Honda CB1100 Old Vs New | Road Test | Motorcyclenews.com

The making of a legend.
The new, 2013 Honda CB1100 aims for the life and soul of its predecessors. We've reunited them all to examine their classic motorcycling DNA.
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[@Welleydog]

According to the books, the last of the SOHC CB750 Honda's had about 63 BHP, (not 80) the 1969 CB750 about 67 BHP. Like the old and the new, I would rather have the new CB1100 day to day though.

[@cougarhunter33]

I miss my 74 CB-550 that I gave up after high school, and 20+ years later, I cannot find another. Which is why I'm looking seriously at the CB-1100.

[@ZoneTelevision]

Great Great bikes all of them and still relevant today in my opinion.

[@TerribleTimes]

i honestly think thus is a great machine, only truely 'retro' thing about it is the looks, which is just right.

[@joaosoares3719]

I just bought this beauty, I'm getting her in 3 weeks. I'll evidently Cafe Racify the shit out of her - matte black paint, clip-ons, lowered headlight with Mugen's headlight cowl and Mugen seat, black Rizoma Spy-R80 mirrors, rear fender removal and a few other tricks.

[@guillermoreyes8430]

I wonder what happened to the 1982 Honda CB-900- Custom, which is by far to my opinion way ahead of his time when produced.

[@ianryoung30]

I accept what you're saying though, that road going sports bikes are effectively toned down to make them more appropriate for the road. My original point was, this CB1100 provides a great alternative for those not getting on with a no compromise high powered sports bike. It really takes road riding back to pure road riding, the bikes features being specifically designed from the ground up for that purpose.

[@jamesalbinson7416]

Thanks for the review, you have captured the essence of this very nice bike.

[@bluehazeboy]

Good review but in getting more & more fed up with the adverts which load instantly & then you have to wait for the real video to load up

[@ShepsAlmighty]

Question: Why is it that an older 750 makes 80 bhp but a newer 1100 makes... 80 bhp? Why not just start making the 750 again with updated tech?

[@brandonpurple8938]

Facts . I love my 750

[@ianryoung30]

And by this, I am not arguing sports bikes don't have a place on the road otherwise I wouldn't have one. I am saying, I feel this new bike is perfectly placed to fill a need in the market as an alternative to both a large capacity sports bike and adventure bikes.

[@hunkyleepickle]

awesome vid, as always, couldnt tell the two apart at most points! If insurance didnt completely CRUSH me at 1000cc and over, i'd totally take a serious look at the new CB, love the retro look!

[@MrJimbofox]

Please correct me if I am wrong fellas but the original CB750K had 68HP, not 80HP as mentioned in this video and the 2013 CB1100 has 87HP. Not meaning to be a stickler but 7HP is a measurable difference on a bike.

[@rogervallve7375]

my 82 CB750 has 77HP

[@ProbabilityWave0]

that's because it's an advert for the actual review in the magazine

[@dude0900111]

yes MCN, please do a little longer videos, and more in-depth reviews... unfortunately not every biker is able to ride any bike out there, so we rely on guys like you to get impressions and real information about other bikes... cheers

[@whiterabbitt2002]

You should do an update comparing the CB750, the CB1100 and the 2018/19 CB 1100EX. And which bike of the three is the quickest, best handling one ? Curious

[@jcart1957]

Good point.

[@pansho550F]

I've own a 76' CB550 four supersport as a first bike. truly great bikes.

[@damian2001111111]

Beautyfull bikes.

[@ianryoung30]

Great bikes, I would love one of the new 1100s whilst keeping my 76 550F2. And no I'm not old, I'm 30. This kind of bike, which you can use daily or ride across Europe is what people want, smooth comfortable, reliable, a little nostalgic. We've seen sports bikes traded in in their droves for adventure bikes such as the GS1200 this is another alternative for people who want to do serious miles and enjoy the freedom that brings.

[@ianryoung30]

The R1 is used extensively in numerous professional race series, for example the world super bikes, British super bikes. A true track racer available for the road. Hope that explains it for you

[@freddiecunningham9771]

Sup yo! It's really amazing file grandfather !!

[@ianryoung30]

I also find it quite funny that you consider adding road legal lights / mirrors re-designing a motorcycle. Also just for your info not all bike racers run the upside down gear selector, it's personal preference in the same way you can simply have one fitted to your own sport bike, along with a quick shifter etc

[@JohnInSale]

Just saw the New CB1100 EX, just looks so much better than this standard version and nicer exhaust !!!

