New Honda CBR1000-based nakedbike with integral gas mask

[1KPerDay]

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/06november07_2008_honda_cb1000r.htm

[bizarro]

Honda has well and truly lost it.  

[JamesG]

What do you mean?

Naked big bore bikes are big over there. And the styling is "chic".  Look at its probable competion Z1000(blown out of the water), Tuono, FZ1n, even the Bimotas, Benellis, etc.

[bizarro]

Why would someone anywhere buy that monstrosity when he/she could get a Tuono/Monster/Speed Triple/Brutale/Shiver/ you name it? It makes the other Japanese big bore nakeds look like Boticcellis.

Then again.... beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

[kevin_stevens]

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/06november07_2008_honda_cb1000r.htm

What is with these new Transformer-looking things?  Is this the "pre-crashed" look?  I want to see the comparison between this and the Suzuki B-K Broiler where they crash them into walls at 100mph and see who can tell the difference.  God, that exhaust - Siamese pipes combined with a railgun of some kind.

KeS

[chornbe]

Ya'll need to seriously lighten up and learn to say 'viva la difference'! It's just another bike. Besides, the likelihood of it coming to the states is pretty slip. And be-besides... it's a naked. Everyone knows you can't sport-tour on a naked, so it's just not gonna affect anyone here, right?  

Personally... I like it.

[phoenix]

looks cool to me.

[1KPerDay]

I like it too, apart from the gas mask, the muffler, and the yin-yang wheel. Looks like a Z1000, but better (it could hardly be worse). Good for honda for at least building a bike with some personality for once.

It would be way cool in black.

I'd put a 7 or 8-spoke rear on it.

[Rogue]

I like it except for the wheels.  Single-Sided Swingarm baby!  

I'm glad they're putting some bling on their bikes.  You'll never mistake it for a Z1000 that's for sure.  It is also lightyears better than that boring-ass 919!  OMG what boring bike.  

Suzuki Bandit please take note.

[JamesG]

I wonder if an Interceptor rear wheel will bolt on...

Buellish muffler is funky but not anywhere near as bad as the phallus on on the 599.

[steve.ski]

I think it's cool too.

Of course, consider that I DO ride a VFR, after all.

[Rogue]

I like the muffler, just as I like the one on the new CBR1000RR.  Of course, I also ride a Buell.

[Specter]

I Like it!  It looks like another bike from Honda's Italian designers.

[Mookie]

I like it too, apart from the gas mask, the muffler, and the yin-yang wheel. Looks like a Z1000, but better (it could hardly be worse). Good for honda for at least building a bike with some personality for once.

It would be way cool in black.

I'd put a 7 or 8-spoke rear on it.

Totally agree.  The looks are subjective and I find it to be quite ugly but at least it's not boring.  I dig that it's got the single sided swingarm (albeit with a really ugly wheel) and nice forks and brakes.

At least somebody at honda is trying.  

[UFO]

Hmm, I kinda like it.  A bit copy cat-ish.  I see some KTM and Z1000 in there.

Is it neutered?  

Just read this part:  "For now, it appears the CB1000R is a Europe-only model, not available in the U.S. "

Fuck you Honda.  Jesus H. Keeeeeeeeeeerist.

[DogBoy]

As Mookie said. Its a real effort vs. the 919* which always gave me the impression Honda was aiming to fourth or fifth in the big naked class.









* Nothing wrong with the 919, it just didn't shoot for the fences like the ZRX, Z1000 or FZ-1.

[JoelCool]

I like it.  I'd like to see what's behind that plastic looking muffler cover thingie.  The SS Swingarm is a nice touch.

Too bad it's not coming over here though.

[DrMikey]

But is it Art or is it pornography?

Either way, the "wheels by Popeil" have to go.

[scubadoguk]

I like it

[Jes_VFR]

Lets see how I rate it.

