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Honda CB1000R (2008-current)

View all Honda CB1000Rs for sale (10)

Detail Value
New price £6,950
Engine size 998cc
Power 130bhp
Top speed 150mph
Insurance group 15
  MCN ratings Owners' ratings
Overall rating is 4 rating is 4
Engine rating is 4 rating is 4
Ride & Handling rating is 4 rating is 4
Equipment rating is 4 rating is 4
Quality & Reliability rating is 5 rating is 4
Value rating is 4 rating is 4

MCN overall verdict rating is 4

Forget the dinosaur CB1000 of the early nineties, or the now defunct 900 Hornet, the CB1000R is a whole new bag for Honda, designed with Europe, using a retuned version of the 2007 FireBlade engine and with 2008 FireBlade forks and brakes, a beautiful single-sided swingarm and fabbo styling. In fact the only thing the CB1000R lacks is a bit of soul and the noise you get from a Brutale or Speed Triple. But for ninety-nine per cent of the time it’s a better bike in every respect.

Engine

MCN rating rating is 4
Owners' rating rating is 4

The Honda CB1000R uses a 2007 FireBlade unit that has been retuned for maximum torque and midrange. It’s similar to the CBF1000 engine but gives stronger performance. As such, 130bhp is plenty but it’s more about the torque and the way the power is delivered that impresses. It comes on clean and fat to the point where sixth gear will pull 30mph with no shakes just clean drive. That said it doesn’t howl or really get you excited. It has the looks of something really aggressive but it never really wants to kick off. In comparison to the Speed Triple it’s not quite as raw, but that makes it easier to ride than all its rivals.

Ride and Handling

MCN rating rating is 4
Owners' rating rating is 4

The Honda CB1000R’s suspension is softer than, say, the Triumph Speed Triple’s, but, for many give the perfect blend of feel and comfort. Most don’t want a bike that’s rock hard, just one that lets you know what the wheels are doing and one that doesn’t pitch around under power or braking. The Honda gets it bang on. It may lag behind rivals on track, but in the real world, where cops are hiding in trailers with speed guns, the roads get ever busier and the surface isn’t racetrack smooth the Honda CB1000R is a brilliant unfaired bike.

Equipment

MCN rating rating is 4
Owners' rating rating is 4

The Honda CB1000R is a top quality bit of kit in every respect. The forks are taken from the 2008 FireBlade but feature different internals. Brakes are taken from the 2008 Blade, too, but use smaller 310mm discs, different master cylinder and brake lines. Flashy LCD clocks are, Honda claim, the most sophistated and expensive to produce they’re ever made and then there’s that stylish and clever single-side Pro-Arm rear end…

Quality and Reliability

MCN rating rating is 5
Owners' rating rating is 4

Like with the equipment, the Honda CB1000R’s quality, like most Honda’s truth be told, is right up there with the best. Paint is thick and creamy, metal finishes excellent and the only slight doubt regards reliability, simply because the bike’s so new and proven.

Value

MCN rating rating is 4
Owners' rating rating is 4

At £6950 (£7450 with ABS) the Honda CB1000R is impressive value, especially considering its spec and the Honda badge, in the naked litre-bike category, undercutting the more basic Speed Triple and Tuono comfortably.

Insurance

Insurance group: 15

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Model History

2008: Honda CB1000R launched.

Other Versions

None.

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Specifications

Top speed 150mph
1/4-mile acceleration secs
Power 130bhp
Torque 100ftlb
Weight 217kg
Seat height 825mm
Fuel capacity 17 litres
Average fuel consumption mpg
Tank range miles
Insurance group 15
Engine size 998cc
Engine specification Liquid-cooled DOHC 16 valve inline four cylinder. Fuel injection. Six gears.
Frame Aluminium spine
Front suspension adjustment 43mm upside down front forks, fully adjustable
Rear suspension adjustment Single rear shock, fully adjustable
Front brakes Twin 310mm front discs with four-piston calipers
Rear brake Single 256mm rear disc with dual-piston caliper
Front tyre size 120/70 x 17
Rear tyre size 180/55 x 17

