Post Sale Update: After being relisted, this CB1100R sold for $14,500 after 16 bids on eBay.
Considered to be Honda’s first homologation special, the CB1100R is a legend among Honda fans – especially those based in the US, where this bike was never officially sold. The CBR was offered in 81 (RB), 82 (RC), and 83 (RD). As a RC, this bike is one of 1,500 examples.
Based on the CB900F, the CB1100R was developed to allow Honda to compete in endurance racing – they won the ’81 New Zealand Castrol Six Hour. It was big and it was heavy, but it was damn fast. The engine from the CB900 was bored out, bumping displacement up to 1062cc. The new engine produced 115 horsepower at 9,000 rpm. Despite the 518 pound weight, the new one piece frame combined with Honda’s first use of twin-piston calipers and nitrogen-charged piggyback shocks in a production bike made this bike successful on race tracks that utilized fast sweepers over tight hairpins. Top speed was 149 miles per hour, making it the fastest bike of its time. For more on what makes this CB special, check out this “Memorable Motorcycle” story from Motorcycle USA.
This example (VIN: SC08-2000814) has 37,000+ miles on the odometer and while it looks good, it does not currently run as it has been sitting for a while. The seller suggests that it just needs a new battery and the carb cleaned before it’s ready to go. If Honda has any sense, they’ll build a new CB1100R based on the current CB1100, like the prototype they showed off in 2007:
If you can’t wait for that day, then just find this CB1100R for sale in Vernon-Rockville, Connecticut with bidding up to $8,100 and the reserve not yet met or a BIN of $19,500