
HONDA CB1000R (2018 - on) Review

At a glance
Owners' reliability rating: | |
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Annual servicing cost: | £230 |
Power: | 143 bhp |
Seat height: | Medium (32.7 in / 830 mm) |
Weight: | Medium (467 lbs / 212 kg) |
Prices
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesThe new Honda CB1000R doesn't chase super naked glory or go full retro, but by nestling nicely in between they’ve created a fast, slick, beautifully-crafted roadster that’s daringly different with a style of its own. It’s not the naked Blade some might have hoped for but we reckon it’s much better for it.
- Latest news: Honda unveil 2021 Honda CB1000R
- Related: Honda CB1000R long-term test on MCN
- Related: Back to the '80s with Hounda CB1000R-based CB-F Concept
- Related: Best naked motorbikes
This new Honda CB1000R replaces the outgoing model. It's affectionately known as the 'CB thou' by enthu
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: EngineA new single tubular steel backbone frame let the designers keep the bike suitably skinny and there’s new suspension each end: Showa Separate Function Big Piston forks (SFF-BP) up front (with rebound and compression adjustment in the left leg and preload in the right) and a Showa shock with just rebound and preload twiddlers (no compression).
New 10-spoke wheels are shod with wider 190/55 x 17 tyres (up from the old machine’s 180-section). They actually have a racier profile and bigger side footprint than the Blade SP’s 190/50 rubber.
Smaller and squatter than the previous model, the Honda’s riding position is so natural you don’t think about it, there’s enough legroom for taller riders, but bars are slightly narrower than you’d expect from a big naked when you first jump on. The seat is comfier than it looks for a few hours…and then it isn’t.
Steering is ultra light and accurate at all speeds, OE Bridgestone BT-021 tyres have adequate grip and front brakes have lots of feel and power (and if you hammer them really hard the hazard lights come on!). The standard suspension is set for a plush ride, but gets floaty when you push hard and pegs stay nicely away from tarmac at full lean.
Engine
Next up: ReliabilityHappily the Honda goes as well as it looks. The motor is still the same longer-stroke 2006 Fireblade unit from the previous CB1000R, but the redline is up from 10,300rpm to 11,500rpm, power is increased 12bhp to 143bhp and there’s more torque to play with between 6000-8000rpm.
A new ride by wire system replaces the old throttle cables and the motor has Blade SP-style forged pistons, a gas-flowed head, increased valve lift and a higher compression ratio. Throttle bodies are up from 36mm to 44mm and the motor breathes through a new airbox and 4.5kg lighter exhaust. Gear ratios are 4% shorter and the Honda now comes with a light action assist and slip clutch.
All this adds up to an inline four-cylinder motor that’s calm and refined at low revs, but packed with midrange grunt and a fruity top end. The electronic throttle never surges or stutters and for anyone who’s ridden a big inline four, the seamless power delivery will be instantly familiar. Granted it doesn’t have the character of a twin, triple or crossplane crank four, but it growls when you prod it and accelerates hard enough to pull wheelies on demand.
And what a strange twist of fate that of all the over-intrusive modern traction control set-ups around right now, it’s a ‘sensible’ Honda system that lets you play, as well as keeping you safe.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: ValueThere have been no reports of major issues with the previous CB1000R, so don’t expect any nightmares from this new model.
At time of writing we have two Honda CB1000R owners' reviews on MCN. It scores 3.5 stars out of 5 overall, with both owners questioning whether the bike is exciting enough compared with its rivals.
Value vs rivals
Next up: EquipmentThere’s little doubt the Honda has its own unique style, is beautifully built, has perfect performance for the road and just like the ’08 Blade, its looks really grow on you. But when you look at some of its closest rivals it’s not cheap. A Kawasaki Z900RS, Suzuki GSX-S1000, Kawasaki Z1000, base-model BMW S1000R are all less and the Yamaha MT-10 costs the same.
Equipment
The very best thing about the new CB is the way it’s been put together. This is Honda build quality and attention to detail at its magnificent best.