Examples for sale nowSee all current ads for this bike

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Honda
CB1000R

2308 miles

£6,995

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Honda
CB1000R

300 miles

£7,599

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Honda
CB1000R

1555 miles

£7,195

classified image

Honda
CB1000R

1950 miles

£6,550

classified image

Honda
CB1000R

22481 miles

£5,750

Owners' Overall Rating rating is 4(15 reviews)

  • Pretty but Dull

    EdsETV

    Average rating rating is 3

    Show Details

    Overall
    Ride and Handling
    Equipment
    Quality and Reliabilty
    Value
    Engine

    Currently run a Tuono 1000R and liked the look of the new Honda CB1000R and decided to take a test ride. Glad I did as, whilst it looks good, has safe handling and good brakes, it feels gutless in comparison. I cannot believe it is 130horses and hopefully one of the mags will dyno its output. It may be unfair to judge it after a short ride but it lacks any knd of personality or emotional pull. Easygoing would be a good description but is not what this class of bikes is about. So no sale and I will wait until hopefully Aprilia do an RSV4 Tuono ;-)

    29 April 2009

  • Test ride first!

    ipcress

    Average rating rating is 3

    Show Details

    Overall
    Ride and Handling
    Equipment
    Quality and Reliabilty
    Value
    Engine

    Took this bike for a fast ride on A&B roads in dry conditions. Linear power delivery no top end rush, handling on A roads no problem however when pushed hard on a good surfaced, crested B road the limitations of its suspension became apparent. From airborne on landing the front end complains and the need for a steering damper is clear. Brakes, no complaints there. On balance a bit dull and when pushed hard shows its limitations. Sorry Honda need to try harder.

    21 February 2009

  • Perfect

    simonxg

    Average rating rating is 4.5

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    Overall
    Ride and Handling
    Equipment
    Quality and Reliabilty
    Value
    Engine

    As a new rider with little experience the Honda is perfect, predictable, easy to ride but with enough grunt to be exciting at the same time. Love it.

    20 December 2008

  • dont bellieve the hype

    pussy liqueur'

    Average rating rating is 3.5

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    Overall
    Ride and Handling
    Equipment
    Quality and Reliabilty
    Value
    Engine

    Done 2000 miles now on this bike a good bike yes but could have been so mutch better 130bhp ? reality 110bhp feel like ive been ripped off thanks 4 screwing me out of my hard earnt cash HONDA

    11 October 2008

  • Love it

    Honda7

    Average rating rating is 4.5

    Show Details

    Overall
    Ride and Handling
    Equipment
    Quality and Reliabilty
    Value
    Engine

    I have had it for 2 months now. It is my best bike ever, the engine, the looks, the performance, mix between Honda sport bike and touring… all in all a fantastic bike.

    10 October 2008

  • Love it

    Honda7

    Average rating rating is 4.5

    Show Details

    Overall
    Ride and Handling
    Equipment
    Quality and Reliabilty
    Value
    Engine

    I have had it for 2 months now. It is my best bike ever, the engine, the looks, the performance, mix between Honda sport bike and touring… all in all a fantastic bike.

    10 October 2008

  • Is it a bike or plane?

    velocollins

    Average rating rating is 4.5

    Show Details

    Overall
    Ride and Handling
    Equipment
    Quality and Reliabilty
    Value
    Engine

    New Transalp was in for some repairs on Saturday and dealer invited me to test ride CB1000R. After 35 years of riding a mixture of bikes including some high powered cruisers, and being lucky enough to have a collection of classics, I was a little apprehensive, but decided to give it a go. It was a fantastic experience and the smoothness and power delivery was amazing. The bike was light and handled as if it was on rails and it was a pleasure in traffic. Considering the power, the bakes were not quite as good as I expected, but then again the bike was soon doing 90mph in 6th without any effort and you will need to watch those yellow camera’s. Not generally a fan of naked super bikes, and whilst not as practical as Transalp with full luggage for my generally commuting, I could be tempted to swap the Tranalp. .