[@HYITHO]

im really starting to like these old school roadsters. looks so nice.

[@garydunn3037]

HYITHO Yeah, but they look so bland compared to the old bikes. Where's the eye catching tank and side panelgraphics, and metallic paint. These modern bikes just don't have the appeal of thode old bikes.

[@HYITHO]

Gary Dunn yeah I reckon.

[@rabsputin]

my point was that sports bikes which you can just turn up at a dealership and fork over a bunch of cash for, while you CAN ride them at the track and they'll perform well, are designed PRIMARILY for road use, hence all the bits like indicators and tyres and everything all being road legal. there isn't a bike that you couldn't use at the track, but the ones you buy in dealerships are not designed with the track as their primary purpose. bike sales subsidise the race bikes anyway.

[@jcart1957]

Am I the only one that thinks $10,000 is a lot to relive the Honda thrill of days past? I was all set to buy one before sticker shock set in.

[@TheGrouchawk]

Very nice looking bike, the only new model I would buy. Now if Kawi will make a retro Z-ed.....for us classic riders.

[@angelocardoc]

The retro styling that the automotive industry did, worked well. (Mustang, Camaro, Challenger, Beetle, Mini...) All those retro cars were greatly improved in terms of drive-train, suspension, ergonomics and styling. Did Honda greatly improve the new CB1100? How? Who is Honda trying to market this bike to?

[@MrSlowestD16]

Reminds me of my '80's CM's/CB's. . Except they probably don't have the fueling issues that I do >.

[@Whiter00m]

Excellent. Made me laugh!

[@rabsputin]

if that's the case, tell us why rossi's M1 isn't in production with road tyres, lights and mirrors. rossi doesn't ride a tarted up R1 in races.

[@rabsputin]

think of it like the way sports cars aren't used at the track. when was the last time you saw a ferrari f50 going round a circuit and it wasn't on something like top gear?

[@luisramos123]

If you forget it's based on a previous bike, it's actually a very good looking bike on it's own, and like all Hondas, it'll be solidly built and well engineered. My favourite of the new Hondas, since they completely bastardized the CBR line.

[@MrWhitelightning73]

Nice. Now bring back the cb400f

[@ianryoung30]

You don't think that sports bikes were designed for the track? I see them at the track every weekend, and I don't know if you've seen that world super bike thing, it's quite big, they even have a super stock category in-case you'd not noticed that either.. They're race replicas for the road.. (hence the road requirements for lights and mirrors) their underlying purpose in design is to be quick around a track.

[@bechtoea]

I love the "modern switchgear" and "modern this or that." If you can grant me a bit of liberty by forgoing the 70's look, the true bike to compare this to is a CB750 from the 90's. In the USA, one can be had for well under $3000, a solid $7000 less than a new CB1100. Except for FI, I simply don't see the benefit. My old 92 is my daily ride and she's bulletproof.

[@russelltaylor7779]

That is not a K6 750, it is a K7. The K6 was the last of the original Looking 750s and was a parts bin special basically.

[@0ttoman]

that bike would make a great cafe racer :D

[@andrebasden]

Through this whole video I was afraid people were going to think I was watching a porn because of the music.....

[@ianryoung30]

Hopefully you are aware the M1 is a prototype.. I fail to see why you would think this would be on the road. Over years the feature of the bike will be added to the production sports bikes as has always been the case.

[@katana258]

saw and sat on it at daytona bike week ... very well made .. looks smooth everything flows .$9,999 .very retro ..only honda is 8 years behind the curve ..where triumph has been at it for 13 years ...BUT the new STAR ''BOLT'' $7,999 has the makeings of a better cafe-bike starter and has a bad boy look from the start..and with 114 factory add ons ready to go. to change it to your style with the other $2,000... i like the honda and i am sure it runs great ...but ???? i would hate to cafe it out ...

[@lololee2580]

round shape of front doom and dynama cycle bulb look as indicator is fascinates remin old vechile but it is good indicatior should be solid tyres at front and back upsize also free wheel is accessible by the user itself without asking mechanic lot of times upsize we get confused often lot of time availability of free chain can be blend for both that is what challenging for upsize too

[@rabsputin]

sports bikes weren't designed for the track, if they were they'd be using them at the track, which they're not. sports bikes, in the first iteration of a model, start with the bike that was designed for the track and are then redesigned for use on the road, and from then on they become a different beast. if sports bikes were designed for the track there'd be no mirrors or indicators on them and the gear selector would be upside down, and those are just the obvious bits.