The devil is in the detail and you get the feeling every component was thought through and lovingly chosen by the Japanese engineers: the fresh-from-the-gun deep black gloss paint finish, the brushed ali panelling, red saddle stitching and embossed radiator guard and seat-back logos. The elegant new subframe design features pillion grab handle cut-outs and the funky clocks are a '70s Tomorrow’s World glimpse into the future. That slash-cut exhaust looks and sounds so good there’s no need to go aftermarket.
LED headlights feature old school cooling fins, even though they’re not needed and together with the rear light they’re so thin the snub-nosed bodywork is smaller and more compact. The red sprung Showa shock screams Suzuka 8 Hour factory superbike and everything from the ali single-sided swingarm pivot plates to the engine covers look anything but mass-produced.
Riding modes, that started life on the RC213V-S and trickled down to the new Blade, Gold Wing and Africa Twin, give you the choice of Rain, Standard and Sport settings with ascending levels of power, engine brake and torque control.
There’s also a ‘User’ mode that lets you tailor the electronics to suit and of course ABS. None of the rider aids hinder you on the road, but serve as a silent safety net for when you need them. The CB1000R+ version we’re riding today (has even more silicone implants, offering a crisp, accurate quickshifter and autoblipper, as well as usefully UK-hot five-level heated grips.
Custom Honda CB1000Rs
The CB1000R is a popular bike for those who like to modify their machines. In fact, Honda displayed 12 versions at the Wheels and Waves Festival in 2018.
Specs |
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Engine size | 998cc |
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Engine type | Liquid-cooled, 16v, inline four |
Frame type | Tubular ali spine |
Fuel capacity | 15 litres |
Seat height | 830mm |
Bike weight | 212kg |
Front suspension | 43mm fully-adjustable Showa USD forks |
Rear suspension | Single rear Showa shock, adjustable for preload and rebound damping |
Front brake | 2 x 310mm discs with four-piston radial caliper |
Rear brake | 256mm single disc with single-piston caliper |
Front tyre size | 120/70 x 17 |
Rear tyre size | 190/55 x 17 |
Mpg, costs & insurance |
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Average fuel consumption | - |
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Annual road tax | £93 |
Annual service cost | £230 |
New price | £11,299 |
Used price | £6,900 - £11,000 |
Insurance group |
- How much to insure? |
Warranty term | Two years |
Top speed & performance |
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Max power | 143 bhp |
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Max torque | 77 ft-lb |
Top speed | 150 mph |
1/4 mile acceleration | - |
Tank range | - |
Model history & versions
Model history
2008: CB1000R launched. Features retuned ’06 Blade motor producing 130bhp, a single sided swingarm and funky styling. A fine machine, but lacked soul and performance compared to its rivals.
2018: Revised CB1000R with more power, electronic rider aids, a new chassis, bigger back wheel, new styling and as step up in build quality.
Other versions
CB1000+. Has a quickshifter, heated grips, brushed aluminium front mudguard and rear hugger panels, a fly screen, single seat cowl and radiator grill with CB1000R logo.
Related Honda CB reviews on MCN
Owners' reviews for the HONDA CB1000R (2018 - on)
10 owners have reviewed their HONDA CB1000R (2018 - on) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.
Review your HONDA CB1000R (2018 - on)
Summary of owners' reviews |
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Overall rating: | |
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Ride quality & brakes: | |
Engine: | |
Reliability & build quality: | |
Value vs rivals: | |
Equipment: | |
Annual servicing cost: | £230 |
Version: 'Neo Sport Cafe' - 'Plus' version
Year: 2018
Annual servicing cost: £300
Best: the way it looks (and how I look on it passing a shop window), the engine, the reliability, the build quality. It's fast and, with a replacement shock, the handling can take it. Worst: the seat is too high (unnecessarily so for a street bike, I think), not adjustable - and no low seat options - don't understand why Honda would deliberately limit their market this way, the pointless coloured lights on the dash (after trying all the options, I don't use any of them), the lack of an ambient temperature gauge (would surely cost
The engine is excellent and really takes off at 7k rpm and up. Nevertheless, it is a pussycat in town, especially in Rain mode. It's really easy to switch modes on the go and I've learned to do this a lot depending on riding conditions. Not ideal as a commuter as you get very mucky in rain, and there's no weather protection. So long m-way rides are wearing with the constant wind blast and with no cruise control. It's more for blatting B-roads (which is mostly what I bought it for). As Neevesy says, the seat is comfy until it isn't - usually after 1.5-2 hours. Best of all, this is the only bike I've never dropped (so far!), despite its being a smidge too tall for my perfectly formed legs.
