04-05-2015, 04:16 AM
This will likely be the last big bore air-cooled engine we will see out of Japan. It has much tighter clearances compared to older 70s-80s big fours for efficiency, and for noise and emissions regulations, with the fuels available today.
This bike was not designed for maximum performance, otherwise it would be liquid-cooled. It was a compromise between appearance and performance. And as a result, it runs very hot, as witnessed by the oil cooled spark plugs, large oil cooler, and by the much more frequent valve inspection intervals. And as far as I know, the oil temperature light is not seen on any other Honda bike. The speed/rev limiter ensures a longer engine life.
Back in the day, my CBX would get so hot after a high speed run, it would ping like crazy minutes afterwards until it finally cooled down, regardless of the grade of fuel. Yes, superbikes of the 70s and 80s could be made to go faster, but for how long? I suspect the CB1100 will be just as smooth, quiet, refined and powerful at 100k miles, and although I may not put that many on it, I find that more comforting than knowing it could have gone 130mph.
This bike was not designed for maximum performance, otherwise it would be liquid-cooled. It was a compromise between appearance and performance. And as a result, it runs very hot, as witnessed by the oil cooled spark plugs, large oil cooler, and by the much more frequent valve inspection intervals. And as far as I know, the oil temperature light is not seen on any other Honda bike. The speed/rev limiter ensures a longer engine life.
Back in the day, my CBX would get so hot after a high speed run, it would ping like crazy minutes afterwards until it finally cooled down, regardless of the grade of fuel. Yes, superbikes of the 70s and 80s could be made to go faster, but for how long? I suspect the CB1100 will be just as smooth, quiet, refined and powerful at 100k miles, and although I may not put that many on it, I find that more comforting than knowing it could have gone 130mph.