Potential Buyer

[DBM_imp]

I just bought a new leftover 2014 standard l call the black beauty. Everywhere l stop for gas, food, or a cold drink people are drawn to it and ask me about the bike. Most riders recall a muscle bike in their past that this bike reminds them of. For me l had a KZ 1000 back in high school and the CB 1100 brings back all those fond memories every time l twist the throttle. I have owned over 30 bikes in the past 45 years and my new CB has me smiling from ear to ear each time l ride it. Sure there are better bikes out there for this or that type of riding but overall you can't go wrong with the CB 1100. Plenty of smooth power with decent suspension that has preload adjustability and awesome brakes. Go for it.

[peterbaron]

Had 2013 (55000 km), and now have 2104 (23000 km)...NFF and keep riding trouble free. Cannot go wrong with the CB.
Good luck

[HellFishTat_imp]

Thanks all.

I wish I could find a used on at a dealer that would let me ride. If any of you are close to Raleigh, NC and would like to help me out, I'll gladly hand over the keys to my R1200s and we can run out to Chatham/Alamance County for a few hours.

[Houtman_imp]

Come to Asheville and you can ride one of my CB 1100 on the BRP.

[HellFishTat_imp]

I was there last weekend, should have posted this earlier

[Bheezy27403_imp]

As far as riding hard in the mountains, she holds her own. She has enough low end grunt to pull well out of the corners. She is set up pretty soft from the factory so you will need to stiffen the front and I recommend new shocks for the rear if you enjoy spirited riding. Ground clearance is pretty good after addressing the rear.

[Capo]

I would say your description of it being a 'UJM cruiser' isn't far off. That's not a pejorative, just somewhat accurate. Unlike a pure cruiser, however, the CB is capable of quite spirited riding, and with a few mods, its carving and touring capabilities are pretty darn good.

But the CB is an emotional buy. If it floats your aesthetic boat, for $7K, it's hard to beat.

[misterprofessionality]

I would say your description of it being a 'UJM cruiser' isn't far off. That's not a pejorative, just somewhat accurate. Unlike a pure cruiser, however, the CB is capable of quite spirited riding, and with a few mods, its carving and touring capabilities are pretty darn good.

But the CB is an emotional buy. If it floats your aesthetic boat, for $7K, it's hard to beat.

yep, that's pretty much the summary. it underperforms as a sport bike, and really can't be judged as one. it cruises well, but unlike a cruiser can be revv'd and is much more maneuverable than most cruisers in its engine class. the CB11 is right in the middle of all the established preconceptions about what a motorcycle is supposed to be.

It's for this very reason that I've always considered it a perfect commuter bike. the OP mentioned that it doesn't seem like many people use it as a daily rider, and I don't really think that's true. I, personally , use it as my sole means of transportation, putting around 12k on it annually, as well as taking road trips and other activities. It does "everything" well, almost nothing poorly (except offroad i guess? lol) and it doesn't do anything perfectly.

I guess the conclusion i'm coming to is that it isn't the right bike for a rider that wants their bike to do any one thing perfectly. It can't keep up with a VFR, it isn't as smooth as a 'wing or a big BMer, and it's mechanically inferior to other modern standards like the CB1000r. However, it's half the price of all those things. You can get them brand new as low as 6k. try to buy a bike this good (brand new from a dealership) anywhere for 6k, and you'll fail. that's what makes it such a unique buy in my mind.

[HellFishTat_imp]

I am not using UJM as a negative, but I do use "cruiser" as a negative.

I don't need 175hp to be happy, the R1200s is (at the crank) 125hp and 78 ftlbs of torque and it's a sub 500 lb bike.

Will it power wheelie, he** yes. Is it faster than I would ever ride it, he** yes.

My ideal riding is twisty backroads where you can help wear the chicken strip on the edges of the tyres. I don't like spending $300 on a set of tyres and only using the center 50%.

[Nortoon_imp]

If your view the Average CB1100 Age Poll you will see 68% of the forum members are 46 years of age and older. I am sure that like me a lot of these mature riders were drawn to CB1100 because of it retro motorcycle looks. It is not designed as a modern sport bike, touring motorcycle or cruiser, but as a 70s and 80s UJM Honda CB. However like the motorcycles of that era it can be used for all these riding styles.

I am retired and my CB1100 is only used for pleasure rides. I don't commute or ride in the city, as I live in a modern suburb with everything I need here. Cottage country is my playground of quiet, hilly and curvy roads. Although I have time, I usually only ride once a week about 400 to 500 kilometers (250 to 300 miles). Despite a 6 month riding season, I average 11,000 (6835 miles). This year being the exception because of extreme weather conditions. Hopefully we will have a long and decent fall.

Honda designed the CB1100 with everyday usable torque rather that wasted mega horsepower. The ride is easy in any gear. In most of my daily rides I chuckle when I see it loafing around the 3000 RPM mark. But when I have to pass, it does it with ease.

I expect this 1140cc 4-cylinder motorcycle will easily last well over 100,000 kilometers given that is a Honda and designed to be less stressed. I am currently looking to purchase an SUV and am surprized at the number of them with 4-cylinder engines not much bigger than the CBs.

If possible try a test ride on a CB. It should not take long to see why so many of us enjoy the ride whether enthusiastically sweeping the corners or just cruising through the country scenery.