Tried and tested Fireblade RR7 engine. Bomb-proof reliable, super smooth, really powerful over 7k rpm, and it has some 'character', thanks to Honda's tweaking of the power and torque delivery from the original Fireblade version. The only thing that slows this bike down is the rider's tolerance of wind resistance (mine's getting lower as I get older).
Never had an issue with the bike in the 2.5 years I've owned it. Surfaces seem to be standing up to the wear and tear after 18k miles riding in all weathers and all seasons.
Even the 'expensive' 16k-mile service came in at sub £400 so this is not an expensive bike to own.
Love its looks. It looks like a hooligan with its short perky tail, squashed nose and low tank. I've customised it a bit - Evotech rad guard, ASV levers, Oberon bar-end mirrors, paint protection film, Nitron R1 shock, Leo Vince carbon end-can, R&G tail tidy. I replaced the OE tyres immediately after purchase and put Michelin Road 5 on. Sold the OE ones on Ebay. No brainer. Don't understand why Honda put such poor OE tyres on their bikes - it must affect the handling on test rides and put some potential buyers off.
Buying experience: Bought it new in August 2018 when it was a brand new model from a dealer (Crescent Honda, Bursledon) as they were selling it at £1k discount on rrp. Paid £11,500. Excellent service. Real test of a dealer is if they call back when they said they would - Crescent always did. I now use Farnham Honda as they are nearer to home. Also excellent.
Version: CB1000R Plus
Year: 2020
Annual servicing cost: £300
I would rec to a friend. I like Hondas bravery here. It isn't a full retro which is a good thing - the 1970's were a long time ago. It has cafe racer leanings but also has its own design statement. Modern, elegant but taking some of the better design tips from the past. Overall its best feature is the handling. It is a fast Fireblade powered and flickable machine perfect for street carving, filtering, traffic or an enthusiastic blap out on the A and B roads for a 50 mile blast. Just don't try long distance touring without changing the seat!
Handling is sharp and spot on - some say rear shock is poor - I don't get it myself. It works better if you push on through the corners...this seems to get the bike settled as it tracks a line with real precision. Give it a good chance before rushing off for a Hagon or Nitro after market...the OE is probably as good as most riders require . The front big piston showas are really good. My 4 stars is down to only one thing as the brakes are superb - progressive with great feel and very undemanding - NO, it's the seat!! - It chews my arse after about an hour an a half something rotten. I have a VFR and that seat I can be on all day
Lovely thing. Great midrange now Big H have remapped the power curve, and loves the revs. All the best features of an in line 4. I don't get any vibes through my bars. Smooth response from the ride by wire. Fast enough for anyone quite frankly, especially when you combine the sprightly performance with the pin sharp handling. For road riding, especially urban, you can comfortably run with all comers!
Beautifully engineered. Rimless tank, silky quickshifter and auto blipper, elegant single sided swing arm, crafted alloy wheels, aluminium not plastic body parts, etched engine casings, classy tapered tube handle bar, forged pistons, more mid range grunt, superb brakes. No corrosion (but only done low miles). Never failed.
Don't yet know, but Honda build, and made in Japan. Ex Fireblade engine has been around for years with millions of test miles under its pistons so most problems will have been sorted. Also, the Fireblade engine welcomes 'hard revs' so there will difficulty in over doing it on this engine
Auto blipper and quick shifter a work of art. Some say they get a 'fal;se neutral' with the quick shifter between 1st and 2nd - well I was always told not to use the QS between 1 and 2. The OE Bridgestones mine came with are absolutely fine. Trust them...combined with the bikes handling they are good - wet or dry
Buying experience: From a Honda Dealer with £1000 reduction and PCP finance at 0% interest. With 3 grand down it costs me £50 a month! Excellent service from them.