Engine 5 out of ten because it could be a v4 instead.
Brakes 7 out of ten, they are Combined and ABS, but neither feature is adjustable.
Suspension 9 out of ten, since I have yet to meet a Honda that doesn't need high rate springs, but they did use a SSSA on the rear.
Desire to own 0 out of twenty; It has questionable styling, with a real lack of interesting color choices, no planned accessories listed and no weather coverage.

So it rates a 21 out of 50 with me, not worth caring if they bring it to the usa.

[Chips]

Umhh... repost: http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,17642.0.html

[Snowbird]

I don't mind the looks of it so much as it appears to be functionally challenged.... like a lot of other products today.

I'd never buy one.

[keepergale]

I think it's great. Bike's like that will make some of the odd looking BMW's look normal.

[atadaskew]

Is it neutered?  

Specs say it has 36mm throttle bodies, while in CBR1000RR application it has 42mm throttle bodies.
So that would be a yes..

[KagA152]

i like it, except the odd looking exhaust.  make a faired version and bring it over here!

[pearsonm]

As if I need further evidence Honda doesn't give a rat's ass about bikes anymore. What a waste of resources.  

[BumbleBee]

Hmm........

[Brad1445]

sexy

[Snowbird]

  make a faired version and bring it over here!

Would that not be the current CBR1000?  

[goodhawk]

I think it'll be over to U.S. in 15 months , and the similar Hornet 600 next March . . . seems like Euro often gets bikes a season early - see BMW 800 : Tri , many models
Looks to me Honda intends it to be 'streetfighter , speed triple type, not the old 919 UJM style. - fully adjust susp. , top brakes, small tank.
  Honda's Hornet 600 gets excel. reviews in Euro , seems Honda does a better job retuning it's sports engines than Yam or Suz.  Just hafta ditch the rad. side covers, or paint black.

[cworley5150]

Wow.  That actually makes my Rockster look sexy.  

Nice effort Honda.  This is one that I don't mind not being sold in the US.  It could be downright dangerous on our roads with all of the other drivers vomiting and distracting their driving and all.  I honestly applaud the effort though.  At least it is something new and different from the ultimately conservative manufacturer.

[Leanintree]

Frighteningly enough, I kinda dig it. It's a knock-off of evry recent production streetfighter, but with a bit more UJM appeal. Taller bars. Bigger headlight. The SS swingarm is neato. Exhaust... hmm... pobodies nerfect. The sidecovers are just to increase sporty looks (hell, half of the other production streetfighters have the same crap and you all like them)  

I LIKE the wheels. They show some imagination at least. Yeah, it's all a subjective thing, but I'm ALL for the manufacturers making additional models out of existing ones. Different missions, different strokes, minimal new engineering. Is having additional models to choose from REALLY that bad a thing?

leanintree

[bizarro]

 "wheels by Popeil"

The wheels are about the only thing on it I actually kind of like.

[Johnny Busa]

I think it looks pretty damn cool.  Of course... I also love rat bikes, bobbers, naked bikes and pretty much anything industrial or mad max looking.  

[Mookie]

If it had hard bags, a full fairing and weighed 400 more pounds I'd be all over it  

[Leanintree]

If it had hard bags, a full fairing and weighed 400 more pounds I'd be all over it  

So... your a BMW rider then?
Leanintree

[JamesG]

That would be THIS bike...  

[jeremy556]

What's with the disco ball under the headlight?  

[Mach VIII]

Wow, you guys are pretty harsh.  I really like it.   More importantly, it's the closest thing to a sign of life I've seen from Honda in a while.  Pretty wild styling, strong components, and a legitimate liter-class naked.  I'll admit that the exhaust is downright fugly and the gas-mask front it a little Storm-Trooperish, but overall I really like it.  I'm SURE there will quickly be some aftermarket exhaust options, so that's no biggie to me (likewise with the B-King).  The paint choices are so-so, but that's fixable too (though the black and silver options are fine really).  The SSSA rawks!

