2017 Honda CB1100 EX Anticipation Thread

[the Ferret]

Ho Ho Ho

[ride4now_imp]

Ho Ho Ho

Back at ya...

[Timpo_imp]

Reference photo to compare similarities / differences between the 2014 DLX and the 2017 EX.

nice side by side comparison but I like the 2017 model because it has RS model.

[TCBronson_imp]

In comparing all of the CB1100's, the new 2017 is more authentic to the CB750 because it has spoke wheels. The DLX has the all silver engine like the original CB750. They both have 4 in to 2 exhaust that I like a lot as well. To me those are the things that I like the most. I agree spoke wheels are a pain to keep clean, but it adds to the over all look. Spoke wheels on the DLX would be the best of all worlds! Plus the bigger tank and 6th speed on both are a bonus over the 2013 CB1100, in my opinion.

[Timpo_imp]

In comparing all of the CB1100's, the new 2017 is more authentic to the CB750 because it has spoke wheels. The DLX has the all silver engine like the original CB750. They both have 4 in to 2 exhaust that I like a lot as well. To me those are the things that I like the most. I agree spoke wheels are a pain to keep clean, but it adds to the over all look. Spoke wheels on the DLX would be the best of all worlds! Plus the bigger tank and 6th speed on both are a bonus over the 2013 CB1100, in my opinion.

Not just cleaning, but truing spoke wheels periodically is such a pain.
It's super tedious and I'm not good at it so takes forever.

[TCBronson_imp]

I agree with the truing issue. Interestingly all the bikes I have owned with spokes I never had any issues with truing. Maybe because I didn't keep them long enough.

[Guth_imp]

I'm really looking forward to the release of this model in the US!



From many of the comments made in other threads, it sounds like several people expect this bike to be a slow seller. Maybe yes...but maybe no (if the quantity imported is severely limited).

I've never put a deposit down on a bike (particularly a Japanese bike) ahead of release. I assume there's no point until the MSRP is set and the dealers find out about their allocation? Thoughts welcomed.

Here are my thoughts:

Your enthusiasm for the new CB1100 reminds me a bit of my own experience back in 2012 (before the bike had made it here to the states). I was fired up enough by the photos of the bike that when Honda announced their plans to bring it here I went with my gut instinct. Without ever seeing a CB1100 in person I placed a deposit on one without hesitation (which like you, I had never done before and fortunately I've never regretted that decision). Around that time I also met a few other guys on another motorcycling forum who were also fired up about the CB1100. While most people involved in that discussion were pretty excited by the bike, it was still a bit of a mixed bag when it came to reactions overall. While I enjoyed the conversation, I honestly wasn't all that concerned with what the others thought of the bike, I just wanted one (badly). I didn't ponder whether or not it would sell well. All that mattered was that would have at least one to sell to me.

Just as we banter on now about the 2017 EX, so it was back then with the 2013 model. Some didn't like the silver colored side panels. Some didn't like the color of the wheels and the engine. Some didn't like the 4 into 1 exhaust. You get the picture. None of that mattered to me because I did like those things. The overall package just worked for me, and it still does. If my CB1100 were stolen (egads), I'd be out looking for another 2013 model. If you're truly passionate about the new CB1100 and the bike manages to check off all of the right boxes for you then that's honestly all that matters. Whether it's the look of the new tank or the engine treatment or the spoked wheels, it's what you think that counts. Or to put it differently, there's a lot better chance that you'll be happy with the bike if you pay attention to what it is that you like as opposed to what others don't. Go with your gut.

[LongRanger_imp]

Great words!

[Stichill_imp]

I'm really looking forward to the release of this model in the US!



From many of the comments made in other threads, it sounds like several people expect this bike to be a slow seller. Maybe yes...but maybe no (if the quantity imported is severely limited).

I've never put a deposit down on a bike (particularly a Japanese bike) ahead of release. I assume there's no point until the MSRP is set and the dealers find out about their allocation? Thoughts welcomed.

Here are my thoughts:

Your enthusiasm for the new CB1100 reminds me a bit of my own experience back in 2012 (before the bike had made it here to the states). I was fired up enough by the photos of the bike that when Honda announced their plans to bring it here I went with my gut instinct. Without ever seeing a CB1100 in person I placed a deposit on one without hesitation (which like you, I had never done before and fortunately I've never regretted that decision). Around that time I also met a few other guys on another motorcycling forum who were also fired up about the CB1100. While most people involved in that discussion were pretty excited by the bike, it was still a bit of a mixed bag when it came to reactions overall. While I enjoyed the conversation, I honestly wasn't all that concerned with what the others thought of the bike, I just wanted one (badly). I didn't ponder whether or not it would sell well. All that mattered was that would have at least one to sell to me.

Just as we banter on now about the 2017 EX, so it was back then with the 2013 model. Some didn't like the silver colored side panels. Some didn't like the color of the wheels and the engine. Some didn't like the 4 into 1 exhaust. You get the picture. None of that mattered to me because I did like those things. The overall package just worked for me, and it still does. If my CB1100 were stolen (egads), I'd be out looking for another 2013 model. If you're truly passionate about the new CB1100 and the bike manages to check off all of the right boxes for you then that's honestly all that matters. Whether it's the look of the new tank or the engine treatment or the spoked wheels, it's what you think that counts. Or to put it differently, there's a lot better chance that you'll be happy with the bike if you pay attention to what it is that you like as opposed to what others don't. Go with your gut.

No I totally agree. I guess I'm primarily reacting to the somber buzz kill that seems to creep into every conversation about the new bike.

My hope in starting this thread was to catalyze more enthusiasm around the new model and provide some self-sustaining positive discussion energy around it for those that dig it. It's unfortunate but true that in too many "product enthusiast" forums, many of the regular denizens are often among the least enthusiastic and the first to pooh-pooh anything new and different.

It doesn't affect my enthusiasm a whit, but I'm all too aware that there are usually 10x or more lurkers and temporary visitors to forums like this. So they may stop in to find out how those "in the know" are receiving the new model. Unfortunately at this point, I think the sentiment about the '17 EX is running about 5:1 "against" based on purely subjective aesthetic criteria focused on mainly one element (the tank), maybe two (the wheels). I just don't think that's a good thing to have happen on a forum ostensibly dedicated to enthusiasm for a particular product.

As ferret pointed out, if the new tank is that objectionable, swapping it doesn't require a huge investment or effort. Ditto the brushed aluminum side covers. But there are a myriad of interesting new details about the new model, both cosmetic and functional, that merit interest. Before I saw the 2017 EX, I would have said that the DLX is represents nearly idealized perfection for the CB1100. I still think it is awesome, but putting the '17 EX next to it (at least for me) provides an "Ah ha!" moment about many of the details that could be subtly updated with positive effect. And the new tank (and the entire RS variant) are there to garner more attention to the effort as a legitimate freshening of an older model.

Indeed, the '17 tank is a departure for Honda. So was the '13 tank...it doesn't look anything like a historic Honda CB750 tank in my opinion...it's some kind of amalgamation of the upper profile of a CB750 tank, the front of a CB750F tank, and the back of a Nighthawk 750 tank. But, it still looks terrific.

What I'm interested in doing is trying to respect the creative talents of the designers, make an attempt to understand their intentions and motivations, and evaluate/appreciate the outcome in light of how well the designers met their objectives. By those criteria, I judge the 2017 CB1100 EX an unqualified success.

[TCBronson_imp]

Stichill you mentioned that " there are a myriad of interesting new details about the new model, both cosmetic and functional, that merit interest." Please elaborate what you see and like. I have to admit the 2017 is growing on me.