If you’re looking to buy an easy to handle secondhand motorbike you won’t go far wrong with the Honda CB1100. It’s something of a classic and we think you’ll like it.
The CB1100 is a 1,140cc air-cooled inline four-cylinder naked bike with retro roadster styling introduced by Honda in the UK in 2013. Production ceased in 2018 because it didn’t meet Euro 5 emissions rules but affection for this particular model endures nonetheless.
It came to market with a modest £9,200 price tag but it has kept its value well and nowadays you could pick up a decent used machine for £5,000-£7,000, which, we think, represents pretty good value for money.
The inspiration for the CB1100
The CB1100 draws inspiration from the original CB750K, the CB500 and the late ‘70s DOHC CB750/900F.
On release, there were concerns that the bike was a tad underpowered and uninspiring to ride but the manufacturer tweaked the build to improve both performance and handling. Honda even increased the capacity of the fuel tank to meet demands.
One thing never in question, though, was the bike’s reliability. Nothing seems to go wrong with the CB1100 and that’s what makes it such a sound secondhand investment today.
Handling and acceleration
With wide chrome bars and a slim 18in front wheel, the CB1100 is light to handle making it as comfortable switching lanes in traffic on the urban cycle as it is on the open road.
The air-cooled 16V DOHC four-cylinder engine delivering 88bhp is coupled to a five-speed gearbox providing plenty of poke from a standing start or for cruising at speed, all the time omitting a very satisfying purr.
The bike’s handling is assured, smooth and predictable, as is its acceleration, with an alleged top speed of 125mph. The retro styling means it won’t be wanting for looks either, if old school bench seats and roadster detailing is your thing.
A lot of people wonder “is the CB1100 too heavy?” – well, weighing in at just 247kg, we think it’s a lot of bike in a pretty modest package.
Honda CB1100: vital stats at a glance
- Engine size: 1140cc
- Engine type: Air-cooled 16V DOHC four, 5 gears
- Frame type: Tubular steel double cradle
- Fuel capacity: 14.6 litres
- Seat height: 795mm
- Bike weight: 247kg
- Front suspension : 41mm telescopics, preload adjust
- Rear suspension: Twin shocks, preload adjust
- Front brake: 2 x 296mm discs, six-piston C-ABS callipers
- Rear brake: 256mm disc, C-ABS
- Front tyre size: 110/80 x 18
- Rear tyre size: 140/70 x 18
- Power: 88bhp
- Torque: 68ft-ld
- Top speed: 125mph
- Range: 150 miles
Accessories for the Honda CB1100
There is a wide selection of Honda accessories for the CB1100. These include:
- Heated grips
- Rear rack
- Front fork adjuster bolt (gold or silver)
- Chrome metre cover
- Metre panel (gold or red)
- Headlight case
- Chrome shroud for the distinctive single headlight
- Chrome engine guard
- Chrome rear grip
- Chrome rear carrier
- Chrome look side panels
Read our blog to learn about the best motorcycle accessories and, with all that bling available from Honda, read our blog to find out how to clean rust from chrome.
Getting your new bike on the road
The CB1100 is in insurance group 13 and will be £96 a year to tax, so it won’t cost an arm and a leg to get it on the road.
For a fast and hassle-free insurance quote for your Honda CB1100, call Bikesure on 0800 640 9669 or request a call back at a time that suits you.
You may well earn a generous discount on the cost of your insurance if you invest in extra security measures for your motorbike. Read our blog about the best motorcycle trackers and the best motorcycle alarms.
