03-11-2014, 10:19 PM
From my research here, the big differences seem to be modern intake, better braking, a bit more power, and slightly better handling with the CB1100. I can't imagine "fit and finish" being better on the CB1100. My Nighthawk looks like it rolled off a showroom floor... and our weather here is brutal. Honda did good work on the Nighthawk finishing, and I suspect the CB1100 would be the same.
As I noted earlier, I did address the front brakes by rebuilding the front master cylinder (easy) and added new fluid. It helped immensely, but yes, they aren't "stoppie" material. Funny, the rear drum works great, and in fact, works just as good as the rear discs on every modern motorcycle I've owned in the past. The plus to the brakes on the Nighthawk is simplicity: it's dead easy to adjust the rear drum, and super dead easy to bleed a single disc up front! My last ride was a 2001 BMW K1200RS... think "servo assist" brakes with countless bleed nipples! No thanks.
I have never been blown away by the handling on any modern standard (I chose comfort and upright riding position over a torture rack for a reason), but adding Progressive springs up front made a world of difference. In fact, I will add Progressive springs to every motorcycle I own on a go-forward basis.
With the Supertrapp full system exhaust, I noticed a marked improvement in top end hp. She's putting out a respectable 80 hp on top (a gain of 5 hp). The trick to tuning with the Supertrapp discs is to ensure no loss of bottom end torque. 7 or 8 discs seems to be the magic number (sounds good too). Overall, very happy with power. More torque, however, is always nice. Another point worth noting is that the factory boat anchors weigh exactly 28.9 pounds more than the Supertrapp system. A big weight savings!
Overall, I don't think my Nighthawk loses much against the new CB1100, but as others have said, "time marches on", and modern technology certainly makes life easier. While my carbs have never been an issue, using a choke lever during cold morning start-ups is an extra step I don't particularly love. I would also like a sixth gear to bring down rpms at highway speeds (partly to maintain fuel efficiency). I suppose a 16-tooth sprocket is a cheaper solution.
Having said all that, I think I will test ride a '13 CB1100 (as they're on sale now), and if I like it, I will buy it. I also decided to keep my '01 Nighthawk and use it for lighter runs and local city riding. If my Nighthawk was more worn or beaten, and didn't have all the OEM add-ons or the Supertrapp, I think I would have sold it. Perhaps I will sell it down the road... but it has remained in my garage long after other more expensive and sophisticated motorcycles have come and gone... we'll see.
Last question to you all... what kind of mileage are you getting?
I am averaging 42 to 45 mpg. I suspect with FI you are getting better numbers?
As I noted earlier, I did address the front brakes by rebuilding the front master cylinder (easy) and added new fluid. It helped immensely, but yes, they aren't "stoppie" material. Funny, the rear drum works great, and in fact, works just as good as the rear discs on every modern motorcycle I've owned in the past. The plus to the brakes on the Nighthawk is simplicity: it's dead easy to adjust the rear drum, and super dead easy to bleed a single disc up front! My last ride was a 2001 BMW K1200RS... think "servo assist" brakes with countless bleed nipples! No thanks.
I have never been blown away by the handling on any modern standard (I chose comfort and upright riding position over a torture rack for a reason), but adding Progressive springs up front made a world of difference. In fact, I will add Progressive springs to every motorcycle I own on a go-forward basis.
With the Supertrapp full system exhaust, I noticed a marked improvement in top end hp. She's putting out a respectable 80 hp on top (a gain of 5 hp). The trick to tuning with the Supertrapp discs is to ensure no loss of bottom end torque. 7 or 8 discs seems to be the magic number (sounds good too). Overall, very happy with power. More torque, however, is always nice. Another point worth noting is that the factory boat anchors weigh exactly 28.9 pounds more than the Supertrapp system. A big weight savings!
Overall, I don't think my Nighthawk loses much against the new CB1100, but as others have said, "time marches on", and modern technology certainly makes life easier. While my carbs have never been an issue, using a choke lever during cold morning start-ups is an extra step I don't particularly love. I would also like a sixth gear to bring down rpms at highway speeds (partly to maintain fuel efficiency). I suppose a 16-tooth sprocket is a cheaper solution.
Having said all that, I think I will test ride a '13 CB1100 (as they're on sale now), and if I like it, I will buy it. I also decided to keep my '01 Nighthawk and use it for lighter runs and local city riding. If my Nighthawk was more worn or beaten, and didn't have all the OEM add-ons or the Supertrapp, I think I would have sold it. Perhaps I will sell it down the road... but it has remained in my garage long after other more expensive and sophisticated motorcycles have come and gone... we'll see.
Last question to you all... what kind of mileage are you getting?
I am averaging 42 to 45 mpg. I suspect with FI you are getting better numbers?