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Honda CBF1000 motorcycle review - Riding
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Honda CBF1000 (2006-2009)



Detail Value
New price £5,999
Used price range View Honda CBF1000 bikes for sale to see current asking prices
Engine size 998cc
Power 96.5bhp
Top speed 145mph
Insurance group 14
  MCN ratings Owners' ratings
Overall rating is 5 rating is 4
Engine rating is 5 rating is 4.5
Ride & Handling rating is 4 rating is 4
Equipment rating is 4 rating is 3.5
Quality & Reliability rating is 3 rating is 4
Value rating is 4 rating is 4.5

MCN overall verdict rating is 5

Honda CBF1000: Nice legs, shame about the boat race… The big Honda CBF1000 is one of the unsung heroes of modern motorcycling. Detuned Blade engine, fabulously easy handling and throttle response and great ergonomics make the Honda CBF1000 hooningly enjoyable, yet novice friendly and a great value all-rounder. It's just a shame the Honda CBF1000 looks so dull.

Engine

MCN rating rating is 5
Owners' rating rating is 4.5

06 Fireblade engine is reworked for added midrange (at the expense of top end power) and the result - as demonstrated in the Honda CBF1000 is a blast. The Honda CBF1000 is idiot-proof, flexible, glitch-free, delivers exactly where you want it yet is still 140mph potent if you want it to be.

Ride and Handling

MCN rating rating is 4
Owners' rating rating is 4

Knife through butter stuff. Hondas are often smooth and sweet but the silky Honda CBF1000 takes it to another level. Ride and comfort on the Honda CBF1000 is sublime, and despite seemingly ‘budget grade’ suspension and brakes, handling is precise and with a quality feel too. Sports bike riders will be impressed with the Honda CBF1000's ride.

Equipment

MCN rating rating is 4
Owners' rating rating is 3.5

It may be under £6K new, but the Honda CBF1000 isn’t lacking. There’s comprehensive instrumentation, an adjustable seat and levers, decent half fairing and ABS and luggage kit are available as optional extras if you want to turn your Honda CBF1000 into a real tourer.

Quality and Reliability

MCN rating rating is 3
Owners' rating rating is 4

The Honda CBF1000's suspension, wheels etc may not be cutting edge sportsbike fare and the frame ‘just’ a steel spine type (that alloy side cover is a fake) but it’s all bolted together and finished to Honda’s usual high standards. Nor are there any reliability issues so far with the Honda CBF1000 and, with the engine being a detuned version of the Blade’s, are there likely to be?

Value

MCN rating rating is 4
Owners' rating rating is 4.5

Whichever way you look at it the Honda CBF1000 is a helluva lot of bike for the money. Great superbike derived engine, fine chassis, excellent rider comforts and superb practicality and versatility, all for unbder £6K makes for an almost unbeatable deal. Being a Honda, The Honda CBF1000's residuals should be better than most, too. Find a Honda CBF1000 for sale.

Insurance

Insurance group: 14

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Model History

2006: Honda CBF1000 launched, available in black, blue, green, silver or orange.

Other Versions

Honda CBF1000A: ABS-equipped version of the Honda CBF1000 at a new retail price of £500 extra.

Specifications

Top speed 145mph
1/4-mile acceleration 11.9 secs
Power 96.5bhp
Torque 69ftlb
Weight 220kg
Seat height 795mm
Fuel capacity 19 litres
Average fuel consumption 40mpg
Tank range 145 miles
Insurance group 14
Engine size 998cc
Engine specification 16v transverse four, 6 gears
Frame Steel tube spine
Front suspension adjustment None
Rear suspension adjustment Preload
Front brakes 2 x 296mm discs
Rear brake 240mm disc
Front tyre size 120/70 x 17
Rear tyre size 160/60 x 17

See all Honda CBF1000 motorcycles for sale

Honda
CBF1000

10265 miles

£4,999

Honda
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17000 miles

£4,299

Honda
CBF1000

14500 miles

£6,210

Honda
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3892 miles

£6,299

Honda
CBF1000

11598 miles

£4,949

Owners' Overall Rating rating is 4(28 reviews)

  • Great bike

    peppi1130

    Average rating rating is 4

    Show Details

    Overall
    Ride and Handling
    Equipment
    Quality and Reliabilty
    Value
    Engine

    I have just recently purchased an 06 low mile 1 owner abs model .Cosmetically its got the usual few corroded bolts but overall its in good nick .The bike suits me because its low seat height and comfortable ergonomics allow me to ride pain free ( i have a back injury and a dodgy leg lol) Personally i did not find it to feel or behave like a heavy bike even when moving in slow traffic in town. On the open road it felt very light and flickable and the nice torque curve with faultless fuelling made it fun and interesting to ride .In the real world its got more than enough power .its fitted with pilots which are my favourite rubber and they really suit this bike .I had some fun trying the abs out and i must admit i am a convert .The suspension seams to be well suited to my locally very bad road surfaces ,but i have yet to put this to the test with the mrs and full luggage . The mrs loves the bike for passenger comfort and leg position .The head lights are a bit on the weak side so a hid conversion is on the cards .I actually feel it ticks most of the boxes and i think it will even do a track day or two .

