08-20-2018, 03:26 AM
A contrarian's view
CB1100 is a very special motorcycle. It's most important distinguishing characteristic is that it is, and will probably remain, the last air cooled inline four.
One might - or might not - believe that for something I will call a "serious motorcycle", for a number of reasons, anything less then four cylinders is simply an antiquated motorcycle design. I respect the difference of opinion, but have nothing much to offer to those that do not share this view.
However, when it comes to air cooling, things are not so simple.
Given today's exhaust emission requirements and power/mass ratio expectations, air cooling is not the best engineering option. Liquid cooling will result in additional mechanical complexity and the presence of an ugly radiator, but it will result in a design that will better meet contemporary exhaust emission requirements, will result in more kilowatts per kilogram of vehicle mass and it will result in a vehicle that is more capable to deal with modern stop-and-go urban traffic.
So, the first question anyone considering this motorcycle must ask himself or herself is this:
Am I sufficiently attracted to the esthetics and the design philosophy of an air-cooled motorcycle to tolerate the downsides of such design?
If your answer is "no", look elsewhere. If it is yes, re-read all the answers above.
BTW, if you believe a two-cylinder engine is also a reasonable choice and are not put off by increased noise and vibrations, the number of your options will increase substantially.
CB1100 is a very special motorcycle. It's most important distinguishing characteristic is that it is, and will probably remain, the last air cooled inline four.
One might - or might not - believe that for something I will call a "serious motorcycle", for a number of reasons, anything less then four cylinders is simply an antiquated motorcycle design. I respect the difference of opinion, but have nothing much to offer to those that do not share this view.
However, when it comes to air cooling, things are not so simple.
Given today's exhaust emission requirements and power/mass ratio expectations, air cooling is not the best engineering option. Liquid cooling will result in additional mechanical complexity and the presence of an ugly radiator, but it will result in a design that will better meet contemporary exhaust emission requirements, will result in more kilowatts per kilogram of vehicle mass and it will result in a vehicle that is more capable to deal with modern stop-and-go urban traffic.
So, the first question anyone considering this motorcycle must ask himself or herself is this:
Am I sufficiently attracted to the esthetics and the design philosophy of an air-cooled motorcycle to tolerate the downsides of such design?
If your answer is "no", look elsewhere. If it is yes, re-read all the answers above.
BTW, if you believe a two-cylinder engine is also a reasonable choice and are not put off by increased noise and vibrations, the number of your options will increase substantially.