Honda needs a decent retro version of its bland CB1100 cafe racer and the release of the sexy Concept CB Type II at the Osaka Motorcycle Show could be that bike.
The stunning solo-seat bike features fat gold forks, Ohlins shocks, 17-inch alloy wheels, reshaped bare aluminium tank, Brembo brakes, upswept Over exhaust, LED headlight, bar-end mirrors and acres of chrome.
It looks more like the revived Norton Commando than the previous bland UJM (Universal Japanese Motorcycle).
The concept is a marked improvement on the CB1100 which was an uninspiring, half-hearted attempt at a retro model.
The CB1100 was briefly available here before Honda Australia decided to withdraw it through a lack of customer interest.
Hopefully they will have a rethink on the new model when they realise how popular the BMW R nineT is and how quickly the new 900cc and 1200cc Bonnevilles sell.
But let’s hope they come up with a better name than CB Type II.
Honda really needs something as sexy as this bike because their current line-up – Africa Twin aside – is looking rather boring.
Retro Pirellis on the CB ConceptOne of the big winners from this modern-classic revival is Pirelli whose retro tread pattern is similar to the Phantoms of the 1980s. The tyre features on the CB concept and the new Bonneville range.
Ducati’s short-lived classic models of a few years ago was the first to use these classic Pirelli tyres.
Speaking of which, it’s a shame Ducati dropped their Sport Classic models just as the retro revival kicked off.
They now have the Scrambler, but it’s not a cafe racer like the Commando, R nineT or new 1200cc Thruxton.