Dilemma

[ff73148_imp]

I currently own a Bonneville T100 and I would like to purchase a new CB1100 DLX. My only problem is that there are not any new DLX's at the dealers for sale. There are plenty of base CB1100 for sale at a good price. The base model is a great looking bike but it is missing ABS. My dilemma is do I wait and see if Honda releases a DLX in 2016 or do I make a great deal on a 2014 black model? If I wait until the 2016 models are announced I still would have a good chance of getting a 2014 black model but who knows. The black model looks like it has great braking ability with dual discs up front but is it as good as the DLX with ABS? I also own a 2013 Goldwing F6B and it has the linked braking system with no ABS and I find that sufficient. So can I get some feedback. Thanks.

Frank Ferrante

[metallyguitarded_imp]

Although I find the CB to be a keep forever kind of bike, there are enough people out there who buy one only to sell it after a few thousand miles and still in great condition. I would seriously consider waiting/searching for a used DLX and wouldn't count on Honda releasing a 2016 model. I love my 2014 Standard and find the brakes to be excellent, however, there's no way they're as good as the ABS equipped DLX. Not an issue for me but there are a number of gents on this forum who claim to have had their backsides saved by ABS and swear by it. You'll have to decide how important that feature is to you. I don't remember seeing any braking comparison showing stopping distances between ABS and non-ABS equipped CBs. But the added safety of ABS, in my opinion, cannot be disputed.

EDIT: I just noticed that was your first post. Welcome to the forum Frank! Good luck on your search.

[TINK_imp]

While ABS is "nice to have" it's not a deal breaker for me. Good braking control skills will go a long way towards saving you from disaster. And when you do happen to lock up the brake, usually the rear, some dirt bike riding skills come in handy. To me (admittedly an old fart from the stone ages of motorcycling) all this fancy technology like ABS is over rated. ABS, like air bags in cars, tend to give one a false sense of security, and even a false sense of superiority over the law of physics...news flash; physics always wins.

As for 2016 CB1100... not sure Honda is going to put the CB1100 in the 2016 lineup. There seem to be quite a few 2014 Standards and 2013 (5 speed trans) in Honda's warehouses still.

I believe Honda made a very limited number of Deluxe, which people wanted, and a greater number of the Standard, which most people seem to yawn at. The whole appeal, in my eyes, of the CB1100 "IS" the retro look. Why Honda thought they could sell more of the non-retro looking Standards over the retro looking Deluxe is a mystery to me.

[metallyguitarded_imp]

Non-retro looking standard?? Interesting statement TINK. One I completely disagree with, good sir.

[Guth_imp]

I think most people here would tell you that the brakes on the CB1100 are excellent (with or without ABS). I'm not aware of any combined braking system on the non-ABS models. Back when the forum was still fairly new, some did report issues with the rear brake needing to bled. Still, if ABS is what you desire, then you might hold out until you can find a deal on a used DLX (or a 2013 model with the optional ABS).

[rboe]

If you want ABS, I'd say look around (within a ten state area). Do NOT wait for a 2016 model; I think that is a long shot. Used: I would not be against a good used one. Bikes are taken care of better and built better so a used one is a safe bet. Hooligan bikes are another matter.

[Guth_imp]

While ABS is "nice to have" it's not a deal breaker for me. Good braking control skills will go a long way towards saving you from disaster. And when you do happen to lock up the brake, usually the rear, some dirt bike riding skills come in handy. To me (admittedly an old fart from the stone ages of motorcycling) all this fancy technology like ABS is over rated. ABS, like air bags in cars, tend to give one a false sense of security, and even a false sense of superiority over the law of physics...news flash; physics always wins.

As for 2016 CB1100... not sure Honda is going to put the CB1100 in the 2016 lineup. There seem to be quite a few 2014 Standards and 2013 (5 speed trans) in Honda's warehouses still.

I believe Honda made a very limited number of Deluxe, which people wanted, and a greater number of the Standard, which most people seem to yawn at. The whole appeal, in my eyes, of the CB1100 "IS" the retro look. Why Honda thought they could sell more of the non-retro looking Standards over the retro looking Deluxe is a mystery to me.

I'm not following the logic here. While the DLX owners here on the forum are a very active crew, I don't think anyone is yawning at the Standard model (that doesn't yawn at CB1100s in general that is). There seem to be plenty of folks here who have gravitated to the Standard over the DLX. To my eye, the Standard models are a bit sportier looking while the DLX is a bit more conservative, but all are certainly retro and all are great bikes. Different strokes and all that...

[Lord Popgun]

The 2013 came in both ABS and NON ABS but the ABS version was apparently hard to find. Mine is NON ABS.

And I was the biggest whiner of the brake bleeding problem (air in the line from the dealer) as they wouldn't do anything under warranty. So I bled it myself.

[redbirds_imp]

While ABS is "nice to have" it's not a deal breaker for me. Good braking control skills will go a long way towards saving you from disaster. And when you do happen to lock up the brake, usually the rear, some dirt bike riding skills come in handy. To me (admittedly an old fart from the stone ages of motorcycling) all this fancy technology like ABS is over rated. ABS, like air bags in cars, tend to give one a false sense of security, and even a false sense of superiority over the law of physics...news flash; physics always wins.

As for 2016 CB1100... not sure Honda is going to put the CB1100 in the 2016 lineup. There seem to be quite a few 2014 Standards and 2013 (5 speed trans) in Honda's warehouses still.

I believe Honda made a very limited number of Deluxe, which people wanted, and a greater number of the Standard, which most people seem to yawn at. The whole appeal, in my eyes, of the CB1100 "IS" the retro look. Why Honda thought they could sell more of the non-retro looking Standards over the retro looking Deluxe is a mystery to me.

I'm not following the logic here. While the DLX owners here on the forum are a very active crew, I don't think anyone is yawning at the Standard model (that doesn't yawn at CB1100s in general that is). There seem to be plenty of folks here who have gravitated to the Standard over the DLX. To my eye, the Standard models are a bit sportier looking while the DLX is a bit more conservative, but all are certainly retro and all are great bikes. Different strokes and all that...

I'm not following the logic here. While the DLX owners here on the forum are a very active crew, I don't think anyone is yawning at the Standard model (that doesn't yawn at CB1100s in general that is). There seem to be plenty of folks here who have gravitated to the Standard over the DLX. To my eye, the Standard models are a bit sportier looking while the DLX is a bit more conservative, but all are certainly retro and all are great bikes. Different strokes and all that...
I agree Guth. Even though I like the looks of the DLX and can understand someone's preference in that direction, I find the 2013 STD the best looking by far and plan on keeping mine forever.

I received what I believe to be the ultimate compliment on my CB Saturday. On a ride to lunch with our riding group a long time Harley rider said my CB was about the best looking factory bike he had seen.

[Guth_imp]

Yeah, obviously I dig the looks of the original design as well. I just think it's cool that Honda offered both Standard and the Deluxe versions for those who are so inclined one way or the other.

I do think it would have been nice for them to have offered ABS as an option on the 2014 Standard for those who would have wanted it. I originally had a 2013 ABS on order but ended up with the non-ABS version when all was said and done. For me, the non-ABS brakes have performed tremendously. (And they've saved my bacon a couple of times now in true emergency braking situations.)