Buyer's Guide: A Response to the Critics of the CB1100

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In 2010, Honda Motorcycle debuted the CB1100. Production ended in 2022. Four variations were released during its run:
• CB1100 STD
• CB1100 DLX
• CB1100 RS
• CB1100 EX

Although all models share a very similar engine, significant differences exist between suspension, transmission, and finishes. All four variants share two other characteristics: they are dearly loved by their owners and unfairly criticized by industry experts.

The fact that you are reading this Thread on the CB1100 Forum suggests that you are either considering buying a CB1100 or already own one. Whatever your situation may be, I hope you gain some benefit from my comments and those of other Forum Members who contribute to this thread.

My Background & the Potential for Bias

Although I believe every word I have submitted for your consideration is factual, I must at least acknowledge that my feelings about the CB1100 line are passionate: I love everything about the CB1100. I have raced, ridden, and restored motorcycles for 39 years. I have owned Harley’s, Yamaha’s, Kawasaki’s, and Honda’s. A motorcycle speaks to me when it is well engineered, manufactured impeccably, and blends form and style. I measure quality not by speed, weight, or torque; rather, I appraise a motorcycle by its ability to engage the rider to want more time on the motorcycle.

I find most motorcycle reviews to be well intended but misguided, as pretentious as that sounds. Comparing two motorcycles with an 1100 CC Motor outside of the context of the designer’s vision and target rider demographic and underlying engineering and countless other items is beyond perplexing for me. Had I embraced the assertions made by Motorcycle Magazines, YouTube Experts, and Honda Dealerships, I would never have bought my 2017 Honda CB1100EX. The common consensus is that the CB1100 was well intended but missed the mark.  See a few examples from the mainstream:

CB1100: Abject Bucket O’ Sh*te (Australia’s InfoMoto)

CB1100: A Retro Pretender (USA’s Road & Track)

However, when I sought the counsel of owners on this Forum and read the stories by those who actually own, ride, and maintain a CB1100, I found a far different story. 14 months later from the day of purchase, not only do I have no regrets, I also know I will own my CB1100EX for the balance of my life.

Before I address the most common criticism leveled at a CB1100, let’s review its origins, why Honda built it in lieu of other motorcycles, and the motivations of those who took it from a drawing to a shining motorcycle in my garage.

CB1100 Origins

Mitsuyoshi Kohama was the Chief Designer for the modern Honda CB1100, which was released in 2010. His vision was to create a motorcycle that blended authentic, traditional design with modern engineering, rather than conforming to existing categories like a supersport or cruiser.

Concept and Philosophy

• Back to basics: After working in Europe, Kohama felt the motorcycle industry had overemphasized acceleration and styling over more fundamental design principles. He sketched out the CB1100's components—tires, engine, frame, tank, and seat—to craft them beautifully into a perfect whole.
  
  
• An air-cooled engine: Kohama insisted on an air-cooled engine despite internal skepticism at Honda, which had long favored water-cooled systems for maximum performance. His reasoning was simple: "My only reason is that a lot of customers like air-cooled engines". He appreciated the look and the unique metallic sound of a cooling air-cooled engine.
  
  
• Design over styling: Kohama and his team focused on "design" rather than "styling". Because a motorcycle's mechanical parts are visible, he believed every functional component should also be aesthetically beautiful, reflecting the "artisan-level handiwork" of the bike's origins. His intention was to craft and combine these basic elements into a perfect, harmonious set, like an art piece.
  
  
• An accessible machine: Despite its classic design and artisan-level detail, Kohama wanted the CB1100 to be approachable and easy to ride.
  
  
• The controversial air-cooled engine: Kohama insisted on an air-cooled engine, even though Honda had favored liquid-cooled systems for performance. He simply believed that many customers liked air-cooled engines for their aesthetic and mechanical character.
  
  
• Three design pillars: In one of Kohama's initial sketches for a new CB, he included three Kanji characters along with his design. These three characters would later be used to guide the entire team working on the CB1100 project. Everything that they did pertaining to the CB1100 were to relate to these three characters in some way. They are as follows.
  