    28 September 2008

  • honda cb1000r

    fireblade.rr

    Average rating rating is 2.5

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    Ride and Handling
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    Engine

    sold a gixxer thou for this,had a fireblade rr7 before it,regreted buying the CB,very very disapointing indeed,130 bhp ??? more like 110,,,no guts whatsoever,why why why do they do this?why have such a brutal looking piece of kit and re-tune it so much?.. the seating position is the most uncomfiest ive ever been on,your pushed into the tank and the longer you ride it the more you feel yourself getting pushed further into tank,and two up is a no no. enough of bad points,there is some good,the looks are fantastic,but let down by the lack of power,the handling is superb,i would even go as far as saying its one of the best handling bikes ive had,i did manage to keep it for two weeks and 780 miles but was such a dissapointment all round,no guts and no wow factor kick in ya face power that it suggests when looking at it... last honda ill be buying. traded in for yam fz1 fazer,,,much much better all round by a long shot,miles more power,and above 7000 revs open her up and your arms are wrenched,150 bhp,just how the honda shud have been,bigger bike feel too,and fab two up and very comfy. my advise,choose the FZ1s its far superior all round...you have been warned.

    27 September 2008

  • honda cb 1000r

    hipho

    Average rating rating is 4.5

    Show Details

    Overall
    Ride and Handling
    Equipment
    Quality and Reliabilty
    Value
    Engine

    had test drive on monday with my son both of loved to bits great handling bike for two up he used to small seats i have 2005 r6 hopely change in new year go for black the non abs

    13 September 2008

  • honda cb 1000r

    hipho

    Average rating rating is 4.5

    Show Details

    Overall
    Ride and Handling
    Equipment
    Quality and Reliabilty
    Value
    Engine

    had test drive on monday with my son both of loved to bits great handling bike for two up he used to small seats i have 2005 r6 hopely change in new year go for black the non abs

    13 September 2008

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Hondasixrr

Hondasixrr says

GSR1000R

Suzuki need to save us from all these over weight street bikes...

Using a GSXR1000 as a base. GSR1000R or B-King1000R. 190kg with 150bhp at the rear wheel.

MSN should put it to a vote to see how many biker would buy one.

15 October 2008 22:33

kiwikeith

User's Badge

kiwikeithsays

onda 1000

For a naked street fighter it must have been in a good paddock as at 217kgs it's a wee porky pig. I would have thought it to be well under the 200kg mark. Looking at the street triple or even its big brother are under the 200kg mark.

Still at least this ones not a photo shop hoax like the 1000cc VFR that had not only me but I imagine a lot of people who read your magazine feeling let down. Just where do you get this information from? Anyway I am looking to replace my Tiger 1050 as I have done 30.000ks on it and the Engine packed up as in needing new pistons, liners and the rest of the drama. I'm gutted, so away it goes with a new engine for someone to run in. I would like a European 1000cc bike naked or dressed up that weighs under 200 kg. anyone got any Ideas?

04 October 2008 10:07

sadbiker

sadbiker says

Great Bike

Swapped my S2R1000 for it, but have had a CB900 which whilst underrated by the Motorcyling Press was a good alrounder. My impressions so far with nearly 1000 miles is a cracking bike, fairly stable and pretty fast from the go. Only issue is the rear end whilst very good looking is not made to handle touring (panniers), R35 rucksack has been purchased. Sitting position is more over the tank which for those not used to can feel strange to start off with but once going becomes normal riding. Brakes feel great, BT15's feel fine so far in the Wet and on Dry roads if you can find any. Have noticed a little more muck appears on the rear end then normal because of the very short rear end. Anyone thinking of buying for 2 up make sure you get your misses to go on a test ride with you, there are already some being sold because peoples other halfs not happy with the it.

21 August 2008 10:24

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