SportRider's CB1000R test - brutally honest...

[atadaskew]

http://www.sportrider.com/bikes/146_1112_2011_honda_cb1000r_full_test/index.html

This is the first test I've read by a US rag that actually criticizes this bike.
I've read similar comments from the Euros but thought that maybe the bike had been 'improved' for the US market.

Basically they love the canyon handling, but are disappointed with the suspension, surging fueling, comfort and higher speed instability.

Some of it would seem to be relatively easy to fix - an aftermarket FI controller, a steering damper, new springs but it still seems to be a bit of a disappointment given the time it has taken this bike to get to the US, and the quality of its competition.

[Rincewind]

 a bit of a disappointment

My feelings on Honda recently, too.  However, I'm glad to see they will still offer this CB in 2012, so it's not just a one-year wonder.  But still there are no color options and no ABS, like a black sheep in the US line-up.  

[jeepinbanditrider]

http://www.sportrider.com/bikes/146_1112_2011_honda_cb1000r_full_test/index.html

This is the first test I've read by a US rag that actually criticizes this bike.
I've read similar comments from the Euros but thought that maybe the bike had been 'improved' for the US market.

Basically they love the canyon handling, but are disappointed with the suspension, surging fueling, comfort and higher speed instability.

Some of it would seem to be relatively easy to fix - an aftermarket FI controller, a steering damper, new springs but it still seems to be a bit of a disappointment given the time it has taken this bike to get to the US, and the quality of its competition.

I'd argue that that's stuff that I shouldn't have to jack with on a brand new bike from the factory.  I shouldn't have to be putting a FI programer on a bike that is fully stock from the factory.

[atadaskew]

The problem I have with the instability issues on the freeway is that it shows something is seriously off with the chassis.  The steering damper fix just masks it.  Most bikes that use steering dampers have them because they are needed for extreme circumstances i.e. track use, where the bike is used near to its maximum capability or extreme road use.
 
Cruising down a freeway is not that.
 
Which makes one think that Honda used such a de-tuned motor (the donor bike it came from made about 30 hp more) because the chassis cannot handle anymore.

[Joey Stalin]

These manufacturers sell sport bikes like hotcakes. Why can't they just fill the market need with a streetfighter version of the same bike? Minimal, minimal investment. Dumb down the fairing to basically a headlight and turn signals. Add bar risers. Drop footpegs a little bit. Voila. You've just added $500 worth of aftermarket parts and created a whole new model. Sure it's not the best naked, but it's ridiculously low investment. You could even sell it as a dealer-added option package. Some people want nakeds to be torque monsters. Well the 06 and newer FZ1 was a "detuned" Yamaha R1 motor and it still makes all of its power up top. And that bike sells pretty well.

[gritsngravy]

I checked this bike out and indeed does look great but for me it  just felt small and compact for my  large 6 ft frame.   Too bad about some of the reported "problems" that the sportrider crew ran into.    Of course these same experts were whining about windblast at speed on a naked bike so for me their credibility is not all it could be.    Windblast?  On a naked bike?   The horror!   Kudos to Honda for bringing it in despite tough market    conditions and the oh so perfect competition out there.        

[atadaskew]

I checked this bike out and indeed does look great but for me it  just felt small and compact for my  large 6 ft frame.   Too bad about some of the reported "problems" that the sportrider crew ran into.    Of course these same experts were whining about windblast at speed on a naked bike so for me their credibility is not all it could be.    Windblast?  On a naked bike?   The horror!   Kudos to Honda for bringing it in despite tough market    conditions and the oh so perfect competition out there.        

This is what they said about the wind blast, which does not seem like an unreasonable statement:

Wind protection is on par with most of the other naked bikes we have tested this year. The feel when confronted with extreme headwinds is best compared to that of the Yamaha FZ8, which features a similar triangulated headlight. At cruising speeds especially, the windblasts emanating off the front cowl are manageable, but it becomes a chore to hang on once speeds creep past the 75 mph mark

The actual problems about instability, surging motor etc are very real and unacceptable .

[gritsngravy]

This is what they said about the wind blast, which does not seem like an unreasonable statement:



The actual problems about instability, surging motor etc are very real and unacceptable .

Good god man no one is disputing their "findings" as being false,  my point is that naked bikes are, well, naked as in no wind protection.   To comment about wind protection or the lack of seems idiotic to me when discussing a naked bike.         Saying it's hard to hold on at 75mph + on a naked bike just seems a bit lame to me, what the hell did they expect out of a non faired machine?   I guess those "sport riders" would probably go into a fetal tuck and piss their pants if they had to ride a 70's era UJM on the freeway!  

[atadaskew]

Actually wind blast is not equal on all naked bikes.

The way it effects you depends on riding position (feet forward vs under you), handlebar width and height, and the shape of the headlight.
A bike that has a bigger, curved headlight can provide a semblance of wind diversion over one that has a small headlight.

Case in point - my old Harley Dyna with its mini ape bars, forward foot positioning and small headlight was much harder to ride at 75mph than a Guzzi Griso.  This example provides an exaggerated difference but it does show it exists.
A Harley XR1200 was closer to the Guzzi but still not as 'good' at speed.  An MV Agusta Brutale felt like it had less wind blast than the Griso.  It has a relatively big, curved headlight.

So, it is worth mentioning.  But again, this is the smallest quibble here.  More importantly is the instability, weak suspension and poor fuel injection.  Not to mention it is not even close to its competitors in power output.

[gritsngravy]

 

[falconati]

Wow, that's a lot of attitude for somebody who didn't read the article.  I did, because I have a subscription.  They mentioned instability, not wind blast.  I've owned multiple nakeds, and there's a difference.  They were getting rough air that was disrupting the rider's control of the bike, which is unacceptable.  Other naked models don't have this, so please drop the attitude, read the article, and demo one if you'd like to dispute it.  

[Rogue]

The actual problems about instability, surging motor etc are very real and unacceptable .

I read one comparison test in Cycle World, and then another at Motorcycle-USA.  Neither reported the instability, surging motor isse that SR spoke of.  

[gritsngravy]

Wow, that's a lot of attitude for somebody who didn't read the article.  I did, because I have a subscription.  They mentioned instability, not wind blast.  I've owned multiple nakeds, and there's a difference.  They were getting rough air that was disrupting the rider's control of the bike, which is unacceptable.  Other naked models don't have this, so please drop the attitude, read the article, and demo one if you'd like to dispute it.  

Um....... Ata posted the article in his first post and I did read it..... Ata even quoted what was said about WIND BLAST if you check his subsequent posts which raises the question of who was actually doing the reading.   Not sure about the "attitude" comment I love bantering with Ata, chill & relax man we're talking about what are essentially toys.     Bikes are about fun and BSing on forums with others is just part of it.  

If the cb1000r is an unstable surging mess so be it I own no stock in honda....in 30 years of riding I've owned many makes new and used.    I do agree with Rogues comment and will add the british mags I've read never mentioned anything like the SR article.   As far as riding the cb I would have but for me it wasn't the 'naked'  experience I was looking for.   One ride on a new left over bking at a tasty 5k off msrp  hooked me.   And yes the fueling is fine and its rock solid at all speeds and conditions.