How good is the CB 1100?

[the Ferret]

Sure, the more of something one puts out the more likely something will be wrong with one of them. Honda has a reputation for building a quality product (well earned IMO) but that doesn't mean every single Honda vehicle that was purchased was problem free.

What we are talking about here though is a pattern of problems. Take gas tanks swelling on Ducati's for example..it wasn't one or two, it was lots and lots and lots of them. A recurring common problem. An issue where if someone asked are there any issues with Ducati Monsters, someone would say, you have to watch for gas tanks swelling. Same with fuel injection on the new FZ-09 Yamaha or rear spokes on the Triumph Bonnevilles in 2001-2003, or secondary master cylinders on HONDA ST 1300's which the owners forums would like to see a recall on.

What would you say if someone asked you about the CB 1100?

[ClassicVW_imp]

Well, all in all I've owned six Honda motorcycles. True, that a couple of them I didn't put high mileage on, but they still didn't have failures even after 36 years. And after sitting a few years and being put back into service. And no rust either!

Don't get me started on BMWs! They have had some well publicized quality issues the past 10 years or so. Final drive failures. Fuel strip failures. Handlebar switch failures where the bike won't start after being parked in the sunlight! Engines stalling out at high speed on freeways. Clutch problems. One of their flagship models, the 2014 R1200RT is recalled and a fairly unusual STOP RIDE order issued by BMW until the rear shock can be redesigned and manufactured. Lots of unhappy owners can't ride their bikes in the middle of the riding season.

I think, for the most part, the difference is Honda stays with tried and true technology while still modernizing their lineup, and BMW just has to stuff their bikes with the newest technology and computer controlled electronics that their engineers dream up seemingly just for the sake of having cutting edge technology. Features that very few owners have asked for.

[ride4now_imp]

Sure, the more of something one puts out the more likely something will be wrong with one of them. Honda has a reputation for building a quality product (well earned IMO) but that doesn't mean every single Honda vehicle that was purchased was problem free.

What we are talking about here though is a pattern of problems. Take gas tanks swelling on Ducati's for example..it wasn't one or two, it was lots and lots and lots of them. A recurring common problem. An issue where if someone asked are there any issues with Ducati Monsters, someone would say, you have to watch for gas tanks swelling. Same with fuel injection on the new FZ-09 Yamaha or rear spokes on the Triumph Bonnevilles in 2001-2003, or secondary master cylinders on HONDA ST 1300's which the owners forums would like to see a recall on.

What would you say if someone asked you about the CB 1100?

I'd say... great choice, you're going to love it!

[Mdalon_imp]

The CB1100 is my first motorcycle and I'm 45. What planet am I from? I walked into my local dealer kicking tires for 3 years. Never had the $$$ anyway. I walked in and saw the blacked out 6 speed with just enough chrome to make it one of the coolest bikes right now. I signed the paperwork and my friend drove it home. Went and took the two day course got my moto endorsement. Talked to Flo got my ins coverage and it was a wild ride for a first bike. Frog leggin, curb Rollin, brake sweatin, and torque jerk on right turns. After 1000 miles I can't stop smiling it is so dam fun. On my second day on the bike in 4 lane wall to wall traffic I avoided a serious sideswipe accident with a van. Here in Florida there are brick roads with highs and lows that will throw you a mile off your bike. I cruise over em floating like a 70's Lincoln land yacht. The sound of the motor is like a sewing machine and is awesomely consistent in her sound. As I'm cruzing I can rubberneck girls weird sights ride no hands and be so comfortable. Her side to side transitions make me feel like freaking Speed Racer or something. 3500 miles in 6 months worth of love!

[Guth_imp]

Sorry guys, I suppose I'm veering a bit off topic. I wasn't thinking of a smaller set of units sold hiding any potential lurking problems. I was thinking more along the lines of the big problem at some point might simply getting your hands on a CB1100. No matter how great the bike is, if sales figures remain low, at some point Honda will stop selling them (as our members in Australia already discovered). If someone were to steal my CB1100 right now, I could still easily replace it by searching dealers for a remaining 2013 model. But what if that were to happen in say 5 or maybe 10 years from now? I'm not sure just how hard it would be to find a nice clean example available for sale. I mention this because to ferret's point, it has been a wonderful bike so far and if anything were to happen to my CB1100, I'd certainly want to replace it with another just like it.

As a point of reference, I used to own a 1967 camaro convertible. I owned it for four years or so before the car was stolen. Nice examples had appreciated quite a bit in that short period of time and I never did replace the car. I certainly miss it at times though and wish I had another.

[Houtman_imp]

Guth , if your CB1100 ever get stolen you should have enough people you know who own a CB 1100 so just steal one from one of the members !
(only kidding)

[tonyr7_imp]

Only thing I've experienced on a 2013 is the inaccurate gas meter, and how quiet it is. The sound is just my opinion but other than that it's a great bike!

[Short Timer_imp]

Sorry guys, I suppose I'm veering a bit off topic. I wasn't thinking of a smaller set of units sold hiding any potential lurking problems. I was thinking more along the lines of the big problem at some point might simply getting your hands on a CB1100. No matter how great the bike is, if sales figures remain low, at some point Honda will stop selling them (as our members in Australia already discovered). If someone were to steal my CB1100 right now, I could still easily replace it by searching dealers for a remaining 2013 model. But what if that were to happen in say 5 or maybe 10 years from now? I'm not sure just how hard it would be to find a nice clean example available for sale. I mention this because to ferret's point, it has been a wonderful bike so far and if anything were to happen to my CB1100, I'd certainly want to replace it with another just like it.

As a point of reference, I used to own a 1967 camaro convertible. I owned it for four years or so before the car was stolen. Nice examples had appreciated quite a bit in that short period of time and I never did replace the car. I certainly miss it at times though and wish I had another.

Hmm, all good points. I'm going to make the case to my spouse on the need to purchase a back-up while they're still available.





If I'm absent from the forum for awhile I know y'all will understand.

[Glackie_imp]

In June I moved to Edmonton, Alberta from the U.S. I had decided I was going to get a 2014 CB1100 after I got to Canada because my trailer was full with a 1972 CB350K and a 1976 CB750. When I walked into the local Honda bike dealer and the salesman looked at me like I was a bit off when I told him I wanted to buy a CB1100. According to him, there were only 60 imported into the country this year. That was a big disappointment, so I bought one in Minnesota, where I'm from. Just got back to Edmonton on it this week. I really like the 6th gear. I traveled about 1350 miles in 3 days and averaged 47 mpg. Under 4k rpm at 80 mph. The seat wasn't great for that long of a trip, but I don't know that any seat would be. Really happy with this machine so far.

p.s. I'm new here, hi.

[Cormanus]

Nicely put, Guth. I've had similar thoughts. What would I do if anything happened to my CB1100. I could probably pick up a good second hand one at the moment. But in a few years? To future proof this bike, it would be a wonderful thing if it became as popular and sold as well as the CB750 did in the 1970s. Sadly, Honda (or any other manufacturer) is unlikely to pull that off with bikes that look pretty much the same.

But, hey, why be depressed? Honda made this bike and we've all had the opportunity to ride them and look at them and even love them. Our worlds at least are a better place for that.