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This will likely be the last big bore air-cooled engine we will see out of Japan. It has much tighter clearances compared to older 70s-80s big fours for efficiency, and for noise and emissions regulations, with the fuels available today.
This bike was not designed for maximum performance, otherwise it would be liquid-cooled. It was a compromise between appearance and performance. And as a result, it runs very hot, as witnessed by the oil cooled spark plugs, large oil cooler, and by the much more frequent valve inspection intervals. And as far as I know, the oil temperature light is not seen on any other Honda bike. The speed/rev limiter ensures a longer engine life.
Back in the day, my CBX would get so hot after a high speed run, it would ping like crazy minutes afterwards until it finally cooled down, regardless of the grade of fuel. Yes, superbikes of the 70s and 80s could be made to go faster, but for how long? I suspect the CB1100 will be just as smooth, quiet, refined and powerful at 100k miles, and although I may not put that many on it, I find that more comforting than knowing it could have gone 130mph.
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(04-05-2015, 03:52 AM)EmptySea_imp Wrote: The speed limiter has been mentioned in at least one published magazine review and there are several threads about it on this forum. I must say, though, that I didn't know about it before I bought my bike. Then again, it's not something I was worried about in the least. 14000 miles and I've had my CB to something close to 100 (I was a little afraid to look down to be sure) just once. I like to pass other vehicles as quickly as possible, especially trucks, but have never approached the speeds that some of you hit regularly.
Yes, it is anyone's guess as to why Honda decided to ship bikes to the U.S. with the speed limiter--mine is that it was expedient for them to do so.
As to "shame", I would say to uscgmac that if the speed limiter would of been a deal breaker had you known, then that's a shame. The good news is that there's a relatively easy fix for it. It sounds like you otherwise like the bike a lot, so maybe it was a good thing you didn't know about the limiter before you bought.
Now, it's 60+ here and I think I will ride for a bit. Not a chance I'm going to hit the ton today, that is for sure 
REAL easy solution.
Lotsa folks looking for a deal on a CB1100. List it for sale!...and while you're waiting, enjoy it as you can.
Look around at the bigger used crotch-rockets; tomorrow's collectables, maybe, when it comes to be that ALL new bikes have speed limiters.
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We've been discussing the speed limiter of this forum since May of 2013, One month after the forum was founded. Took me 5 seconds to find 6 pages of threads on it
http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread....ed+limiter
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Everyone has their individual issues with any given product — nothing is perfect. In the case of the CB1100, my guess that the single biggest hindrance to Honda selling larger quantities of the bike has little to do with the looks or the horsepower (or the speed limiter for that matter) but rather the pricing.
People are willing to overlook a lot of what they perceive as shortcomings with a product if they are under the perception that they got the "upper hand". Not only at the bargaining table but in comparison to the next guy. Such scrutiny certainly applies to motorcycles. If a product falls within the amount a person has budgeted for a purchase, then it has a chance of being sold. The chances increase as the price drops. But how much tweaking can a manufacturer do to a product before it loses its base appeal?
Honda could have cut corners here or there and made the CB1100 available for less. But from all of the information that Honda has published about the creation of the CB1100, that was not their goal. I also highly doubt that a bike resulting from such priorities would have had nearly as much appeal to me as the bike Honda ended up actually producing. When it comes to the CB1100, I for one am glad that Honda went about things the way they did.
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Yes you could join a forum and look through threads then maybe find a post about speed limiters but who ever really does that. If anything you would check the forum to see peoples reviews but might not particularly find something about a speed limiter unless you fall upon it so enough on the you should of known crap, that's rediculous. I also do NOT want a crotch rocket. Wasn't looking for a crotch rocket, all I'm saying is that a 2014 1100cc bike should not come with a speed limiter, the speed limiter should be my judgement and my wrist. I do love the bike and I will keep it and am more than satisfied with it. In the future I may consider the ecu mod after the warranty expires. I got the look and ride quality and comfort that I wanted, I just like to wind out my bikes on occasion and don't like that someone predetermined what my allowable Max speed should be undermining the true potential of the bike itself. Why would anyone want to do over 112? Well for me that is a very easy and obtainable speed to handle on highways. Its my perogative. I'm not hating the bike by any means just has that one quirk about it.
P.s. with the Puig windscreen, I have zero wind blast on my chest even at high speeds so i don't think I'll ever get blown off the bike, lol. Even without the screen that's just not going to happen, just tuck a little.
Also, I was just out riding before and want to say that the bike truly does have a great low end and middle end ratio. The bike has great performance with tourqe and pull in the mid range. Lots of fun in third and fourth around 4 to 5k rpms.
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For those, who do not like the limiter, there are ways to overcome
it. Some costs are involved, but where there is a will, there will be a way.
Honda has something in mind with it, that doesn't consequently run together
with what some customers think.
Wisedrum
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I tend to become more than a bit obsessive when it comes to researching something of interest to me and doubt that I represent the norm when it comes to such things. I don't know that the average guy would necessarily find out about the speed limiter in advance after perusing a forum for a bit so I can kind of understand where uscgmac is coming from. We don't typically look for something that we don't know about.
