05-30-2016, 04:45 PM
I own both, a 2015 Bonneville T100 since last Fall and just got a new 2014 CB1100 last week. I love them both and think each is the best looking of all bikes made by each of their manufacturers. Reason? Because they both have absolutely beautiful, fully exposed, air cooled engines.
They both have close to 50 years of heritage give or take a few years. The Triumph is more "old school" and faithful to the original design from 1959. The Honda goes back to 1969 and has slowly evolved into more of a modern day bike, i.e. until this year's launch of the thoroughly updated new Bonneville T120.
The 2016 T120 has become a true competitor to the 2014 CB1100 in terms of modernization, refinement and new technology, not to mention performance. The latest models' engines are now on more of an even playing field, 1140cc vs. 1200cc, however I'd give the edge to the Honda's DOHC, air cooled, in-line four over the new water cooled, SOHC twin. The CB's PGM-FI is flawless compared to either the T100 or T120, but the latter's engine seems under powered for its much larger displacement. Nevertheless, the T120 now perfectly emphasizes low to mid range torque in favor of high revving peak power. Same for the CB1100, perhaps even more so. Because of this, they both get very respectable fuel economy despite their hefty weights.
I think both are overpriced in terms of MSRPs, although Honda dealers are currently selling "leftover" 2014 CB1100s for thousands less. The same is true of leftover T100s, although both bikes for sale new are becoming increasingly harder to find in showrooms. Sadly, Honda's "DLX" CB1100 (in the U.S.) is already gone.
Again, I love my T100 and CB1100 and hope I can hang on to them for many years to come, alternating from one to the other for each subsequent ride for maximum motorcycling enjoyment.
They both have close to 50 years of heritage give or take a few years. The Triumph is more "old school" and faithful to the original design from 1959. The Honda goes back to 1969 and has slowly evolved into more of a modern day bike, i.e. until this year's launch of the thoroughly updated new Bonneville T120.
The 2016 T120 has become a true competitor to the 2014 CB1100 in terms of modernization, refinement and new technology, not to mention performance. The latest models' engines are now on more of an even playing field, 1140cc vs. 1200cc, however I'd give the edge to the Honda's DOHC, air cooled, in-line four over the new water cooled, SOHC twin. The CB's PGM-FI is flawless compared to either the T100 or T120, but the latter's engine seems under powered for its much larger displacement. Nevertheless, the T120 now perfectly emphasizes low to mid range torque in favor of high revving peak power. Same for the CB1100, perhaps even more so. Because of this, they both get very respectable fuel economy despite their hefty weights.
I think both are overpriced in terms of MSRPs, although Honda dealers are currently selling "leftover" 2014 CB1100s for thousands less. The same is true of leftover T100s, although both bikes for sale new are becoming increasingly harder to find in showrooms. Sadly, Honda's "DLX" CB1100 (in the U.S.) is already gone.
Again, I love my T100 and CB1100 and hope I can hang on to them for many years to come, alternating from one to the other for each subsequent ride for maximum motorcycling enjoyment.