Menus
- Discovery
- In the saddle
- Contact
- In the city
- On the highway
- On departmental
- Comfort / Duo
- Braking
- Convenient
- Consumption
- Conclusion
With the CB 1100, Honda is riding on the success of old and classic models, but with all the hidden modernity of the brand’s latest models: neo-retro. Initially released with stick wheels, the manufacturer of Hammamatsu further evolves its model with an EX version, the most visible evolution of which is the chrome spoked rims instead of the spoked wheels and a 4 in 2 exhaust.. New with old to justify an additional price increase? Test…
Discovery
To present the CB 100 EX is to step back in time and go straight back to the motorcycles of the 80s from which the model borrows all the usual characteristics. Besides, even 10 meters away, it just looks like an old one perfectly restored and in a magnificent state. We thus find the front round headlight, the round indicators placed laterally to the fork, the round mirrors, the tank and especially this new flat saddle (new saddle with the EX model compared to the standard model), elongated with central strap and without handle visible passenger (you have to put your hands underneath).
At the heart of the beast and the double steel cradle frame, we find a four-cylinder 4T double ACT of 1140 cm3 with 8 valves developing a power of 61 kw and a torque of 91 nm, with the fins so characteristic in the pure tradition of the air-oil cooling. Big evolution compared to the initial CB1100, the CB 1100 EX gains a sixth gear. Always in the respect of the classics, we find a fork of 41 mm and a double rear combination. More modern, ABS is standard here.
With the 4 in 2 exhaust and a new 17.5 liter tank (against 14.6 for the standard model), the EX also gains thirteen additional kilos compared to the standard model (260 kg against 247).
The motorcycle is finally characterized by its 18-inch wheels.
The most attentive will note a front optic enhanced by 25 mm and a very classic taillight.
In the saddle
You naturally sit on the CB1100, although the 1.70 rider will just put his feet on the ground. The handlebars are quite wide compared to a modern roadster and the hands move slightly apart to catch it noticeably forward, with an overall position almost straight. And unlike many machines of this type, the thighs and knees grip the handle perfectly and firmly. tank, offering a reassuring position and hold.
There are classic commodos, with warning and turn signals on the left and on the other hand an astonishing warning in the form of a large push button (large but discreet) on the right.
Under the eyes, we find a double analog counter in the pure classical tradition, with the counter on the left and the tachometer on the right and its red zone at 8,500 rpm. On the other hand, we find discreetly inserted in the center, a digital display almost hidden under a smoked glass, with all the information of a real on-board computer: fuel gauge with six sticks, totalizer, partial double trip, average consumption for each trip. partial both as km / l and l / 100 km. There are also the small traditional push buttons to change the displays…. in the center of the counter and not very practical to change while driving at once.
Contact
The 4 cylinder snorts with a deep sound, without vibration. Despite a well positioned side stand and little tilt, you can feel the 260 kilos of the bike to lift it. And while the weight is especially felt if you find yourself trying to push it, even on the flat, the feeling of weight disappears as soon as it begins to roll. The first engages slowly and the reaction is instantaneous when the throttle is pressed. The handling at very slow speed gets off a little, but not excessively. And as soon as you exceed 5 km / h, the CB 1100 even appears almost light.
The selection of reports is gentle and can be forgotten, while we do not hesitate to pass them one after the other.
In the city
The CB 1100 fits into traffic with ease and ease, especially since the well-positioned mirrors never get in the way of squeezing through the smallest spaces between cars. The second goes quickly, even the third in town…. not because the engine starts in revolutions – it is generally still below 4,000 rpm – but because of the vibrations perceived at around 3,500-4,000 rpm and we then prefer the under-speed which suits it particularly well, even on the sixth and last gear on which it can wind up without almost hitching at 750 rpm and 40 km / h! The times are not violent but soft and allow you to ride quietly. The rear brake is then more than enough to stop everything…. well helped by the ABS which will be able to enter into action on braking only with the rear brake in solo. And in fact in town, we can almost be satisfied with the rear brake, much smoother and more pleasant than the front brake with an almost oversized bite and power..
On the highway
The CB1100 sets off naturally without freeway and without difficulty, especially since it only spins at 3,500 rpm at legal speeds of 130 km / h…. very far from the red zone at 8,500 rpm. It then has all its torque and power to accelerate and set off to dare to overtake at largely prohibited speeds, in complete safety in terms of engine response and possibilities. Only the support of the wind beyond 140 km / h will resume a legal cruising speed.
On departmental
It is clearly on small roads that the CB 1100 finds its marks and its playground…. All the more helped by its ease of handling and its relatively generous ground clearance. It can then wind quietly on the last gear at 90 km / h and only 2,500 rpm! Admittedly, at this rate the acceleration is smooth and one should not hesitate to go down one or two reports, to make it pass the bar of 3,500 rev / min, engine speed which suits it much better and from which one begins to feel a real thrust … otherwise, its character seems almost sweet … even sanitized with a very linear power curve. Knowing that its maximum torque is reached at 5,000 rpm, no need to go tease it high in the towers. Its character does not push, but rather to accept the ride … while offering an exemplary frame and handling, far superior to some older roadsters of design that wiggles very quickly in comparison..
Comfort / Duo
The saddle is long and pleasant for the rider as well as the passenger. Without an apparent handle, the hand grip is in fact located under the saddle with a practical grip.
The comfort offered by the dual rear handset is good, even if the settings are limited (only in pre-charge).
Braking
The rear brake feels almost soft at first, with a sinking pedal and limited power. However, when properly pressed, it may be enough to stop the CB 1100 and used alone in solo even allows the ABS to be engaged; an ABS that will not trigger under the same conditions in duo on the other hand.
As soft the rear brake is, the front brake is on the contrary powerful, even brutal, even with two fingers, causing the CB to plunge on hard braking. Fortunately, ABS is there but it requires precision, skill and anticipation, the power being immediate ….
Convenient
We forget the place under the saddle … under which we can however place an anti-theft device, which is easily placed at the level of the wheels.
We appreciate the warning, well placed in addition under the right thumb.
Consumption
With a new tank of 17.5 liters compared to the 14 liters of the standard CB 1100, the EX is emancipated, especially with a consumption of 6 liters per hundred (5.58 liters announced by the manufacturer), which otherwise previously made it pass the reserve to 200 km. It can now in cool rhythm, helped by the sixth gear overdrive flirt with the 300 kilometers of autonomy. The first stick does not fall until after 75 km, followed regularly by the loss of a stick every 30 km…. thus allowing an average range of 270 kilometers.
Conclusion
Like the CB1100, the CB 1100 EX reconnects with our old ones and the motorcycles that made a whole generation of apprentice bikers shine, who today at 45-50 years old want to reconnect with their childhood dreams. With its stick wheels, old school saddle, the CB 1100 EX brings style that the CB 1100 did not have completely. And the additional overdrive speed brings the pleasure of winding on the torque, all for a price barely. superior to the CB 1100. For these two reasons, we will prefer this new model which thus finds its place in the range and justifies this model more than ever, despite the additional 1300 euros (12,599 against 11,299 euros).
Strong points
- classic and modern look design
- motor flexibility
- cycle part
- braking
Weak points
- suspensions
The technical sheet of the Honda CB 1100
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