I really enjoy mine. Other manufactures have styled 4 cylinder retro versions to resemble their old classics using paint colour, round headlight, casting fins on the engine, etc, but I feel the CB1100 best represents the modern classic UJM. For one it's air cooled, no small feat which is likely why no one else bothered. Another are wheels and tyres, it sports more period correct 18" wheels, 110/140 tyres, and functioning mudguards.
The bike is more compact than it appears probably because it was first designed for the Japan market. At 5'-11" with 32" inseam it was a little tight for me on longer rides. I had Corbin make a custom seat that moved the riders bucket 2" rearward and almost an inch up, and along with 18mm lower pegs it's all day comfortable.
For 2014 they added a 6th gear, 1-5 remained the same with 6th providing lower rpm for highway speed. Instrument display was also changed and a gear position added. There are versions with cast wheels, spoke tubeless, spoke requiring tubes, 3.9 (US) gallon and 4.6 gallon tanks, 4 into 1 or 4 into 2 exhaust, and silver or black drivetrain. These were the last of the Japanese air cooled, I-4 motorcycles, build and finish quality is excellent.
It's a fun motorcycle to ride with neutral handling, plenty of torque, relaxed rpm cruising (on 6-speed versions), nice brakes, and perfect throttling.
This page has links that go into detail with some of the designers about the CB1100. "Honda Designers Talk, part 1 and part 2". And “Beyond the Plans: Building Emotions into the Bike. Parts 1-5".
http://aetjps.free.fr/Moto/Honda/CB1100-en.htm
I bought this 2014 five years ago and added the OEM rear rack and centre stand along with the Corbin. Also a quick detach windshield that just gets occasional use along with toss over panniers.