    28 January 2012

  • Excellent All-rounder

    RockytheDog

    Average rating rating is 4.5

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    Overall
    Ride and Handling
    Equipment
    Quality and Reliabilty
    Value
    Engine

    Bought the GT version and have put over 3000 miles on in 6 weeks. The GT looks better than the stock bike and adds practicality with panniers and a full fairing for about £800 more. Engine is smooth and pulls like a steam train. Fuel consumption has averaged 48 despite regularly using all the engine has to offer. Did 600 miles in a day riding to the NW 200 and found the whole journey totally painless using a mix of motorway and fast A and B roads. Handles much better than the previous K7 Bandit 1250 that I had and the comfort and practicality is much better (there is space to store things under the seat and the seat is so comfortable). Also the Top box does not intrude on the pillion seat as per the bandit and the fuel consumption is much better - I get almost another 35 miles out of the same size 19 litre tank. Only criticism is that the Bandit has a slightly more sporty riding position which I preferred. However, the CBF 1000 is the much better machine overall - it's also indecently quick on A roads - feeling much more planted allowing you to change line effortlessly mid corner. Linked ABS is superb and not intrusive at all. In sum - test ride one for at least 50 miles and you will be very tempted if not sold. I looked at the BMW R1200 GS (slow and vibey), Bandit 1250 GT (not as polished overall), Kawasaki 1400 GT (too heavy and frankly overpriced) and as a bike for everyday use and long distance touring the CBF 1000 GT stood head and shoulders above all of them. 3400 miles later I still think I made the right decision - now go look yourself with an open mind.

    27 May 2010

  • Test-ride

    Retiredbiker

    Average rating rating is 2.5

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    Overall
    Ride and Handling
    Equipment
    Quality and Reliabilty
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    Engine

    The reviews are really good and I was recommended to ride it. The mistake I made was to ride it straight after a CBR1000RR Fireblade because that quality experience shows up the CBF and I got off thinking that I am not ready for the pipe and slippers. The ride comfort at slower speeds doesn't match the Blade in fact it feels cheap and the front wheel feels unconnected to the rest of the bike. I am tall (6'2") and got a lot of wind blast above 50 mph. The clocks are tiny and really difficult to read. The handling is fine but I didn't feel connected to the bike. The engine is good as you would expect but the gearbox could be slicker. The CBF is heavy when stationary and at walking speed. it feels like a kit of parts compared to the Blade and is just not involving enough for me. It's just not my cup of tea.

    26 April 2010

  • Try it you may be surprised

    rustyrig

    Average rating rating is 4.5

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    Overall
    Ride and Handling
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    Engine

    Not had the bike too long but did own the 600 for a while, now moved on to the 1000, have enjoyed every minute so far, easy to ride, enough power, great seating position, could do with a slightly bigger screen. really it's so much better than the 600

    04 April 2010

  • Give it a chance

    Anonymous

    Average rating rating is 4.5

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    Ride and Handling
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    Engine

    I have had many bike in the past and this bike puts so many ticks in the right boxs. I have to agree with MCN this is not a good looking bike and Honda could have done more with the design. However as I say give it a chance, this bike fits all, me 5"8 and my mate 6"4, fits all, the pegs are at the right angle not too high not to low and the seat is so comfy. Although this bike feels heavy once on the move you can throw this bike around like the mother-in-law, my bike came with pilot fitted, they feel great in all weather`s The power delivery keeps this bike from feeling dull sometimes you ride slow because traffic tells you so and the cb1000f is just fabulous around town. When you have the opportunity to open up she will go smoothly without the mad panic on the gearbox to get there. Magic. give it a chance.

    14 February 2010

  • you've just gotta try this

    Gorau

    Average rating rating is 4.5

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    Ride and Handling
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    Engine

    I LIVE IN NORTH WALES AND THIS BABY IS KING OF THE BENDS (BEST ON PILOT TYRES). A JOY TO RIDE OFF DUAL CARRIAGEWAYS BUT NOT TOO FLASH. FORGIVING ENOUGH FOR A FIRST BIG BIKE YET A LOT OF FUN FOR SOMEONE WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING. AN AIRHAWK SEAT LETS ME COVER 300+ MILES A DAY. PERFECT BIKE FOR THE GUY RETURNING TO BIKING AFTER SOME YEARS OFF THEM.

