Thanks for the video. Just fyi, My 1982 kawasaki LTD 750 doesn't have any flat spots. I am running the original carbs. I am trying to justify buying one of these. Love the retro look. I'm 65 years young.
I bought a Honda CB1100 EX from 2020 a week ago, i love its inline 4 cylinder air cooled engine and looks. Bikes are just not built like this any more, now they are full of pieces of cheap plastic and have a huge liquid radiator at the front to comply with emission regulations which makes them look ugly and increase their complexity unnecessarily.
I got the 2014 with OEM Cafe Racer style windscreen and trunk in red I love it and have had it for over a year now picked it up for 8500 with 4000 Mi on it😊
I was fortunate to get one cheap, and I gave it a full refurbish and it's been my favorite bike ever since, it just fits my riding style perfect! I did splurge on some Whitehouse fugu cafe parts for it to make it feel special lol 😅
low centre of gravity ? you've got to be kidding !! i've just traded my 2018 model for a NC750 precisely because of this - a CB1100 is a beast to lug around. I loved the bike dearly but just couldn't cope with the sheer size and weight. You must be some kinda body builder to think it has a good centre of gravity (unless you ride on the moon ?)
I actually am a bit of bodybuilder, (my dad used to compete, so I grew up around it :)), so my idea of a light bike coming off the kickstand, or at slow speed, might be a bit skewed as you said. It is definitely a bit of a big machine, but in my mind I was also comparing to the Harley-Davidson Fat Bob that I recently had, that beast was over 700 pounds I believe! The CB1100 felt pretty decent compared to that!
Changing gears without a clutch is a bit like spinning a revolver with one bullet and sticking it to your head and pulling the trigger. Meaning.... more often than not you will be okay but eventually you are likely to suffer for it. I just got through watching a video of a guy that was shifting without the clutch and it worked for a while but one fateful day he happened to shift just a little bit wrong and it ruined his transmission. That happens every now and then. Of course, it's your bike so you be you.
Thanks for the warning sir! I did a little more research on the topic, and what you say is true! It should only really be done under hard acceleration, and even then there can be risk to the transmission. Even is the risk isn't high in all bikes, it's still there :). Something to keep in mind when engaging in clutchless shifts!
These bikes are a modern day classic, and I've seen a few for sale here in Australia with low mileage, mint condition and priced around $5,500US (converted from AUD). Please post another clip with a walkaround view. Thanks for sharing Matt :)
Hi Jonathan, that is actually pretty good pricing down in Australia, compared to us here in the US. CB1100's go for about $4,500-6,000 here, depending on the shape they are in and such. I actually do have a few other videos with the CB1100 on the channel, here is a link to the walk around vid for you: th-cam.com/video/mZHfONzTH_Y/w-d-xo.html
Love the bike man. My first bike, in 1990 was a 1982 Honda CB 900F SS. literally every day since I've dreamed of a modern version with serious hp. No one yet has nailed it between the style I like with the hp I hope for. The dream to me would be the Honda CB 1300 Super Four, exactly that styling, with liquid cooling and 160 hp. I don't know why Honda, Suzuki and Kawasaki have nailed the styling a time or two in the last 30 years but not added a nasty 160 hp to go with it lol. Imagine that mid 90's Eddie Lawson KZ 1200, but with the H2 supercharged motor in it. I would be like shut up! Take my money!
Hey Steven, yeah a supercharged retro cruiser would be pretty awesome! The current Kawasaki z900RS might be more along the lines of what you are looking for. I rode the 2023, I'll link that video below. It's water cooled, makes more power than the CB1100, but it does feel more sport oriented as well, with the seating position and such. th-cam.com/video/eH2FAlTEFZc/w-d-xo.html
Can't do that sort of power with this engine. There's a reason this makes less power than the CB900 from the '80s - noise pollution. No water jacket means more of the internal engine sounds - including combustion sounds - make it through the metal. And that's not including what comes through the exhaust. But liquid cooling would ruin the retro aesthetic. So if you really need that extra power, you're not really looking at a pure retro - and in that case, I guess Honda wants you to go ahead and buy a modern bike.
I’m wondering what difference the windshield makes? I haven’t got one on my CB1100 and thinking of getting a Dart fly screen for riding on the motorway in the uk. Speed limit here is 70mph and I’m hoping it will take some wind last off my chest. Have you tried yours without the screen? Kindest regards Dave
Hi Dave, I actually haven't tried without the windscreen. The wind buffeting on the highway was not bad at all, and still managable at freeway speeds of 70-80mph. It did not produce any headshake either, compared to the big R1150R windscreen that I had. That bike started to have headshake from the huge windscreen after 80mph!
A Dart windscreen was one of the first things I put on my CB. I chose the slighter taller option (translucent black) that curves over the gauges. The included mounting brackets put the headlight further forward, stretching out the lines of the bike. It does a great job taking wind off my chest and increasing riding comfort. It also improves the look of the bike in my opinion. I would recommend getting one especially the taller/curved version.
Thanks for the video. Just fyi, My 1982 kawasaki LTD 750 doesn't have any flat spots. I am running the original carbs. I am trying to justify buying one of these. Love the retro look. I'm 65 years young.
The CB1100 is a super smooth cruising bike, the ergos are great as well :). If you get a chance to do a test ride on one, I'd bet you'd enjoy the CB.