[@ianryoung30]

And no I'm not knocking sports bikes I also have a newish ducati but they were designed for the track and I think that's starting to become apparent to a lot of people.

[@ianryoung30]

It's a lot, I think playing devils advocate it's because they've tried to place it in the same place in the market the original was placed. Trying to make a clear distinction between it and a cheaper commuter naked bike. Trying to go for the less plastic more high quality metal components to keep it in the style of the original fours.

[@umaxen0048]

All I remember is for a brief 4 months in 1985, I owned a pristine used Honda CB550Four with 3000 miles on the odo. It was the highest strung bike in the history of motorcycles. High, tight rpm 100% of the time. It felt like it was going to explode under you. The weight of the bike didn't help either. The controls felt indirect and difficult to use. If you were cruising at 70 mph and released the throttle? It wanted to buck you off the front of the bike. I really like the classic looks of this bike, but IF it rides the same as the 550Four? I will have to PASS !

[@neevesybikes]

@luisramos123 you've rumbled us! Neevesy MCN.

[@seyedanamir7042]

there is no more space !?

[@coryroy7431]

and the cb550 and the cb750

[@crimsoncruiser6122]

my first bike which i still have and ride was the !981 CB750 Custom. i bought the CB1100 a few weeks ago and i love her. no more oil leaks, similar handling. couple things i dont like is as tim said the 1140cc motor should produce more power but i feel its due to the gearing, fuel pump, and exhaust but i think thats what honda was going for away to bring back there original master piece the 69 CB750 KO aka the first super bike. i plan on getting a power commander and maybe replacing the exhaust or leave the exhaust alone and make it a sleeper. so many options just like CBs of old

[@InsanityHere]

Well, that sounds promising, about the CB1100. So, are there bolt-on options to get the power closer to 100hp?

[@garolstipock]

I'm always amazed at the number of folk that bitch no matter how, what or why MCN puts up a vid. I for one appreciate them and would like more please. If you dont hear it enough MCN, I appreciate your efforts, thank you for the FREE vids, commentary and reviews. I'm confused by those that dislike the vids as to why they bother looking at them...it's the internet age, there are options. btw..every hetero guy likes classic porn music, dont ever be ashamed of it, its truly some groovy shyt!

[@damatnamat373]

"if these bikes were designed with the primary purpose of use on the track then rossi would be riding an r1. he isn't." Lol, by that logic Mark webber and Jenson Button should be driving around in Radical S3's and Caterham 7's.

[@123JumpingJacks]

what is a zed 1?

[@ianryoung30]

Not sure if you've seen the le mans series where Ferraris, Lamborghinis and the like are raced on the track week in week out. Seems like you're not really up on your 'racing'. Probably haven't watched the Porsche cup either, or the Ferrari challenge. There's a whole world of racing you've yet to discover

[@yogeshsarkartravel]

No sound of the bikes? Come on guys, least you could have done is record a bit of their sound, bet that would have been more music to the ears of us enthusiasts.

[@TCRSreloaded]

This would have been a great video without the music. Cut it out, reupload and we will never talk about this version again.

[@BusterKitten]

makes me feel real old when they talk about the bikes I grew up with as "classics". I've owned the CB400, 550, and a couple of the 750s back in the early/mid 70s, all fantastic bikes, bullet proof, fun, and I could kick myself on the backside for not keeping any of these bikes, but I also had Harley's from the 60s on and decided to stay forcused on that brand.

[@Spearfisher1970]

All the cruisers Honda kept offering here in the states were really disappointing. Fine bikes, yes, but jeez - not a regular do-it-all bike in the entire line-up. Sport bikes are a niche that many grow out of, or simply keep for track days. If I had to have one bike to last me 20 years, I'd take this CB1100 before a sport bike.

[@Beaver314]

is this really what Honda is spending it's time on? They should be focussing on the future in stead of nostalgically improving the past. The new fireblade and 600 supersport are really disappointing.

