Gallery: Retro rockets

Honda have entered the sports retro sector with their new CB1100RS, a slightly sportier version of the CB1100EX. The RS comes with cast wheels, a slightly steeper head angle and a lush red and black paintscheme.

The new bike is joining a pretty hotly contested par of the market, and we put it head to head against two of the best sporty retros currently available, the Triumph Thruxton and BMW R nineT.

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Triumph Thruxton, £10,800

96bhp | 206kg

Launched in 2016 with a 1200cc water-cooled parallel-twin. Along with lovely detailing, this base-model Thruxton comes with changeable riding modes, traction control and ABS as standard.

Honda CB1100RS, £11,139

88.5bhp | 252kg (wet)

The older CB1100EX gets sporty with 17 inch cast aluminium wheels, Showa suspension and radial Tokico calipers. There’s a steeper head angle and a shorter wheelbase, slipper clutch and new exhaust.

BMW R nineT, £12,300

108.6bhp | 209kg

The distinctive R nineT is the most powerful bike on test, with a claimed 108.6bhp. BMW recently added fully adjustable front suspension and spoked wheels, and it’s now Euro4 compliant.

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