Potential Buyer

[HellFishTat_imp]

Hello everyone.

I am considering buying a CB1100. When Honda first announced this model, I wanted to, and planned on purchasing one.

Once the specifications for the bike came out, I had second thoughts.

I have owned several CB's in my 30+ years of riding. My first bike was a '85 CB700SC. I loved that bike (as everyone does their first motorcycle). I got it in the spring of 1986. In the next 3 years, I put over 48,000 miles on it. In 1989 I sold the 700 and purchased (from my brother) a 1976 BMW R90S. I kept that bike for 2 years before selling it back to him. I was in my late 20's and wanted something newer/faster.

In the subsequent decades I have owned several motorcycles; 3x CB750s (2K, 1F), a VT1100C3, BMW K100RS, Honda ST1300, BMW R1100s, HD 1200 Sportster, 1998 VFR 800 (my all time favorite motorcycle, I don't know why I sold it) and a 2007 BMW R1200S (my current ride) for the past 3 years.

For some reason, I am still drawn to the CB1100.

Looking at this forum the past few day, I see a lot of people who own them who seem to only rack up a few hundred miles a year on them. Over the past decade, I have averaged 15,000 miles a year on motorcycle and I was wondering why no one seems to ride them this much.

I don't know if these motorcycle draw people who don't use them as their primary means of transportation, or if it's just not a big mileage eater.

I love the look of the bike. I can get a NOS 2014 from a local dealer for less than $7000, but it's not a deluxe or newer model with the larger tank.

Beside my typical commute of a few miles to work, I usually get out Saturday and Sunday for about 100-170 miles a time. Mostly backroads, well above the posted speed limit.

Is there anyone out there that uses their CB1100 for that type of riding?

Sub 100hp and over 500lbs has me worried that it's just a UJM cruiser. The reviews that I've read online seem to reinforce that notion.

I can't find anything online in the realm of performance modification beyond exhaust and ECU mods. Am I missing anything? The fact that the original CB1100 had 120 HP and the new one's have less than 90HP has me second quessing buying one.

[the Ferret]

Howdy and welcome to the forum

The CB is a great motorcycle, hard to fault you for wanting one.

However there are also some terrific deals on leftover VFR 800's ...just sayin'

[jdinaz_imp]

Welcome to the Forum, here's my thoughts on the mileage thing, I think a couple hundred miles a year is way low, if you notice the signatures here, most of the members have multiple motorcycles and likely spread the miles around. I think I probably ride less than most people here and I rode 1000 miles last year. Either way you can't go wrong with a CB or most other offerings out there. Good luck and enjoy your search for a new ride. Let us know how it goes !!

[tommymck_imp]

Hi HFT,

My commute is 20 miles to work and I've been averaging 2 days a week on the CB since I got mine new in the spring. I also average about 400 miles a month on the weekends on it. 3.5 K total so far, and I'd expect that I'll have at least another 3K before it gets too cold in these parts this year. I'm 6' and 185, and I don't find it wanting for HP or torque at all, but I'm rather tame in my riding. I'm trying to remember ferret's quote. Something about bad lines slowly.... I suspect that it's more true in my case than his, but I'm no speed demon. Really though, I'd be surprised if you found the CB1100 lacking in power. To my mind at least, the VFR is an entirely different bike.... If "UJM" is a dirty word for you, the CB is sort of a poster child for that term.

If there is any chance you can ride one, that'd probably tell the tale for you.

[PowerDubs_imp]

Miles wise it sounds like you are in a warmer climate than some of us may be?

It also sounds like you may ride more spirited and faster than many of us.

That being said- the CB can be made faster but you will spend money to do it. Same with better suspension.

You have to love the look of the bike, matched with the riding position to sink the money into it.

[dbarkdoll_imp]

Hi there HellFish. I am coming up on one year of ownership with my CB1100 (my first proper street bike, I’m 28). About to roll over 14,000 miles on it, so should be on track for my 15k/year goal that I have set for myself. I can confidently say that if you are drawn towards this motorcycle, and have the desire to ride the crap out of it, it will not let you down. Sure there are touring bikes that are better suited for the job, but for 300-400 mile rides here and there, the CB1100 truly shines.

[LongRanger_imp]

I have four bikes currently and put about 10,000 miles on them per year total. I live in the Rockies at 8000' and my riding season is relatively short, only about 4-5 months/year. I ride my CB similar to how you describe -- weekend day rides, mostly 300-400 mile loops, usually with breakfast as the destination. I avoid freeways like the plague and prefer to enjoy our numerous mountain passes and curvy high-country backroads instead (but I tend to obey speed limits). For this type of riding, the CB is a delight. It has plenty of juice, even at 14,000', and handles fine, though I agree it's a supreme "UJM cruiser" (I call it "my Harley"). I wouldn't get too hung up on the spec sheet. The CB is a nicely engineered jewel of a motorcycle that has plenty of kahunas. But I do agree with Ferret too -- you can get a smoking deal on a leftover '14!Interceptor, which would run rings around a CB1100, but perhaps not be as delightful. YMMV.

[Cormanus]

G’day HellFish. Welcome to the forum.

There’s a few of us who try to get out and about a bit. I managed 13,000 miles last year, a lot of it touring over a number of days and weeks. While I’m sure there are better bikes for it, the CB1100 is more than equal to the task. There’s no reason not to rack up lots of miles on one if you like it and are minded to. For my purposes, it’s powerful enough; again, that’s a matter of preference.

Tommymck is right: the best thing would be take one for a ride and see how you find it.

[the Ferret]

For the record one of our members has over 100,000 miles on his CB, another 85.000 and quite a few of us in the 40,000 mile group. I ride a little over 25,000 miles a year but split it between a CB and a dedicated sport tourer.

[mattmcuomo@yahoo.com]

I’ve put 44,300 and change on my 14 in less than 3 years. Still running as if it were new. One chain and a few sets of tires is all I’ve replaced.
Oh, and 1 air filter.

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