Honda CB1300S ABS 2011 — Specifications

Can a motorcycle be both a tribute and an effective machine? In 2011, Honda provided a meaningful answer with the CB1300S ABS. This semi-faired version of the giant roadster was more than just a derivative. It filled a need for touring riders seeking protection, while also adorning the machine with an assumed nod to the superbikes of the 1980s. Take a good look: this side view of the fairing, the gold calipers, this color palette that evokes the 1983 Bol d’Or. The design studio did more than just create a pastiche; it infused it with a soul. Facing a Kawasaki ZRX 1200 R “Lawson Replica,” the Honda CB1300S ABS presents an equally credible replica, with that extra touch of mechanical soul that characterizes the brand.

Under this partial fairing lies the timeless inline 4-cylinder engine of 1284 cm3. With 100 horsepower at 7000 rpm and, above all, 116.7 Nm of torque available from 5500 rpm, it falls into the register of sovereign elasticity. This engine has never been a top-end beast, but it is a luxury tractor, an indefatigable burner that devours the kilometers without a hitch. The revised mapping and revised clutch contribute to this impression of permanent smoothness. At mid-range on the highway, the Honda CB1300S ABS purrs with a disconcerting serenity, but keeps a reserve of power at hand whenever the throttle is engaged. That's its whole character: it doesn't scream, it pushes.

This semi-fairing is more than just ornamentation. It offers tangible aerodynamic protection, transforming the roadster into a full-fledged touring machine. At 230 km/h top speed, stability remains good, although, to be honest, beyond 180 km/h, taller riders begin to feel some turbulence. The other travel asset is its two built-in glove boxes in the fairing, each with a one-liter capacity, the left one locking. Practical for everyday use. On the other hand, the weight is considerable: 269 kg fully fueled. You feel it in handling, but once launched, the CB1300S ABS proves surprisingly agile for its size. The twin-spar frame, combined with a 43 mm fork and two side shock absorbers, offers reassuring and comfortable handling. It's not a pure sportbike, but it enjoys swallowing sequences of curves with a certain rigor and pleasure, carried by its omnipresent torque.

The braking system, with its two 310 mm front discs and four-piston caliper, delivers progressive and easy-to-modulate power. ABS, an option at the time, provides that extra layer of safety welcome on a machine of this size. The 790 mm seat is accessible and comfortable for long hours, even if one regrets the absence of a center stand on this type of motorcycle. At €12,490, it positioned itself as a high-end machine. It clearly targeted the demanding touring rider, the enthusiast of beautiful mechanics who seeks both the sensation of travel and character. Facing a Suzuki GSX 1400 or a Yamaha XJR 1300, more raw, the Honda CB1300S ABS played the card of sophistication and stylistic homage.

So, replica or true touring machine? It is both. The Honda CB1300S ABS is a generous machine, in the noble sense of the term. Generous in torque, presence, comfort, and escape. It doesn't seek extreme performance, but fulfillment. It is a motorcycle to be savored more than rushed, made for those who believe that the journey begins with the look cast upon the machine. A modern classic, simply.