Honda CB 1100EX

The CB1100, brought to Europe in 2013, met a growing demand for a modern Honda motorcycle that paid homage to the company’s legendary four-cylinder past. With its classic and evocative lines, handsome air-cooled engine and the quality and attention to detail that inspires devotion and real pride of ownership, it was an immediate success. And for 2014, Honda has listened to just what owners love about their CBs, and also what they would like to improve. For 2014 the CB1100EX provides a further enhancement. Based on feedback from existing owners, it provides the CB1100 with a new twist, while very much retaining what made the original bike so special.

In development of the original CB1100, Honda's engineers referenced and rode bikes like the CB500 Four, CB750F, CB900F and the very special CB1100R at the Honda Collection Hall* at Motegi. The CB1100EX's new lines and details further builds on elements drawn from those seminal motorcycles.

The bike's redesigned, larger capacity fuel tank, seat, sidepanels, passenger grab handle and raised headlight position all came out of time spent with bikes from Honda's more recent four-cylinder history, while wire-spoke wheels are an effective - and stylish - reference even further back in time. The 4-2-1 exhaust of the CB1100 has been replaced by a double-skinned 4-2-2 system.

A steel double cradle frame, houses the CB1100EX's 1,140cc inline four-cylinder engine, with 41mm conventional telescopic forks and twin rear shocks providing compliant and finely tuned suspension. The riding position is unchanged: upright and relaxed.

Engine

Centrepiece of the CB1100EX is its DOHC engine, finished in eye-catching sliver. Air (via 2mm fins) and oil-cooled (via a 335mm 9-tier, front-mounted oil cooler) It revs to 8,500rpm and features a compression ratio of 9.5:1. Maximum power output is unchanged at 66Kw @ 7,500rpm, with peak torque figure of 91Nm.

Smooth, instantly accessible power and torque is what the motor's all about, and plenty of it, anywhere in the rev range. Four-stroke, four-cylinder motive thrust at its creamy, effortless best.

Bore and stroke is set at 73.5mm x 67.2mm. 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.

The twin silencers are 40mm shorter than the single exhaust fitted to the CB1100 and have been tuned to emit a soulful inline four-cylinder sound. The chromed downpipes also feature a double skin to prevent any chance of surface discolouration from heat build-up.

Maintaining the benefits of a five-speed gearbox - carefully matched ratios giving good response and acceleration - the new sixth gear is an overdrive, reducing fuel consumption while delivering lower engine rpm at highway speeds. Final drive is by 530 chain.

Alongside the efficient PGM-FI fuel injection, the new gearbox gives the CB1100EX fuel consumption of 50.6mpg in WMTC mode.

Chassis

The CB1100EX's capacities, thanks to its strong engine and well-balanced chassis, are broad and multi-faceted; it's a bike to be ridden and enjoyed in a variety of situations.

A classic tubular steel double cradle frame grips the engine with four rigid and two rubber mounts; the swingarm is constructed from box-section steel. 41mm conventional telescopic forks are spring preload adjustable, as are the pair of Showa rear shocks.

The fuel tank has an extra 2.9L capacity, up to 17.5L, usefully extending cruising range. To complement the evolution of its form, the sidepanels have been redesigned to underline the bike's solidity while the passenger grabrail is laid horizontally, mimicking that of the CB750 K2; a thicker and softer seat boosts comfort for rider and pillion. The headlight position is 25mm higher for reasons of style, and to match the handlebar position.

Adding aluminium-rimmed wire-spoke wheels was not straightforward - finding the correct strength and rigidity for the size and weight of the bike was critical - but deemed important enough from owner feedback for the effort to be made. Finished in Alumite (a form of anodising) they mount 110/80-18 and 140/70-18 single radius tyres, which offer a consistent angle of attack against the tarmac, delivering linear feel and feedback during the transition from upright to full lean.

The standard Combined ABS brakes feature twin 296mm floating discs up front, with four-piston Nissin calipers, and 256mm disc and single-piston caliper at the rear.
The single radius tyres were chosen to provide the effortless cornering

Overall dimensions are 2195mm (length) x 835mm (width) x 1130mm (height). Wheelbase is 1490mm, ground clearance 135mm and the seat height is reasonably low at 795mm, making the CB1100EX very manageable. Rake and trail is set at 27°/114mm. Kerb weight is 260kg.

The circular analogue speedo and rev counter stir memories of classic Hondas of old, and are easy to read. Equipment includes a fuel gauge and clock, and new for 2014 a gear position indicator, fuel efficiency gauge and back calculating range computer. A centrestand and passenger grabrail are fitted as standard equipment.

The CB1100EX will be available in the following colour options:

Candy Alizarin Red
Pearl Sunbeam White
Darkness Black Metallic