Year: 2019
Annual servicing cost: £180
rear shock is "shocking", pointless if you weigh more than your average Joe. Replace at all costs. other wise everything else is as you would expect from Top of the range Honda
You might great some corrosion under the plastic panel at the front of the tank, remove the plastic and spray with acf50 right off the bat. If you have a tracker, get a trickle charger
only done 5000 odd miles in two years due to lockdown, so will see.
OEM tyres are rubbish, swapped mine for Road 5's from purchase, had no issues.
Buying experience: traded in a CBF1000A, got a great deal, ended up paying £8000, brand new.
Version: Plus
Year: 2020
Annual servicing cost: £250
Great build quality and (in my opinion - one of the best looking current bikes). It loves to rev and is seriously fast. Handling is good, but unlike most reviews, I find it a bit harsh. It's better when you are pushing on. Some come with Bridgestone tyres and others have Dunlop. Apparently it is well worth making sure you have the Bridgestones. They are very good. It is expensive, but the quality and thought that has gone into the design does show, and grows on you. Heated grips and the quick shifter are very welcome. It definitely has soul, whilst being a solid and dependable Honda. Really pleased with it.
A bit firm but very secure. Brakes are excellent. The seat is pretty hard and I'm glad to get off it after 100 miles. There is some space to shift about though. There is some high frequency vibration on the right bar which I hope may reduce over time (or maybe I'll get used to it).
Cracking engine. Honda bombproof and it loves to rev.
Top quality. Nothing has gone wrong and I don't expect it to.
The list price is high, but I got a cracking deal.
Heated grips and the quick shifter are great. I've added an Arrow exhaust, which saves lots of weights and is much smaller - showing off the single sided wheel. Cruise control would be useful (so you can get your right hand away from the vibration occasionally).
Buying experience: Bought from Graftons in Milton Keynes. Top notch shop. It's like a family shop, but very professional.
Version: +
Year: 2018
Annual servicing cost: £300
Best: Great Fireblade RR7 engine - fast, bomb-proof, flexible, sounds great (with my LeoVince can). Quickshifter - buttery and robust. Build quality - it's a Japan-built Honda, so nuff said. Right first time. Looks - subjective I know, but I love how I look on it when passing shop windows. Useful riding modes that really help in real world situations.Worst: Stupid pointless fairy lights - what was Honda thinking?!! No ambient temperature gauge - Honda could fix this for a fiver. Handling spoiled by cheap rear shock - replaced by me with an aftermarket Nitron R1 so now gorgeous. A really mucky bike in the wet, not helped when I switched to a tail tidy plate holder. Not unique to this bike though. It would be nice if manufacturers could find a way of keeping my back clean when it rains. Trigger operates traction control rather than the headlight flasher. I have never wanted to turn off TC on the fly, whereas I tend to use the headlight flasher a lot in ordinary road situations. This is primarily a road bike after all. Rubbishy slippery OE tyres - I wonder how many sales are lost because potential buyers think that scary moment on the test ride was down to the bike. Follow Ducati's lead Honda and put proper rubber on your new bikes. Mirrors that look like centipede antennae and don't work very well anyway. At least offer bar-end mirrors as a cost option. Tank filler - too much splash back means filling up is a pain. Headlight looks pretty but is virtually useless as a means of illuminating the road in front after dark.
Bike is perfect for summer blasts on B roads (but then, which bike isn't?). It's comfy enough for most riding. It's not a long distance tourer - I usually need to fill up at c140 miles and am always glad of the break. I never take a pillion. Fit decent tyres from new and sell the OE crap on Ebay. Also, replace the shock with something better.
Creamy inline four that's got loads of grunt and flexibility. It's a bloody fast bike so the fact that it's a naked bike means that wind resistance keeps me out of jail.
Great build quality. No corrosion so far after 2.5 years and 18k miles. No breakdowns and no part has failed.
