Anyone feel underwhelmed?

[furious_blue_imp]

Every prospective buyer should watch Honda's CB1100 'power of dreams' promo video. If the day's ride in that video holds no appeal, then you probably won't be in love with the bike.

[Flynbulldog_imp]

flynbulldog--My best friend also had a 1098R. I've got a CBR1000RR and a VFR1200F, so I know about power.

But, in referring to his 1098R, I used to call the throttle the "Front Wheel Lifting Device."

I don't care what sportbike experience a person has there is nothing that can prepare you for the 1098R
It is simply mind-boggling, there's nothing else like it.

I agree with you 99%, but my noob nephew( 5000 miles on a 04 triumph Bonneville) rode mine yesterday and fell in love with it. I think the OP just was expecting something different. Kinda like it was for us when the CB750 and the Z-1 came out. This bike isn't groundbreaking in that way, but it is one of my favorite all time bikes I have owned. I think the bike is brilliant! It gets better every ride.

Yes exactly as I said, a noob with very little or no experience will love the CB11,

I'm guessing your nephew's experience on mild bonnie would lead him to be surprised by the CB.

it's those guys with a few bikes and a few years under their belts that are starting to taste performance that won't fall in love with the CB. it wont be enough.

Those of us who've spent years on high performance bikes can relax and enjoy what the CB delivers. We don't need or want this bike to be another racer.

Hey I know I'm being a bit narrow and we all have different needs and desires. The bottom line is to be in love with it or to move on to something that does it for you. No bike will satisfy everybody.

[_imp]

If you're 26 this is not the bike for you. I'm 56 and it's the perfect bike for me. Honda got the handling and feel right on. Of course if I need some speed I will fire up my FZ8. The CB1100 is a bike that could be compared to a designer tube guitar amp; younger players used to digital amp modeling just won't get the old-style amps. In 30 years you will definitely get the CB1100 but not right now. So your instincts are right on the money. I started riding on the street when I was 26 and my first street bike was a V45 Interceptor. I could not be bothered with the old air-cooled junk. Things are different now.

[Joola_imp]

If you're 26 this is not the bike for you. I'm 56 and it's the perfect bike for me. Honda got the handling and feel right on. Of course if I need some speed I will fire up my FZ8. The CB1100 is a bike that could be compared to a designer tube guitar amp; younger players used to digital amp modeling just won't get the old-style amps. In 30 years you will definitely get the CB1100 but not right now. So your instincts are right on the money. I started riding on the street when I was 26 and my first street bike was a V45 Interceptor. I could not be bothered with the old air-cooled junk. Things are different now.

Perhaps I'm an outlier, but I'm 27 and loving every second of my CB11.

[12cb96vfr_imp]

Every prospective buyer should watch Honda's CB1100 'power of dreams' promo video. If the day's ride in that video holds no appeal, then you probably won't be in love with the bike.

Very true, I loved that video!!! And I didn't see it till after I got the CB!

I guess was a little late to the riding game, I never even sat on a bike till I was 28 years old. I bought a honda shadow to learn on and I loved it. Put 20k miles on it in a year but wanted something bigger, faster, stronger.

I got a Yamaha Warrior and rode the wheels off of that thing, then my buddy got a sportbike - suddenly the Warrior wasn't enough. Added a Z1000 and rode the wheels off of that thing!

Then came the inevitable - I was cruising along on the Z and CRASH. Hit a very slick wet spot on a dark curve and the front tire washed out - a freak thing. I immediately replaced it with a VFR.

I started to think about what I really LOVED about riding. I was never going to be the fastest, the more I tinkered with go-fast parts the less I was riding. Then stuff breaks, then the bike is down for repair - and the cycle repeats itself.

I bought the CB because I realized what I really love is RIDING! being out there, taking it all in, enjoying the experience of it all. I don't care about 0-60 times, HP numbers or drag strip times, or carving the best corner (and going all out on public roads like i did on the Z was BEGGING for trouble). I just want to ride.....

I like working on my bike and the best way to describe the 1100 is simple. Cheap and easy to maintain, reliable, and simple. A beautiful combination!

Damn I sound old hahahaha!

[_imp]

If you're 26 this is not the bike for you. I'm 56 and it's the perfect bike for me. Honda got the handling and feel right on. Of course if I need some speed I will fire up my FZ8. The CB1100 is a bike that could be compared to a designer tube guitar amp; younger players used to digital amp modeling just won't get the old-style amps. In 30 years you will definitely get the CB1100 but not right now. So your instincts are right on the money. I started riding on the street when I was 26 and my first street bike was a V45 Interceptor. I could not be bothered with the old air-cooled junk. Things are different now.

