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Honda CBR1000F motorcycle review - Riding

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Honda CBR1000F (1987-1997)

Detail	Value
Used price range	View Honda CBR1000F bikes for sale to see current asking prices
Engine size	998cc
Power	135bhp
Top speed	155mph
Insurance group	14

	MCN ratings	Owners' ratings
Overall
Engine
Ride & Handling
Equipment
Quality & Reliability
Value

MCN overall verdict

The sports-touring Honda CBR1000F was always in the shadow of more exciting motorcycles, yet had a decade long production run. It had its good points, such as a comfortable riding position, good build quality - except for early camchain tensioner problems - and respectable handling. But the Honda CBR1000F is so bland it makes Katie Melua look like a brazen rock chick.

MCN rating
Owners' rating

Compared to its contemporary rivals like the Kawasaki ZZ-R1100, or Suzuki GSX-R1100, the Honda CBR1000F lacks real kick-in-the-pants power. It is a deceptively fast motorcycle, but it feels a bit flat somehow and never really gets your pulse racing. Early Honda CBR1000Fs suffered camchain tensioner problems, but there was a Honda recall on them and most were fixed rapidly.

MCN rating
Owners' rating

The Honda CBR1000F's suspension is slightly mushy, especially the non-adjustable front forks and the rear shock tends to get sloppy when the motorcycle is pushed hard, letting the back end bounce around. As a touring motorcycle, the Honda CBR1000F offers a nice, plush ride for two people. As a sports motorcycle it's just too soft, too vague.

MCN rating
Owners' rating

The Honda CBR1000F has a comprehensive dashboard, excellent lights, brakes, comfy saddle, bungee hooks and passenger grab rail. It even has a centrestand - praise the Lord. The Honda CBR1000F is a well thought out package and the later models feel more durable and better finished than the early ones.

MCN rating
Owners' rating

Honda CBR1000Fs can rack up a huge mileage, 60-80K is typical before any serious signs of engine wear. Apart from the suspension getting soggy, the chassis also wears well, so the Honda CBR1000F makes a very good budget touring motorcycle. It's hard to go wrong with `em.

MCN rating
Owners' rating

Most bikers would rather buy a big 80s/90s motorcycle with some soul, some aggression, but there are those who like the sheer quality of the Honda CBR1000F and its understated ability in real world riding situations. If you want a big 1000cc bike, but don't actually want to ride very fast, the Honda CBR1000F is damn near perfect. Find a Honda CBR1000F for sale.

Insurance group: 14

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1987: Honda CBR1000F launched.
1989: Restyled Honda CBR1000F appears, with `bamper damper' crash protection, new bodywork, tweaked engine.
1993: Honda CBR1000F gains a linked braking system (CBS), plus more styling updates. 1997:Honda CBR1000F discontinued.

None

Specifications

Top speed	155mph
1/4-mile acceleration	11.3 secs
Power	135bhp
Torque	66ftlb
Weight	230kg
Seat height	780mm
Fuel capacity	998 litres
Average fuel consumption	40mpg
Tank range	160 miles
Insurance group	14

Engine size	998cc
Engine specification	16v, in line four, 6 gears
Frame	Steel twin beam
Front suspension adjustment	None
Rear suspension adjustment	Preload, rebound, compression
Front brakes	Twin 296mm disc
Rear brake	255mm disc
Front tyre size	120/70 x 17
Rear tyre size	170/60 x 17

See all Honda CBR1000F motorcycles for sale

Honda
CBR1000F

56019 miles

£1,999

Honda
CBR1000F

28123 miles

£2,000

Honda
CBR1000F

42000 miles

£1,800

Honda
CBR1000F

1984 miles

£8,790

Honda
CBR1000F

4613 miles

£9,299

Owners' Overall Rating (4 reviews)

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1996 CBR1000F

MarkShelley

Average rating

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I own 6 bikes and have been riding for over 30 years so I have ridden a few in my time. I bought my CBR1000F last year with 56K on the clock. It is in amazing condition for its mileage and could easily pass for one with 40K less, such is the build quality. The engine has extremely linear power which for a sports tourer is just perfect in my book, particularly if you carry a pillion. Its natural home is on sweeping a roads and motorways as its high speed stability is teh best I have ever experienced and somehow what appears to be quite a low screen results in the best aerodynamics I have experienced with no buffeting to my helmet. I will not be getting a flip screen as it could only make it worse as it is perfect as it is, almost like sitting on a magic carpet. It reminds me very much of a bigger, longer VFR750, which is a good thing!

18 February 2011
G Reg cbr1000f

rod1967

Average rating

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I rode one of these a few years ago and always dreamt of owning one , well that day came true on the 28th of April 09 , I SOLD MY ZXR750 due to wanting something more upright but still with a bit of power , what a dream to ride , I hope to own this for years to come .

