Exceptionally good review of the CB1100RS

[Ulvetanna_imp]

I have not tried the 2014 standard seat yet but 2017RS seat is quite comfortable
I've make couple trips with range of 3 - 400km within a day an no issue at all.

I read the article from start to finish. If the RS seat is similar to the 2014 standard seat, then I can agree with the author that it is not comfortable. Other than that, no agreement at all. He takes several positive things about the bike and turns them into negatives.

Like many riders, he appears to feel a great need for speed. There are other bikes for that. This bike is for those who like smooth perfection.

Keep in mind this bike is for the European and Asian market. Those markets value retro style and high performance. It wasn't designed to appeal to the Long Distance rider or touring community. The RS was styled to look like a 1970s super bike, kitted out with the wide modern wheels, lower bars, and reportedly a few performance tweaks to the power band. It's also got the suspension and brake upgrades. So it looks the part of cafe racer. That culture is very popular for the intended market.

So the review is accurate from that point of view, as both the Thruxton and R9T offer more performance, at least on a spec sheet. North America doesn't get that bike, unfortunately, because I think it would sell very well. My neck of the woods is just lousy with R9Ts, T120/T100/Street Twin/Cup Triumphs, and the like. Those bikes are hugely popular in urban areas for both style and transportation. The CB1100RS would've fit right in. In fact, it would have drawn more attention in a parking lot full of bikes than either the Triumphs or the BMWs, in my opinion. And is likely still a much better standard motorcycle.

But maybe Honda'll bring it over if it's a success in Europe.

Then again, maybe the fact that the seat was the most controversial aspect of the machine is telling.

And what it probably tells Honda is they've made the right decision going up against the XSR900, Z900RS, along with the BMW and Triumph models, by squaring off against them with the CB1000R series.

I may have to take a look at one of those.