Is the CB1100 a Sportbike? Ask Freddie.

[aschem_imp]

Feels sportier than my old CB900F (better brakes, lighter steering, smoother throttle response). A classic sport-themed CB.

 

[rboe]

Touring - You bet. I've done it, and plenty of others have done it. Very capable.

Adventure - Of course - see Touring and Dual Sport

Cruiser - Meh, some folks call the Griso a Cruiser and if they can do that they can label the CB1100 a cruiser but not in my book.

Supersport -If the riders skill set lends to this, sure. But more like a retro-supersport.

Dual Sport - As the young couple from Belgium proved last year, this bike can do dual sport - just a bit slower than dedicated Adventure or Dual Sport bikes. They Toured and Adventure biked from LA to Belise.

But naked standard is the best fit and we all should know, naked standards were the do-all bikes back in the day and they still are.

 

[Hondahawkrider_imp]

Is it a sports bike, no

Can a competitent person ride it faster than many who own a sports bike, yes

 

[LongRanger_imp]

It's no more a sport bike than a Moto Guzzi V7 Racer is a race bike or a Ducati Scrambler is a scrambler. Puhleeze. I'm good with "standard."

 

[Ulvetanna_imp]

A nice sampling of perspectives. Of course, when Honda first introduce the CB line, they touted the bikes as being derived directly from GP technology. Seems that the guys who ride the bike in a "supersport" fashion are inclined to admit of it's GP heritage, and those who view it as an emblem of sedate maturity object in some degree to it being considered anything but a standard.

I guess it's sort of like being informed one has Neanderthal DNA; we all have it, but admitting it is very troubling, lol.

 

[the Ferret]

Well, I think that statement was a lot truer in 1969 (or more accurately 1979 when talking the I-4 DOHC engines) than it is today, since the GP bikes of today only have a name badge in common with today's street bike. so I guess you could say this is a 1979 equivalent sport bike, although even the same displacement bike in 1983 made a lot more horsepower than this one does.

If you read the design criteria from Honda for this bike they did not design it to be a sport bike

Honda Motor Co.,Ltd.｜Honda Global Corporate Website

Quote from the article:

"Built on Honda's motorcycle origins. Polished to perfection

Although it offers a sporty ride, the CB1100 is not a sport bike. It's a great motorcycle to take on a tour, but it's not a tourer or a cruiser. Despite how good it feels to zip around town on the CB1100, it's not a street bike, either. Focused only on the elements that make a motorcycle a motorcycle, we built the CB1100 on the origins of Honda's motorcycles and polished it to perfection. The result is an archetypal "cool bike."

It's a bike that requires no big "Let's ride!" occasion or attitude. Rather, you can simply think, "The weather is nice—where shall I go?" and take your CB1100 for an easygoing spin. It's a bike that will soon become a trusted friend and ally."

and again, as I've said many times already, there is no problem running this engine to redline, either occasionally, or all the time for that matter. Engines are designed to run within a certain " range " and the range on this bike is from 2500-8000 rpms. It's ok to run this bike in any gear between those rpms (although it is electronically rpm limited in certain gears meaning you will not be able to run it at 8000 rpms in certain gears) but other than that, it will not harm this motor to run it anywhere between those rpms and it's not " better" for it to run it at any given rpm than another rpm in that range

 

[736cc_imp]

I saw Freddie Spencer race several times at Loudon, NH in the early 80's. One race that stands out was the Superbike race in 1981, it ran while it poured rain cats and dogs and howling wind. Freddie lapped the entire field, crashes, everybody passes him, he gets back up and passes EVERYBODY AGAIN, (except Eddie Lawson on the Kawasaki) and finished in 2nd.

 

[Ulvetanna_imp]

Well, I think that statement was a lot truer in 1969 (or more accurately 1979 when talking the I-4 DOHC engines) than it is today, since the GP bikes of today only have a name badge in common with today's street bike. so I guess you could say this is a 1979 equivalent sport bike, although even the same displacement bike in 1983 made a lot more horsepower than this one does.

If you read the design criteria from Honda for this bike they did not design it to be a sport bike

Honda Motor Co.,Ltd.｜Honda Global Corporate Website

Quote from the article:

"Built on Honda's motorcycle origins. Polished to perfection

Although it offers a sporty ride, the CB1100 is not a sport bike. It's a great motorcycle to take on a tour, but it's not a tourer or a cruiser. Despite how good it feels to zip around town on the CB1100, it's not a street bike, either. Focused only on the elements that make a motorcycle a motorcycle, we built the CB1100 on the origins of Honda's motorcycles and polished it to perfection. The result is an archetypal "cool bike."

It's a bike that requires no big "Let's ride!" occasion or attitude. Rather, you can simply think, "The weather is nice—where shall I go?" and take your CB1100 for an easygoing spin. It's a bike that will soon become a trusted friend and ally."

and again, as I've said many times already, there is no problem running this engine to redline, either occasionally, or all the time for that matter. Engines are designed to run within a certain " range " and the range on this bike is from 2500-8000 rpms. It's ok to run this bike in any gear between those rpms (although it is electronically rpm limited in certain gears meaning you will not be able to run it at 8000 rpms in certain gears) but other than that, it will not harm this motor to run it anywhere between those rpms and it's not " better" for it to run it at any given rpm than another rpm in that range

But I feel that way about all my bikes. Most of all, the 2015 ZX-10R, which fits me like a glove and is more of a touring bike than the CB1100. Big engine, big power, comfy, easy handling. True story. Must be my Neanderthal DNA.

