 CB750F (as much as I can remember from 40 years ago). Like the CB1100, I bought those two Honda's for the way they looked.

I also had a pristine, all-original '70 CB750K0. All I can say about that experience is we're really spoiled by today's bikes!