I've got SW-Motech's on my '13 (black) and the Honda units on my '14 - I prefer the SW-Motech. They stick out a wee bit further and seem more robust with a better mounting system.
Having the CB1100 is like having a nice Buick in the fleet for those time when you want a nice easy ride (a very sporty Buick mind you). It is very well suited for those short rides around town, perhaps not as much fun as your sport bike for a romp up Mt. Lemon but I think you'll find that it handles that ride well too. With a few mods (e.g. luggage rack, some sort of windscreen) it can be made into a good touring machine. It's an excellent all arounder. It has plenty of sporty riding potential for my needs but for serious sport riders there are much better choices out there. Unlike the 60's and most of the 70's you can go down to the dealer and get a track ready bike and do well on the track if your skills can back it up. Today, like cars, the market has matured so you can get the bike to suit your riding needs. Be that dual sport, adventure, posing, something to go to coffee on, perhaps commute or bombing the canyons. All out performance, at least for me and it seems a lot of other folks, is not king anymore. Now I just want a bike so I can do some riding, light touring (long weekends), run to coffee with the guys - something that does not urge me to give it the beans all the time. The CB1100 hits those ticks in spades. Most of the guys that bought then moved on fairly fast wanted a much more sporting bike. The rest of us wanted the bike version of the family car. With the lower insurance rates that go with it.
I'll add, it was my 2nd bike, but my "first" bike, Moto Guzzi Griso, has been sold and the Honda is still here. Luckily, we all have different needs and wants and there are plenty of really good choices out there to pick from so hopefully this will give you a good idea of how it scratches my itches so you can see if it would be a good fit for you two.
Now my 2nd bike is a XR650L. Which another story.
If you buy new stock tires seem to be very thin skinned, at least the front ones. Angel GT's are excellent replacement units (as well as the Road Pilots).
Heat can be a problem with the aging of the oil, easy solution is to just change it a bit more often, it really depends upon your use of the bike. In Phoenix I simply ride less and in the mornings.