Honda CB 1100 RS: The racing boot under the jeans [ROAD TEST]

An increasingly crowded segment, where Honda is not now entering "for fashion", but where it has always dictated the law. If you think that in 2013 the CB 1100 brought back to Europe stylistic concepts that had been invented in 1969 with the first CB 750, you will realize that few other manufacturers have such an important history and heritage. As we highlighted previously, when we had the pleasure of trying the CB 1100 EX (here our article) and before that the “standard” (here is the 2013 test), it is a really interesting motorbike, for the pleasure of riding, both in terms of cycling and for the "mellowness" of its legendary in-line 4, but also for an aesthetic that recalls the past without aping it or copying it directly , as happens with other models from other manufacturers. An operation that was far from easy, but which Honda seems to have succeeded really well.

Aesthetics and finishes:

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A racing touch on the classic look

With the Honda CB 1100 we are in the realm of café racers, even more so we are in very fertile ground for customizers. Things become pleasant when this bike ends up in the expert hands of one of the "good ones", or when the parent company directly wants to give it a different touch, with a series of aesthetic and technical interventions. Since 2013 we have seen many of these variations, almost all of them beautiful. The CB 1100 EX is one of these, with its spoked rims and an even more vintage look than the standard one. Confirmed and updated in 2017, it was joined by an absolute novelty, the CB 1100 RS on our test. What is it about? Of Honda's response to those who wanted something sportier from the CB 1100, in terms of look, but not only. So the retro-style rear tire, with a 70s width of 140, is replaced by a sportier 180, mounted on a 17" rim and not 18, like the front.

In addition to this we find a revised chassis, with a fork with 43 mm stanchions (instead of 41), two rear shock absorbers with external reservoir, all with sportier settings. Perhaps the most impactful element is the powerful front end, with the fork sliders which are no longer the elegant ones of the EX, but in addition to growing in thickness to accommodate the increased fork legs, they have a golden finish and are combined with brake calipers with radial connection. New calipers, new discs that rise to 310 mm in diameter, for one of the few bikes that combine a traditional fork (not upside down) with the radial attachment of the calipers. The modern elements are confirmed from the CB 1100 EX, combined with a look pleasantly inspired by the CB 750 of 40 years ago. In fact, we find the circular headlight, which however adopts LED technology, or an instrumentation which is also classic in shape, with the two circular instruments which are combined with a clearly legible display complete with all the necessary data. There is no shortage of indications of the gear engaged, the average consumption value and much more. Autonomy is missing, but it appears automatically when the CB 1100 goes into reserve.

Engine and performance:

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It switches to Euro 4, but remains unique in its "mellowness" of delivery

Years pass, but he remains faithful to solutions with a strong retro flavor. We are referring above all to the air and oil cooled version, which guarantees a unique look (with the classic cylinder fins) to the engine, a central element of the bike's appearance. It is a 4 cylinder in line, with displacement of 1.140 and twin-cam distribution. Changes have been introduced, both to make the engine Euro 4, but also to further optimize its delivery, with the same performance. The new features mainly concern the fuel supply and exhaust system. The first features PGM-FI electronic injection with 32 mm throttle bodies, combined with new shortened ducts and a new air filter. On the exhaust side, the classic four chrome collectors lead to silencers that have new shapes, their diameter has been reduced by 7% and they are 7 cm shorter. Overall, this all leads to a weight reduction of 2,4 kg. We then find a new clutch, again of the servo-assisted type and now equipped with slipper and aluminum ramps. Lever effort drops by 16%, while you can be more daring when downshifting, without causing any loss of rear grip. It matches the long-standing 6-speed gearbox, with the long sixth, perfect for traveling at low speeds on the motorway.

