Duel BMW nine T Pure Vs Honda CB1100 RS: classic pleasures
Beautiful, chic and very legitimate in the neo-retro motorcycle segment, the Honda CB1100 only won over 125 French bikers in 2016. The Japanese manufacturer spices up its recipe with an RS variant with more assertive flavors, openly inspired by the very tasted BMW R Nine T and its 1000 annual sales ! MNC duel between the new Nine T Pure and the 2017 CB1100 RS.
Duel R Nine T Pure Vs CB1100 RS page 1 – Static: Honda spices, BMW softens
Driven by the "trendy" aspect of vintage, the neo-retro movement continues to be in full swing in 2017, as evidenced by the overwhelming activity of motorcycle manufacturers: Ducati and its multiple variations of, Triumph and its superb range, Yamaha and its amazing, or… Even Suzuki is doing it with its! How? ‘Or’ What ? The one that succeeds the is not a retro but a modern roadster? Despite its round headlight and its old-fashioned look? Are you sure? Oops…
And among the tenors of this juicy niche (because yes, recycling old at the price of new is a rather lucrative activity!) Throne the launch in 2014. The BMW was exchanged at no less than 1102 copies last year in France , just behind the whose deep overhaul has a deserved "Triumph" (1147 immates)! It is therefore not a surprise to see tumbling down new versions of the German "retro-active", including the unprecedented R Nine T Pure that the official website of the propeller brand describes as "".
An amusing coincidence: Honda uses the exact same term, "", on its French portal to tout its CB1100 RS, another highly anticipated classic "true-false" motorcycle. In addition to the fact that it reflects a certain lack of imagination of the marketing departments, this duplicate reveals similar ambitions: to return to the essentials through the charms of the past, by borrowing what is necessary from progress to ensure reliability. and safety (ABS, injection and even a new anti-slip clutch as standard on the Honda and optional traction control on the BMW).
- MNC comparative test :
On the CB1100 RS as on the R Nine T Pure, this return to fundamentals is materialized by simple and timeless lines: the Japanese and the German could come out of catalogs of the 80s! The confusion is maintained by the use of proven solutions: telescopic fork (with adjustable preload and rebound on the Honda, not adjustable on the BMW), headlight and round dials, flat saddle and above all a beautiful air-cooled engine ("4- legs "Vs" Flat twin "), like in the good old days. Both seem ready to sing this heady and sometimes irritating refrain: "it was better before" !
The Honda is simply superb in this new RS version, recognizable by its tank without visible welds (including under the edges), its 43 mm fork with golden sleeves or its radial calipers. Its fully LED lighting brings a "techno-chic" touch that echoes its readable instrumentation combining analog (speed and tachometer) and LCD screen on a black background (fuel, time, gear engaged, two trips). And then its superb oscillating arm in brushed aluminum is to die for, as well as its elegant chrome mufflers both shortened (-7 cm), lighter (-2.4 kg) and above all more sonorous.
- MNC Smart-Video : Listen to the engines of the CB1100 RS and BMW R nine T Pure
The Japanese engine makers have nicely enhanced the soundtrack of the 1140 cc inline 4-cylinder, which has become slightly rocky and a bit choppy at idle like on an old carburetor block. This melodious and very well calibrated sound has a crazy charm! More than the slightly aggressive and metallic vocalizations of the 1170cc twin of the R nineT Pure, very – almost too – vigorously expelled via a single side outlet (duplicated on the standard nineT). A noisy "Pure" motorbike: nice in small doses, much less on long journeys.
Tape in the eye and in the ear !
Honda side, performance does not suffer from the switch to Euro4: its engine – whose crankcases come from the late CB1300 – delivers 90 hp and 91 Nm as in 2016, despite improvements to the exhaust and intake. However, it is difficult to speak of an exploit as this mechanism is little pushed in relation to its displacement: a little extra punch would have been appreciated, especially on this "RS" version with more sporty pretensions.
The BMW Boxer, for its part, retains its power of 110 hp but sacrifices a few newton-meters of torque on the altar of the new standards (116 Nm instead of 119 in 2016). No worries though because our tests of the R Nine T Scrambler have shown that the "Flat air" retains all its force in the Euro4 version! Despite its calm appearance compared to the standard Nine T (telescopic fork and axial calipers against inverted fork and radial calipers), the German engine therefore leaves with the mechanical advantage.
- MNC duel :
The Honda, however, opposes a presentation of a higher level. If the Pure seduces with its rabled line and its minimalist rear part, its well-designed steel tank (in aluminum on the standard Nine T) or its cute LED light worthy of a prepared motorcycle, some details are winking in the eyes of its price (12,850 € against 12,999 € for the CB1100). Like for example the "gas factory" aspect of the intake at the rear of the cylinders, typical of this older generation of Boxer.
Likewise, the steering damper prominent in front of the oil cooler does a bit of a task on this type of bike, designed more for the leisurely ride with the wind in the wind than for the nose in the bubble. The absence of LEDs on the headlight and on the indicators is also noticeable in front of the Honda, as well as the presentation and the really summary content of its unique dial with needle speed and small LCD screen on which the engine speed is missing and the engaged report (compare the practical aspects in).
- MNC Smart-Video :
The cylinder for recovering unburned gases, symptomatic of Euro4, placed behind the left side upright of the trellis frame is not a dream either. No more than its unique green color, with a vaguely military tint, or its silencer with a rather banal black outlet and its very visible valve from which cables emerge. Finally, the presence of rubber on the footrests would not have displeased us, especially since they are slippery. On these different points, the "Pure" would benefit from being inspired by the CB1100 RS.
Perfect, the Honda? Not quite ! A few touches of plastic are still too much, on its side fairings or on the rear headlight support. The more "classic" will also tick on its tires with roadster dimensions (120 and 180 mm wide) mounted on rims with sticks. But you have to see the expression of its sporting side! Passable mention also for the small jumble of cables and terminals around the injection as well as its plates sensitive to the fluttering of the boots.
The R Nine T Pure takes the opportunity to show off its practical valves integrated into the poles or even its braided hoses connected to its Brembo calipers. Last favorable argument for the BMW: its cardan transmission, which clears the view of the rear rim and eliminates the tedious maintenance. The CB1100 may have a central stand to lubricate and retighten its chain, the trump card for the German.
For fans of customization, the R Nine T Pure drives home the point with its preparation possibilities allowed among other things by its easily removable rear frame. At this stage, even if the BMW deserves a sleeker finish, it is clear that it is giving its money’s worth against a Honda that is otherwise more coquettish but of more basic and less powerful design….
The continuation in our dynamic part in !
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