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New 2016 Bonnie T120 vs. Honda CB1100

80K views 140 replies 48 participants last post by  Judas Priest 
#1 · (Edited)
Any opinions on Honda's new retro CB1100?

One of my first bikes back in the early 70s was a CB750. A truly GREAT bike - revolutionary really - back in its day. Several years later I inherited a mid 70s CB550 from my Dad, which was subsequently stolen. After that I had another in-line four, a 1992 Night Hawk, and after that a vintage 1979 CBX in-line six, but no more CBs since that monster of an air cooled bike.

The latest in the series is the CB1100 introduced in 2013. It has lots of appeal the same as the late model Bonnie T100 I bought last Fall. I'm thinking about adding the Honda to my stable. They are already a discontinued model, so that means the "leftovers" are selling pretty cheap; at least a couple grand off MSRP, way cheaper than the new T120 that just came out from Triumph.

Like the T120, they have many of the same features (fully exposed "finned" engine, 1140cc), dual front discs, six speed, sensible riding position, optional combined ABS, nice retro looks, but no water cooling. The CB is essentially a throwback to the old in-line fours that first arrived 47 years ago. I like the CB1100, and try as do to resist, I want one!

I like my T100 too and will not sell or trade in to get the Honda! Initially I liked the new T120 just as much, and even put a deposit on one back in November only to renige later with a bad case of potentially severe "buyers remorse". Now, I got the "fever" again to have another new bike. Crazy, I know! :)

Imho, both the new T120 and the CB1100 represent the best of the nostalgic bikes with modern tech (mostly hidden), bigger engines and classic retro styling. The current price difference is gravitating me toward Honda over the latest Bonneville, but in all honesty the latter is more beautiful between the two. However, the Honda has the better performing engine - more HP, 8500 redline, even though it is slight lower tech.

Comments? Other opinions?
 
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#2 ·
Just an opinion - the CB1100 is a great bike, it does everything well. It is a good looking bike and reasonably priced. It will be reliable, require minimal maintenance, and will pretty much run forever. Of course, what the fans of the American, Italian, German, and British competitors will tell you is "it lacks character" (apparently no Japanese bike is permitted to "have character"). Apparently "character" is defined as rough-riding, loud, shaking, and unreliable, or having some whackazoid valve train that only a mystic from a cave in Italy can adjust after sacrificing several small animals and chanting, or rear ends that explode at inopportune times, or the classic "British Character" built carefully into the bike by the low-paid people in third-world Asian countries that actually build the "classic British" things. :) Ok, now that I've raised the ire of everyone (really, people, I was joking) ...

I think the T120 will also prove to be a great bike, it also will do everything well. It is also a good-looking bike and reasonably priced. It MAY be reliable (though I myself would never buy a first-year model of a new bike or car, unless they are one of those characterless Japanese vehicles which are usually great right out of the box). It MAY require minimal maintenance, and it MAY run forever too - but we don't know as its an all-new game. It may have some unique "character" due to its motor being a parallel twin vs the ubiquitous inline 4 so beloved by the Japanese.

That said, I think both are great bikes. IF the T120 proves reliable you can't go wrong with either. If I were buying one of these two today I myself would buy the Honda because of the previously-mentioned aversion to buying a first-year new model (or I would by a leftover air-cooled Bonneville if one could be found as they are a known quantity ... hmmm, that is exactly what I did last Fall in fact!). But if I was buying next year ... I'd buy the T120 since by then its major faults (if any) will be known, and if they aren't too bad it'll be a good bike. And because my own experience, after owning three Japanese bikes (and I still own one) is they are fantastic ... reliable ... but ... well ... I REALLY love my Bonnie ... I love the sound and feel of the parallel twin ... it has character! :)
 
#44 ·
Just an opinion - the CB1100 is a great bike, it does everything well. It is a good looking bike and reasonably priced. It will be reliable, require minimal maintenance, and will pretty much run forever. Of course, what the fans of the American, Italian, German, and British competitors will tell you is "it lacks character" (apparently no Japanese bike is permitted to "have character").


There have been Japanese bikes with character. They either failed to sell over here, or were poorly marketed. The Honda CB-1 was a nice 400cc I4 with gear driven cams and 10k redline. Honda only sold it in the states for two or three years. Then there is the Yamaha TDM850/900. It did not sell well here and was removed from the U.S. market. The RD/RZ 350 had caharacter as well. And there are others.

Honda is their own worst enemy. They have the popular VFR. Fans loved it but wanted something with more power and possibly less weight. What did honda bring out? The VFR1200, overweight and not that much power and shaft drive. That is not what the VFR fans wanted. Then there is/was that honda chopper a couple years ago, overpriced and not very usable.
 
