Used: 2014 HONDA CB1100 EX
That bike’s high-barred, oil/ air-cooled, twin-shock roadster, which accurately mimicked the look of some of its own 70s and 80s icons such as the original CB750 and latter day CB900F superbikes, had plenty of appeal. It wasn’t of course an exact replica of those machines, and though its basic overall design shared much in common with them, far more contemporary engineering gave it significantly superior performance.
Chassis components were especially more up to date, with brakes and suspension easily able to handle all the speed that the inline four-cylinder engine could dish out.
By 2013 standards, the five-speed powerplant only had what could be fairly labelled as modest power. Even so, the fuel-injected 88bhp motor’s tune helped it to deliver more than enough real world, very user-friendly performance. It was an ideal combination for its intended market.
Rather strangely, though the Honda had all the design hallmarks of a period when side panels, one-piece seats and centrestands were considered de rigueur, the original UK A version of the 1100 came with cast wheels, even if they were apt with their 18in diameter. Only a year later did the arguably more bona fide spoked-wheel EX model also become available to join the now-labelled SA version. Both
