First test: Honda CB1000R is the bike to beat

MCN Editor Marc Potter has just ridden Honda’s new naked CB1000R on the banks of Lake Como in Italy and to say he is impressed would be putting it mildly.

He said: “The engine is an absolute peach. Honda have put in a detuned 2007 Fireblade engine but given it loads more midrange and the result is one of the best engines fitted to any naked.

• See video of the CB1000R unveiled in Milan here

“The bike will pull in sixth gear in town and give you monstrous acceleration out of tight turns.

“The chassis is agile and quick steering yet it is very stable at motorway speed. This is going to be a hard bike to beat.”

You can read Potski’s full road-test in the April 16 edition of MCN and see video of the test on this site next week.