I'd love it if there were an "S" model that had a smallish half-fairing.  Of course Europe already has a 1000 CBR based variant like that (which, of course, we don't get).  Goddamned @!#$$ Honda won't sell it here though I'll bet.

[chornbe]

Frighteningly enough, I kinda dig it. It's a knock-off of evry recent production streetfighter, but with a bit more UJM appeal. Taller bars. Bigger headlight. The SS swingarm is neato. Exhaust... hmm... pobodies nerfect. The sidecovers are just to increase sporty looks (hell, half of the other production streetfighters have the same crap and you all like them)  

I LIKE the wheels. They show some imagination at least. Yeah, it's all a subjective thing, but I'm ALL for the manufacturers making additional models out of existing ones. Different missions, different strokes, minimal new engineering. Is having additional models to choose from REALLY that bad a thing?

leanintree

+1

[highside]

Just look at this thread next time ya'll want to cry about Europe getting all the cool bikes. Everyone wants to turn it into a CBR1000, and thats exactly what we got. Intollerance for "weird" looking machines is why it isn't worth the risk to debut a bike in this country. Much better to sell in Europe first to a public that is more welcoming to diversity in motorcycles then gauge the appeal to the more fickle American consumer for the next release.

[gritsngravy]

Sweet wickedness.  Love it.  

[bizarro]

As if I need further evidence Honda doesn't give a rat's ass about bikes anymore. What a waste of resources.  

Plus a brazillion.  

[chornbe]

Just look at this thread next time ya'll want to cry about Europe getting all the cool bikes. Everyone wants to turn it into a CBR1000, and thats exactly what we got. Intollerance for "weird" looking machines is why it isn't worth the risk to debut a bike in this country. Much better to sell in Europe first to a public that is more welcoming to diversity in motorcycles then gauge the appeal to the more fickle American consumer for the next release.

Bingo. This is kind of a dick-head market for motorcycles. I wouldn't want to be the guy making decisions on what/if to ship stuff here... or even worse, to BUILD here. Unions and strikes and American labor wages (comparitively). Fugg dat!

[dark_isz]

I would ride it! Change is good. Now how about something new with a V4 powerplant, Big H?

[goodhawk]

OK , this isn't the political section - ' unions and strikes and . . .

Somethin against middle / lower mid. Americans making a little $$$ ?

Last 30 years or so, ratio of income, exec. > worker has gone from about 30 - 1 to 300 - 1.
in wrong direction, I would say.

[Dichotomous]

but why did they change the frame from the cbr?  thats neutering right there, take away the incredible handeling of the CBR's and you might as well have it be a z1000 with a honda motor.  its a copy, not a new thought, back to the drawing bored honda (no thats NOT a misspelling)

[chornbe]

OK , this isn't the political section - ' unions and strikes and . . .

Somethin against middle / lower mid. Americans making a little $$$ ?

Last 30 years or so, ratio of income, exec. > worker has gone from about 30 - 1 to 300 - 1.
in wrong direction, I would say.

I'm not arguing any of that, nor do I universally believe that American laborers are overpaid (tho'... well, like you said, this isn't the politics section so I'll stop there).

But if I were a Japanese business exec and had to make that call, there's no way I'd send something new over here right away, and there's no way I'd *choose* to pay American labor rates over domestic labor rates unless there was compelling reason and a well-projected return based on previous experience. This American market is too fickle and too caught up in "American Icon" buying trends.

[bizarro]

Ducati is doing well. Triumph is doing well. They make beautiful bikes that also have big performance. Honda hasn't made anything truly beautiful that also performed well since the RC30 or maybe, maaaaaybe, the early VFs/VFRs. I sincerely hope the Transformer/arachnobot aesthetic goes away sooner rather than later.

[goodhawk]

Again, I give credit to Honda ( daming with faint praise - this is in comparison to the total ZERO in new product we  ( me + more than 1 other on this site) thought Honda was putting out.
Granted, the new Hornet 600 and, even more, this CB 1000 are versions of others - Kawas. Z 1000, Aprilia Tuono -- It looks, by the spec sheet, to be a solid offering - fairly advanced Alum frame ( similar to the new big Kawas. models), fully adjust suspen. etc.

