Honda X11 - Opinions

[Wolfie87]

Hello all,

Whilst searching the interwebs for potential new naked motorcycles (they have to be comfy-ish, over 100hp and have adequate space for an occasional pillion) I happened across the Honda X-11.

Now, I know these are fairly rare bikes, but I thought if any group of people willl have had experience of one it will be you lot.

So, have you ridden one? owned one? What are your memories of it? Good bike? Worth a look? Or a bit bland?

[conkerman]

Can't help with ownership experience, but they were memorably described as 'as Ugly as a fight in a kebab shop'. Stuck with me ever since.

[trickywoo]

It’s a blackbird without a fairing.

Plenty of fans of an old school ‘bird.

Also worth considering a b-king.

[catso]

conkerman said:

'as Ugly as a fight in a kebab shop'.

Well, it's no Italian supermodel but not that bad, looks-wise reminds me a bit of my old VTR100 Firestorm which was a good bike.

The X11 has more power so should go well enough but probably a fair bit heavier. I'd guess it's not a bad bike but as I've never ridden (or knowingly seen) one, can't comment.

[Rubin215]

Another inexpensive option is the BMW K1200R.

I picked up my 2008 model for buttons and it both scares the pants off me and makes me giggle like a giggley thing every time I ride it.

[hondajack85]

At the time the Honda X11 was miles (literally about 25mph faster) better than its peers,and with modern handling. Its just the styling that held it back. Someone in the press said it looked like a milkcrate had got wedged in front of the engine.
I wish someone had put more thought into that area. Imagine Ducati styling it.
Worth it though as they are quite cheap.

[Wolfie87]

Yea the looks of them are not exactly up to Tamburini's level but I dont think they are hideous. I guess the price of them and the potential performance of offer is drawing me to one.

Just wondered what one is like to live with now as they are so rare not much info on them, only the reviews done in period.

Apparently they feel quite different to 'a blackbird without a fairing'. Their engines are a fair bit different, only 1 balance shaft, only a 5 speed box not 6, retuned for less top end. Apparently they have a fair chunk more grunt than a 'Bird.

[stang65]

The styling, I think I recall being reported, was odd because the radiator shrouds were supposed to add downforce - Honda being years ahead again but doing it in a slightly naff way! I also don't mind the styling, but I had an early VFR800 and would never again have linked brakes without ABS. At the time no one wanted linked brakes, especially on a naked bike that most people bought for being silly... or more likely being associated with being silly. It's a real shame this engine never made it into a Hornet, that would have been a great bike.

[carinaman]

There was a good looking yellow one on Autotrader in the summer. I like the styling. I like the twin pipes.

I wrongly thought MCN owners' reviews had gone.

MCN owners' reviews of X11:

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-reviews/honda/...

[LuS1fer]

Just looked it up and I think that is a good looking bike. Of course the plastic crate needs replacing for something more Gold Wing K1 style but surely the aftermarket must have spotted that?

[hondajack85]

I think its unwise to take the milkcrate off and it doesnt look better without it. But its a good looking bike in a brutal way.
Its worth looking at those motorcycle news owners reviews ,as its all from before the internet became full of rubbish from clueless uninformed idiots offering opinions on everything (like me lol)

[carinaman]

LuS1fer said:

Just looked it up and I think that is a good looking bike. Of course the plastic crate needs replacing for something more Gold Wing K1 style but surely the aftermarket must have spotted that?

'Crate'?

An owners' review on MCN stated they fitted a radiator screen and it made the bike run hot and the shrouds both ends of the radiator probably help cooling.

Another MCN owner reckoned sustained running at 150mph> can break the headlamp bowl.

[ChocolateFrog]

I got so close to buying one. They never seemed to review very well but Honda build quality around that time was really good and what's not to like in a slightly detuned Blackbird motor.

[carinaman]

ChocolateFrog said:

I got so close to buying one. They never seemed to review very well but Honda build quality around that time was really good and what's not to like in a slightly detuned Blackbird motor.

Shame they lost the 6 speed box. Perhaps it was a torque Vs longevity and reliability issue?

[hondajack85]

I though Motorcycle dealers got a look at concepts manufacturers had planned to maybe offer input. You can only assume they were all grovelling yes men back then.
Its quite obvious you wouldnt sell many with that styling.
Mind you suzuki made that Hayabusa based naked thing that looked quite good, and didn't sell many of those.

[trickywoo]

hondajack85 said:

I though Motorcycle dealers got a look at concepts manufacturers had planned to maybe offer input.

I don’t think that was common at all and definitely not with the Japanese and especially Honda.

[hondajack85]

trickywoo said:

hondajack85 said:

I though Motorcycle dealers got a look at concepts manufacturers had planned to maybe offer input.

I don t think that was common at all and definitely not with the Japanese and especially Honda.

Well they should do . Saves a lot of pain lol

[carinaman]

'Halo product'?

Perhaps platform sharing allows a suck it and see approach?


Did anyone foresee the Monster becoming a big seller for Ducati?

[swanseaboydan]

I think I rode one once in Japan - lovely bike although I prefer the looks of the Honda cb1000 (big one) or the later cb1300.
I had 2 cb1000s and for me they were the ultimate easy to live with naked muscle bike . The x11 will be much the same I think.

[Caddyshack]

Wasn’t aware these existed. Looks alright to me for an interesting older bike.