Honda CB1100: in January we will see the concept that anticipates the next generation

Honda CB1100 – Honda has revealed its new line-up that it will show at the upcoming Tokyo Auto Salon, scheduled for January 2016, and while the stand will understandably be dominated by lots of cars, there will also be an interesting handful of two-wheelers.

Some are predictable. In fact, there will be the Africa Twin, for example, and the RC213V-S, as well as a Fireblade SP and a VFR800X. But above all there will be the Honda CB Concept, seen for the first time at the Tokyo Motor Show in October. It will be the only concept of the Japanese brand present at the event, a presence that seems to add fuel to the rumors that this model is actually the next generation of the CB1100, destined to battle with retro-bikes like the new Triumph Bonneville.

It will be almost impossible to immediately spot the differences between the CB Concept and the current CB1100 EX, given that, as usual, retro motorcycles, harking back to previous models, do not take on major visual changes. But the changes are there and include a more heavily sculpted tank, new aluminum-look side panels, new air-box and a new seat. There's also more chrome on the instruments and headlights, while the bars under the passenger seat have been changed to chrome, whereas previously they were aluminum.

In all this, the chassis and engine of the future CB1100 have remained unchanged. So, we will have the Euro4 compatible engine. For now, Honda's official line on the new CB Concept is that "This is a custom concept model” intended to show what could be achieved by modifying an existing bike, but the components used look much more like production pieces rather than something a costumer might pick out.