Will the CB1100 be the last of it's kind in America?

[Ghis_imp]

Love this thread. Everybody here totally gets it. However I will say that even if times change, and youngsters want bikes that look nothing like what we like, one has to wonder where the heck Honda is going with that new Valkyrie or that NM4. I can see how anime fantasy driven Japanese kids might like that futuristic transformer style, but I have yet to see the new Valkyrie, or the NM4 on US roads. I thought I had seen ugly bikes before, but those seriously take the cake. And I think the term "fugly" applies here. My CB next to those looks like a beautiful, well mannered, educated, and well respected lady, who is both classy and extremely sexy all at once, like the dream woman. The others are like punk girls on meth.

[Henrik_imp]

I thought some more on this topic last night, and I actually don’t find the situation to be alarming. If we look at what is available from all the major brands, I think that pretty much all producers actually has at least one bike in their line-up that is likely to appeal to those that prefer a more classic looking bike with some old-school charm.

Being realistic, this type of bike will always be a bit of a niche market. Any manufacturer is in the business to make money, and so most of their effort will obviously cater for what constitutes the biggest demand. Bike magazines in turn will also focus on these bikes mainly for the same reasons. As a result, it is not surprising that a bike like the Explorer is voted bike of the year. What I found particularly interesting though, and also very promising, was the immense interest created by the R9T last year. Although not a pure retro bike, it is one that also focuses on a niche market yet the public and the media gave it a lot of attention.

If we look at the situation brand by brand, I think it all looks quite good:

Honda
Even if there is no update for this year, the CB1100 is still available. Perhaps sales figures are fairly low, but there continues to be an interest on a global level. When its production is finally ended, and honestly there are no obvious indications of this happening soon, I would expect Honda to come up with something new to fit this sort of market. As for the rest of the Honda range, there is not much that appeals to me personally, although if I was in the market for a proper sports bike I would certainly keep an eye on the CBR1000RR.

Yamaha
I know it is not available in the US market, but as a manufacturer they are still producing the XJR 1300 which is a very interesting basic bike harking back to the 70’s and 80’s. I personally prefer the CB1100, but it does constitute a good alternative. They also have the SR400 which is certainly retro.

Suzuki
I think at present this may be the only Japanese brand that does not propose an obvious retro-like bike in any way. Since they stopped the GSXR1400 a few years back, there has been a bit of a vacuum there for them to fill. They certainly would have the parts available to make a new one, and possibly of Yamaha continues to be successful with their XJR they might bring something back. There is always hope.

Kawasaki
Again, I do not believe it is available in the US market, but Kawasaki is having a fair success around the world with the W800. My personal opinion is that this is a better Bonnie than the Bonnie, and it is certainly a competent retro offering. Having previously had the W650, they clearly saw a market demand and brought out the W800. Here in Europe it may not sell as well as the Bonnie, but it does well enough for Kawasaki to keep producing it. Then there were also those rumors about the return of the Zephyr….

Triumph
Clearly Triumph maintains the Bonneville as a cornerstone of their product range. It continues to be a very strong seller, and with their history I doubt that Triumph could stop it. I think we are more likely to continue to see updates on it, each year also seeing some special models and other derivatives from the base model.

BMW
I mentioned before the R9T, and this has proven to be a huge success. Some will say it is not actually a retro, but regardless of what it is, it seems to appeal to people like us. It is simple in design, and has a look which goes totally away from the rest of the transformer-like bikes that makes up the majority of today’s market. The impact the bike had last year is very much a sign of hope for the future!

Ducati
They have just brought out the Scrambler, and for having tested it recently it is a great little bike. It doesn’t really compete with a CB, but it clearly is the type of bike that will appeal to those who like it simple and classic. In the past there were the Sports Classic, and I can imagine that if the Scrambler is a success they might just have a go again on something like that.

KTM
I figured I would mention them given that they have become a force within the biking industry. However, let’s keep in mind that they do not have a long history of road bikes. KTM was always cutting edge endure and cross bikes, and it is only recently that they have moved to track bikes. As far as roadsters are concerned, it then makes sense that anything they produce would be based on their endure heritage, which is obvious with the Super Dukes they have made.

