Honda CB1100 Air-Cooled Retro to the US?

[Rincewind]

One of this month's bike mags (Motorcyclist) hinted that the CB1100, only produced for Asian markets and much loved from afar for its retro styling, was spied testing in the Alps recently.  The article indicated that the US and Europe may be finally receiving this model for 2013.

Honda Japan's page on the CB1100.  



Related article at Visor Down

[coucours grad]

I will take 2. One for me and one for the wife.


  Bring it Honda, we'll buy it!

[sammyseaman]

I for one have no interest in another I4 BUT I love the look of the big CB    . Will it sell in the states? That's to be seen. Tis a gamble.

[TBone]

I heart it.  

[2WheelPilot]

I doubt it.  Even HD had to go water cooled.  I hear that it was in order to meet EPA regs on emissions AND noise.  Maybe Honda can meet those regs with air cooling, but I'm not holding my breath.

OBTW, yes, it looks cool!  I'd love to have one.

[sagerat]

I'd love one, provided the price tag isn't absurd.  Honda seems to think their models are made out of spun gold; witness the Deauville debacle.  

[gritsngravy]

I'd love to see the cb1100 in the states.     Hmmm second thought bring in the cb1300.  

[highside]

Unfortunately Honda is going to end up pricing this just north of the absurd. I am thinking about $13K.

[Rincewind]

I doubt it.  Even HD had to go water cooled.  I hear that it was in order to meet EPA regs on emissions AND noise.  Maybe Honda can meet those regs with air cooling, but I'm not holding my breath.

OBTW, yes, it looks cool!  I'd love to have one.

As of now, HD water-cooling only seems to be a persistent rumor (not including the V-Rod).  There are plenty of air-cooled bikes that meet today's regulations - Ducatis, BMWs, Triumphs, Guzzis, dual-sports, etc.  I don't think air-cooling will become obsolete anytime soon.

Was Honda right in making this I4 air-cooled?  Well, it only makes about 87hp, so it will have a power disadvantage.  But compared to the Bonnies, I expect it will have a bit more torque.

I agree that the pricing could put a real hamper on this model.  But, Honda was able to price the NC700X competitively, so we'll see...

[sagerat]

BMW is slated to go to a water-cooled boxer in either 2013 or '14.

[Rincewind]

BMW is slated to go to a water-cooled boxer in either 2013 or '14.

I had only read about the GS getting the new liquid-cooled motor.  I had not heard that it was going into the whole line-up.  In fact, the latest news about a new post-modern roadster model being developed indicated that it will be using the air-cooled boxer.

[Rattlehead]

One of this month's bike mags (Motorcyclist) hinted that the CB1100, only produced for Asian markets and much loved from afar for its retro styling, was spied testing in the Alps recently.  The article indicated that the US and Europe may be finally receiving this model for 2013.

Honda Japan's page on the CB1100.  



Related article at Visor Down

I LOVE the look of that bike!
Bring it here, price it right around 10k (a little more than the Bonnie and right around an average Sportster) and it would be a VERY attractive bike. I for one would LOVE to have one in my garage.

I'm not holding my breath though.

[kendenton]

I liked the old CB1000 "Big One" back in the day

[black hills]

As of now, HD water-cooling only seems to be a persistent rumor (not including the V-Rod).  There are plenty of air-cooled bikes that meet today's regulations - Ducatis, BMWs, Triumphs, Guzzis, dual-sports, etc.  I don't think air-cooling will become obsolete anytime soon.

according to the local HD dealer the 2013 1/2 models will have water cooled heads?

[veefer800canuck]

I would love to see the CB1100R. Oh yeah!

[atadaskew]

I would love to see the CB1100R. Oh yeah!

Bingo!

Hottest factory paint job in a loooong time.

Of course Ducati already did this kind of thing with their SportClassic 1000S five years ago...

[Dave the slave]

I would love to see the CB1100R. Oh yeah!

I've been waiting for THIS for several years now... I don't think it ever went past the concept bike stage.  Too bad I say.

[kendenton]

I'm really waiting for this:

[motormike]

I'm really waiting for this:

What is that, the CBF1000?

http://www.honda.co.uk/motorcycles/naked/#!/cbf1000/

[kendenton]

CB1300   (if only it wasn't an I4...)

[motormike]

CB1300   (if only it wasn't an I4...)

Would a VFR 1000 work?

[kendenton]

Would a VFR 1000 work?

If it had the retro looks of the CB1300, yes.  

[Carbonero]

I doubt it.  Even HD had to go water cooled.  I hear that it was in order to meet EPA regs on emissions AND noise.  Maybe Honda can meet those regs with air cooling, but I'm not holding my breath.

 

Source...?

There's no source. That's more BS rumor-mill fodder.

Harley, Victory, Yamaha/Star, Indian and a host of other MFGs are still making plenty of air-cooled engines and doing just fine within the regs.

I wish this rumor would die already.

And as a side note, some air-cooled engines *are* actually at the cusp of failing EPA regs...

...

... for SOUND emissions, not hydrocarbons. Building the engines loose and rattle-canny for air cooling makes them loud and clattery. To the best of my knowledge, every air-cooled engine in the big boys' lineups are well within CARB regs.

[FBRR]

 

Source...?

There's no source. That's more BS rumor-mill fodder.

Harley, Victory, Yamaha/Star, Indian and a host of other MFGs are still making plenty of air-cooled engines and doing just fine within the regs.

I wish this rumor would die already.

And as a side note, some air-cooled engines *are* actually at the cusp of failing EPA regs...

...

... for SOUND emissions, not hydrocarbons. Building the engines loose and rattle-canny for air cooling makes them loud and clattery. To the best of my knowledge, every air-cooled engine in the big boys' lineups are well within CARB regs.

You're right! Water cooling is NOT for Hydrocarbon emissions, it is for NOX emissions, which are very hard to control without temperature control. And it is NOX emissions that keep getting much lower compared to HC reductions. As a retired emissions enginer I do understand that NOX and combustion temperature is the limitation. That is why Harley seem to think just cooling the heads will work, and it will for a few more years. You are correct that a water jacket also aids in noise passby standards.
P.S.
I love this Honda!! I was excited when I saw it several years ago, and disappointed when they didn't bring it in then..
For the right price, I may yet get a chance to have one!