08-16-2013, 12:28 PM
wingman, in addition to the CB1100, I also own a 1988 Honda Hawk GT. The Hawk weighs in at just over 400 pounds with a full tank of gas. There is around 140 pounds difference between the two bikes. I can really tell when I'm moving the bikes around in the garage. However, once I'm rolling, on board the bikes, the difference is surprisingly small. The CB1100 is extremely manageable around town and in tight spaces like parking garages, etc., yet it's nice and stable out on the open road (my little Hawk tends to get blown around a fair amount).
I still dig my Hawk, but it does tend to feel smaller, a bit more cramped, and a bit more lethargic after I've spent time out on the CB1100. However, the CB1100 is anything but intimidating. Switching from the Hawk to the CB1100, the big CB just has so much more torque (anywhere in that beautiful flat powerband that you happen to find yourself), it is effortless to ride, yet it doesn't feel ponderous in any way and gets around really well for being a standard with basic suspension components. Honda almost would have been better off if they didn't have to disclose the displacement of this machine. A lot of people get hung up on the fact that it is an 1100, forgetting that it is an air-cooled design meeting modern emissions standards. Along with the displacement come the expectations. But if you just hop on the bike and ride it, you realize that it is a fairly compact, yet solid and stable machine. To some it probably seems more like a 750 than an 1100. For what it is, it's certainly no slouch. Up until they ran into the electronic speed limiter, Cycle World's tested performance figures puts it above pretty much any of the previous air-cooled CBs of the past with the exception of the original CB1100F. If your looking for more top end speed than the limited 112mph, then the CB1100 probably isn't the best choice of bike anyway.
I spend most of my time on the bike commuting in the city where the ample torque, slick-shifting gearbox and easy maneuverability make it a real pleasure to use. Once I'm out on the highway, I just leave it fifth gear and I've got plenty of grunt for passing other vehicles when needed. The bike is always happy to pull me along down the road with no complaints. The bottom line is that it's a great all-around bike, exactly what it seems Honda was shooting for.
Honda really did their homework when it came to designing the CB1100 and it shows.
I still dig my Hawk, but it does tend to feel smaller, a bit more cramped, and a bit more lethargic after I've spent time out on the CB1100. However, the CB1100 is anything but intimidating. Switching from the Hawk to the CB1100, the big CB just has so much more torque (anywhere in that beautiful flat powerband that you happen to find yourself), it is effortless to ride, yet it doesn't feel ponderous in any way and gets around really well for being a standard with basic suspension components. Honda almost would have been better off if they didn't have to disclose the displacement of this machine. A lot of people get hung up on the fact that it is an 1100, forgetting that it is an air-cooled design meeting modern emissions standards. Along with the displacement come the expectations. But if you just hop on the bike and ride it, you realize that it is a fairly compact, yet solid and stable machine. To some it probably seems more like a 750 than an 1100. For what it is, it's certainly no slouch. Up until they ran into the electronic speed limiter, Cycle World's tested performance figures puts it above pretty much any of the previous air-cooled CBs of the past with the exception of the original CB1100F. If your looking for more top end speed than the limited 112mph, then the CB1100 probably isn't the best choice of bike anyway.
I spend most of my time on the bike commuting in the city where the ample torque, slick-shifting gearbox and easy maneuverability make it a real pleasure to use. Once I'm out on the highway, I just leave it fifth gear and I've got plenty of grunt for passing other vehicles when needed. The bike is always happy to pull me along down the road with no complaints. The bottom line is that it's a great all-around bike, exactly what it seems Honda was shooting for.
Honda really did their homework when it came to designing the CB1100 and it shows.