01-09-2018, 02:51 AM
Guth, you actually got me to thinking over the question of which model-year CB1100 looks the best, and I've reluctantly come to the conclusion that I agree with your assessment that the original 2013 model is probably the purest fulfillment of the original design goals set forth by the product planners. I prefer the '14 Deluxe's and '17 EX's stitched seat and instrument cluster, and the '17's lack of tank seams. I also prefer the extra chrome bits on the '17 EX, as well as its improved suspension, additional power, and meaner-sounding engine snarl. The addition of the six-speed to the '14 Deluxe and '17 EX is a no-brainer preference for me. Stylistically, the smaller twin pipes do look better than the larger single pipe on the '13 and '14 Standard, but the weight-savings argument for the single pipe is difficult to ignore, particularly since Honda inexplicably opted against the much cooler 2+2 design from the original sketch.
Aesthetically, however, that's about it, in favor of the later models. Otherwise, the '13 has most of the other boxes checked. Seams aside (and they are pretty egregious, I have to say), I think the tank shape of the '13 and '14 Standard is superior to the '14 Deluxe and '17 EX, in that it looks more like a classic old CB tank. John Burns described the '17 EX's tank as looking like something off of an old Norton, which he loves, and so do I, but an old Norton isn't an old CB. The '13 and '14 Standard tank shape just nails it. It's slimmer, plus it's shorter, top to bottom. Also, that inset winged logo is just tremendous, and I want the green instrument faces, as well as those tubeless Comstar wheels. I think the '17 EX's spokes look better than the Comstars, but the tubeless Comstars look more correct, since the CB1100 looks less like an original '69 CB750 and more like a CB450 or CB900. Lastly, I prefer the single-color engine treatment of all other models to the 50-50 treatment on the '17 EX.
All in all, the '13 simply looks lighter and more purposeful than the '14 Deluxe or '17 EX, which both look a bit more like very pretty rolling couches.
Then there's the '17 RS, which offers two major styling improvements over the '17 EX: the single-color motor, and the stripes on the tank. Those stripes do a great job of slimming down the appearance of that taller tank. I might also say that the RS's piggyback shocks look better than the standard items on all other CB models, and the 43mm forks and radial-mounted brakes look more aggressive than the smaller, budget-based items on the other models. I'm not so sure about the gold fork legs and shock, though, except when they're paired with the gold tank version. Now that one looks amazing.
For me, the perfect CB would be a '17 EX (including more power and no limiters) with the '14 Deluxe's all-silver motor and green-faced clocks, tubeless spoked wheels with right-angle valve stems, a seamless version of the '13's tank punched out to 4.6 gallons, and triangle side covers (as opposed to the '14 Deluxe's extended frame-covering affairs) painted to match the red tank.
Aesthetically, however, that's about it, in favor of the later models. Otherwise, the '13 has most of the other boxes checked. Seams aside (and they are pretty egregious, I have to say), I think the tank shape of the '13 and '14 Standard is superior to the '14 Deluxe and '17 EX, in that it looks more like a classic old CB tank. John Burns described the '17 EX's tank as looking like something off of an old Norton, which he loves, and so do I, but an old Norton isn't an old CB. The '13 and '14 Standard tank shape just nails it. It's slimmer, plus it's shorter, top to bottom. Also, that inset winged logo is just tremendous, and I want the green instrument faces, as well as those tubeless Comstar wheels. I think the '17 EX's spokes look better than the Comstars, but the tubeless Comstars look more correct, since the CB1100 looks less like an original '69 CB750 and more like a CB450 or CB900. Lastly, I prefer the single-color engine treatment of all other models to the 50-50 treatment on the '17 EX.
All in all, the '13 simply looks lighter and more purposeful than the '14 Deluxe or '17 EX, which both look a bit more like very pretty rolling couches.
Then there's the '17 RS, which offers two major styling improvements over the '17 EX: the single-color motor, and the stripes on the tank. Those stripes do a great job of slimming down the appearance of that taller tank. I might also say that the RS's piggyback shocks look better than the standard items on all other CB models, and the 43mm forks and radial-mounted brakes look more aggressive than the smaller, budget-based items on the other models. I'm not so sure about the gold fork legs and shock, though, except when they're paired with the gold tank version. Now that one looks amazing.
For me, the perfect CB would be a '17 EX (including more power and no limiters) with the '14 Deluxe's all-silver motor and green-faced clocks, tubeless spoked wheels with right-angle valve stems, a seamless version of the '13's tank punched out to 4.6 gallons, and triangle side covers (as opposed to the '14 Deluxe's extended frame-covering affairs) painted to match the red tank.