29 April 2009
CBR 1000 F-N 1992

fzr_paul

KINGS LYNN , UK

Average rating

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Got this bike last year and i have covered over 3000 miles on it in all weathers without any complaints from. OK this is not an out and out sports bike but it makes an excellent all rounder, riding position is good, suspension is ok if set up properly and will stay with the majority of sports bike if you learn how to ride it properly even 2 up. Will def recommend this for someone who wants a large capacity sports touring motorcycle.

17 April 2009
I dont know any better

scotsman4th

LANARK

Average rating

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Ok, review probably seems a bit high (verging on favouritism)but as the title says, I dont know any better. It seems too good a bike not to have a review so thought I'd put in my tuppence worth. I only passed in March 07 and I'm now on my second one. I find it very comfortable for my size (6ft2) with a ride position that suits me. The 2 I've had have never let me down, were/was cheap and cheerful, handle fine for my experience and the engines Japanese so bullet proof. Again, I haven't the knowledge or experience to know any better, but I'd highly recommend them as a first bike. My 1994 is a lot better than my old 1989 one, lighter (but with less power), it seems to handle better and is building my confidence nicely.

12 February 2008

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total3nz says

no matches

Hi people I own a 1987 cbr1000f black an red model,have owned it since it had 50 thou kms.The clock now reads 260,100. Not bad eh.They were built to last.All I have done is cam chains,as you will all no they were piss poor in that department.Apart from stone chips the paint work and plastic is still pretty good.I run Perralli Sport Demon tyres and seem to get a good milage out of them.I do a lot of riding so want a tyre that i get milage out of them.Just got to be a more careful in the wet. Got to go ,will rite sum more later. Safre riding out there.......

23 February 2011 03:22

zepplin1says

cbr 1000f 89

I got this bike last march,it has been ultra reliable from day one,showing 45000 miles ,my mates call her the titanic,they ride 2@ 3 year old R1s fireblades tuonos, etc, you should see their faces when my old bus goes round the outside on full tilt to pass them on twistys, she will stay up there with the best of them, only problem i have is she scrubs two fronts to one rear,i ride the same way i have always ridden my other bikes ,exup ,gsxr etc, they do two rears to one front, anyone got the same problem?, i love the old bus and would recomend them to anyone

08 January 2011 17:20

MatchieMan1958 says

1991 CBR1000F

I`m 75 years young.& after dropping my K1100LT on my drive,backing it into the Garage (but not dropping the Curry take away) I sold it & found an immaculate 91 but registered 93,CBR1000F in Benneton F1 Colours.it is lighter than the K/LT,easier to move around & goes like stink,The quality is superb,& with only 23000 miles on the clock,will see me out.I LOVE it!!!

18 October 2010 00:06

kevinm6012says

Warp factor 10 Scottie-Aye Aye Captain

This was my first "big" bike and I loved it. Too heavy a brute to be sporty but after riding mediocre 5/600s it was plenty fast for my tastes. When you thought you were doin under 70 you would actually be doin a ton! Sitting in a nice comfy seat , surrounded by acres of deeply painted plastic only Honda could provide. I used to get off it after driving in the rain and most of me would be dry. The fairing was that good. It took you where you wanted to go very quickly and without fuss, in the blink of an eye. Some say suspension was soggy but its not meant to be chucked around country roads. As a fast tourer its the dogs bollocks as its sooo very comfy. They are a total bargain these days too if you can pick up a clean one. Lots of older riders used them so many well looked after examples to be had. Recommended. Beam me up Scottie!

04 February 2010 16:20

KRA27 says

Operation Cheap Tourer

I am a long term Yamaha man who took the piss out of mates with big three-bedroom Hondas but back in 2005 I was about to tour Scotland for a week and found a rented tourer would cost me around £800 (my Yam not good for touring) so 'Operation Cheap Tourer' was born as a challenge. The plan was to spend about the same on something comfy to get me around for a week that then owed me nothing so could almost be discarded into a skip. Found a cleanish black 96 CBR1000FT at a dealer for £1,995 and he took the £800 I offered (it was december) and this thing has now been on 4 tours since and is off to Northern Spain next week (May 09). Big, comfy for two over big distances, good fairing, will take 3 box givis without affecting the handling too much and bulletproof reliable. It's heavy, dated and goes through rear tyres but never gives any trouble. I keep getting tempted by a new BMW K1200/1300S which I could easily afford but the challenge of getting as many holidays as possible out of the old CBR is like a mission. Any idiot can fill out an Ocean Finance loan agreement and get a new tourer but I get more enjoyment out of keeping my trusty old Honda on tour. I suspect I may have it a long time but once it goes, will probably be replaced by a new K1300S.

14 May 2009 10:01