As to why Honda left the speed limiter intact on the CB1100 outside of Japan is anybody's guess. My guess is that is has as much to do with the design of the bike (a frame and simple suspension components that weren't designed with high performance riding in mind) as much as it does anything else. The question might not be "do you feel comfortable riding a motorcycle over 112 mph?", but rather "do you feel comfortable riding this particular motorcycle in stock form at over 112 mph?"
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Since the limiter was in place for the original home market I strongly suspect, given the focus of the bike, they decided to just leave it in place for all markets. After all, 112 mph will earn a trip to jail in many counties in Arizona - perhaps in other states as well. It's called criminal speeding. No mater what your opinion of the matter is, legally speaking, going that fast is just plain illegal and illegal activities, on an open forum, - well it's just bad form to encourage.
The fuel line and fuel filter swelling on Moto Guzzi tanks I believe has been addressed for sometime. I can't recall the last time it came up in the forum. Gas tank swelling of the plastic tanks is still a bit of an issue; Ducati seems to be suffering the worst of it (I think in Europe just about everyone gets their tanks from Acerbis, so hopefully they can sort that out). So far, the biggest complaint is the so called quick disconnect for the fuel line. I think it's more of a lack of knowledge on how to work it than a problem engineering wise. Although one could make the argument that if a shade tree mechanic can't noodle it out they did it wrong.
I used to 6-2, with a 36" inseam and found the V7 to be too small for me. The CB, with lowered pegs and a raised seat (same thing I did with the Griso) is a much better fit. So the V7 may not be a prime choice in that regard. A test ride should help with that. Some people fold up better than others. I think I could have rode it just fine, but in the grand scheme of things I pulled the trigger on the CB instead. I think a need for some diversity in the herd (as well as a bunch of other reasons) pushed me away from another V twin. Although at one point I had three Honda's!
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When I started looking for a bike (and aside from a couple dual sports, this is my first ever "true" street bike) I was pretty set on a yamaha SR 400, but being a heavy guy, I decided to keep looking for something a little bigger. When I saw the CB online I loved the look, but thought "thats WAY too much bike for me!" But when I started researching the CB, I found that the bike was EXACTLY what I was looking for. Everything I read about the bike told me it was smooth, torquey, and wouldn't try to rip my arms out of their sockets. I knew (unquestionably) that this wasn't a fire breather, and after seeing and riding the bike at my dealership, I signed a bunch of official lookin papers and brought it home. When I read posts or reviews with people complaining about this engine, it really surprises me. I knew FOR SURE what I was getting (thanks in large part to this forum) before I bought my CB. Honda hit the nail on the head with this bike in every way--looks, performance, and quality. If you don't feel that way about this bike, maybe one of those souless spaceship looking machines is for you. Me, I made the perfect choice. Guess I'm just lucky that way...
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(04-05-2015, 03:26 AM)uscgmac_imp Wrote: You can read and watch all the reviews you want and talk to whoever you want. Nobody was talking about or advertising that the bike has a speed limiter of 112mph. I've been riding for 26 years and had over 20 bikes and never heard of this so don't say shame on anyone. Your statements are as rediculous as the speed limiter. Not everyone has to be 60+ to want this bike, some wantitfor the cool Retro look and modern touches, expecting an 1100 to have some balls, not have the same capability of a 500cc bike. My riding capabilities far exceed the speed limiter.
Don't call my comment ridiculous. Watch your mouth. I guess my comment hit a nerve as you are one of those that didn't do enough research. I saw the limiter mentioned in more than one magazine and online review when I was doing my research. I have very little desire to do over 100 on a naked bike. I've done it on my faired BMWs so I'm not afraid to do so, I just don't like the feeling of being pushed off the rear of the seat while doing so.
(04-05-2015, 06:24 AM)uscgmac_imp Wrote: Yes you could join a forum and look through threads then maybe find a post about speed limiters but who ever really does that. If anything you would check the forum to see peoples reviews but might not particularly find something about a speed limiter unless you fall upon it so enough on the you should of known crap, that's rediculous. I also do NOT want a crotch rocket. Wasn't looking for a crotch rocket, all I'm saying is that a 2014 1100cc bike should not come with a speed limiter, the speed limiter should be my judgement and my wrist. I do love the bike and I will keep it and am more than satisfied with it. In the future I may consider the ecu mod after the warranty expires. I got the look and ride quality and comfort that I wanted, I just like to wind out my bikes on occasion and don't like that someone predetermined what my allowable Max speed should be undermining the true potential of the bike itself. Why would anyone want to do over 112? Well for me that is a very easy and obtainable speed to handle on highways. Its my perogative. I'm not hating the bike by any means just has that one quirk about it.
P.s. with the Puig windscreen, I have zero wind blast on my chest even at high speeds so i don't think I'll ever get blown off the bike, lol. Even without the screen that's just not going to happen, just tuck a little.
Also, I was just out riding before and want to say that the bike truly does have a great low end and middle end ratio. The bike has great performance with tourqe and pull in the mid range. Lots of fun in third and fourth around 4 to 5k rpms.
Ever hear of the saying- When you find yourself in a hole, stop digging?
The info about the rev limiter is out there and has been out there. Just because you didn't find it or notice doesn't make others ridiculous. More people than just me saw it mentioned. Whether we thought it a big deal and whether it remained at the forefront of our research memory is up to each individual.
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