Motorcycle specifications HondaCB 1100 RS 2018 The vintage Sport Response

The retro trend continues to win new fans and new models, whether revisited versions of the glories of yesteryear, or inspirations from brand-new machines. At Honda, vintage has recently given birth to the CB 1100 and the EX version(reworked this year). The look is perfect, the motorization worthy of the brand, the quality obvious. And to increase the adrenalin, what could be better than a sportier approach?! Now that's a job for this new RS model. A little extension that smells of light, muscular jaunts, with the sweet scent of carved trajectories and scratchy footrests.

but don't be fooled. Like the Triumph Thruxton or Norton 961 Commando, this is a gentleman's bike. There's no question of attacking while gliding and then sending the big ladle of gas to rip up chunks of road. Here, we take care of proportions, leave the dynamite in the garage and pull out the harquebus. Style, gentlemen, and do credit to the CB 1100 RS, which has no shortage of it.
From the outset, you'll be struck by the more upscale suspension of this more vindictive version. At first glance, you could almost be fooled by the gold color and presence."Cool, Öhlins!!!". Oops no. The Honda is equipped with Showa. Let's not grumble, because there's plenty to ensure a nice ground connection. The 43 mm fork features a double-valve system to manage rebound and compression. The shock absorber duo features separate preload-adjustable reservoirs. In keeping with the RS's sportier character, the suspension is firmer than on the EX.

let's stay for a moment on the fork. Not so much for the new, cast-aluminum top-member; more to note that the brakes are no longer in the retro spirit. On the menu: radial mounting and 4-piston Tokico calipers, biting larger 310 mm-diameter discs. The classic CB 1100 was not open to criticism on this point, but the RS will make you want to play more. The machine's 252 kilos - 3 less than the EX- will need to be calmed more seriously.

play, yes, because miss Honda has modified its chassis sufficiently to become turlupine. Its more radical geometry features a 5 mm shorter wheelbase, 1° more headroom (27° ->26°), shorter drag, a 5 mm higher seat and 7 mm forward handlebars. These are small changes, just enough to give the bike a livelier feel. It's on the wheels that the change is most noticeable. The narrow 18-inch spoked wheels have been replaced by 17-inch spoked rims. This makes it possible to fit larger sports tires. As a result, Honda had to modify the aluminum swingarm to accommodate the big 180 gommard.

No change on the engine side, apart from the fact that it's painted entirely in black, with the exception of the side cases and rocker covers.and rocker covers, and features the modifications undertaken byEX to meet Euro4 standards (revised intake, lighter and shorter exhausts). 89 horses, cooled in the old-fashioned way, are there to carry the crew along with velvety conviction. The assisted clutch is also part of the package, reducing lever effort by 16% and rear-wheel slippage on (heavy) downshifts.

to confirm its style, the CB 1100 RS adopts more striking colors, with a Stripe motif on the tank. The turn signals are much smaller and tapered, with LEDs. This lighting technology is also applied to the rear light and the headlight, which retains its retro shape. The seat has lost its flanges, but should be just as comfortable.

the RS version of the CB 1100 is dynamic and aggressive. Mind you, it's not a café-racer, even if the spirit is similar. With these two letters and these improvements, Honda's retro roadster has perhaps found its best incarnation. We can now imagine a fork head, a few bracelets, a 4-in-1, and we'd end up with a retro-sports bike ready to take on the Nine-T Racer.

M.B - Manufacturer's photos