Honda CMX1100T 2023 — Specifications

It’s impossible to evoke baggers without the shadows cast by Milwaukee and Spirit Lake stretching across the road. Harley and Indian reign supreme in this territory, with a simple philosophy: large-displacement V engines and a weight befitting their prestige. Even BMW has joined in with its behemoth R 18 B. So, what is the Honda CMX1100T doing in this league of giants? Simply offering a different, almost heretical response: a lightweight, accessible bagger, designed not for continental crossings, but for the pleasure of human-scale travel.

With a full weight of 232 kilograms and a 1084 cm3 parallel-twin engine, the Honda positions itself as the quintessential anti-bagger. It draws its beating heart from the Africa Twin, but has reworked it for the road. The result: 87 horsepower at peak, but more importantly, 98 Nm of torque available from 4750 rpm, significantly lower than on the trail model. It’s far from the waves of torque from American V-twins, but the engine gains in flexibility and accessibility. All this for a price of €11,999, almost half the price of a basic American competitor. This is its first striking argument: offering bagger style without the wallet and the mass that usually accompany it.

The “Touring” in its name should be taken with a grain of salt. Its asymmetrical side cases (19 and 16 liters) are more like large glove boxes than true travel suitcases; it’s impossible to fit a full-face helmet inside. The Batwing fairing, aesthetically successful, offers limited protection, just enough to relieve pressure on the chest. This equipment clearly targets weekend rides or short getaways, not long distances. The Gold Wing exists for that. The true strength of this dressed CMX lies elsewhere: in its relative agility. The 700 mm seat makes the machine accessible, and its wheelbase of 1520 mm, coupled with a reasonable rake angle, gives it an unexpected maneuverability in the category. We’re talking about a custom, so lean angles remain limited, but the motorcycle handles with lightness and precision.

Where Honda asserts its technological advantage is in the electronics and transmission. Digital dashboard, cruise control, LED lighting and, above all, four riding modes (Standard, Rain, Sport and Customizable) that modulate engine response, engine braking, cornering assistance and torque control. The ultimate luxury? The DCT option, the double-clutch automated gearbox. A must for effortless cruising, which works here with remarkable efficiency. In contrast, the chassis does the bare minimum: 43 mm fork and preload-adjustable shock absorber, braking with a single disc (but with a radial 4-piston caliper at the front). It’s simple, but sufficient for the intended use.

Ultimately, the CMX1100T does not seek to dethrone the American giants. It addresses a different rider: one who is attracted to the bagger style, but deterred by the weight, the price and the physical commitment of US machines. It’s an elegant road custom, surprisingly agile and packed with technology, perfect for stylish rides and short getaways. An intelligent product that creates its own niche, without a direct competitor. Its limited range due to a 13.6-liter tank and reduced cargo capacity will be criticized, but that’s the price to pay for its lightness and agility. Honda isn’t playing in the same league, and that may be what makes it so charming.