Even the 16k valve service wasn't that bad. Service manager told me that they hardly ever need to touch the valves on these bikes. Nothing goes wrong between services. So although the upfront price may look rich versus the rivals, it soon becomes obvious that it's money well spent. Bomb-proof reliability is priceless - especially when you're planning a continental trip.
Favourite features - probably the riding modes, the quickshifter, the brakes. I favour Michelin Road 5 or their predecessors but imagine almost anything will be better than what it comes with as standard.
Buying experience: Bought new from dealer. They had an offer of £1,000 off rrp so I bought the + version for almost the same price as the standard - £12,300 down to £11,300.
Version: +
Year: 2019
Great design with neoclassical appeal. Riding position almost perfect, but saddle comfort could be a little better. This bike handles well, having had a CBR600FS (amazing bike and should Honda would do well to revamp this legend) and a couple of Blades, culminating in the last one you could actually tour, the 954, the CB1000R fees solid, reassuring and a pleasure to ride on the twists and turns, but is equally at home in commuter traffic. My one issue is the amount of false neutrals from the quick-shifter. A Great piece of Honda tech, but from 1st to 2nd, about 50% of the time, there’s a neutral. I’ve taken to using the clutch for that particular gear shift. The downshift works well and you have to remind yourself this isn’t an automatic. There are various power, torque and engine breaking settings and these can also be personalised. The heated grips work brilliantly. My last, personal note is that I am a Bridgestone fan. When researching this bike, prior to purchase, every review, official or otherwise, had the bike shod in Bridgestones. When my bike arrived at the dealer, it had Dunlop’s and old tech Dunlop’s at that. When you part with a significant amount of money for a beautiful new Honda, you don’t expect to have to pay for the right boots to be fitted, rather than the seven year old alternates apparently factory fitted. That said, the bike is a dream, it’s looks amazing, feels amazing and a pleasure to own and ride.
Pillion ???? I’d have the seat cowl off and I’ve told no one but nearest and dearest that there’s a pillion seat.
Quickshifter needs a little improvement between 1st and 2nd.
Only had first service so far.
Buying experience: Good buying experience, apart from the tyres, which I had to pay to rectify.
Version: Neo
Year: 2019
Annual servicing cost: £73
Awesome performance, very well balanced even at low speeds. No self canceling indicators, tyres only good for warmer months
The abs was called into action recently (smidsey at a junction) and worked well although I had thankfully started to slow down when I saw the car racing to the junction, I can ride a good two hours before needing a break and/or petrol, the riding position means you are not leaning on your wrists all day, seat it quite adequate. I do need to get the suspension set up for me as it is a bit too bouncy
No matter what hear you are in it pulls, I love 2nd and 3rd gear and the acceleration for the faster rides but you could quite easily leave it in 5th or 6th, I also like the engine braking especially in 2nd gear on twisties.
Not had any problems at all
Just paid £73 for annual service at Kent motorcycles. The bike feels like it is in sports mode after the service even though the setting is in standard, very pleased. Decent rear tyre will cost £180 and £120 for the front
I would have expected heated grips on a new U.K. bike and self cancelling indicators, I have fitted a Givi rear rack but it spoilt the lines but unfortunately I need it, I also fitting a puig light smoke screen that looks good and really helps with wind pressure once you get over 80, and have just fitted Michelin pilot 5's as I am an all year round rider
Buying experience: I bought my bike from Kent motorcycles, they gave me a great trade in my Cb650fa along with dealer discounts I paid about £10,500 on 0%
Version: plus
Year: 2019
The Bike looks and rides the business
on the road the bike is amazing, im 14 stone and the suspension is far from harsh and gives good feeling braking in and accelerating out of corners.
this underpowered naked honda? acceleration is where you need it on the road to think about overtaking is to overtake, standard mode smooth through all the gears.
realy too soon to tell, but secondhand bike picked up in excellent condition. no problem with the paint finish as some seem to have, slight niggle the seat cowl is so high the previous owner and myself are scratching it getting on and off.
again too soon to tell
dealer fitted new tyres (after only 1800miles ) and also have the aftermarket slip on, so all good.
