CB1100R v Laverda Jota

Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2020 4:49 pm

A pretty interesting read

I've ridden both (well, an '82 1200 Jota and an R1100C) & came to the same conclusion as expressed in the article

The undeniable truth is that the Honda not only does absolutely everything better than the Laverda, it absolutely murders it in every performance department. acceleration from rest, roll-on tests in any gear at any revs, handling, braking, comfort, practicality, etc etc. This is not so much a Classic Scrap as a serious one-sided kicking.

I heartily disagree with the lack of character comments-- and suspect it's typical journalistic laziness "let's give the euro bike some "character" props" to offset the ass-kicking LOL, I've had my share of Italian bikes and they do have "character"; but so to the Fs and many other Japanese bikes.

Anyway, it's a good read.

CB1100F Joined: Jun 18, 2006 Posts: 2511 Location: UK

Thanks for posting that was an interesting read

Twinstar Joined: Apr 22, 2018 Posts: 217 Location: Toronto

Of the 35 or so bikes that I have owned, my two favourites were my 1982 Laverda RGS1000 (which I foolishly sold to buy a BMW) and a 1982 CB1100RC.

The Honda is definitely more sophisticated and faster (though not much faster than the Corsa version that was a limited edition). The Laverda, believe it or not, was more reliable and way way way easier to maintain, the one exception being the oil filter.

Both were remarkably comfortable for their riding position. I did one 12000 km day on the RGS and a 1650 day on the Honda.

I still have the RC, of course, but if someone were checking my internet history, they would see a lot of action in the motorcycle for sale department, colour red.

In the end, this story is accurate, but falsely premised. The Jota was already superseded by the 120 degree crank m odes by the tine the Rs were around. Better would have been a duel between the RGS Corsa vs Honda or if you wanted to give Laverda a break, the later SFC1000 which used similar tech, just better versions of it.

CB1100F Joined: Feb 17, 2009 Posts: 2111 Location: Oz

One thing the Jota wins on hands down is the soundtrack. A Jota with a set of Slater Bros. pipes particularly on the overrun is pure aural porn.

Twinstar Joined: Apr 22, 2018 Posts: 217 Location: Toronto

the RGS too, sounds like a mini V12