    12 January 2010

  • cbf1000 wobble & vibes

    OZZYJULES

    Average rating rating is 4

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    Ride and Handling
    Equipment
    Quality and Reliabilty
    Value
    Engine

    GREAT BIKE, BUT MY BIKE HAS A WOBBLE WHEN YOU SHUT OFF THE THROTTLE FROM 90/100 KPH & ALSO WHILE 40 MINUTES OF RIDING AT CRUISING SPEED MY HAND'S ARE NUMB, HONDA THIS IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH. !! HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THESE 2 PROBLEM,S ? IF SO WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TO FIX THEM. THIS IS HONDA'S ANSWER TO MY PROBLEM'S.... We can advise that all "in-line" 4 cylinder motorcycles will exhibit a small amount of engine vibrations throughout the bike. it is not uncommon for these vibrations to become more noticeable to the rider over a long trip when travelling at a constant speed. SO THAT'S IT FROM HONDA, I HAVE TO PUT UP WITH IT.

    29 August 2009

  • Very good all rounder

    thermick

    Average rating rating is 4.5

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    Overall
    Ride and Handling
    Equipment
    Quality and Reliabilty
    Value
    Engine

    I did 7000 miles in the year that I had one. It was very reliable, with good all round performance. Loads of bottom end grunt made overtaking quick and safe without having to play tunes on the gearbox. I don't agree with MCN's fuel consumption figures I was constantly getting more than 11 miles per litre which gives a potential near 200 miles from the 18 litre tank. I found the weight a bit intimidating when moving the bike around by hand but did not notice the weight when on the move, in fact the handling is very light and easy. Up till now this has been the best bike that I have ever owned. A look at the CBF1000 (Biffer) web site will show you just how contented with this model owners are.

    27 July 2009

  • The best for the price

    JodiSte

    Average rating rating is 4

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    Engine

    The CBF 1000 is definatly one of the best big bikes for the money. Real fun to drive, enough power to feel good and so easy to handle. Well done Honda

    14 July 2009

  • CBF1000

    bellstaffe

    Average rating rating is 4.5

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    Terrific bike. The handling is confidence inspiring and the brakes are as the MCN testers say they are. I tested the ABS for real and it works! I haven't had the problems that cardoc has had except that I think it does vibrate more than I'd like above 5,000 rpm (80mph)but I can live with it and have cruised it at three figure speeds. Acceleration is fantastic. From 2,000 rpm you are slungshot forwards right on up to whatever speed you want to lose your licence at. It is easy to ride in traffic with glitch free fueling and smooth controls. Given the power delivery, it is a Fazer and Bandit beater. I have done 3k on mine and it returns 45-50mpg so that's a comfortable 150-175 miles on a tankful before it runs into reserve. It's a pity you have to haggle for a hugger (it's only a bloody mudguard after all) but I think they look handsome, especially in Pearl Siena Red. The bottom line for me was that I could have had a 4 year old BMW 1150 Adventure for the price of this one new but the acceleration didn't even begin to compare. I think it's the best £6,500 worth of new big bike on the market.

    10 September 2008

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JEFF5330

JEFF5330 says

CBF1000

2500 MILES THE BIKE IS GREAT TO RIDE. HANDLES WELL. GOOD FUEL ECONAMY. BUT THE GEAR LINKAGE HAS GONE VERY STIFF SOMETIMES WONT GO IN GEAR OR COME OUT OF GEAR.TRIP TO DEALERS TOMORROW HOPEFULLY GET IT SORTED.

30 July 2008 18:33

marty31

marty31says

cbf...cracker!

Fantastic bike...handles great, comfy, brakes stop you on a sixpence(abs version)...more power than most will ever need.

Plus will hold its value better than the bandit!

10 March 2008 01:06

Roddas

Roddas says

nice bike but......

everyone says it is a nice bike....

but not sure about the looks....very simple Swing arm,, not cool grafics....

everytime i think about getting one,, I thing i could get a Bandit for less that would do the same job......

05 March 2008 18:24

tiger cub

tiger cubsays

CBF1000 - flawed genius

There's an awful lot to like about this bike. Performance, economy, so easy to ride, comfort,reliability, and great two up. But it could be close to perfect if it gained 20bhp, lost 20kgs, had slightly taller gearing and had better brakes. I'm looking forward to a revised model, hoping some of the minor critisms have been addressed.

26 September 2007 23:59

joequinn

joequinn says

Honda CBF1000 (2006-current)

I can't say that I agree about the looks but after 3500 miles I reckon it is a belter of a bike and at the price, doubly so.

19 March 2007 20:57

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