The CB 1100 engine is loved for its linear and full delivery right from the lowest revs. The maximum power is 90 horsepower, delivered at 7.500 rpm and maximum torque is 91 Nm at 5.500 rpm. It extends up to 8.500 rpm, but is especially popular for the medium-low part of the use range, where it is unique and very pleasant. The sound is typical of this architecture and important volume, right from idle when you start the motorbike. Starting the day with the ignition of this inline 4 is definitely different from the mono of a scooter, just to give an example. You don't need to exploit it to the limiter to enjoy its advantages, but rather let it run low and take advantage of the fact that it allows you to use the gearbox very little. Vibrations are contained, also due to the presence of a balancing countershaft.

Ride and handling:

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The driving pleasure becomes even more consistent with the new package

In addition to the interventions we mentioned at the beginning, with new rims and tires and a sportier chassis, both in terms of calibration and important hardware, with the Showa fork with 43 mm stanchions and double shock absorbers at the rear, again Showa, equipped with separate tank, the CB 1100 RS has slightly different chassis dimensions compared to the EX, with a trail that drops from 114 to 99 mm and one degree less inclination of the steerer tube (26° from the previous 27). Consequently, the size of the wheelbase changes, albeit slightly, which here is 1.485 mm, 5 less than the CB 1100 EX. As for weight, the bike weighs 252 kg in running order (-3 from the EX), with a ground clearance of 795 mm. The innovations for MY2017 (for both CB 1100s in the price list) also concern the adoption of a Showa type fork. Dual Bending Valve (SDBV). One of the most obvious things is the presence of new ones 10" 17-spoke alloy wheels, equipped with the now classic "L" valve, practical and recently introduced on many Honda models, but above all with low profile sports tires in sizes 120/70 and 180/55. The rear swingarm is also new and sporty, in extruded aluminum instead of steel with a tubular structure.

As for the brakes, the large size of the CB 1100 RS is adequately controlled by the two floating front discs, which here rise to 310 mm in diameter and are gripped by Tokico radial calipers, with 4 pistons. The ABS is excellent, which for years Honda has been able to calibrate so as to never become invasive and to act only in the event of consistent and real blocking. Riding the CB 1100, even more so in the RS version, is unique in its ability to combine an evidently retro look and elements with the pleasure of a modern motorbike, safety included. Performances which mean that, as introduced by the title of this article, it can also be driven with a racing boot, hiding it well under technical jeans with protections.

The CB 1100 RS is perfect for being admired outside the bar, when you stop to drink a coffee, but it is also sharp and capable of keeping up with the sportier bikes when you pick up the pace, perhaps on a nice rich road of curves. The size and limitations of a "classic" chassis are only felt in sequences of curves with rapid changes of direction and faced at demanding speeds, otherwise the fun is guaranteed and within everyone's reach, thanks to the high level of safety it guarantees.

Price and consumption:

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A little gem that costs 13.600 euros

The quality / price ratio is always high, because the CB 1100 RS has great attention to detail and finishing, as well as showing off high-level components. What is certain, however, is the fact that, since the first CB 1100 that we tried 4 years ago now, the bar has risen considerably, also from the price point point of view. From less than 11 thousand, we have reached the current 13.600 euros, 13.200 if you choose the EX version. The “RS” is available in two colors, this beautiful Candy Prominence Red and the Graphite Black.

As on the more classic EX variant, with the MY2017 the tank of the CB 1100 becomes more sinuous in shape and rises to a capacity of 16.8 liters. Given that, together with the value declared in the average WMTC cycle, which is over 18 km/l, it launches the overall autonomy beyond 300 km. In our test we detected an average value around 16 km/l, but consumption depends very much on the type of use and context. In the city, when in the first part of the test we definitely dared a lot, it even drops to 13-14 per liter, while in more relaxed extra-urban use you can even go beyond the declared figure.

PROS AND CONS
We like it:
Aesthetics, quality, driving pleasure, performance
We do not like it:
Price not within everyone's reach, weight

Honda CB 1100 RS: the Motorionline Report Card

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Tester clothing:
Gloves: Dainese Carbon D1 Short
Jacket: Dainese Bryan Leather Jacket
Pants: Dainese Bonneville Regular
Boots: TCX
Helmet: Scorpion EXO-Combat