#4 · (Edited)
I think that while the CB1100 is an excellent bike, Triumph's commitment to the Bonnie is much deeper and the Bonnie is more important to the marque. The CB1100 doesn't to be selling well and the aftermarket is not deep at all.

Also, I believe the power #'s are too close to make a difference. Honda lists 88.5hp @7500 68.5 lb/ft torque

T-120 lists 80hp, 77 lb/ft torque

Both will give you smiles, neither will blow away any sportbikes.
 
#7 ·
High center of gravity vs low... This is a question? Next... :)
 
#8 ·
picture of this beautiful bike.






 
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#9 ·
I had high hopes for the CB1100. Unfortunately when it came out it was pretty clear it was cut for someone under 5'10" and I'm 6' 2". Because of the size of the seat, lack of aftermarket support, and the slightly high and rear-set of the pegs that would not have been easy to fix either. I also was not wild about the 4K oil changes and the 8k valve checks. In comparison my Bonnie feels huge and very narrow.
That said if the CB fits you and you have heritage with them go for it. Left overs are priced well right now and Honda tends to be very good at supporting bikes long after production stops. In this case like the W650/800, the bike is still in production, 'just only brought into the states for two years, thus parts should be available for some time.
Also, parts/prices/availability on T120's will likely be better in a couple of years once the new/it thing dies down. Your window of opportunity on the CB is narrow, it will only get better on the new Triumph's down the line....
 
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#11 ·
I could never quite figure out what Honda was trying to do with the CB1100 when it debuted and I don't think Honda could, either. It's like they had two teams engineering the bike: one was instructed to engineer a modern bike and the other was to engineer a retro bike. Honda then tossed the results in a blender and that's what they when with.

Aside from the green gauges, nothing about the CB1100 recalled the CB750 to my eyes. I think if the bike was originally offered like the one Badgame posted it would have sold better (in the States, anyway).
 
#12 · (Edited)
In my opinion, the attention to detail, extra bells & whistles (heated grips, etc.), so many accessories already, and all the different color options it's available in... So one of them should fit most people's tastes... So for me, it's a no-brainier. (MSRP aside.)... It's the new T120, everyday.... Except the day Honda puts this into production!
 
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#14 ·
I can help here. Bonnie owner since 2006. CB1100 owner since 2013. Thruxton R owner since a month ago. I still own all 3, as part of a stable.

The CB1100 is a 'better' bike than the air cooled Bonnies, by many measures. It is a jewel, built to a high standard, performs flawlessly, and it is, to my eyes, beautiful. The spec sheet doesn't tell the story on this bike. But I don't necessarily love it more than the old Bonnie. Emotion does count.

Since I've received the Thruxton R, I can't find much of a calling to ride the CB. There is absolutely no comparison, to me, in terms of, well, just about everything, save for comfort, but even that isn't a slam dunk for the CB. I'd imagine the T120 combines many of the attributes of both bikes, and it comes down to preference at that point. If money isn't the issue, with my current experience, I'd go for the Triumph every time.

If cost is an issue, a lightly used or left over CB is one of the greatest bargains in motorcycling. Over here, you can get a new 2014 for $7k and used ones for less. Not good for us owners, but excellent for those looking for one. You will be very happy with a CB at half the price of a new Bonnie, and the aftermarket (check out Samurider.com) can provide improvements to CB performance, handling and style. I have a Staintune, Ikon shocks and a few other add- ons and the performance is more than satisfactory.

One caveat. I have found that I am very sensitive to inline 4 buzziness, of which the CB has a good bit of in the midrange. Other owners have zero sense of it, it really is a personal thing. Twins of every sort don't bother me, and I greatly prefer both the air cooled and water cooled Triumph Twin engine to the CB. The 270 crank on the new ones make it a v-twin- esque experience, and I find it absolutely perfect.

So, that's my take. PM for more if you'd like.
 
#16 ·
I'm a huge sucker for big Japanese standards (still miss my '05 Bandit 1200 SZ), and I liked the Honda when it came out. As mentioned, they are a screaming deal, I couldn't believe the prices I was seeing on new or nearly new '14's. They still give me pause when I see the ads (I seem to be perpetually in-market), and that one badgame posted, wow. Want.

All that being said, I'm at a point in my riding career when emotion counts for something. I smile at the sound of the TOR's near redline, and maybe that's why I have a crabby old carbed Ducati vs one of their newer wonderbikes.

