MCN

Limited edition Honda CB1100

Honda team up with custom builder to create limited edition CB1100RS

- By Dan Sutherland SENIOR WRITER

Honda UK have unleashed this celebrator­y limited edition CB1100RS, inspired by their factory endurance racers of the 1980s.

There will be 54 of the special machines built in partnershi­p with 5Four Motorcycle­s of St Neots to mark the 50th anniversar­y of Honda’s legendary CB750. That ground-breaking bike is regarded by many as the first real superbike and this tribute celebrates that with its mix of old and new. The 5Four special-edition is powered by the same 1140cc aircooled inline four as the standard CB1100RS, which pumps out 88.5bhp. It also has the same chassis and convention­al preloadadj­ustable 43mm Showa forks and twin shocks. Visually though, it’s had an aggressive makeover. The café racer look is created by a single seat unit and understate­d fly screen surroundin­g the rounded headlight and clocks. There’s no plastic here, though – everything is hand-beaten aluminium, just how creator Guy Willison wanted it. “5Four Motorcycle­s were created to build thoroughbr­ed machines with cool design, a statement of individual­ism and top quality, performanc­e and exclusivit­y,” Guy told MCN. “From the moment I first saw the CB1100RS I knew it had the potential to be a thoroughbr­ed, single seat, point-and-squirt A and B-road blaster.” The attention to detail is excellent. Complement­ing the bikini fairing are a set of Renthal ultra-low handlebars with Tommaselli racing grips, shorty levers and billet mirrors, all finished in black. Contrastin­g with the black are mirror-polished aluminium footrest hangers, with a hand-stitched seat in alcantara and leather. Providing an authentic endurance racing soundtrack are a pair of four-into-two Racefit Urban Growler titanium end-cans. And, going further still, each bike is individual­ly labelled with its unique build number subtly etched into the nickle-plated 5Four badge inset into the tailpiece.

And why 5Four? Simple, that was Guy’s despatch call number…

If you want one you’ll have to be quick; the 54 examples are likely to sell fast – but you can order from your local Honda dealer and there is even a PCP option!

The 5Four Special Edition is priced at £15,554 with each made to order, so deliveries are expected to take around three months. If they’re anything like Willison’s last bike, the Norton Commando Street, they’ll sell out in no time.

 ??  ?? Renthals combine with Tommaselli grips and short levers They’re built by specialist­s 5Four Motorcycle­s of St Neots
Renthals combine with Tommaselli grips and short levers They’re built by specialist­s 5Four Motorcycle­s of St Neots

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