Honda CB 1100 RS Swiss Limited Edition 2018 — Specifications

Thirty examples. That's all Honda Switzerland deemed necessary to transform a classic roadster into an object of desire, and frankly, the logic is easy to understand. The CB 1100 RS never really made a splash on the market despite a solid character and a proven engine. Too tame for some, too heavy for others, it was often relegated to the ranks of good intentions poorly rewarded. This Swiss limited edition attempts to correct course, not in depth, but through a series of surgical interventions that radically change the perception of the machine.

The first impact is visual. The orange tank finish doesn't leave anyone indifferent; it breaks with the usual blacks of the range and clearly asserts a café-racer lineage. The light stripes that accompany it bring movement to the whole without falling into graphic excess. But what truly changes the stance is the new APE-style handlebar, lowered to impose a more stretched-out riding position, close to period clip-ons. The mirrors have been repositioned to the outside of the half-handlebars to open up the view and refine the silhouette. On paper, it looks like a cosmetic kit. In reality, it redefines the relationship between the rider and the machine.

The modifications go further than the usual paint job of special series. Honda Switzerland machined certain parts directly in its workshops: ultra-compact front turn signals, footpeg adapters, a rear fender cut as short as possible, a relocated license plate bracket, a specific oil cap, and rear lights combining turn signal and brake light. This level of detail goes well beyond stickers and an exclusive color. It's real custom builder work, and it shows. Compared to the limited editions of a Triumph Bonneville T120 or a Royal Enfield Continental GT, which often make do with a color scheme and a badge, this Swiss CB plays in a different league.

Mechanically, nothing moves, and that's not a criticism. The 1,140 cc inline four-cylinder develops 89 horsepower at 7,500 rpm and 91.2 Nm of torque available from 5,500 rpm. It's an engine of quiet character, smooth, that doesn't like to be rushed. The steel tubular double cradle frame and the 43 mm Showa forks up front do the job without trying to impress. At 252 kg fully fueled, this Honda is not aimed at beginners looking to get their bearings; it's better suited to an experienced rider who wants a distinctive machine for winding country roads, with no track ambitions. The stated top speed of 200 km/h will remain theoretical in everyday use, and that's perfectly fine.

At 14,500 euros, the Swiss Limited Edition is expensive for what it is mechanically. But it's not sold as an ordinary motorcycle. It's sold as a numbered piece, a low-production object that its owner will never encounter coming the other way on the road. For the café-racer enthusiast who wants Japanese precision without assembling a conversion kit themselves, it's probably the most coherent proposition on the market in 2018. The target audience knows what it's buying: rarity, craftsmanship, and a strong visual identity on a solid foundation. That's honest.