Driving report: the retro bike Honda CB 1100

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Driving report: Honda

Honda’s retro bike: the CB 1100

For a long time the place of a successor to the legendary CB 750 Four in the Honda program was orphaned. The CB 1100 study is now ready for series production.

"Anti retro", this is how Citroën is currently promoting its cars. Meanwhile, Honda is bravely marching in the other direction. With overwhelming success. While the CB 1100 was still much acclaimed study at the Tokyo Motor Show 2007, followed by a pre-production model, Honda has now actually launched the reincarnation of the milestone CB 750 in series: the CB 1100, the legitimate successor to an impressive line of ancestors. What she does visually convincingly. It is not just a replica like the Kawasaki W 650, but rather the adaptation of the retro look to a thoroughly modern motorcycle.

Its clearly drawn exterior gives it a timeless aesthetic. "In terms of design and functionality, we have devoted ourselves very intensively to every detail. The CB is pure Honda DNA", the engineers rejoice. The CB does not need to be advertised in this way. Double-loop tubular frame, stereo spring struts, classic taillight and double fanfare under the headlights, which are set in a chic chrome ring, combine with the slim tank-seat combination to form a pleasantly straight-line whole. Honda succeeded so well that even the delicate cast wheels – after all in the classic 18-inch format – are not perceived as a style break.

Driving report: Honda

Honda’s retro bike: the CB 1100

The CB 1100 also manages to add a little more as the speed increases. What fun zapping through the aisles and being swept from curve to curve. The front brake, fitted with two 296 millimeter discs, also cuts a fine figure. That just makes driving the Honda briskly through corners, even if it’s far from being a sport bike. What the early scratching rests quickly bring to mind. No matter. Thanks to the not unreasonably wide tires, the CB willingly slouches. At around 247 kilograms with a full tank (with ABS), it is really not a lightweight and its chassis geometry with a flat steering head angle and long caster is rather conservative and designed for stability. Still, everything about the Honda is suppleness and easy-going. Which is also a small compliment in the direction of the spring elements. You work very comfortably, without annoying the sloppy damping of cheap parts.

This is how the Honda delights its pilots because it is as beautiful to drive as it is to look at. The only downer, which is all the greater: it is not officially imported into Germany. For the time being, apart from Japan, only Australia and New Zealand will enjoy this pleasure. "There the requirements in terms of technology and driving performance are very similar to those in Japan, which is not the case in Europe or the USA", explains Tetsuya Kudoh from Honda R & D.. "Goal", he then drops it while walking, "if the demand from European drivers were big enough, it shouldn’t stay that way …

Technical specifications

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Elbow routing like 1974 on the CB 400 Four, the look of the double-cam engine is strongly reminiscent of the legendary Bol d‘Or engines.

Engine:
Air-cooled four-cylinder four-stroke in-line engine, two overhead, chain-driven camshafts, four valves per cylinder, bucket tappets, wet sump lubrication, injection, regulated catalytic converter, hydraulically operated multi-plate oil bath clutch, five -speed gearbox, O-ring chain.
Bore x stroke 73.5 x 67.2 mm
Displacement 1141 cc
rated capacity 64.8 kW (88 PS) at 7500 rpm
Max. Torque 96 Nm at 5000 rpm

Landing gear:
Double loop frame made of steel, telescopic fork, Ø 41 mm, adjustable spring base, two-arm swing arm made of aluminum, two spring struts, adjustable spring base, double disc brake at the front, Ø 296 mm, four-piston fixed calipers, disc brake at the rear, Ø 256 mm, single-piston floating caliper.
Tires 110/80 ZR 18; 140/70 ZR 18

Mass and weight:
Wheelbase 1490 mm, steering head angle 63.0 degrees, caster 114 mm, spring travel f / r 120/89 mm, seat height 765 mm, weight * 243 kg (247 kg), tank capacity 14.0 liters.
guarantee two years
Colors White, red, black
price* 997,500 (1071,000) yen
approx. 8,110 (8,710) euros

* Figures in brackets: ABS version

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The Honda CB 750 Four from 1967.

1967 – CB 750 Four
There are few motorcycles that have influenced development as much as the CB 750Four. In-line four-cylinder, 67 hp, hydraulic disc brake, four-in-four exhaust, double-loop tubular frame. Those were the ingredients with which Honda really shocked the competition back then. The triumphal procession of the four-cylinder was thus set in motion. The other Japanese manufacturers had to follow suit. And the CB 750 has been followed by countless offshoots to this day, with cubic capacities ranging from 350 to 1,300 cubic centimeters. In addition, the four-cylinder opened up unimagined possibilities in terms of power output, which also earned it an outstanding position in racing.

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The Honda CB 1000 from 1993.

1993 – CB 1000
Up until this point, the air-cooled CB 750 was the only remaining successor in the Honda range, then Honda followed suit with the CB 1000. With the 98 HP throttled, water-cooled four-cylinder from the sports car CBR 1000 F and cast wheels, she renounced everything that had to do with nostalgia. Even if their lines are already considered classic again today. With the CB 1100 you not only combine the stereo struts, but also the four-in-one exhaust system, double-loop frame and the 18-inch wheels.

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