My point is...uh...well...maybe have both. :grin2:
 
#20 ·
They are beautiful, those cb1100's aren't they? That's a bit of the dilemma. The Thruxton R's performance is as good as it's looks. CB looks better than it performs. But if you are satisfied with a mild state of tue, or willing to make performance mods, you can have fun with that 1100CC air- cooled lump.
 

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#22 ·
The latest in the series is the CB1100 introduced in 2013. It has lots of appeal the same as the late model Bonnie T100 I bought last Fall. I'm thinking about adding the Honda to my stable. They are already a discontinued model, so that means the "leftovers" are selling pretty cheap; at least a couple grand off MSRP, way cheaper than the new T120 that just came out from Triumph.

Comments? Other opinions?
Don't forget to factor in the cost of the oil cooler fan upgrade for the Honda.... ;)
 
#25 ·
I too was seriously tempted by the CB 1100. I found a 2014 (6 speed) for about $7300 plus tax and fees which resulted in a very attractive out the door price. I was also attracted by Honda's quality and longevity. However, upon serious consideration I decided not to do it because I already have a bike that's heavier than I'd like it to be (2014 T100) and I already have a big 4 cylinder Honda (a 2007 919) which weighs about 50 lbs less than the CB 1100 and has much, much better performance. The final deciding factor was that my wife said I couldn't get one.
 
#27 ·
I saw several CB1000’s at shows and in dealerships, and I was impressed with the bike’s features and quality.
I also like the general design that tilts toward the classic. However, after spending most of my past riding days on 4 cylinder machines, I favor big twins now that can deliver a different dimension of satisfaction.
The T120 or Thruxton 1200’s twins are more aesthetically pleasing. Also,
I think they do a better job of capturing the classic look.
You can’t lose buying either the Triumph of Honda.
 
#30 · (Edited)
I'm struggling with this choice, but still leaning toward a CB1100.

There are two dealers within an hour's ride that have (2014) leftovers in stock with a couple of lightly used 2013 on consignment. One dealer has FOUR leftovers, all black 2014 models, one advertised at $7999 plus fees and taxes. That's $2400 off sticker, and I think 3K off is even doable.

Unfortunately, I cannot find any 2014 "deluxe" models for sale anywhere even on Cycle Trader nationwide. The deluxe is much more appealing to me (except for undoubtedly at a much higher price). It has chrome pipes on each side. Matching red side panels. ABS. And of course, the new six speed and an updated LCD (with gear selected indicator, MPG readouts, and a digital fuel gauge). The red deluxe model is easier on the eyes with those 4 into 2 pipes compared to the standard (black) model's 4 into 1 pipes. The former is much more retro looking, although the original in-line four in 1969 had 4 into 4 pipes.

What is peculiar is a I have seen a few 2013 models advertised with "ABS"; which must be erroneous, unless possibly a very rare "option" once available on standard models.

I owned a CB750 in the early 70s, and it was truly extraordinary in so many ways. It had 67HP and only five speeds, but still plenty bike for me back then (and even now). I can only image a thoroughly modernized in-line four with 1142cc, (now with 87HP) DOHCs, EFI at about the same wet weight, would be a much better performer today. The inherited DNA of an in-line four for the new millennium would be a mighty fine CB ride today; reliable, great fuel economy, quiet, super smooth engine with effortless to shift transmission. Comfort level should be improved as well, more than adequate for a 5'-11", overly hefty rider like me.

As beautiful as it is, a new Thruxton is definitely OUT; far too uncomfortable to ride (for me). However, the T120 is still a contender, unfortunately very hard to justify the extra $2500 in price. The difference between a leftover (but still new) CB1100 and T120 will likely be even more since current CB inventories are not selling, and dealers are eager to move them at deep discounts, plus Honda probably has some incentives as well.

If only I could fine a lightly used "deluxe" CB1100 model, I think that would do it for me. Great price, more bells and whistles, nicer looking red color instead of black. The only big advantage of a black leftover would be Honda's warranty, although only one year, so not really a big deal.
 
#39 ·
There are two dealers within an hour's ride that have (2014) leftovers in stock with a couple of lightly used 2013 on consignment. One dealer has FOUR leftovers, all black 2014 models, one advertised at $7999 plus fees and taxes. That's $2400 off sticker, and I think 3K off is even doable.

....unfortunately very hard to justify the extra $2500 in price. The difference between a leftover (but still new) CB1100 and T120 will likely be even more since current CB inventories are not selling, and dealers are eager to move them at deep discounts, plus Honda probably has some incentives as well.
This all begs the question that if the CB is all that, why are they stacked up in the dealerships like cord wood and with no buyers in sight?
 
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