Perhaps I'm an outlier, but I'm 27 and loving every second of my CB11.

Perhaps I'm an outlier, but I'm 27 and loving every second of my CB11. You are indeed, sir!

[oldyaler_imp]

Every prospective buyer should watch Honda's CB1100 'power of dreams' promo video. If the day's ride in that video holds no appeal, then you probably won't be in love with the bike.

Very true, I loved that video!!! And I didn't see it till after I got the CB!

I guess was a little late to the riding game, I never even sat on a bike till I was 28 years old. I bought a honda shadow to learn on and I loved it. Put 20k miles on it in a year but wanted something bigger, faster, stronger.

I got a Yamaha Warrior and rode the wheels off of that thing, then my buddy got a sportbike - suddenly the Warrior wasn't enough. Added a Z1000 and rode the wheels off of that thing!

Then came the inevitable - I was cruising along on the Z and CRASH. Hit a very slick wet spot on a dark curve and the front tire washed out - a freak thing. I immediately replaced it with a VFR.

I started to think about what I really LOVED about riding. I was never going to be the fastest, the more I tinkered with go-fast parts the less I was riding. Then stuff breaks, then the bike is down for repair - and the cycle repeats itself.

I bought the CB because I realized what I really love is RIDING! being out there, taking it all in, enjoying the experience of it all. I don't care about 0-60 times, HP numbers or drag strip times, or carving the best corner (and going all out on public roads like i did on the Z was BEGGING for trouble). I just want to ride.....

I like working on my bike and the best way to describe the 1100 is simple. Cheap and easy to maintain, reliable, and simple. A beautiful combination!

Damn I sound old hahahaha!

I bought the CB because I realized what I really love is RIDING! being out there, taking it all in, enjoying the experience of it all. I don't care about 0-60 times, HP numbers or drag strip times, or carving the best corner (and going all out on public roads like i did on the Z was BEGGING for trouble). I just want to ride..... This is precisely what the CB1100 is all about. You have learned well grasshopper. Now, go forth and ACCESSORIZE!

[ApathyCurve_imp]

The CB1100 is an "old" muscle bike -- without having to deal with all the old tech. That's the entire appeal of the motorcycle: retro looks, modern tech. It's tuned for a broad powerband and ease of maintenance, not speed at any price. In that sense, it is very much in the same vein as the 2005-series Mustang GT, which I bought for exactly the same reasons: style and "just enough" speed. If I'd wanted the fastest, best-handling sports car, I would have chosen differently.

Even though I'm only 45 and didn't own any of the 70s bikes, I can remember drooling over 750s and the CBX when I was a youngster on a minibike. The 1100 scratches an itch that I couldn't satisfy as a young boy.

It's about style, not speed. If I'd wanted the latter, I'd have bought another CBR, (though neither my back nor my wife would have approved). Quite frankly, that CBR nearly killed me on three separate occasions, so I think I'm probably better off without another one. I'm delighted with my purchase and looking forward to a thriving aftermarket so I can "make it my own." If that mentality doesn't appeal to you, and the down-tuned engine is something that constantly annoys you, then you are probably right to sell it and get a different bike.

[_imp]

I have had mine 3 days and still, honestly, cannot shake off several automatic actions which happen every time I see it:

1. I want to check the petcock to make sure it's turned off so as not to let the carb bowls overflow in the event of a sticky needle/float.

2. My mind adds in the marks left under the ignition switch by a key fob dangling there for 40,000 miles (there are no such marks).

3. My mind adds the spotty corrosion on the engine side covers along with the odd rust spots on the forks and fenders.

4. I need to stop myself checking for any oil or fluid leaks.

I have, however, ceased to look for the enrichener lever.

[thumper_imp]

I have had mine 3 days and still, honestly, cannot shake off several automatic actions which happen every time I see it:

1. I want to check the petcock to make sure it's turned off so as not to let the carb bowls overflow in the event of a sticky needle/float.

2. My mind adds in the marks left under the ignition switch by a key fob dangling there for 40,000 miles (there are no such marks).

3. My mind adds the spotty corrosion on the engine side covers along with the odd rust spots on the forks and fenders.

4. I need to stop myself checking for any oil or fluid leaks.

I have, however, ceased to look for the enrichener lever.

Don't forget to check your bias-ply tires for cracking!!