Why the CB1100 will never be a big seller

[lola_imp]

If nothing else, like Capo has mentioned before, I would have liked to see Honda feature the CB1100 a bit more prominently in their showrooms. But then I remind myself that they initially developed the CB1100 for the Japanese market and had no intention of bringing the bike to North America back then. I've stated in the past that I've often felt like Honda was sort of throwing us a bone here in the States by finally bringing the bike over here. I'm guessing that our general reaction to the bike hasn't come as too much of a surprise to their corporate types.

Honda certainly has money to dump into some sort of real marketing effort for the CB1100 if that was what they wanted to do. Obviously that hasn't been part of their plan for the bike. Releasing a small number of these machines over here that were priced on the high side of what consumers could bear with little fanfare to speak of was what Honda decided to do. Surely they realized that such a plan wouldn't result in large sales figures for the CB1100. Despite my disappointment with Honda's choices when it comes to marketing the bike, if nothing else I remain grateful that they changed their mind about releasing it to the US market. I can still remember when it seemed like that was never going to happen.

For reference, Triumph sold a total of approximately 50,000 motorcycles worldwide in 2016. Honda sold something like 1.5 million. They spend over $200 million on car advertising in the US alone. They can do whatever they want. They would produce as many CB's as they possibly could sell.

Recall Ferrett's posting about Honda building precisely the bike they wanted to? I concur. And they advertise it precisely as much as they want to. I'm in that business and have worked with Honda on campaigns.

Regarding Nortoon's vivid comments about the ugliness of CB's, in that this is a tight forum, and 99 % of the members own 'ugly blacked out / twisted pipes' bikes, a little common courtesy might be a good idea.


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Good point of reference. In that light, just imagine the impact it would have on Triumph Motorcycles Ltd if they were to never have sold the Bonneville here in the States. Such a decision would have had quite a notable effect on the company. On the other hand, if Honda had stuck with their original plan to not bring the CB1100 over here, the impact would be negligible in the overall scheme of things as far as Honda is concerned. With that in mind, one can understand why Triumph offers so much in the way of related accessories and lifestyle products (and perhaps why Honda doesn't).

there is a reason why Guth is the forum founder.. I completely 1000% agree with this.

never crossed my mind as to why the CB did not catch on or did well In North America. I am just glad I got the motorcycle I wanted and Honda delivered.

Though Its cool to ask the majority as to why we pick this motorcycle over the other brand, But lately we see topics regarding the CB'S sales failure and its flaws and it kind of gets tiring. But it makes for good discussions and debate no?

I do believe we are a lucky bunch to have this unique Bike.

[the Ferret]

LOl if you remember a while back I put up this thread

http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=3709

it had to do with finding things to talk about because the bike is so good we don't have the usual complaints to pour over time and time again, so we have to make up complaints like sales failures and weight and lack of domestic accessory availability.

Guth has a great point (it's why he is the wise leader here), this bike was never made for here (U.S.). we begged thenm to send some we could buy. They did. I'm happy.

[rboe]

I have an opinion on this bike - and put my money where my opinion was.

That didn't work out well so I bought the bike instead.

[ride4now_imp]

[quote='Cormanus' pid='160635' dateline='1483521770']


Why, such forum luminaries as ride4now and the Ferret himself dashed out and rid themselves of the black engine and tangled pipes...

I'm just impressed that I'm in the same league as The Ferret and am considered a luminarie... whatever that is... Let me put it this way... I loved my '13, but the '14 did it even better. Kind of like the blonde I loved in High School who was replaced by the Brunette a bit later. The brunette is still here and has been my wife for 40+ years. The blonde, well, she married someone else and got fat...

[the Ferret]

[Guth_imp]

[quote='Cormanus' pid='160635' dateline='1483521770']


Why, such forum luminaries as ride4now and the Ferret himself dashed out and rid themselves of the black engine and tangled pipes...

