Topic: 2012 CB1100F update

[tjoos]

A new CB1100F is here!!! Sort of. I joined this forum to leave the news- American Honda has brought one of the new CB1100F's to the states for test marketing. I spent time with a marketing rep last weekend at Southern California Ducati's open house to talking about the bike. How did the subject come up? He RODE it there! And it is spectacularly beautiful.
Definitely not for 2011. If response is good they might bring it for 2012. Availability will be limited and price will be high, in the $11K - $12K range. He was talking a lot about quality of components and finish. They will position as up scale.
Decision later this year then EPA testing, etc. On the upside word is that a new manager there is from Japan and really supports it if they think the market will come around.
And final word is the honda guy said he rides a lot of different stuff for free but this bike is one he'll buy. Australia and New Zealand get it this summer. I hope we follow suit. It'll be my first new bike purchase in 30 years... since my old '80 CB750F.

[azuredesign]

Thanks for the update! In looking at the photo, it's kind of hard to appreciate why it will be so expensive. If it weighed less than 400 lbs dry that would be an enticement, but it doesn't look like it from the photo. What don't I see? Is the Kawa z1000, which would seem like its competition, also in the $11-12k range?

[wannabridin]

move the horns!!!  i'd love to see one of these, or at least see a good video of on being ridden!!  they look like bad bikes, but for the price, can't we get a little less weight, and a little more pep???

[JBMorse]

I think 12k is too much to ask for this bike, given its mechanical simplicity.  Looks pretty easy to make to me.  But, having said that, I would think Honda would find plenty of buyers here in the US even at that price.  I bet there are lots of older guys who grew up riding Hondas and are in the market for something new, but never got into Harleys.  Look at Triumph and its retro line. 

Anyway, the new 1100f is a nice UJM, but not a small one, according to this website: http://hellforleathermagazine.com/2010/03/video-2010-honda-cb1100-in-mot.html
It weighs a hefty 535 pounds, compared to the Z1000's 481.  I'll bet that Z1000 makes a lot more power too.  But I don't know if the Z1000, or any of the other big naked bikes would be in direct competition with the CB1100F.  I bet a lot of people would buy the new Honda more for look and feel than the spec sheet.  Harley's cruisers don't win the spec sheet battle with Japanese, but riders buy them based on look and feel. 
BTW, the Japanese promo videos for the CB1100F seem to borrow a lot of Harley marketing technique.  "Looking cool" and what not.  It's a little disturbing, but they are going after the laid back nostalgic crowd. 
I like this bike and would love to see one here!   

[CaféElite]

First I really like this bike and like most I would buy if the price wasnt so brutal. I think honda pulled a dodge challenger here in that they did an amazing job style wise pulling off the retro look but for the performance are asking way to much. I could see 8-9k for the one in the pic above (we will call it a K model) and 12k for more of an F model with up to date suspension (ohlins or something), better brakes and tuned for a bit more power.

With a base model at 8-9k guys could pick up and either ride a classic for cheap or start the modifying process and go for the look they want without feeling like they over spent on the initial bike. For a 12k F version with high end shocks, brakes, and a bit more power the guys with a bit more money that want to cruise with some umph behind them but still have the classic look and not have to worry about paying someone to modify could go this route.

I think for 12k for a base setup honda is going to have a hard time getting buyers over the Ducati supersport, Moto guzzi V7, Triumph, and the new 1200 sportster.

What boots is this guy wearing?.................... Serious..
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type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>[/youtube]

The Z1000 is more of a serious street fighter (horrible headlight BTW) so I dont see these bikes being in the same market in that sense. I think if someone were to set on both bikes, test ride, then compare prices, the only reason someone would go with the honda is because of the look. I actually went and looked at the z1000 this weekends.. Besides the headlight its a pretty cool bike.

