My review of the CB1100 (2018 EX)

[Tev62]

Hi guys and girls, I have had the CB for a few weeks now and I like to muck about with YouTube so I posted a review of my bike and what I thought about it. You don't see too many owner reviews I will say. These are just my thoughts, you might not agree with them of course. Spoiler alert, I do like the bike .

[peterbaron]

Good show, nice and clean bike. Congrats!!
Got a little dizzy while riding due to L-hand traffic but you get use to it...
A few questions:
That iron gate where you parked your bike, is an entrance to a private property or cemetery??
In the corner, is it your yellow Bug..seems 60's???

Thanks for sharing, stay/ride safe...

[Tev62]

That iron gate where you parked your bike, is an entrance to a private property or cemetery??

In the corner, is it your yellow Bug..seems 60's???

Thanks for the kind words. That is the entrance to the cemetery but for service vehicles so it would normally be locked.

The "yellow bug" is actually my 1952 MG TD which has had a severe lack of use this year due to the pandemic.

[Houtman_imp]

Thanks for the video , at least I could very well understand you , better than one of my all time favorite racers Joey Dunlop.

[GoldOxide_imp]

Alright, looks good; I've got it queued up to watch to the end. Can't wait Terry! Thx.

[Jfro5687_imp]

Enjoyed the video. Not much traffic where you live is there? Anyhow, turning 52 next year so the bikes I find most attractive are the mid to late 70's and early 80's stuff when I was a kid. They were the bikes I saw and heard walking to school everyday. The CB as both EX and RS version hits the spot (so do the latest Royal Enfield 650's as it happens). I don't see that many youngsters on motorbikes nowadays, and I mean by that people in their 20's and 30's. I don't think they are that interested TBH. Congestion is a big thing, speed cameras, idiot car and van drivers, pedestrians looking at their phones as they step out on you. I think you have to look for a pleasure in riding, a 'oneness' with your bike and not just focus on speed or absolute dynamic ability. That why I guess the majority of CB owners and forum members 'get' these Honda's.

[Tev62]

Enjoyed the video. Not much traffic where you live is there? Anyhow, turning 52 next year so the bikes I find most attractive are the mid to late 70's and early 80's stuff when I was a kid. They were the bikes I saw and heard walking to school everyday. The CB as both EX and RS version hits the spot (so do the latest Royal Enfield 650's as it happens). I don't see that many youngsters on motorbikes nowadays, and I mean by that people in their 20's and 30's. I don't think they are that interested TBH. Congestion is a big thing, speed cameras, idiot car and van drivers, pedestrians looking at their phones as they step out on you. I think you have to look for a pleasure in riding, a 'oneness' with your bike and not just focus on speed or absolute dynamic ability. That why I guess the majority of CB owners and forum members 'get' these Honda's.

Thankyou, glad you liked it. Not much traffic due to the lockdown of course but yes, this location was rural. There is a lot to challenge the youngsters getting into motorcycling these days, so I am not surprised it is a waning pastime. I don't see it as their fault though. My 18-year-old would not mind getting into bikes but it is cost prohibitive for him. I left school (and home) at 16 and got an Engineering apprenticeship, when I turned seventeen, I purchased a new Suzuki 250X7, it took half my wages to make the payments, but I could afford the petrol, tax and insurance and still live. Even if my lad, who lives at home, found a piece of junk motorcycle it would cost him €2,500-€4,000 to insure. As a school goer and hopefully University next year he will never have the earning power that I had at his age to afford this. The rampant compo culture, cost to litigate and large pay-outs has priced him out of the market in terms of insurance. I always remember my premiums being “normal” but not so anymore.

[Olof_imp]

Absolutely brilliant, thanks! I love your thoughtful reflections and spontaneous comments, spot on and with a bit of humour too. Also I'll definitely try your suspension adjustments, as my RS behaves as you describe. You made my otherwise dull grey Tuesday much more enjoyable!

[Jfro5687_imp]

Olof, yes, a bit of extra pre-load on the back (even if you leave the front alone) has always worked for me. It just puts the bike on its nose that bit more and does improve cornering feel and poise. Try it.

[tod.branko_imp]

Olof, yes, a bit of extra pre-load on the back (even if you leave the front alone) has always worked for me. It just puts the bike on its nose that bit more and does improve cornering feel and poise. Try it.

Don't mind me if I add, although pumping up the preload is ok for raising the back, suspension will work mostly in top of it's travel, thus not optimally. Try dropping the the triple clamps for 1cm, it will have the same effect on geometry, but the shocks will work in the mid-travel where it's supposed to be

'14 CB1100 STD 5 speed