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CB1100 First Impressions
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skimhitz Offline
Break-In Period

Canada
Posts: 17
Joined: May 2013
Post: #1
CB1100 First Impressions
Hey everyone!

I signed up on this forum a while back, but I finally picked up a 2013 White CB1100A, so I figured I'd give my first impressions and overall thoughts on the bike. For a bit of background, I've been riding for 7 years now. Started out on a 2007 CBR125R, then a 2008 Suzuki GS500, and now the CB1100.

Looks:

First off, it goes without saying that the bike is gorgeous in every way. The new 2014's are nice, but I actually wanted to make sure I picked up the 2013 model before it was gone. I wanted to have the bike as the designers originally intended it, before any changes were made. Sure, more gas would be nice, so would 6 speeds, but I think every part of how this bike is was designed that way on purpose, with a reason. For me, it all fits together perfect.


İmage

Handling:

I don't have quite as long a riding career as some other members here, but I think I can still say that this bike is heavy for a sport/standard. You can change direction when you want to, but it definitely requires more effort on the bars, especially at higher speeds. I used to scoff when reviewers would praise bikes for being "flickable", but the GS500 really was flickable compared to the CB1100. But it's not all lost. The CB1100 holds a line like my GS500 never did, and overall just feels more stable and sorted. It doesn't handle poorly by any means. The center of gravity is also nice and low, and overall it's still very easy to ride.

Power:

Oh my god the power.

I'm still under the bike's break in, so I haven't gotten a chance to give it the beans yet, but I can tell this thing is going to be a beast. And I can't believe just how smooth it is. Compared to a parallel twin, this thing feels like riding a spaceship. With a slight twist of the wrist I find myself doing well over the limit and the bike doesn't even feel like it's trying. It'll take a little while for me to learn that I can now cruise at a much lower RPM than I'm used to.

İmage

Comfort:

I'm a pretty big fan of the standard riding position, and everything feels within good reach. I have however started to get back pain while riding this bike; more than usual. As such I now have the Type II bars on order from Takashi, since I think putting some weight more forward will help take the weight off my back. Overall, I like the seating position, but I guess people's bodies respond in different ways.


That's about it from me. Don't get me wrong, I 100% love the bike, but I also like being realistic about the pros and cons. And in the end, I get a grin on my face every time I look at it, and that's what matters most. Wink

İmage
(This post was last modified: 05-23-2014 09:45 PM by skimhitz.)
05-23-2014 09:41 PM
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Cormanus Offline
Moderator

Queensland, Australia
Posts: 20,659
Joined: Dec 2013
Post: #2
RE: CB1100 First Impressions
Good report and nice pics Skimhitz. Glad you're enjoying the bike. It looks great. But then most of them do.
05-23-2014 10:06 PM
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Guth Offline
Forum Founder

Portland, OR
Posts: 3,918
Joined: Apr 2013
Post: #3
RE: CB1100 First Impressions
The white tank with the black engine and wheels is a really nice looking color combination. Congratulations!

The Honda CB1100: STILL air-COOLed
Deposit placed 11/12/2012.
Received delivery 04/05/2013.
05-24-2014 01:50 AM
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Rick Froscheiser Offline
High Mileage

Tooele, Ut USA
Posts: 1,107
Joined: Feb 2014
Post: #4
RE: CB1100 First Impressions
Welcome to the forum. Glad to hear you like your new bike. The white tank looks great.
Ride safe my friend.

2013 CB1100
HD 45 Flathead
(This post was last modified: 05-26-2014 06:10 PM by Rick Froscheiser.)
05-24-2014 05:40 AM
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Rocky Offline
Been There

Nova Scotia, Canada
Posts: 3,397
Joined: Apr 2014
Post: #5
RE: CB1100 First Impressions
Welcome to the forum.
I'm a newbie here too and many of my first impressions jive with yours.
The bike fits me well (or vice versa) and I find it very comfortable with no back pain as you mentioned. Different bodies of course.
I already have a fuel injected four-cylinder Honda, but the CB is so smooth and refined that they hardly compare.
Enjoy the bike Thumbs Up Thumbs Up

Still rockin', rollin', and ridin' after all these years
'67 BSA 441 VR, '70 Triumph Tiger 100, '02 Honda CB900F, '06 Triumph T100 Bonneville, '14 Honda CB1100A
05-24-2014 06:12 AM
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Ridem32 Offline
Road Warrior