Moto Guzzi
Much of their production is based on the sort of bike appealing to the crowd here with the V7, Griso and California. Certainly a brand to turn to if looking for a more traditional bike.

Aprilia
Not much for me to like these days in their lineup. I liked the older V2 Tuonos, but since they went V4 it is not for me. Besides, the looks have always been a bit iffy. However, a few years back they came out with a beautiful concept bike, the Blue Marlin. Who knows what they might do in the future?

There are then a number of bike companies making cruisers that all are very much like bikes of the past while including some more up to date technology. Obviously Harley Davidson, but also now Indian as well as Victory. We also find some other specialty bikes like Royal Enfield and even the Urals. I am sure this is not an exhaustive list, but it does cover a fairly large spectrum.

So, even though the large majority of bikes sold today may not appeal to us as they are too modern/plastic/electronics etc. it seems to me there is still a lot to choose from, and I believe there still will be in the future.

[CA200_imp]

This a really great thread and I agree with most of what has been said.
But being a big Suzuki fan I think you should also consider the
TU250. It's retro , UJM. Not really to different from the GNs and GSs
of the 80s. Yes it's small and is the go to bike for the MFS courses.
My wife has had many other bikes in the past - PC800 , SECA650
many more but at this point in her life she feels this is just perfect
now even though I keep on her to get something nicer.
[/img]
This is yesterday , her first ride this year.

[ChipBeck_imp]

The bike seems to only appeal to those who already owned or liked the CB750 from back in the day. I don't think it's the be all end all bike, but it is a very very well done retro bike.

I personally don't think standards or UJM's will go away, I just think their appeal is in a slump right now. This may be a great time for someone to get some collector's items. I plan to buy at least another 2013 but will wait until the price drops a little more.

Gentlemen,

Perhaps I'm the oddball here. But in 1969 the CB750 did not appeal to me and I never desired a UJM until the CB1100 came out. I grew up riding dirt bikes and at age 22 I bought a brand new HD Sportster. Husqvarna and Harley Davidson were my brands of choice (still are).

When they were new there were only a few Japanese street bikes that I was really interested in (but didn't buy) and those were the 2 stroke Kawisaki 500 and 750 triples, the Yamaha RD-350 and 400, and the Honda Hawk. The one CB that did catch my attention a bit back then was the CB400.

When I started this thread I wasn't saying "Is the CB11 going to be the last standard style motorcycle", I was speculating if the CB11 would be the last "big bore, air cooled, transverse 4 cylinder" standard style bike sold in the U.S.? I think it just may be.

If the CB11 was water cooled or had 17 inch wheels that would kill it's appeal to me. Like putting 18" aluminum wheels with 40 series tires on a 1969 Mustang. It's just wrong. And look at the rapidly rising values of air cooled Porsche 911's. There is a charm to them that is lost with their water cooled predecessors.

Water cooling and modern electronics improve the functionality of motorcycles like batterys and quartz movements improve watches. But a Rolex or Breitling built using 100 year old technology with gears and springs is tremendously appealing because it's not modern. In the same way, fine double barrel shotguns are more appealing than modern auto-loaders. That's why the CB11 is so appealing to me.

As far as other standards go, I've tried a few. Years ago I bought a beautiful Ducati 900 Monster that I thought I'd really like. It was an air cooled standard but I didn't really enjoy it. I bought a Bonneville and put Triumph's aftermarket exhaust on it. Light and good handeling, it still sounded terrible. At full throttle accelerating down a freeway on ramp my Triumph was a dog.

When I bought my CB11 I wasn't sure I'd like it. I'd never ridden a UJM in my life. But I love that big CB. With the Staintune it sings the most soulful song on freeway on ramps and it's so much more satisfying to ride and look at than the Monster or Bonniville IMO. Like all of my air cooled Harley Davidsons, the CB1100 looks right, sounds right, feels right, and works right.

In any event, just like the day came when the last new air cooled 911 was sold in America, I think the CB11 may just be the last big transverse 4, air cooled motorcycle sold in the U.S.