NOW , if Honda actually bit the bullet and put out a NEW VFR, probably not a V 5, that ship has sailed . . . as another site has mentioned - would it have the feature of  'shutting off' select pistons to save fuel at cruising >> on Accords now, I gather.  GM tried maybe 10 years ago, bad attempt. . . . would it be techno fer techno sake, as  seen - VTEC . . .

[VIVID1]

I like it  

[atadaskew]

I like it  

That's it.  Discussion over!

[gritsngravy]

It's hard to believe the negative response this bike is getting.   This bike is a huge leap from the 919 and will more than likely be a strong performer.   Let's see here, a naked bike with real suspension, killer motor, and anything but boring styling, sounds like the bike most folks have been saying Honda would never make.   Style is what you make of it but the specs on this baby leads me to believe it's gonna be a ripper.   I'd love to see this one in the US but the market here is just to lame.

[Nitro]

I like it  

Me too!    Actually looks different than all our plastic wrapped ujm's..

[miles]

Personally, I find it aesthetically "challenging" but it probably is a decent bike.  At least it is an attempt by Honda to step into a segment that they've been letting slip away from them.

That said, I'd never buy it- it's just too damned ugly.

[Steve Smith]

Based solely on the available pics, I'm interested. I ride a slightly "blinged" silver '04 919. Polished & painted wheels, sanded & polished mufflers ( heat shields), sport shield, grips, etc. It's not such a plain Jane anymore and still has enough spunk and good handling to keep me entertained . Except for the tail end of the new one's exhaust and the small circular headlight lens, I really dig it's looks. If it does come here to the states, I'll be checking it out quite closely. It better have enough oomph to dethrone the FZ1 however! My little 919 ran an honest 11.20 @ 123 m.p.h. 1/4 mile run BONE STOCK with me on it. That's not much compared to my '03 XX, but no slug either. If this new one comes in no more than $8,995.00 and has at least 125-130 r.w.h.p. then hmmmmmmmm.

[Baz]

looks similar to a terrier having sex with a football.
 

[Tar Snake]

I like it, especially in this color:

  You guys are a tough crowd

[bizarro]

Looks to me like they tried, unsuccessfully, to out-Benelli Benelli. Result? Half-hearted plasticy fugliness.

[Leanintree]

Looks to me like they tried, unsuccessfully, to out-Benelli Benelli. Result? Half-hearted plasticy fugliness.

Maybe that's whay I like it... Cause i think the Benelli looks like someone was firing scrap plastic and iron out of a potato-gun and kept whatever stuck. At lest this Honda is a bit more integrated. JB weld isn't glue.

Just my $.02 of course (particulairly since I can' afford a new bike right now)

Leanintree

[Mookie]

Now that I see it with a rider I don't think it looks all that bad.  Now if all they did was leave off that stupid clown nose off the front (and change the rear wheel to something slightly attractive) I think it'd look great  

I dig the headers' swoop, like the old school 450's

[silvertwin2003]

I like it boys and girls. :thumbsup:A reasonably "non-dumbed down" standard. I think some American riders have been asking for something like this and I hope Honda will bring it to U.S. shores in a coupla years.  

[Hickey]

I agree that people have been asking for a naked sportbike that isn't a profoundly dumbed down version of a retired generation of repli-racer.  Aprilla has heard the cry and offered the Tuono.  KTM offers the SuperDuke.  And now Honda seems to have offered their interpretation on the theme.

I like it.  In fact I took the time to write a snail mail letter to American Honda to request that the bike be brought here.  I hope a demand for the bike is noticed and that it is brought here in late '08 or early '09.  This is the naked bike that is most likely to tempt me into a purchase.  Bring on the temptation, Honda.  

[Baz]

I actually like it. Thats the 1st time I have said that about any Honda in oh 6 years!