Honda CB1100 returns to Canada

By
Zac Kurylyk
-

The Honda CB1100 has returned to Big Red’s Canadian lineup.

This year’s version of the Honda CB1100 has black paint with checkerboard striping, looking suspiciously like a retrotastic custom parked by a hipster outside the Ace Cafe. Other than that, it seems to be the same basic oil-cooled standard that Honda introduced back in 2013.

The MSRP starts at $12,999. There’s no word as to why it’s back this year, and why Honda Canada dropped it in the first place. Back in 2013, it was priced at $13,199, in case you wondered.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

15 COMMENTS

  1. Well that’s a whole other issue, a Tacoma isn’t a real truck 😉
    The thing about using Thailand, among other issues, is that their labour rates are under $10usd which puts them in the company of Mexico, China and India. Other than being exploitive, it should mean some price savings on their product vs. the Honda considering that Japan is 2nd only to France & Germany in labour rates – I believe their rates are about $42. But ultimately the T120 is not cheaper, Triumph is pocketing the savings banking on the cache of a Euro brand.
    Honda also makes bikes in Thailand, but the CB1100 and their other “premium” brand models like the double R CBRs, VFR, etc. are made in Kumamoto.
    As for the zombie reference, to me a Triumph, like Minis or Indians or the like, are marketing exercises. Those brands died long ago. A modern day Triumph is as much a Triumph as my grandmas scooter.

  2. It’s actually within $100 of the latest T120 Bonnevilles, but it’s the real (made in Kumamoto) thing! Not some zombie brand marketed as euro chic but made in Thailand fake finned hipster appliance thingy…

    Rode CB1100 and it felt so right, a perfect runabout bike, though it was so refined it did feel a bit bland. For that reason I’d spend an extra $1500 for a Griso 8V.

    • What’s with the zombie brand stuff? As far as I know the Bonneville has been a reliable and thus apparently well made bike, regardless of being made in Thailand. Suppose it was made in England and had to be priced much higher, it wouldn’t have been as successful and neither would Triumph as a company which, in my opinion would not be good for anybody.
      My Toyota Tacoma is made in Texas. Does that make it a zombie truck and not a “real” Toyota?

  3. To me the bike seemed small in overall dimensions, as did a first Gen I saw at a shop a few weeks ago. Mission creep, the chopper look and insecurity issues have inflated expectations.

    • Agreed. I think it’s gorgeous, but 1100 doesn’t interest me. A 750 as a tribute to the original would have been just about right. Or maybe 500 ..

  6. I find this CB1100 absolutely uninteresting, I wish Honda would spend their time and efforts revamping (for real…) their VFR 800 instead.

  7. These bikes look much better in person, excellent fit and finish. It is interesting that Honda keeps making changes to this bike. Various versions had dual exhausts or single, wire spoke wheels or cast, 5 speed or 6 speed transmission, some with chrome trim, others not, some had a larger fuel tank, various colours and a deluxe version. Perhaps they are searching for customers. I wish they had put this much effort into the ST1300 instead of leaving it stagnant for 12 years.

    • Had a 99 ZRX 11 (in GREEN even) and still regret selling it to this day Had a buggered ankle from an accident and I just couldn’t ride it more then about 100 miles so it ended up sitting because I live a LONG way out in the country……I looked at the CB 1100 and was thinking about it but ended up with a HD Street Bob. The leg and foot position on the Honda was just too close to the Kawi’s and there just didn’t seem to be anything else on the market that got enough of my interest to pull the trigger.

Join the conversation!