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'Character' or rough?
#1
hi all, I'm sure I've read that honda have altered the valve timing on 2 cylinders of the 1100rs in order to give the engine 'character'. To me this just translates as 'rough' and is not the quality feel I'm used to from a honda four. If I wanted something that feels and sounds like a twin I'd buy a twin. I'm going to ask my local dealer to take it for a ride and check that it's running right, (don't worry sir they all do that!). I must say the quicker I go the smoother it is and if its right I'm sure ill get used to it. Any comments welcome.
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#2
Truthfully my CB 1100's have been some of the smoothest bikes I have ever ridden outside of a six cylinder. If they made it rougher, I don't feel it.
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#3
It is this way and as I recently found out it has always been this way, not just the RS, all models. I thought it was a 2017MY and onwards feature but I was wrong. The newer design exhaust does tend to bring it out a little more. I did a few drive-bys to record it for myself, I don't mind it actually.

https://youtu.be/5DwZd3W56iw
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#4
Any comments welcome.
[/quote]
When my 2014 Dlx was new it didn't run clean at very low RPM (just off idle). I posted multiple comments about this on this forum, I think you may be able to find them under the mechanical section. To make a long story short, I took it back to the dealer twice to have it looked at, and both times they found nothing wrong. I corrected this issue myself by performing the TPS reset. I was very happy with the results, maybe you will be too?
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#5
I have noticed that when you get above 6k rpm, the engine does smooth out noticeably.
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#6
I never thought the CB1100 as "rough", but did know they engineered the lump to "have character". As Haggard pointed out, above 6000 it resonates like steel on ice.
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#7
Wasn't there a pretty extensive history of the bike's development on the honda.co.jp website? I think they mentioned changing the cam timing to give the engine a more 'characterful' demeanor. I think I remember someone else here on the forum swapping out the cams to get rid of the added character.
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#8
(05-04-2021, 07:02 AM)Stichill_imp Wrote: Wasn't there a pretty extensive history of the bike's development on the honda.co.jp website? I think they mentioned changing the cam timing to give the engine a more 'characterful' demeanor. I think I remember someone else here on the forum swapping out the cams to get rid of the added character.

Yes, somebody did post they wanted to remove the character, and enhance the likelihood that the rider will hit the starter motor again when the motor is already running. ( ... just kiddin' on the last part)
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#9
The extensive “history” was removed from the Honda website a while ago. There may be copies on the forum somewhere.
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#10
The CB1100 is about as smooth as it gets in my experience. Maybe it's just what I'm used to.
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