- CB1100 EX
Since 1959, when they first adorned the twin-cylinder CB92 Benly, the letters CB have always meant a great deal to Honda and Honda owners. They came to mean even more in 1969, as the four-cylinder CB750 represented a seminal moment for motorcycling, as the world's first production superbike took center stage, laying down a blueprint that still stands today.
Old school became new school in 2013, when Honda brought the CB1100 to the U.S., satisfying pent-up demand from an army of riders for whom a traditionally styled air-cooled four-cylinder CB was a must-have piece of engineering craftsmanship. For 2017, the CB1100 EX has been imbued with extra layers of retro style and several performance upgrades. Manufacture takes place in Honda's Kumamoto factory, with a production process that's been fundamentally revised to integrate technology and expert skill in order to create motorcycles rich in craftsmanship and attention to detail, plus a place in history that only comes with the passage of many decades.
Chassis/Suspension
- Fuel tank does away with the seam-welded lips along both bottom edges, and pays homage both to CB history and contemporary style with a cutaway rear section that displays the cam cover. Aircraft-style filler cap adds another visible touch of class.
- A chrome round front headlight (now LED, with a spiral running light) crowns the front of the machine, underlined by twin horns. It's held with aluminum stays and flanked by classic-style 70mm diameter indicators.
- LED rear light, indicators and license-plate mounting bracket have been minimalized for a streamlined look.
- Classic tubular-steel double-cradle frame holds the engine with four rigid and two rubber mounts. It features relaxed steering geometry, sure-footed stability with neutral handling characteristics. The rider triangle is also relaxed and upright, and the handlebar shape has been revised to maintain a neutral position.
- Showa Dual Bending Valve (SDBV) 41mm front fork uses two valves to generate both compression and rebound damping force for a linear suspension feel. A new die-cast aluminum top triple clamp features a buffed finish and clear coat, while the bottom triple clamp holds the fork legs in a higher position.
- Twin Showa rear shocks offer adjustable spring preload and operate through a steel swingarm, which has a clean look thanks to an under-slung rear-brake hose. An aluminum chain guard replaces the previous plastic design.
- Redesigned 18-inch spoke wheels wear 110/80 R18 and 140/70 R18 front and rear tires. Smaller aluminum hubs lace the wheel rim with 40 longer stainless steel (rather than the 48) zinc-plated spokes.
- Twin 296mm floating front brake discs are mated to four-piston Nissin calipers, with a 256mm disc and single-piston caliper at the rear. ABS is standard.
- Side panels are made of brushed aluminum with a textured "hairline" finish, while the seat is well padded and comfortable.
- Chrome seat rails add seamless lines, with no clutter, and the chrome steel rear fender has a more rounded cross section.
- Smaller die-cast aluminum hangers mount both rider and pillion foot pegs.
- Longer side stand makes it easier to get the machine upright.
- Circular speedometer and odometer are adorned in chrome; equipment includes a fuel gauge and clock, gear position indicator, fuel efficiency gauge and range computer. Ignition is now via a ‘wave' style key.
Engine/Drivetrain
- Subtly blacked-out, the engine wears natural aluminum engine covers and features a cylinder head finished in silver with a burnished aluminum cam cover and chrome end caps.
- Silky-smooth DOHC engine produces linear, instantly accessible power and torque, anywhere in the rev range.
- Engine is cooled via air (via 2mm fins) and oil (via a 335mm 9-tier, front-mounted oil cooler).
- Drive for the twin camshafts is via central chain, and the valve included angle is 26.5° inlet and exhaust. Inlet valve diameter is 27mm, with a 2.5mm stem; exhaust 24mm with 2.5mm stem. A single secondary balancer shaft ensures smooth running.
- PGM-FI and 32mm throttle body are fed through a revised, shortened air inlet tract and new air cleaner, and work with the pair of shorter (minus 70mm in length, 7% less in diameter and 5.3 lb. lighter than previous design) chrome-plated exhaust mufflers to boost low- and mid-rpm engine reaction.
- Internally split into two expansion chambers, each muffler features dual hole-punched link pipes optimized for resonance and the generation of an evocative four-cylinder engine note. Both mufflers hug the machine tighter for improved ground clearance and the downpipes are double-skinned to stop heat-induced discoloration.
- New assist slipper clutch has a die-cast aluminum cam and slipper cam to save weight. It also reduces lever effort by 16% and minimizes rear wheel hop during engine braking on rapid down shifts.
- Six-speed gearbox, with carefully matched ratios for gears 1-5, gives crisp response and acceleration, while 6th is an overdrive, reducing fuel consumption and lowering engine rpm at highway speeds. Final drive is by 530 chain.
- Meets current EPA and CARB standards
- California version differs slightly due to emissions equipment
