Honda CB1100SF aka X11

[Jimmy B]

This morning I received a PM asking some questions about my X11. I resonded as below and thought that it may be useful for anyone else who was looking to go down the "naked" path on an X. I am sure the KB member who received this reply will not mind me posting:

Well mate, the X11 is one fantastic naked bike and although they were unfairly slagged by British press for aesthetic reasons they have a bit of a cult following since Honda ceased production in 2002/2003. Contrary to some the CB1300 is not a replacement, like comparing apples and pears, at least 30bhp at the rear wheel and different engine derivative. BTW I like the CB1300

Personally; I think they are a real monster in terms of style, no mucking around, all business, squat and muscular. The Blackbird derived engine makes this bike a hoot to ride, endless grunt and very stable at higher speeds. Should go for 200,000K's plus without any bother plus extended service intervals make the bike cheapish to run.

I accidentally cracked 210kph a few weeks ago, felt like about 160ish then I glanced at the clocks. The bike was pulling like a train and I have little doubt it would see 260ish. 0-100 kph sub 3 seconds makes it slightly quicker than the Blackbird, stock GSXR1 etc and a micro tad slower than the Busa. Although all will take it out at top end (200kph+), in the real world you simply don’t need that sort of grunt. A few of my mates ride Birds and the X11 fits in nicely with that sort of performance....

Possible Downsides:

Some don’t like the linked brakes, I love them. I practiced an emergency stop from 160ish when I first got the bike, Pulled up so quickly I was kissing the clocks - excellent

Lack of adjustment in shocks, preload only on the rear and no adjustable damping on the both. Provided you keep the tyre pressures as recommended then this is not really an issue. Compared to my old CBR1000F it is a dream to ride and tracks as though it’s on rails through the sweepers and twisties.

Heavy Bike ~ 240kgs fully gassed so you need to be aware of speed upon entry into corners, like most litre bikes speed is deceptive and it’s easy to over cook. If you have ridden big bikes before then you will have no issues here.

Aftermarket gear to customise is impossible to find, but the standard setup rocks so no prob's. Pipes, Cans and Shocks no issue.

You will not be able to find a new X11 but the examples I have seen are low K's and will be sold at around $7500 - "The_stranger" (KB Member aka CaN) had one for sale. 22000Ks on the clocks with a few real nice mods and 132BHP at the rear wheel. I noticed one imported from Japan on trademe....careful here because the Japa's restricted their domestic model to 100bhp.

Derestricting would involve installing a power commander, K&N filters, Dyno time and possibly new headers/cans to get rid of the Cats. Could be $1-2K for that lot so build it into your calculations. Don’t get me wrong the restricted version would grunt because the massive torque would still be on tap, just the top end rush would suffer a bit.

Quite possible also that an Import would still be running the horrible Michelin Macadam 90 or 100X tyre. Ditch these immediately, they will kill you, get Metzeller Z6, Avon Azaro or Storms price in $600ish for that lot

CB1300 vs. X11

IMHO X11 all the way dude

[Blackbird]

Top write-up Andy and honest to a fault

I've said it often enough before, the X11 will eat virtually any other naked bike, it represents huge value for money, and Honda should have adopted the single colour paint job that you had done on yours, it looks stunning. I was also impressed with the ergonomics when I had a sit on your beast.

Yep, a very under-rated bike and i'd happily own one.

Geoff

[Marmoot]

X11 is, in my observation, the most underrated bike of the century.

Close in 2nd place would be CBR900RR 98/99.

[X11 MAN]

Hi ..NOT sure if this is still an active topic ?? X11

I have owned one for 2+ years...and have added some 35,000 miles...trouble free on it

Happy to share knowledge , experience , if any X11 owners there..or just folk who may be interested in this GREAT bike...which is rare and little known about !!

Ride fast , ride safe !!!

Andrew

This morning I received a PM asking some questions about my X11. I resonded as below and thought that it may be useful for anyone else who was looking to go down the "naked" path on an X. I am sure the KB member who received this reply will not mind me posting:

Well mate, the X11 is one fantastic naked bike and although they were unfairly slagged by British press for aesthetic reasons they have a bit of a cult following since Honda ceased production in 2002/2003. Contrary to some the CB1300 is not a replacement, like comparing apples and pears, at least 30bhp at the rear wheel and different engine derivative. BTW I like the CB1300

Personally; I think they are a real monster in terms of style, no mucking around, all business, squat and muscular. The Blackbird derived engine makes this bike a hoot to ride, endless grunt and very stable at higher speeds. Should go for 200,000K's plus without any bother plus extended service intervals make the bike cheapish to run.

I accidentally cracked 210kph a few weeks ago, felt like about 160ish then I glanced at the clocks. The bike was pulling like a train and I have little doubt it would see 260ish. 0-100 kph sub 3 seconds makes it slightly quicker than the Blackbird, stock GSXR1 etc and a micro tad slower than the Busa. Although all will take it out at top end (200kph+), in the real world you simply don’t need that sort of grunt. A few of my mates ride Birds and the X11 fits in nicely with that sort of performance....