 

[holy666diver_imp]

I agree Honda needs to get their act together and have a naked standard category. I've had plenty of people call it a sport bike though I correct them. I like the term "Vintage/Modern Standard". Cause that is what this bike really is a vintage looking machine with modern performance with a standard riding position.

 

[Ulvetanna_imp]

I agree Honda needs to get their act together and have a naked standard category. I've had plenty of people call it a sport bike though I correct them. I like the term "Vintage/Modern Standard". Cause that is what this bike really is a vintage looking machine with modern performance with a standard riding position.

Well, I would never actually TELL anyone it is a sport bike. Especially the guy I followed going down that fast mountain road who was riding a KTM 1190 Adventure. But it felt pretty sporty at the time.

 

[Guth_imp]

Unless Freddie signs up here and lends his voice on the matter, I'm guessing we'll never really know what he truly thinks about the CB1100.

Given his skills, it's really not all that hard to imagine him zipping along quite handily on the CB1100. However, in this case I tend to give a lot more credit to the rider than the bike. And in Freddie Spencer's case, he could probably ride circles around most guys on any number of bikes not normally associated with aspirations of sport oriented performance.

So is the CB1100 a sport bike? Opinions seem to vary — but it can be ridden like one.

Is Freddy Spencer an awesome rider: Undoubtedly

 

[Rebel73_imp]

Some articles have called the CB1100 a cafe racer. Now, although I think it's a great platform for a cafe racer, which is the direction I've taken it, I don't know if I would call it that out of the box. However, hanging with the cafe/modern retro/vintage crowd (I'm a member of the L.A 59 Club), I can tell you the CB would be right at home in the club in factory trim. Also, although it's not set in stone, cafe racers are generally built off of standards, or UJMs, which is what the CB really is. I've seen cafes built from Sportsters and whatnot.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/honda-cb1100-caf-racer-modern-age-review-163036725.html

https://rideapart.com/articles/2014-honda-cb1100-deluxe-review

 

[Rolls_imp]

Designers say, "It's a bike that will soon become a trusted friend and ally."

Take it wherever you enjoy having a friend and ally.

This bike's been very, very good to me, as a machine, as therapy, and as an introducer to top-quality friends, online and in person.

My $0.02, adjusted for inflation.

Enjoy!

[url=https://flic.kr/p/GWrbDJ]image by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/55838481@N07/]cbiz_wiz, on Flickr

 

[Randy B]

Nice.

 

[Cormanus]

Designers say, "It's a bike that will soon become a trusted friend and ally."

Take it wherever you enjoy having a friend and ally.

This bike's been very, very good to me, as a machine, as therapy, and as an introducer to top-quality friends, online and in person.

My $0.02, adjusted for inflation.

Enjoy!

[url=https://flic.kr/p/GWrbDJ]image by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/55838481@N07/]cbiz_wiz, on Flickr

Very well said, Rolls. The same is true for me, even though I could not hope to emulate your riding style.

 

[Randy B]

Designers say, "It's a bike that will soon become a trusted friend and ally."

Take it wherever you enjoy having a friend and ally.

This bike's been very, very good to me, as a machine, as therapy, and as an introducer to top-quality friends, online and in person.

My $0.02, adjusted for inflation.

Enjoy!

[url=https://flic.kr/p/GWrbDJ]image by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/55838481@N07/]cbiz_wiz, on Flickr

Very well said, Rolls. The same is true for me, even though I could not hope to emulate your riding style.

Very well said, Rolls. The same is true for me, even though I could not hope to emulate your riding style.
Following him through the canyons can be "interesting" to be sure. He tends to push it a bit more than I'm comfortable with...lol.

 

[chync_imp]

I bought mine because I liked the retro look and wanted something to build a cafe bike on. But I when I test drove it I realized how much fun it could be too with that big engine. With the right modifications I would call it something like a retro sport bike. I have the smaller handlebars, racing footpegs, smaller fenders, a single cafe seat that is easier to shift your weight around on (it's much more narrow than stock), Ohlins both on the front and in the back, a fork brace, higher friction brake pads, a less restrictive exhaust, some dual compound tires, and a small windscreen. The exhaust added a few horsepower but overall I haven't done anything to really change the engine performance. But with all of the handling mods it really isn't the same bike anymore. I have kept up with some true sport bikes in the mountains where I ride. The suspension and tires made the most difference keeping the wheels stuck to the road. I have been able to use all of the tire except about half an inch left on the edge when you start scraping the center stand. I love it because I can ride it more like a sport bike when the mood strikes but swapping out the seat and I can take a passenger too. Whatever you want to call it I love this bike.

 

[Cormanus]

Good looking bike, chync. Nice work.

 

[Rolls_imp]

Very thoughtful and comprehensive set of upgrades. And a wonderful outcome - that bike looks great, and obviously rides great, too.

 

[the Ferret]

Nicely done Chync, very well thought out list of mods.