[fastbroshi]

   I'd buy it, don't know about the 12k price though.  If it were 750-1000cc's I don't think the price would be so high given what it is.  Price points seem to be displacement driven these days.  Then again, something has to be said for the effort put into the fit and finish of the engine bits.  Extra money does have to be spent to address that stuff vs a faired in machine.  I doubt it's $2k though, where I think the price should be.  After all, look how much the 919 was before the big discounts came into play.  Still a cheaper and superior machine to a Harley though.

[wannabridin]

sweet biplane!!!  does it come with the bike???   

[strynboen]

why dont they offer cbx 1000 again..that engine vas the best..and peaple vill pay any price  to get it...

[Tim.]

Mickey wants his ears back.  Those look like EMGO mirrors IMHO.  And didn't they learn from the CB400F?  Give us (and by us I mean North Americans) more sporty bars!  Looks like they raided the CB750K parts bin for the bars and mirrors, which is not a good thing.  Put lower bars on it, more subtle mirrors (still round and chrome, just not so darn tall and beefy) and we're getting somewhere.

But nice bike, and great scoop!

[bahndrvr]

I wouldn't compare it to the new z1000, it would loose, I had an 04 Z1k and it might have did good then, but the newly redesigned one is a freaking monster, and a beast on the street, it's more Streetfighter as you said though.

I like this bike, mainly because I lived in Europe for 4 years and saw it constantly, but it could use some updates if they are going to ask that much for it IMO.

For 12k though, only new bike I would buy would be a Speed Triple honestly - for the not everyday looks and performance, and I love the sound of a wide open triple.

[wannabridin]

can't beat that!!  next big purchase for me i think...  either a speed trip or a house, TOUGH decisions

[754]

Betch it does not leave a mark like the CB750 did in the bike world..

 It has one thing in common......weight......

[Ecosse]

12 grand? even if it's ducatti detail and bmw quality it'll be the bike worlds version of vw's sales flop, the phaeton.

looks like they're intentionally setting up for a sales disaster. followed up by a throwing up of the hands and saying "the usa still doesn't like 'standards'." with all the egg heads at honda what else could be the answer? maybe they're just outta touch just like subaru when for 10 years they smugly stated the turbo imprezza wouldn't sell in the 'states.  

psst, honda, sell a mid sized (in the 600s) version of the same thing too. trust me on this.




oh, and offer MORE THAN ONE OR TWO COLORS DUMMIES!!!

[MaaseyRacer]

I think the new CB1100 is a sweet looking bike, but for that price I would rather get a Z1000.

[Highwayhigh]

I suppose I'll be the first: I am not a fan of the new bike at all. I don't like the looks. I think this whole "retro" thing is really huge right now, but I think Honda missed the mark. I don't think it really captures the heart and soul of these bikes. And for 12k they can kiss their sales goodbye. We will see though. And for gods sakes, why are we STILL putting 5 feet tall mirrors on motorcycles? The first thing the VAST majority of people do when they first buy a bike is rip off the god awful mirrors and turn signals, and replace with something more sleek. With the original 750, honda heard the cries of the people, who wanted a high-performance, but smooth rideable street bike. It changed the industry. What does this cb1100 have in common with the old ones at all? Besides vaguely similar styling.

[fastbroshi]

  I'm not really sure I understand where you're coming from.  You want smaller turn signals, but it's not retro enough for you?  Given some of the builds on this board, modern sleek lights with old bodywork can be done and look good, but that's to our eyes, not the mainstream consumer.  I think they wanted to spend the money where it's more obvious and functional, like the alloy wheels.  There's a greater benefit to using modern sized alloys with modern production methods than using Harley sized wheels thusly limiting your tire choices,  versus fitting smaller less conspicuous turn signals and brake lights.

  The price is definitely my one problem with it.  Honda claims it's built overseas and that's why it's so high, but hell so are a lot of their bikes.   Price it lower by $2-$3K and we have a winner.

[quietlikeachurch]

That Honda promo video is one of the corniest things I've ever seen

-Ian