Mississippi
Posts: 1,573
Joined: Apr 2014
Post: #6
CB1100 First Impressions
Welcome to the house if corrections lol. You will love this forum. Lots of good info and good guys & gals ! Not that many white bikes on here. Looks great. Smile
05-24-2014 05:19 PM
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The Spaceman Offline
Road Warrior

First Amendment Street
Posts: 1,554
Joined: Jun 2013
Post: #7
RE: CB1100 First Impressions
(05-23-2014 09:41 PM)skimhitz Wrote:  I wanted to have the bike as the designers originally intended it, before any changes were made. Sure, more gas would be nice, so would 6 speeds, but I think every part of how this bike is was designed that way on purpose, with a reason. For me, it all fits together perfect.

Are you implying that a marketing group in Honda browbeat executive management onto diluting the original design based on a prediction of incremental sales increases? I'm shocked, sir, truly shocked.

A solid review, well thought out. Thanks for taking the time to write it.

Go hagofuku yourself.
(This post was last modified: 05-25-2014 03:53 PM by The Spaceman.)
05-25-2014 03:49 PM
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CB4ME Offline
Road Warrior

Maryland
Posts: 2,051
Joined: May 2013
Post: #8
RE: CB1100 First Impressions
(05-25-2014 03:49 PM)The Spaceman Wrote:  
(05-23-2014 09:41 PM)skimhitz Wrote:  I wanted to have the bike as the designers originally intended it, before any changes were made. Sure, more gas would be nice, so would 6 speeds, but I think every part of how this bike is was designed that way on purpose, with a reason. For me, it all fits together perfect.

Are you implying that a marketing group in Honda browbeat executive management onto diluting the original design based on a prediction of incremental sales increases? I'm shocked, sir, truly shocked.

A solid review, well thought out. Thanks for taking the time to write it.

Yes indeed. Years of painstaking efforts by some of the most brilliant minds in motorcycling went into designing the 2013. You are very astute in your observations.

I thought Honda only released blue CB1100 in 2013. The white is exceptionally beautiful. It's great to have you aboard. We need more white bikes on this forum.

I too had the GS500 and yes it was very flickable. But in no time you'll completely forget this difference and fully appreciate the stability, tracking and near perfect steering of the 1100.

[size=xx-small]Accessories by: Agras, BabyFace, Chic Design, Daytona, Endurance, Force Design, Honda, K&H, K&N, Magic Racing, MotoGear, Moriwaki, Ohlins, PBI Sprockets, Posh, Power Commander, Ryujin, SP Takegawa, SP Tadao, SW Motech, TSR, U-Kanaya, WM, XAM Sprockets [/size]
05-25-2014 05:16 PM
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Cormanus Offline
Moderator

Queensland, Australia
Posts: 20,659
Joined: Dec 2013
Post: #9
RE: CB1100 First Impressions
(05-25-2014 05:16 PM)CB4ME Wrote:  <snip>

I thought Honda only released blue CB1100 in 2013. The white is exceptionally beautiful. It's great to have you aboard. We need more white bikes on this forum.
<snip>

CB4ME

The 2010 and 2011 models came to Australia in red, white, black and blue. In 2013, Canada got the blue ones; the US got red ones; Europe got a choice of colours (sorry about the spelling, I'm Australian)—all four I think. I've never understood it. It seems bizarre to send an extensive choice of colours to a small market and one colour to a relatively large one.

Cheers
05-25-2014 06:59 PM
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itsme67 Offline
1st Service Completed

Germany
Posts: 82
Joined: Feb 2014
Post: #10
RE: CB1100 First Impressions
(05-23-2014 09:41 PM)skimhitz Wrote:  ...... And in the end, I get a grin on my face every time I look at it, and that's what matters most. Wink

You're so right...this is what matters (and riding of course Wink)

Nice pictures and a good review; thanks.

Best regards

Thorsten

_________________________
1986 XBR 500
2014 CB 1100 EX

[url=http://motorrad-und-touren.de]Motorcycles and Tours[/url]
[url=http://www.cb-1100.de/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=197]itsme67 - German CB1100 Forum[/url]
(This post was last modified: 05-26-2014 11:40 AM by itsme67.)
05-26-2014 11:39 AM
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