Thinking about buying a cb1100

[Ausreed93_imp]

I'm looking to trade my bmw s1000r for a 2014 cb1100. It's a brand new left over unit. I do have some questions though...

What's your thoughts on buying a unit that is 4 years old? Would I run into reliability issues? Seems like a long time for a valve spring to be compressed as well... idk just something I was thinking about.

Also I've read about how reliable these bikes are but one thing I see pop up as an issue is corrosion and rust on the painted motor and tank. Are these just a few people or is this a problem across the board? I want to ride this bike a lot and not worry about the paint falling off every time I ride

[peterbaron]

I put this way:
Bought my 2013 CB with 4500km as a demo, rode it until 54000 km/spring 2018 and sold it. New owner called after few weeks with many thanks = NO problem.
Bought used 2014 CB with 17000 km in spring 2108, made about 6000 km so far with NO problem...so one is 5 the other 4 years old = NO complaints.
Base on this and other members feedback make your own decision...but hurry, before you regret it or is too late.

[Cormanus]

G’day Ausreed. Welcome to the forum.

Members via purchase of the leftover 14s and there have been no reports of problems. They’ll speak up, though, I’m sure.

There have been reports of flaking pain on the engine; mostly in the UK and Australia and not so much in the USA that we’ve heard of. I don’t recall reading about people having corrosion problems with the tank.

[LongRanger_imp]

On a bike that's been sitting that long, I'd have the dealer replace the brake and clutch fluid. I'd also request a warranty on the battery (or insist it be replaced as a condition of sale), but that's about it. If there's an issue with a valve spring, it'll be remedied under warranty. I've never heard of issues with corrosion on the fuel tank, but folks who ride on roads which get salted in the winter do complain about engine corrosion. Just like on your Beemer.

[Bheezy27403_imp]

Welcome. I bought my 13 in 2015, it had never had the batt hooked up at the dealer, so it sat 2 years, no problems. The only issue I have had is some blemishes\discoloration on the headers. They can be cleaned up with some elbow grease but apparently it hasn't bothered me too much to do so.

Honestly, if there is a better bang for buck in motorcycledom (assuming you are getting a deal many have gotten on leftovers), I would like someone to tell me what it is.

[egleaves_imp]

I bought a leftover '14 nearly a year ago that I ride as a daily commuter. No issues, no corrosion, no complaints after more than 18,000 miles.

Some members here have made some good points about the leftovers sitting so long as it pertains to tires and fluids. I wore through the factory tires kinda quickly but I still have the brake and clutch fluids that came with it. I don't know if they add brake/clutch fluids at the factory, or after the bike is un-crated and assembled.

[Jeeves_imp]

I JUST bought a 2013 with 600 miles on it... Honda reliability has held me well so far, don't anticipate any problems, but who knows... Running like a top, I did change the oil right away to a Mobil 1 racing synthetic...

[Cormanus]

You might want to see this thread that started today, http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=13300

I should have added this morning that my bike has some rust on the triple tree. redbirds (I think) has reported a similar problem.

[max]

I'm not convinced that the cb1100 is made to drive in the wet, come home and forget about it.
There are parts on the bike that need some attention, mine had a trace of rust under the tank and i sprayed some clearcoat over it, it was just a lack of paint cover, the inside of the chrome mudguards could do with the same treatment and some other things, gloss paint on the engine works fine but satin is just not as durable anywhere.

The reliability is very good as you would expect but if your s1000r has given no problems it may be just as good and there is a definite drop in performance for the cb, mine is also 8 years old.
Very valid question and glad you asked, there are other low maintenance bikes if that is what you want.
All these things are preventable but it depends how much cleaning you want to do, most of us ride in the sun and then there is no problem, its a great relaxed machine if you appreciate the looks though.

Don't want to stop you from buying it but i do want to give you my honest opinion as you wanted.

[misterprofessionality]

I think I know what everybody means when they mention bits of rust appearing around the tree or around some exposed bits. However, I've never in my life had a bike that I could ride through the driving rain and just drop off in my garage without a wipe-down and expect nothing at all to happen, especially after repeated treatment like that. It's just habit for me to always wipe down critical areas after a wet ride.