I bought a Honda CB1100 EX from 2020 a week ago, i love its inline 4 cylinder air cooled engine and looks. Bikes are just not built like this any more, now they are full of pieces of cheap plastic and have a huge liquid radiator at the front to comply with emission regulations which makes them look ugly and increase their complexity unnecessarily.
I agree! These machines are pretty old school and built tough! They have a really solid feel, steel fenders and all :)
I got the 2014 with OEM Cafe Racer style windscreen and trunk in red I love it and have had it for over a year now picked it up for 8500 with 4000 Mi on it😊
Nice you found a newer 14! Sounds like you got a great low mileage example!! :) 😀
I was fortunate to get one cheap, and I gave it a full refurbish and it's been my favorite bike ever since, it just fits my riding style perfect! I did splurge on some Whitehouse fugu cafe parts for it to make it feel special lol 😅
Ive had the CB1100 for 10 years now one of the best bikes I've ever ridden.
Love mine
low centre of gravity ? you've got to be kidding !! i've just traded my 2018 model for a NC750 precisely because of this - a CB1100 is a beast to lug around. I loved the bike dearly but just couldn't cope with the sheer size and weight. You must be some kinda body builder to think it has a good centre of gravity (unless you ride on the moon ?)
I actually am a bit of bodybuilder, (my dad used to compete, so I grew up around it :)), so my idea of a light bike coming off the kickstand, or at slow speed, might be a bit skewed as you said. It is definitely a bit of a big machine, but in my mind I was also comparing to the Harley-Davidson Fat Bob that I recently had, that beast was over 700 pounds I believe! The CB1100 felt pretty decent compared to that!
Changing gears without a clutch is a bit like spinning a revolver with one bullet and sticking it to your head and pulling the trigger. Meaning.... more often than not you will be okay but eventually you are likely to suffer for it. I just got through watching a video of a guy that was shifting without the clutch and it worked for a while but one fateful day he happened to shift just a little bit wrong and it ruined his transmission. That happens every now and then. Of course, it's your bike so you be you.
Thanks for the warning sir! I did a little more research on the topic, and what you say is true! It should only really be done under hard acceleration, and even then there can be risk to the transmission. Even is the risk isn't high in all bikes, it's still there :). Something to keep in mind when engaging in clutchless shifts!
These bikes are a modern day classic, and I've seen a few for sale here in Australia with low mileage, mint condition and priced around $5,500US (converted from AUD).
Please post another clip with a walkaround view. Thanks for sharing Matt :)
Hi Jonathan, that is actually pretty good pricing down in Australia, compared to us here in the US. CB1100's go for about $4,500-6,000 here, depending on the shape they are in and such.
I actually do have a few other videos with the CB1100 on the channel, here is a link to the walk around vid for you:
th-cam.com/video/mZHfONzTH_Y/w-d-xo.html
Love the bike man. My first bike, in 1990 was a 1982 Honda CB 900F SS. literally every day since I've dreamed of a modern version with serious hp. No one yet has nailed it between the style I like with the hp I hope for. The dream to me would be the Honda CB 1300 Super Four, exactly that styling, with liquid cooling and 160 hp. I don't know why Honda, Suzuki and Kawasaki have nailed the styling a time or two in the last 30 years but not added a nasty 160 hp to go with it lol. Imagine that mid 90's Eddie Lawson KZ 1200, but with the H2 supercharged motor in it. I would be like shut up! Take my money!
Hey Steven, yeah a supercharged retro cruiser would be pretty awesome! The current Kawasaki z900RS might be more along the lines of what you are looking for. I rode the 2023, I'll link that video below.
It's water cooled, makes more power than the CB1100, but it does feel more sport oriented as well, with the seating position and such.
th-cam.com/video/eH2FAlTEFZc/w-d-xo.html
Can't do that sort of power with this engine. There's a reason this makes less power than the CB900 from the '80s - noise pollution. No water jacket means more of the internal engine sounds - including combustion sounds - make it through the metal. And that's not including what comes through the exhaust. But liquid cooling would ruin the retro aesthetic. So if you really need that extra power, you're not really looking at a pure retro - and in that case, I guess Honda wants you to go ahead and buy a modern bike.
Nice review
Thanks! I also have a longer pro and con review of the CB1100 if you'd like to check it out! :)
th-cam.com/video/1yc99ZurubQ/w-d-xo.html
Just bought mine. Only 1,200 miles on the odometer for $5000. Original tires and no oil, but those are quick fixes. I love this machine
Wow what a deal! I've never seen one with that low of miles, nice find!!
I’m wondering what difference the windshield makes? I haven’t got one on my CB1100 and thinking of getting a Dart fly screen for riding on the motorway in the uk. Speed limit here is 70mph and I’m hoping it will take some wind last off my chest. Have you tried yours without the screen? Kindest regards Dave
Hi Dave, I actually haven't tried without the windscreen. The wind buffeting on the highway was not bad at all, and still managable at freeway speeds of 70-80mph. It did not produce any headshake either, compared to the big R1150R windscreen that I had. That bike started to have headshake from the huge windscreen after 80mph!
Thanks, might invest in one after the winter! Might have to prioritise some heated gloves first 😂😂
A Dart windscreen was one of the first things I put on my CB. I chose the slighter taller option (translucent black) that curves over the gauges. The included mounting brackets put the headlight further forward, stretching out the lines of the bike. It does a great job taking wind off my chest and increasing riding comfort. It also improves the look of the bike in my opinion. I would recommend getting one especially the taller/curved version.
Thanks for that, I’ll be getting one soon !