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2013–2016 · Retro Classic · Buyer's Guide
Old Soul, New Bones
Honda built the CB1100 as a straight, honest standard, with no fake patina and no styling tricks. The heart is a 1140 cc air- and oil-cooled inline-four making 90 hp and 67 lb-ft, tuned for smooth, torque-rich pull rather than headline numbers. A steel double-cradle frame, twin rear shocks, and 18-inch wheels sit under classic bodywork you could stare at for an hour. In a class crowded with retro poses, this one earns its looks from every angle, and the finish holds up to the close inspection most heritage bikes quietly fail.
It rides the way it looks: relaxed, planted, and easy to trust. The 545 lb wet weight is honest on paper, yet it settles the moment you're moving, helped by neutral steering and a low center of gravity. This is a bike for riders who want the feeling of the old days with technology that simply works and stays out of the way. Know what you're buying, though. ABS and heated grips are options rather than standard kit, there are no modern rider aids to lean on, and bare metal wants regular care in wet climates.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 90 hp (66 kW) @ 7,500 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 67 lb-ft (91 Nm) @ 5,000 rpm |
| Displacement | 1140 cc |
| Engine | Inline-four |
| Cooling | Air/oil-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Fork | Telescopic |
| Front brake | 296 mm |
| Front tire | 110/80-18 |
| Rear tire | 140/70-18 |
| Wheelbase | 58.7 in (1490 mm) |
| Seat height | 31.3 in (795 mm) |
| Wet weight | 545 lb (247 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 3.9 gal (14.6 L) |
| Top speed | 124 mph (200 km/h) |
| Fuel economy | 38 mpg (US) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Comfort
Safety
Swing a leg over and the 31.3-inch seat drops you into a natural, upright stance with your hands low and wide, the kind of neutral perch you settle into for hours. Thumb the starter and the four wakes with a soft mechanical whir rather than a bark, and there's a fine, low-level pulse through the pegs and tank that tells you the engine is alive without ever buzzing your hands numb. Roll on and the controls are light and predictable, the throttle and clutch asking almost nothing of you in town. At a steady road pace it feels long, low, and unhurried, the seat wide enough that a two-hour stretch never has you shifting around looking for relief.
For years I've kept an ear on what CB1100 owners tell me, through paddock conversations, long owner chats, and the steady stream of emails and messages riders send me directly. Put it all together and one pattern holds: they trust the mechanical side of this bike deeply, and the reservations are few and specific.
The engine draws the most consistent praise by a wide margin. Owners describe a turbine-smooth four that pulls cleanly from low in the rev range and stays effectively vibration-free at speed, which makes relaxed cruising the natural way to ride it. Close behind is a reputation for dependability. Rider after rider reports virtually no mechanical trouble even at high mileage, along with the low upkeep that comes with a simple, proven engine.
The recurring caveat is top-end. For all its displacement, some owners note the bike is built around low-end torque rather than peak power, so riders who come to it hoping for hard acceleration or a top-end rush say it feels modest next to more powerful rivals. Most treat that as a character choice rather than a flaw, but it's the reservation that surfaces most among those who wanted more punch.
Minor front-end shimmy
A very small number of owners have reported a light shimmy or oscillation from the front end, typically noticed at highway speeds. The cause is often traced to tyre wear, balance, or steering head bearing adjustment.
Cosmetic rust on unpainted metal parts
Some owners, particularly in wet or coastal climates, have observed surface rust on fasteners, exhaust headers, or other unpainted metal components. Regular cleaning and application of anti-corrosion spray can mitigate this issue.
Where this Honda CB 1100 pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Top speed
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the CB 1100 is actually built for.
If your idea of a good weekend is a classic bike, a small-town diner, and a two-lane road with history, this fits cleanly. Smooth torque and an all-day seat suit the relaxed miles; just plan your fuel stops.
Made for Acadia National Park · Austin / Handbuilt Motorcycle Show · Blue Ridge Parkway
You ride for the ritual, the sound, and the community, and the CB1100 brings real heritage and presence. Just know it's an upright standard with a smooth four's hum, not a low, big-twin bagger.
Made for A1A — Florida Atlantic Coast · Black Hills / Sturgis Rally Hub · Daytona Main Street / Bike Week
You want spirited weekend runs through the twisties, and this bike will cruise them happily rather than carve them hard. At 545 lb with easygoing 90 hp, it rewards a smooth, unhurried pace.
Made for Austin / Texas Hill Country · Twisted Sisters · Austin / Handbuilt Motorcycle Show
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this Honda CB 1100. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
Successor · 2017–2021
Honda's Four, Done Right
Successor · 2017–2021
Real Metal, Honest Soul
Competitor · 2016–2018
Torque, Soul, Genuine Looks
About the same used price as this bike at 10 yr
Competitor · 2014
Pure Boxer Soul, No Compromises
~$1,300 pricier used than this bike at 12 yr
Competitor · 2015–2017
Old Iron, Factory Finished
Similar Character · 2018–2024
Z1 Soul, Modern Muscle