Chip

[rboe]

A buddy, in his forty's, has been riding a Royal Enfield for several years, really really likes the new Valkyrie. If he can get his new career off the ground he'll get one I think. A mutual buddy that rides a Griso now, has an old KZ900 in the stable, also likes the Valkyrie. Go figure.

Like Chip, I never had a CB750 nor did I lust after one (more of a Goldwing, CB550, CB400 kinda guy back then, with a dose of VF750 Sabre tossed in, although I came very close to pulling the trigger on a Ascot 500 single (warehouse was out or I would have done it).

Tweak the basic CB to suit yourself, but beyond that, it's no longer the CB1100 that I was attracted to and bought.

[nhawk7504_imp]

What are my older friends riding? Vulcan 1500. Bonneville. Tiger 800. Gold Wing. R1100RT. VROD. Multistrada. NC700X. I see tons of Road Glides and Street Glides out there. Guys digging into their 401K accounts. Retired guys. Company owners. The CB has its place. As Kohamasan said, it is what he wanted INSTEAD of anything else out there. It's 2015. The R9T represents aluminum and steel blended in a light weight retro. We all dig the CB11 and that's what is important.

[JustPassinThru_imp]

A buddy, in his forty's, has been riding a Royal Enfield for several years, really really likes the new Valkyrie. If he can get his new career off the ground he'll get one I think. A mutual buddy that rides a Griso now, has an old KZ900 in the stable, also likes the Valkyrie. Go figure.

Like Chip, I never had a CB750 nor did I lust after one (more of a Goldwing, CB550, CB400 kinda guy back then, with a dose of VF750 Sabre tossed in, although I came very close to pulling the trigger on a Ascot 500 single (warehouse was out or I would have done it).

Tweak the basic CB to suit yourself, but beyond that, it's no longer the CB1100 that I was attracted to and bought.

As a younger guy, I'd be making all kinds of changes.

At my age (57) it's more bother than it's worse. I'd like a larger gas tank, but even changing THAT, even if there was a drop-in replacement...sounds like a PITA.

I like this thing. It's why I bought it. If I go touring, I'll get a plexiglas batwing screen...that is about the only change, along with panniers, I might make.

Might.

[glynb_imp]

Gentlemen,

Reading this months Cycle World magazine about the new KTM 1290 Super Adventure I am starting to feel like a real dinosaur. With a glowing review that touts it as maybe the best all around motorcycle that has ever been built, how could I not like it?? But I don't like it at all. It's styled like a two wheeled Star Wars storm trooper uniform stuffed inside a crushed set of monkey bars and incorporating every conceivable combination of odd angles and curved surfaces. It assaults the eyes from any angle. Active suspension front and rear with several different modes, accelerometer, lean angle sensors, wheelie control, ride by wire, and an engine with an electronics suite that can deliver power like a Superbike or a scooter depending upon which mode the rider selects after "toggling through all of the options".

Uh, OK. This is what sells today. And it repels me. The CB1100 has been a sales failure in America and I don't think another maker (or Honda) is going to try it again. It looks like riders like me, and bikes like the CB11, are relics. I use to be hip...what happened?

Chip

Are the sales numbers that bad? I thought Honda brought in only a certain number of CB1100's, and that all of the 14 DLX models have sold out. That seems pretty good to me for a brand new bike that Honda was testing the waters with.

Oh well, if no more are made,then our CB's may be collectable one day. I love mine, and do not plan to sell it.

[the Ferret]

Truth is we don't know how successful sales are. Honda doesn't release figures like units expected to sell, numbers brought in, numbers sold. There are some left over 13s around, but I think there are 13 everythings still around. Motorcycle business is a tough one.

[Novice_imp]

Truth is we don't know how successful sales are. Honda doesn't release figures like units expected to sell, numbers brought in, numbers sold. There are some left over 13s around, but I think there are 13 everythings still around. Motorcycle business is a tough one.

So right on target. I was in the Honda dealership today and there was a CBR600RR, CBR1000RR, and a CB1000R from last year (These were just the bikes I looked at). There was one CB1100 standard left out of four CB1100s that I've seen in there (I bought one). They were all on sale (wish I had more money).