Exceptionally good review of the CB1100RS

[michael1954]

I came across this some time ago and have never seen a reference to it here.

I felt much the same way about my own 2013 after it'd been modded with Ikon shocks, the CB (Chip Beck) handlebars, a K&N air filter, and stainless steel Galfer brake lines/EBC HH pads.

[url=https://www.ridersdomain.com/magazine/motorcycles/reviews/2017-honda-cb1100rs/]2017 HONDA CB1100RS: A FEW INGREDIENTS SHY OF EXCELLENCE



Now, why didn't Honda bring this bike to North America? And why isn't it selling? The roads around here are thick with Triumphs of every stripe, XSR900s, various Ducatis of the Scrambler variety, and so on. Weight be hanged, I might have purchased one of these just based on this review.

I would have bought one without the review. I liked the RS as soon as it came out and even called Honda of American to see why it was not here. Got no real good answer.

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.

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.


I have both, and I enjoy the heck out of the Z900RS, but love riding the smoother EX. I get more compliments on the 2017 EX than I do on the Z900RS. There is hardly an inline four with such Beauty, or for that matter, few bikes hold a candle to the looks of the EX or DLX. A guy stopped by as I was leaving work on the EX last week and said it was the prettiest bike he has ever seen and now wants to buy one. I told him how Honda dumped on the CB1100 and he would have to look hard to find the EX or DLX.