New (aircooled) Honda CB1100 goes on sale in Japan. Video & pics

[JReazor]

That's hot.

[SpitfireTriple]

Isn't it just.

Essence of motorcycle.

[Oilhed]

OK a nice Standard, old style like my bonnie, 87 hp ok, now price it affordable.

Does anyone know the title and artist of the song in the video?  85hp/500lb/5 gallon/40mpg is my idea of a decent motorcycle.

[steve.m]

7 pages  

[maddjack]

I kind of like it, looks like something fun to just cruise around on...but it's certainly nothing I pay to own considering all the other bikes on the market.  And I'd hazard to guess that every person in this thread who says they would buy one if it were brought to the US...wouldn't.

Well that might be , only because Honda hasn't been realistic about pricing for a whiile. Price it right some will sell but it would never be a major player on the market. And please everyone don't sigguest past naked experiances, my two dealers never had a 799 or any of the other naked standards , to even look at on the floor. They set the market, unless you wanted to buy one , sight unseen. Race replicas and ST/ gold wings. They even chinz on dirt bikes at some of the local shops. WTF?

[Oilhed]

 Well that might be , only because Honda hasn't been realistic about pricing for a whiile. Price it right some will sell but it would never be a major player on the market. And please everyone don't sigguest past naked experiances, my two dealers never had a 799 or any of the other naked standards , to even look at on the floor. They set the market, unless you wanted to buy one , sight unseen. Race replicas and ST/ gold wings. They even chinz on dirt bikes at some of the local shops. WTF?

Well I'm thinking the last two bikes I bought new were a BMW & a Ducati.  I can buy this Honda AND a new Kawi KLR650 for less than a new BMW or Ducati and I just might.

[maddjack]

Well I'm thinking the last two bikes I bought new were a BMW & a Ducati.  I can buy this Honda AND a new Kawi KLR650 for less than a new BMW or Ducati and I just might.

No kidding why didn't you add MV in there  

[Oilhed]

 No kidding why didn't you add MV in there  

cuz I have never owned nor considered buying one  

[ninegear]

heres a question. just who is this bike being marketed to on a personal level. i dont think it would be to bad in europe and might make a few sales in america.

to me i think this bike will do decent for comuters. or people who feel the need to make this a cafe racer.(not much modding need to be done there.

[miles]

I like the retro styling a lot.  The proto was the best of them.
This:


reminds me of one of my favorite bikes of all time:

[SpitfireTriple]

Yes, it does have similar lines doesn't it.  Clean and simple somehow. Honest.

And I agree that the original prototype was a better looking bike than the production machine.  Personally I think that in the move to the production model, Honda have somehow lost the essence of the original idea.  I'd buy the prototype, I wouldn't buy the production machine.

It's amazing, isn't it, how just a tiny change here and a tiny change there can make the difference between beauty and no beauty.  I suppose it's the same with a woman's face.

[Oilhed]

And I agree that the original prototype was a better looking bike than the production machine.  Personally I think that in the move to the production model, Honda have somehow lost the essence of the original idea.  I'd buy the prototype, I wouldn't buy the production machine.

Am I not seeing it or or all the pics I have of prototypes?  Looks like just the seat and passenger rails are different.

[Rincewind]

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/New-bikes/2010/March/mar1210-honda-cb1100-not-coming-to-uk/?&R=EPI-122728

Honda UK have re-iterated their decision not to import the new CB1100 to the UK stating “it was not deemed that there would be sufficient demand across Europe to make the development and production of a European specification machine cost effective.”

Wankers.  They have the production and money to make it happen in the US and UK - I don't believe it for a second.  Honda can drop big money on a Scooter/bike mash-up, the DN-01, that flops; they can dump money in a chopper-cruiser, that no one wants.  But they can't import something that resonates with their own history, something that people may actually buy.  Buncha BS.

[atadaskew]

Am I not seeing it or or all the pics I have of prototypes?  Looks like just the seat and passenger rails are different.

At a quick glance, the following is also different:
Headers
Exhaust
Rear suspension
Tail light
Turn signals
Engine case
Mirrors
Instrument surround
Headlight seems smaller

[SpitfireTriple]

And most importantly, look closely at the engine.  The entire engine is different.  I suspect it's a variation on the existing CB1300 water-cooled engine.  I'm not against this sort of economy per se.  Engines are expensive things to develop and tool up to produce.  A manufacturer that started each model revision afresh would soon be out of business, spending far too much on development and tooling.  But in the case of the CB1100 production versus prototype, I for one think Honda have thrown the baby out with the bathwater.  It's no longer special. It's just yet another naked bike.

[steve.m]

everyone knows honda buyers fear change.  the 1100 cc twin market worked for a LONG time, they're probably just trying to get buyers to say "hey, i had an 1100 twin, i can ride an 1100 I-4.  that way they don't scare away the 50 going on 16 year olds.  

[SpitfireTriple]

Honda make an 1100 twin?

[steve.m]

used to be all the shadow cruisers were 1100's, they dropped them for the 1300...so now they reintroduce the same number in a I-4

it's all bull$hit i'm shoveling here...i just like picking on hondas who's names don't end in RR

[SpitfireTriple]

Hmmm.  I can't agree with you that Honda's motive in selecting a capacity of 1100cc was to attract former 1100 twin owners.  Can't prove you're wrong, just my opinion.

[motrhead]

I like the retro styling a lot.  The proto was the best of them.
This:


reminds me of one of my favorite bikes of all time:

 That's more than reminding...that's a complete ripoff. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one that recognised the SRX styling.