[@ChrisR57]

They should have run it 'side by each' with an 83 CB1100F

[@luisramos123]

MCN doesn't make reviews, don't get fooled by the title. In the year or two I've been subscribed to them they made about 5 proper reviews, the rest is advertising and quick, useless and informationless looks at new bikes, like this one.

[@RosieKR]

Harley has been doing that for that past 20-30 years lol. Asking more coin, mind you.

[@luisramos123]

Sadly they are only responding to market and government demands asking for more tree hugging. I like this one though, but hate how they fucked up the CBR line.

[@MegaTriumph955]

Hondas had a lot of trouble with rectum friers.

[@Mr375HH]

Zed 1 is the Kawasaki Kz1000

[@archimedespythagorus5890]

Close, but no. It's the Z1 900 which was available from 1972 to 1975. The KZ1000 was the Z1's successor. BTW, remember that only in the US is the letter "Z" pronounced "zee", everywhere else it's pronounced "zed", hence Zed one.

[@stelthy100]

A Cent. The Kawasaki Z1 900 was the monster of its day I had two of them.

[@CaptHollister]

stelthy100 But it was a docile pet compared to the H2 and the even more bestial H1 that came before, even though it was faster than either of those.

[@rabsputin]

"Yes they are." no they're not. "designed to be used on track too." the operative word here being 'too', meaning 'also' and 'in addition to'. the primary purpose for these bikes is riding on roads. the fact that they perform well on a racetrack is completely secondary to the fact that these things were built to be sold to people most of whom would never go near a track. if these bikes were designed with the primary purpose of use on the track then rossi would be riding an r1. he isn't.

[@BigPhil22]

Unlikely, but what's your point?

[@feAr636]

Dont get fooled by the title? Where the fuck does it say it was a review? It says road test and that's pretty much what the video was.

[@ragnarokzero1988]

clearly a dohc...

[@Codidicus]

Why does everyone compare this to the 750's of old? The cb 1100 existed from the 80's, maybe even sooner. It just seems to be the more applicable choice.

[@robertbrandywine]

Because it wouldn't come off looking so good power wise? This new CB1100 has about 82 HP and the old CB1100F had 108 HP. Or maybe because most people aren't aware of the CB1100F since it was only imported into the U.S. for one year.

[@steady2wheels]

O honda, typical beige, matches the personality of their bikes. Atleast the oldies sound like proper motorbikes

[@Auto-Minute]

Honda, come up with something different and ORIGINAL please :D If I wanted the original Honda CB i'd buy an original CB. The charm and character of the bike cannot be replicated, whether it be good or bad.. stop with the revisions. Make something new :) ps: Love the NC700x and 500 lineup

[@bigbinston]

he could have got his facts accurate and stop going on about reliabilty must said peace of mind about 70times

[@ThomasRSmith-og7zo]

You guys are riding on the wrong side of the street :D

[@YarekBalear]

He's hardly going to go on about performance, ability to wheelie or its capabilities around a track. That's not what classic bikes are about - so I'm not sure what much else Kev could have added tbh... Not my style of bike, but I'd imagine this would appeal to those that have their passion tilted this way.

[@joeking9933]

i stopped watching after the booming base , whats up with that ? everyone wants to hear the bikes engines , not that nonsense . also it is a double overhead cam with 88HP which is more than the original that had 68 the 1st year and 67HP after that. I own both the CB750K6 and a 13 CB1100 A-D and really love the bike. it has the K10 kit , 4 into 4 pipes and spoke wheels

[@SoyBoySigh]

