BamaRider
Guy
A few days ago I placed a deposit on this 2017 Honda CB 1100 EX. I was told to expect a May delivery, so if nothing happens I'll be adding this to my collection.
The CB 1100 is a much different bike than my 3 sport touring bikes. It is a basic, nothing fancy motorcycle. Light, simple, all around motorcycle molded in vein of the Honda CBs of the 1970s. The past few years I've wanted to own one of the classic Hondas of that era, (CB 750 or CBX) but the price to get in was just too crazy. (easy over 20k)
Honda to the rescue, with this retro styled bike, with modern technology, so I get all the looks and feel of the old CBs at half the cost of classic bike. It was like they made this bike just for me. Soon as I learned it was coming to America I went shopping. Had to have one.
Why? Just because. I grew up around Honda CBs. Owned a CB 175, CB 350F, my family also owned a CB 350 twin, and a CB 750. A friend had a CBX that I happen to believe was the best looking bike ever made. In many respects the new CB 1100 favors the CBX with its twin upswept mufflers. Also note the chrome and spoke wheels, round instrument clusters, aluminum polished casings and side panels. Handlebars, twin downtubes, and dual shocks. All hallmarks of the 1970s.
Honda CBs, no matter the size, all shared a certain style and feel. They were air cooled, inline four or twin, beyond reliable. Riding a bike like this will make me feel 15 again, and taking day rides, pretending to be on a long trip. The CB 1100 Ex was born in the same factory in Japan that produced the original CBs. The CBs had their own design teams and production.
I'll ride the 1100 around Prattville and Autauga County, take it for day long rides, and might even a few overnighters. My sport touring bikes are for the long cross country tours, they can handle that like a 727. I mean I could take it cross country, but that is not why I'm buying it. It's classic lines, and simple design are what harkens me.
Modern bikes are heinous in my eye. They look like something out of a Transformer movie. I can handle the cruiser bikes, most remain their classic look, I like the the dual purpose and sport touring bikes, but the modern UJM/ sport bike are the dregs. I guess I'm showing my age, so be it. Thanks Honda for making this bike. My guess it won't last long, maybe a 3 year run? Why I'm buying mine NOW.
I do have one project in mind for the CB 1100. I'm gonna take it on what I call the "retro tour." I'm going to duplicate the first long ride I ever made back in 1973 on the CB 350F. I still have the notes and maps from that tour, it won't be hard. It took me 8 days to do 1800 miles on the 350, I'm going to do it this time in 4, if I took one of the sport touring bikes I could do it 2 LOL. Void electric windshields, fairings, cruise control, ESA, molded seats, and mind blowing top ends, the CB calls for 2-300 mile days, but that's ok,