New CB1000R on the dyno

[Strog]

Hey now, I did not even suggest that!

Of course you didn't.  

I generally agree with most of your thoughts on where Honda has been going over the years. It seems like there's a committee designing their bikes. They pull from two or three different directions and don't seem to quite hit any mark.

When I was a senior in high school, Honda introduced a bike that caught my attention. It was the ST1100. The other bikes at the time didn't seem to quite stack up. From that point on, it seemed like to me that Honda was taking less and less chances and the other manufacturers were taking a few risks here and there.  I'd still like a nice used ST1100 but the ST1300 turns me off.   The VFR1200 seems to take shots at the VFR800 and ST1300 and missing both completely.

The CB1000R (finally back ontopic) seems to be closest to the FZ8. The HP is basically the same but the CB is 11 pounds heavier dry than the FZ ready to go with a full tank of gas (claimed numbers on both).  Despite the compromises on both of these bikes, I'd still like to see some success so we can see some more naked options in the future.  

[atadaskew]

Maybe, ok, I am, superficial but I saw a metallic red CB1000R in Austria.
And that looked so flippin' killer...

[2DFlyer]

Hey now, I did not even suggest that!

All kidding aside, this smacks exactly of the same stuff as when Honda brought out their 919.  Compared to its rivals it was underpowered.
And here we are, again, where Honda brings out a nekkid liter bike that not only weighs 150 lbs more than their own CBr600, but makes the same hp...
Yeah it has more torque butt still..
Why is it that they don't look at what other mfgs are doing in the same class and think that they should kick their butts?
Aprilia's latest V4 Streetfighter is meant to be insane, judging by the eraly test reports.  And it is meant to sticker at $15K.
Yeah, that's more than the Honda, but it provides cutting spec chassis/suspension and motor.

The Honda is just a pretender in this field.  Again.  And again there is absolutely no reason that this should be so.

I'm just wondering now.  It's too late to do the homework, but my car nut brother tells me the 3 series Beemer won't win any spec sheet wars yet the total package provides one of the best driving experiences at it's price point.  So if you adhere to the view that Honda is an engineering company that makes vehicles, might it be they develop their products for the more discriminating enthusiast?  

[atadaskew]

I'm just wondering now.  It's too late to do the homework, but my car nut brother tells me the 3 series Beemer won't win any spec sheet wars yet the total package provides one of the best driving experiences at it's price point.  So if you adhere to the view that Honda is an engineering company that makes vehicles, might it be they develop their products for the more discriminating enthusiast?  

Akshully the 3 series Bimmer w/ sport package (I had a 2006 330i) has fantastic brakes, really great handling.  Better than anything in it's class.

The 335i out now smokes all it's competition with it's turbo motor.  Sub 5 seconds zero-60 etc etc.

I see the point you're trying to make.  But at least for me they lost a sale by watering the product down so much.  Maybe I'm the only one disappointed that with the 1000cc motor it is outperformed by their old 919?

Ya think the Triumph Speed and Street triples would have got the following they have if they had bland motors?  Same market.

Anyway, I'm out of this one.  Nice bike.  Shame about the lack of kick.