I'm just impressed that I'm in the same league as The Ferret and am considered a luminarie... whatever that is... Let me put it this way... I loved my '13, but the '14 did it even better. Kind of like the blonde I loved in High School who was replaced by the Brunette a bit later. The brunette is still here and has been my wife for 40+ years. The blonde, well, she married someone else and got fat...

Although in this case the brunette has around 30 pounds on the blonde

EDIT: Just to be clear, I am indeed talking about CB1100s here. I don't want to get on the wrong side of any blondes or brunette's out there, and certainly not Mrs. ride4now.

I would also note that ratio of the CB's weight to my own is decreasing on a yearly basis*.

*Sadly, my CB isn't getting any lighter.

[rboe]

Another question to consider; how do the sales of the CB compare to other models? There are a lot of models out there and I dare say most are not great sellers. Good enough for most to stick around, but not great.

Using that metric, perhaps the CB1100 sales are just fine. It's all relative.

[ride4now_imp]

I don't think they release sales by model, so we'll never know. But I don't think this is unprecedented. Haven't they, and others, been inconsistent at times on how they produce certain models?

[quote='Cormanus' pid='160635' dateline='1483521770']


Why, such forum luminaries as ride4now and the Ferret himself dashed out and rid themselves of the black engine and tangled pipes...

I'm just impressed that I'm in the same league as The Ferret and am considered a luminarie... whatever that is... Let me put it this way... I loved my '13, but the '14 did it even better. Kind of like the blonde I loved in High School who was replaced by the Brunette a bit later. The brunette is still here and has been my wife for 40+ years. The blonde, well, she married someone else and got fat...

Although in this case the brunette has around 30 pounds on the blonde

EDIT: Just to be clear, I am indeed talking about CB1100s here. I don't want to get on the wrong side of any blondes or brunette's out there, and certainly not Mrs. ride4now.

I would also note that ratio of the CB's weight to my own is decreasing on a yearly basis*.

*Sadly, my CB isn't getting any lighter.

Although in this case the brunette has around 30 pounds on the blonde

EDIT: Just to be clear, I am indeed talking about CB1100s here. I don't want to get on the wrong side of any blondes or brunette's out there, and certainly not Mrs. ride4now.

I would also note that ratio of the CB's weight to my own is decreasing on a yearly basis*.

*Sadly, my CB isn't getting any lighter.
Mrs ride4now thought you were very nice when we met you last year, now she's not so sure. . Guth, I did show her the back and forth... was actually a bit concerned when she read that 'I loved that blonde', but she got over it when I mentioned her current appearance. She's fine now.... I don't think she gave two thoughts to what you wrote. I think she thinks this whole forum stuff is a bunch of grownup men acting at times like kids. She's probably right.

[ClassicVW_imp]

Reminds me of the line....

What's the difference between a wife and a girlfriend?

About 35 lbs.

[gtmn_imp]

for the record my other bike is a ctx1300
if you think Honda did a bad job with the cb go ask your dealer about a ctx1300
he will likely know nothing about the bike
if the dealer has one on the floor ask him about it and his answer will likely be I don't know but its been here for a while
both of these bikes are probably the best bikes I have owned and I have had a bunch
now my take on the cbs is this
if you are going to mod one do a black one
the dlx is beautiful and should not be touched
maybe a windscreen and suspension
now on the exhaust every guy everywhere installed 4into 1s back in the day just to get rid of the double exhaust
I assume that's why Honda put on the 4into 1
I am bad enough with the symmetry thing that I take off badges on my cars because there on one side
I am really bad and I can live with the single side exhaust
now onto bike sales
they will never sell many of these type bikes because they are after a diff buyer
most bike buyer go into a dealer with their buddy who just got a faster bike and now need a faster bike to compete
this is a p---er size problem for most
I do not want to see another bike like mine at every corner when I'm out
this is why I don't ride a gsxr
the hp wars on bikes sell bikes not function
what most don't understand is they cant ride the hp anyway. its only something to talk about. if guys really knew about motors they would talk about torque
and almost know one knows what torque is
the cb is an awesome bike with gobs of smooth bottom end toque as does my ctx
I will take that any day over a high hp #