Possible Downsides:

Some don’t like the linked brakes, I love them. I practiced an emergency stop from 160ish when I first got the bike, Pulled up so quickly I was kissing the clocks - excellent

Lack of adjustment in shocks, preload only on the rear and no adjustable damping on the both. Provided you keep the tyre pressures as recommended then this is not really an issue. Compared to my old CBR1000F it is a dream to ride and tracks as though it’s on rails through the sweepers and twisties.

Heavy Bike ~ 240kgs fully gassed so you need to be aware of speed upon entry into corners, like most litre bikes speed is deceptive and it’s easy to over cook. If you have ridden big bikes before then you will have no issues here.

Aftermarket gear to customise is impossible to find, but the standard setup rocks so no prob's. Pipes, Cans and Shocks no issue.

You will not be able to find a new X11 but the examples I have seen are low K's and will be sold at around $7500 - "The_stranger" (KB Member aka CaN) had one for sale. 22000Ks on the clocks with a few real nice mods and 132BHP at the rear wheel. I noticed one imported from Japan on trademe....careful here because the Japa's restricted their domestic model to 100bhp.

Derestricting would involve installing a power commander, K&N filters, Dyno time and possibly new headers/cans to get rid of the Cats. Could be $1-2K for that lot so build it into your calculations. Don’t get me wrong the restricted version would grunt because the massive torque would still be on tap, just the top end rush would suffer a bit.

Quite possible also that an Import would still be running the horrible Michelin Macadam 90 or 100X tyre. Ditch these immediately, they will kill you, get Metzeller Z6, Avon Azaro or Storms price in $600ish for that lot

CB1300 vs. X11

IMHO X11 all the way dude

[X11 MAN]

Hi ..NOT sure if this is still an active topic ?? X11

I have owned one for 2+ years...and have added some 35,000 miles...trouble free on it
Happy to share knowledge , experience , if any X11 owners there..or just folk who may be interested in this GREAT bike...which is rare and little known about !!

Ride fast , ride safe !!!
Andrew

This morning I received a PM asking some questions about my X11. I resonded as below and thought that it may be useful for anyone else who was looking to go down the "naked" path on an X. I am sure the KB member who received this reply will not mind me posting:

Well mate, the X11 is one fantastic naked bike and although they were unfairly slagged by British press for aesthetic reasons they have a bit of a cult following since Honda ceased production in 2002/2003. Contrary to some the CB1300 is not a replacement, like comparing apples and pears, at least 30bhp at the rear wheel and different engine derivative. BTW I like the CB1300

Personally; I think they are a real monster in terms of style, no mucking around, all business, squat and muscular. The Blackbird derived engine makes this bike a hoot to ride, endless grunt and very stable at higher speeds. Should go for 200,000K's plus without any bother plus extended service intervals make the bike cheapish to run.

I accidentally cracked 210kph a few weeks ago, felt like about 160ish then I glanced at the clocks. The bike was pulling like a train and I have little doubt it would see 260ish. 0-100 kph sub 3 seconds makes it slightly quicker than the Blackbird, stock GSXR1 etc and a micro tad slower than the Busa. Although all will take it out at top end (200kph+), in the real world you simply don’t need that sort of grunt. A few of my mates ride Birds and the X11 fits in nicely with that sort of performance....

Possible Downsides:

Some don’t like the linked brakes, I love them. I practiced an emergency stop from 160ish when I first got the bike, Pulled up so quickly I was kissing the clocks - excellent

Lack of adjustment in shocks, preload only on the rear and no adjustable damping on the both. Provided you keep the tyre pressures as recommended then this is not really an issue. Compared to my old CBR1000F it is a dream to ride and tracks as though it’s on rails through the sweepers and twisties.

Heavy Bike ~ 240kgs fully gassed so you need to be aware of speed upon entry into corners, like most litre bikes speed is deceptive and it’s easy to over cook. If you have ridden big bikes before then you will have no issues here.

Aftermarket gear to customise is impossible to find, but the standard setup rocks so no prob's. Pipes, Cans and Shocks no issue.

You will not be able to find a new X11 but the examples I have seen are low K's and will be sold at around $7500 - "The_stranger" (KB Member aka CaN) had one for sale. 22000Ks on the clocks with a few real nice mods and 132BHP at the rear wheel. I noticed one imported from Japan on trademe....careful here because the Japa's restricted their domestic model to 100bhp.

Derestricting would involve installing a power commander, K&N filters, Dyno time and possibly new headers/cans to get rid of the Cats. Could be $1-2K for that lot so build it into your calculations. Don’t get me wrong the restricted version would grunt because the massive torque would still be on tap, just the top end rush would suffer a bit.

Quite possible also that an Import would still be running the horrible Michelin Macadam 90 or 100X tyre. Ditch these immediately, they will kill you, get Metzeller Z6, Avon Azaro or Storms price in $600ish for that lot

CB1300 vs. X11

IMHO X11 all the way dude

[X11 MAN]

Hi ..NOT sure if this is still an active topic ?? X11

I have owned one for 2+ years...and have added some 35,000 miles...trouble free on it
Happy to share knowledge , experience , if any X11 owners there..or just folk who may be interested in this GREAT bike...which is rare and little known about !!

Ride fast , ride safe !!!
Andrew