All Tests – Honda CB1100 test: the CB always more Four – First turns of the wheel … in the wet

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Honda CB1100 test: the CB always more Four

All Tests - Honda CB1100 test: the CB always more Four - First turns of the wheel ... in the wet

After five years of waiting, French bikers will finally be able to ride the Honda CB1100 in February. But Site has taken a step ahead: first test of the new Honda roadster particularly awaited by our readers…

First turns of the wheel … in the wet

While Paris and a large part of France are undergoing heavy snowfall, the sky of Valence (Spain) seems ready to pour downpours on our helmets … Fortunately, the first kilometers are made on perfectly dry streets and avenues.

The pre-adjusted clutch lever – like that of the front brake – does not offer great resistance when engaging first gear. Starting is easy: you instantly find the slip point, then the electronic injection does the rest.

No need to open the throttle to make the CB1100 take off: the engine torque at idle is sufficient initially, for the observation round … We then chain the first three speeds quickly, as advised to us. ‘one of the Honda team: "enjoy the quiet power of the engine".

The 4-cylinder is indeed very pleasant at low speed: ultra soft and docile, it resumes from idle in 4th and we enjoy driving cushy, the tachometer needle strolling between 2000 and 3000 rpm, no more !

Only the selection of gears is a bit rough on our test bikes, which barely reach 1500 km. But this is the only downside, especially since the box is not slow for all that. Music lovers will also blame the engine for a sound that is ultimately too discreet and quite ordinary.

The position on the motorcycle is, as announced by Honda: "straight and natural. The front axle greatly facilitates the handling of this big bike: the steering is perfectly neutral, in particular thanks to the regular profile of the Bridgestone BT-54 (the CB1100 can also be fitted with Dunlop D205).

In addition, the smoothness of its same tires (110 mm at the front, 140 mm at the rear) and the moderate wheelbase (1490 mm) give the CB1100 surprising agility. Crossroads and roundabouts are negotiated without any difficulty or apprehension, as are the rare speed bumps installed in the center of Valence.

Showa suspensions – adjustable in preload only – effectively absorb shocks and it is with pleasure that you ride in town on your handlebars. Unfortunately, the discovery of the CB1100 on the road will be spoiled by the rain…

Air cooled engine … rain cooled pilot !

A few successive showers were enough to soak the beautiful roads chosen by Honda for good … Having become very slippery in places, they now have enough to cool the most daring of testers. And a momentary loss of the front by our official opener (on Crosstourer) doesn’t help matters…

However, these tricky conditions have the merit of highlighting the excellent balance of the chassis and the relevance of the braking system: thanks to C-ABS, all you have to do is press the brake pedal to have safe braking because the fork sags less than with the right lever alone and the risk of wheel locking is zero.

The flexibility of the engine is again appreciated: if the third report can do everything in town, the fourth is perfect for navigating on the secondary roads. After 3500 rpm, the 4-legged takes on a slightly harsher tone and is already towing vigorously.

The lunch break then allows you to refuel and take stock of the practical aspects. It will unfortunately be necessary to wait for a more complete MNC test to calculate the consumption of the CB1100, the fuel levels having been made quickly by the Honda staff..

Note on this occasion the presence of an elegant plate which swivels and gives access to the lock of the hinged fuel cap. Finally, know that Honda estimates the average consumption of the CB1100 at 5.5 l / 100km, which would allow a range of 200 km before reserve.

Placing the CB on its side stand is child’s play thanks to the lug placed very high. The bike is however much more difficult to post on its original central stand. !

The weight of the beast and the layout of the plant require good coordination. Also remember to grasp the rear of the motorcycle by the passenger handle (hidden under the gray plastic covering) and not by the strap intended for the same passenger – or rather for the two-seater homologation -, because the game at the level of the right attachment of the saddle does not really give you confidence…

A little tip to know also: the lock used to open the saddle is the same as that of the helmet holder. Once the key is rotated, you have to activate a pull tab hidden behind the latch: owners of CB 1300 are already aware !

A medium-sized U can be placed under the saddle in the rear part and a disc lock in the front compartment. On the other hand, it is impossible to put on a rain suit – we would have liked it for this test! – or any other object exceeding the size of a fist.

Good Old Fashioned Lovely Bike

Finally, thanks to a few portions of almost dry road, the Honda CB1100 can finally express itself fully! The engine benefits from a good extension and accepts to be familiar with the 9000 rpm, but the sensations are not there because of a too linear rise in regime.

Tasty at mid-range, the 4-legged lacks spice in the towers. The upper gear is therefore engaged long before the tachometer needle (at the green background, as on the CB750!) Reaches the red zone indicated at 8500 rpm (as on the CB 750 too).

The 18-inch wheels and the 114mm chassis give the new Honda reassuring stability in big curves. When coming out of tighter turns, the two shock absorbers tend to pump but the majority of future owners will readily pass this very relative "lack of rigor" to them..

Likewise, the fork sinks in a little too quickly when the two front brake callipers are fully activated. But overall, the compromise chosen by Honda will certainly delight most fans of this type of motorcycle..

On expressways, while the engine is running at 4000 rpm, fifth gear allows the CB1100 to reach 120 km / h. In theory, we could thus achieve 255 km / h … but in practice very few bikers will go so far as to block the counter which displays 220 km / h maximum.

The vibrations that we feel when accelerating in the thighs, past 4000 rpm, are fortunately much more discreet at constant speed. Too bad the saddle is not more comfortable, otherwise long rides would not have been a problem….

Even wedged at the bottom of the saddle, the buttocks end up tiring after about fifty kilometers. It is in terms of width, more than in thickness, that the centimeters are lacking in the saddle of the CB1100 to provide optimal seating..

Despite this little discomfort, the charm operates: we leave the CB1100 with a little pain in the buttocks but also, and above all, a broad smile on the lips. Certainly, old bikers will not fail to point out that the CB 750 Four, the "real" one, was much better than its descendant of 2013…

But for generations who have not known the old CB, this new model 1100 has something to seduce: its general appearance is superb, its smooth engine, its balanced chassis, its convincing and safe braking and its revisions spaced 12,000 km !

In absolute terms, its price of € 10,990 is unfortunately high … But it is clear that the other neo-retro motorcycles currently available are not cheap either … and have significantly lower displacement. Alone on its tiny niche, will the big – and heavy – CB1100 blow up the piggy banks in France? Answers in the next Market reports Site: stay connected !

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