NEW 2014: CB 1100, CB 1100 EX

[rboe]

http://motorbike-search-engine.co.uk/cla...eam-s7.jpg

Couple years the Sunbeam S-7 from the early fifties came up on my radar. I think that bike is drop dead gorgous. Even bought a print from an artist in Australia. Got to see one in person at the Buddy Stubbs museum in a local Harley dealership.

I think each generation latches onto a bike style that speaks to them and I fear I have imprinted on the late 70's while finding many in the 50's and earlier very cool looking. Anything with shades of Transformers; not so much. Can't say I really like the looks of the Moto Guzzi Griso but in the green paint and brown seat that bike rocks so I got one.

I'm less thrilled with it now, but back in the late 60's early 70's the Honda Dream was one hell of a looker. Probably because it reminded me of the Ford Galaxy 500 from 67-68. Then Honda came out with this CB1100. If they had not dragged their feet for so long I never would have gotten the Griso.

[the Ferret]

I wasn't trying to compare the two, they are a completely different genre of motorcycles. It will be interesting to see how well they sell though. It appears to be a lot of bike for very little money. Maybe if they had put that motor in a XS750 retro style bike I could have had some interest in one. But I like riding (or at least test riding) all motorcycles to see what they are like. Yamaha has a test ride truck that visits my local dealer, and my son and I go up and spend all day there and ride every bike they have from sports bikes to cruisers to adv bikes. Plus the owner of the local shop and I have been personal friends for 40 years and he will let me ride anything I want in the shop.

[rboe]

You are in the cat bird seat. Not many dealers will let folks test ride bikes. That said, I think you'll have to work pretty hard to find a dog of a bike today. Way too many well made machines out there (even the ones that need recalls typically get sorted and then are fine). But style wise, I think we're drawn to different bikes and todays kids, if they survive to our age, will think todays bikes are bee's knee's and consider them classics.

Honda was just coming out with their V4 Interceptors when I got out (back to college) so I still think they are "fresh" looking even though they are about thirty years old. I feel like Rip VanWinkle at times when it comes to motorcycles.

[the Ferret]

When I started riding some bikes still had 3 speed transmissions (my first new one did). The hot ones had 4. Then years later they came with 5. Now it's 6 and people are still searching for "another gear".

To me the best looking bikes were built between 1967 and 1973 lol. Same with cars.

[vfrpaul98_imp]

from a long time dealer friend in California, 2014 Honda cb1100 std in black s/r $10,399.00. 2014 cb1100 ex s/r $11,899.00. I have no other info.
Paul.

[AzBob_imp]

I just spoke with a very nice, tight lipped, man at Honda in Torrence. I had inquired about the availability and MSRP of the '14 EX in the US. His response was "the EX is currently only a Japanese and European market bike; therefore no pricing is available. We appreciate your call and this inquiry will be sent to management. If enough interest is shown in NA through these types of calls, it could possibly encourage Honda to bring them stateside. The regular CB has exceeded sales expectations so this may help as well."

If this is true, and it's also true that the CB has exceeded sales expectations, I don't see any reason to think the '14 EX won't come here. Note that the Torrance man said the EX is "currently" only a Japanese and European market bike. Means nothing at this point, and until Honda corporate officially confirms or denies it, this is all just rife speculation. I suspect we'll know more by March, but even that is just speculation on my part until Honda makes an announcement, about any, uh, forthcoming announcements. Trying to discern what the inscrutable Japanese intend to do can be fun, but they rarely let their secrets out before they're ready to...

If it were August or September 2013, I would agree. However, if you've been following motorcycles for a couple of years or more, you know that all the manufacturers announce their entire line-up around November. Honda has already done that. The only bike they left a little later was the new Valkyrie, and even that was only a couple of weeks after everything else. The CB1100 is not coming to the U.S. for the 2014 model year. At this point, they would have had to submit specimens for various emissions and safety protocols to make it in time. There's no point in releasing a bike mid-summer, missing half the buying season.

I have to disagree with you there, AzBob. I've been waiting for Yamaha to announce what 2014 models of Super Tenere they'll be bringing in -- electronic suspension model/non-ES model, or both -- and it's common knowledge they'll be making the announcement in March. So while they have announced some of the their 2014 lineup, they haven't announced their entire lineup, not to mention there are some pretty credible rumors out there that Yamaha will be releasing 3 or 4 other all-new models in 2014, mostly based on their new triple. I think anyone who is categorically stating that the CB1100 won't be coming to the U.S. for 2014 is no more than guessing, like the rest of us.

I see on the EPA website that they only have 2 Honda models scheduled for compliance this year, so it's probably the case that unless a revised model has had changes made to the motor itself, it probably gets a waiver or something along those lines.

As to when manufacturers release models, sure, it makes more sense to release models before riding season starts, but Yamaha started shipping FZ-09s to dealers in October and November of 2013, so that's not always the case. It doesn't appear to have hurt sales of the FZ-09s at all, as I've heard they are still flying out of dealers showrooms.

That's one model of a bike that sells well already in the largest growing segment of motorcycling that's already been on sale for a a couple of years in the U.S.

Quote:As to when manufacturers release models, sure, it makes more sense to release models before riding season starts, but Yamaha started shipping FZ-09s to dealers in October and November of 2013, so that's not always the case. It doesn't appear to have hurt sales of the FZ-09s at all, as I've heard they are still flying out of dealers showrooms.
The FZ-09 released in Oct/Nov is a 2014 model. If anything, it gives it MORE time to reach forecast sales figures.

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. The only reason I can think of for delaying the announcement would be unsold inventory of 2013's. But even when the 2008-2010 CBR's were clogging up dealer showrooms, Honda never failed to announce the next model year's version in November.

[Guth_imp]

When I started riding some bikes still had 3 speed transmissions (my first new one did). The hot ones had 4. Then years later they came with 5. Now it's 6 and people are still searching for "another gear".

To me the best looking bikes were built between 1967 and 1973 lol. Same with cars.

Although I'm a few years younger, I happen to feel pretty much the same.

[davidsargee_imp]

When I started riding some bikes still had 3 speed transmissions (my first new one did). The hot ones had 4. Then years later they came with 5. Now it's 6 and people are still searching for "another gear".

To me the best looking bikes were built between 1967 and 1973 lol. Same with cars.

Although I'm a few years younger, I happen to feel pretty much the same.

Although I'm a few years younger, I happen to feel pretty much the same.
Amen

[redReno_imp]

from a long time dealer friend in California, 2014 Honda cb1100 std in black s/r $10,399.00. 2014 cb1100 ex s/r $11,899.00. I have no other info.
Paul.

If the EX comes to the US I will definitely pick one up......used.... eventually ha. I won't be getting anymore new bikes for a long time.
I wouldn't change a thing on the European white EX, even if it was the quietest bike in the world.

[the Ferret]

If the 14 EX comes to the states in Red, I would be sorely tempted to sell my 13 and pick one up.