The whitehouse customs 'K10" kit? That's awesome. The only good thing they did with the NEW CB1100, IMHO - They should've built the "CB1100R" version from the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, or gone and fucked themselves. Instead, they leave it to the aftermarket, in classic Honda form. Well - I dig your 'K10, but check out my in-progress "CB900K0 Bol Bomber" - I've probably got better wire-spoke wheels on it than the new 2015+ version, which got it's hubs from their CRUISER line. And I've got mine for a lot less than it cost to build the new version, too. Yanno, it's a pity they couldn't do as good as the bone-stock '82 CB900F, let alone the '81-'83 CB1100R & '83 CB1100F - but HEY, I applaud you for supporting Honda's efforts to bring back a DOHC-4 air-cooled engine. Maybe it'll lead to bigger & better things. I sure hope somebody offers a 2007 CB1100R frame KIT one of these days. Or at least, if the MORAD company would bring back their Akront "NERVI" line for an improved form of rebuilt COMSTAR wheel. 'Cause the direction Honda has gone in recent years with their new CB1100 really sucks, it's the absolute wrong direction from what they should've done with the thing. I take it as a sign that the bike's gonna be dropped soon. Well, at least they didn't just trundle out another version of the CBX750F engined "Seven-Fifty" - Hey, does THAT model make 88HP? Gotta look into that. Either way, both of them deserve much more serious interest from the aftermarket! - Yanno what really makes me question whether people are paying attention? Why has nobody made a classic cafe racer style Superbike, from the new wire-spoke crosstourer version of the VFR1200F??? Now THAT would be some interesting stuff. Heck, if I won the lottery tomorrow I'd blow it in a month on building all of the custom bikes I wanna do up. Ha-ha. Honestly though, there's so much untapped potential. And here I'm still stuck on THIS project, when I should be onto number ten or twelve by now. Ha-ha. Guess I'm nobody to talk! But hey - I'm not HONDA, so I should think it's all the more legit to say to THEM ... "shit or get off the pot"!

[@johnmeurer4780]

I know what you mean. But the later years had even less hp than you say. The k0/1 are the same bike cept k0 is sand cast. K2 had a 115 or 110 main carb jet k3 on 105 jet, making barley 60hp. K1/k0 had 120 and even a higher flow air box making about 69hp. The f model had diffrent cam and higher compression pistons making about 70hp. I know all this because i own two sohc 750's. A 75 cb750k and a 77 cb750f 836 with a cam. Love these bikes

[@dbauernf]

A bit basic review.. "It's a good bike", not much to learn from it.. some on-board footage would be nice too, and a few more riding facts.

[@garydunn3037]

Isn't riding side by side illegal in the UK? This may be ok for Jon and Ponch on Chips, (California Highway Patrol) but surely not on the roads of Britain. Incidently, the new Honda's may have better brakes etc, and dohc engines, but give me the old bikes for style and charisma. The mighty Z1 Kwaka, the Suzi GT750, and GS range anyday.

[@mauriceadamson224]

dam right,80 s bikes with coach lines and colors .balanced exausts awesum

[@lakecrab]

I heard it's small for 6' + peeps.

[@timhartley4424]

How can an 1100cc bike put out only 80hp? It doesn't make sense to me that Honda would make a bike with so much capacity so weak.

[@depravedone]

Air cooled bikes have to compromise some top end power so they don't melt.

[@InsanityHere]

It is kind of a bummer. I've been looking at Sportsters, but I don't like the change they made in 03. That was to rid the bike of the trap door, to access the tranniy. I sat on one of these CBs today. I like it a lot.

[@terryjohn]

Go for the Honda..I had 4 Harleys or Hardleys.Troubles galore.Even now

[@SoyBoySigh]

Then how come you can get 150HP out of an '81-'83 CB1100R or '83 CB1100F, or any '79-'82 CB900F with an 1123cc Wiseco top-end kit?

[@FRFM00]

This doesn't make sense. The bikes are built for the track thats why they seek so much input from racers for R&D the all being road legal is a disguise

[@nedj10]

Pardon me for my very American opinion, but 30 years and 350 additional CC and they make the SAME horsepower? Pardon me but who is this supposed to appeal to? people who rode the CB750 should be notably under impressed and new riders looking for something that isn't a CBR will find absolutely no value in this machine. Honda if people want something sensible let them buy your already underpowered N700 but please do not insult the CB lineage like this..

[@lakecrab]

Did they race?

[@tkms270481]

what's with the porno music?

[@classikz]

Please stop with this intro!

[@AddyAdderson]

Stuttering, sputtering, and I don't mean the bikes. Slow down and tell us clearly. Thank You.

[@lololee2580]

when u execute a video kindly we need to c how weighted fat man and hieght person how they look when they ride it is not only u show vechile it is people of different heights and weights so we need to look for that so mention fat person drives, a height person drives all that would best tool any vechile purchase as not for anything just to carry and ease driving when even take families comfort zone and proper solid quality and strength of body first

[@perrybeyer7531]

That was dreadful and not informative at all.

[@MrWeasel1984]

zzzzzzzzzzzzz yawn zzzzzzzzzzzz

[@SJCB27]

I didn't mind the review/comparison but enough with that awful bl**dy music!!

[@bigbinston]

That guy is a terrible reviewer