Buying experience: excellent Derby Honda dealer
Version: Plus model
Year: 2019
Annual servicing cost: £180
Lovely all round bike with some finish issues
The suspension Honda have set a few notches off dead soft, so a lot of people are replacing rear shocks, this appears to mainly be larger riders, i have had my suspension set up and its much more planted and useable! The brakes appear sharp and give plenty of stopping power!
Despite the CAT being in place i find the power more than enough and midrange is good fun,the front wheel often pops up and skips about under acceleration and with the right rider will wheelie no problem.
i have given the bike the rating i have due to the many issues the bike has shown over the months,not just from myself but from the many owners worldwide who voiced these views on owners groups. 1st example the riders seat appears to have rips in, this im told is how they are produced and the stitching is incomplete leaving you with "gaps" either side of the rear where it bolts on. secondly in my case is the rust forming around the welds, this appears on the top of the tank where the shrouds bolt in and on the back of the tank where the front seat sits and also at the front inside of the tank, the paint finish even though im assured by honda is an adequate finish considering the euro friendly paint/clearcoat is shocking, after being aware the paint was soft i avoided contact where possible but after light buffing/cleaning and a little polish it is left looking like i have used wire wool on it and the rainbow looking micro scratches show through big time.I have had my tank and seat replaced under warranty ,the new tank is scratched beyond belief and the rust i am in no doubt will appear again..Other owners suffer condensation in the display to the point they have had them replaced,failing peeling paint around the sump bolt is another issue, so in short Honda have really dropped the ball on finish!
Has to be the quickshifter/blipper,i owned a 2017 fireblade prior which i added this too and it was a delight, and the heated grips on the plus model work well for what they are!
Buying experience: I speak to Honda dealer in Blackpool on facebook and a good deal was offered in p/x for the fireblade so no dramas
Version: Standard (not the +version)
Year: 2018
I came into possession rather by accident as I traded in my GSX-S1000F due to high milage. As there was nothing else modern and quite fast available, I went for the CB1000R. I have a hard time to name what the CB does better than the GSX-S... I guess only the brakes and the front-fork.
The strong suit of this bike are the brakes and (with a few turns toward hard on the rear-damper) the suspension.
Could be stronger - especially in the middle of the rev-range you feel a torque-plunge that really goes on your nerves. Sixth gear uphill around 6 - 7000 rpm it nearly stagnates. I have installed a Shark Track Raw Slip-on exhaust with claims to bring 4 additional hp. I wreck my brain why they did not use the SC59 engine as basis - so much more expensive?
The core-virtues of Honda are still well made - very smooth engine and everything seems well crafted and engineered. But... all the other japanese producers excel in this catagories as well for years.
As Honda seems not to be able to sell its huge stock, you can get them at a bargain, far under listprice. With 998 ccm you are in any case in the 749 to 999 ccm-range - due to a bit lower horsepower it is a few Euros cheaper than my previous GSX-S. The fuel-economy is on average - I neet 5,66 l to 100 kilometers on very low-rev-pace. I was used to 5 l straight with the Suzi and a bit more punch through the rev-range.
First thing you need to install is something against the wind as soon as you go over urban-riding, onto country roads or tours. I was pondering a long time what will not worsen the looks of the already not so sharp front with the round headlight and reduce wind-pressure. I chose the Puig 3133F eventually. The traction-control is very different to the GSX-S - I was used to have power on full and traction on highest (safest) setting. Worked perfectly on the GSX - you never had the feeling you are hindered but super safe and fast. The same setting on the CB frustates you as it brutally slowes you down - somehow unnecessarily overzealous. Strangely when going uphill fast through corners in high gear it also brings you down although the wheel are most likely not to spin... somehow as the lean-angle and corner speed sets off the traction control. Then I went down to two bars in the User-mode - same. Then I went down to only one bar left for traction-control. Now it is not as intrusive as to slow you down but I am a bit anxious what happens when I accelerate fully and lose grip... how fast it will engage and prevent a crash. I tested this setting on a gravel parking-area - it does work at least there. ABS is excellent front and rear.