  • 美 BI: Beauty
    
  • 匠 TAKUMI: Craftsmanship
    
  • 楽 RAKU: Ease
    
  
  
  Kohama's Legacy: Mitsuyoshi Kohama's dedication to his unconventional vision is what defines the character of the CB1100. The result is a motorcycle that consciously rejects the trend toward high-performance, technologically advanced bikes in favor of simplicity, emotional connection, and a classic aesthetic. The CB1100's success proved that there was a significant market for riders who valued these traditional qualities.
  
  
  My Response to the Most Common Criticism Levelled at the CB1100
  
  The Honda CB1100 prioritizes retro styling and a reliable, "safe" riding experience over modern performance. The CB1100 was never intended to be a high-performance motorcycle. But it is a motorcycle that can be driven every day for urban commuting, on the weekend on twisty roads in a canyon, or across the country on holiday. It will also last for 50+ years if properly maintained. Although there are countless motorcycles which are faster, few are as reliable. The motorcycle is made from metal and chrome, not hardened plastics. Designers focused on weight, but from the vantage point of balance, not reduction. It is a motorcycle which can be ridden by someone petite or tall, light or robust.
  
  The CB1100 is too heavy and too slow. The CB1100’s weight is perfect relative to its design goals: create a motorcycle that is easy to ride, stable, and enduring. The 562 LBS wet are perfectly balanced. Should a new rider or someone who is returning to motorcycling after a long hiatus purchase a CB1100? Absolutely not. But if you understand the basics of rider geometry, motorcycling handling, and road conditions, that weight will enable you to ride with confidence and comfort. It is a perfectly balanced motorcycle at 5 MPH or 75 MPH. Few motorcycles can make that claim. To put the performance issue in context, a 2017 Stock Corvette posts a 0 to 60 time of 3.5 seconds. A 2017 Honda CB1100 clocks a 0 to 60 time of 2.9 seconds. Achieving 45-50 MPG, a CB1100 is also affordable to ride.
  
  The CB1100 lacks modern technologies like cruise control, rider modes, and self-adjusting suspension. Although that statement is true, it was not an oversight of Kohama’s team. It was a conscious choice.  CB1100 riders desire an immersion experience where they blend with the motorcycle. Many of technology features present in modern Sport, Naked, and Cruiser take control of the motorcycle from the rider. That is the opposite of what the Kohama team set out to accomplish. Because the CB1100 has a brilliant but relatively simple design compared to more technically advanced motorcycles, maintenance schedules are basic and affordable. Many CB1100 owners maintain their own motorcycles, deferring to a professional mechanic only for valve adjustments and tire changes.
  
  The CB1100 is a bland motorcycle, lacking soul and inspiration. Of all the constant criticism of a CB1100, this one is more perplexing to me than all the rest. Wherever I go, someone notices my motorcycle and wants to engage with me. I am not a charismatic or outgoing person. The attention is the direct result of my motorcycle engaging someone at an emotional level, even if they have never been on a motorcycle. I am not sure the same effect occurs with the Adventure or Sport Motorcycle of the moment. As a rider, there is tremendous satisfaction that is derived from feeling in control of the motorcycle with power and handling in reserve. As for bland, this is what I see when I walk toward my motorcycle. If that is bland, I would like two more helpings.
  
  
  
  Final Words and the Obligatory Spec Chart
  
  If you have managed to reach this final section of the post, it suggests that you either have a high tolerance for my ramblings or something you read resonated with you. I encourage you to read other Threads on the Forum, look at the pictures posted by our Members, marvel at all the motorcycles that run for years and thousands of miles without issue, and most importantly see the joy that those motorcycles enable each time they are started. If you want a high-performance, sport motorcycle, buy something else. If you want a touring motorcycle that handles like a car, buy something else. If you want to go into the outback and carve your own road through mother nature’s wilderness, buy something else. But if want to learn something about yourself on an open road and celebrate the very best parts of riding a motorcycle, consider a CB1100 of any vintage. Best of luck. David
  
  Specifications
  
  
  
  CB1100 Launch Video
  
  
  
  Image Gallery
  
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  https://imgur.com/a/honda-cb1100-models-eGtixsH