Honda CB Type II Concept
The modern classic market has been expanding since 2015 with bikes like the BMW R nineT, BMW Scrambler, all-new Triumph Bonneville and Thruxton models and Ducati Scrambler all selling faster than manufacturers can make them and this CB Concept Type II is clearly aimed at taking on the likes of the R nineT and the Thruxton.
This bike is clearly intended to show the rather anemic CB1100 can be made into a tougher bike with a harder style and thanks to the fitment of performance and handling enhancing 17-inch cast alloy wheels, a fuel tank lifted from the bigger Honda CB1300, upside down Showa forks, radial mount Brembo brakes, Ohlins twin shocks and retro Pirelli tires it all works extremely well.
There are some lovely design touches on the Type II that manage to blend modern performance parts with the retro styling of the CB1100’s finned and air-cooled motor.
The Showa front suspension is leagues better than the standard right-way-up forks seen on the standard CB1100 and thanks to the black painted finish, radially-mounted Brembo calipers and the 17-inch front wheel it all looks a lot more performance orientated.
The large diameter four-into-two exhaust has been made by Japanese tuners Over from titanium and while this is unlikely to make it into production it does a clear link to the performance looks Honda is chasing. Other neat touches include the LED front and rear lights which house modern lighting performance within the traditional designs.
At the back the twin Ohlins shock are fully adjustable and combined with the stubby tailunit give a cut down café racer look that makes this the meanest CB1100 ever produced by Honda.
Honda has been slow to pick up on the way the market has changed and despite going to all of the time and expense of designing an all-new air-cooled inline four cylinder engine for the current CB1100 range; it’s never really done much with it. The current bike was originally launched in 2009 but was only made available in a few markets outside of Japan. It took another four years for Honda to make the decision to sell it over here.
