Test riding CB1000R

[MentalFacility]

This afternoon I got a phone call from Botany Honda to come and take the new CB1000R for a spin. So I did. I took the bike out for about 2 hours around Witford and Clevedon.
Now, this is all just my opinion and it’s not a review. I haven’t even ridden CB1000R main competitor Speed Triple to even compare what a naked should be.
So the Predator is a very tidy looking bike, it really has to be seen in flesh or you’ll never get the perspective right since it is so small. Looks very futuristic too, but there exhaust is a bit too big, and doesn’t flow with the bike too well. It is not a big issue at all (not nearly as big as ZX10R08), but I think they could have made it smaller. Single sided swing arm is a cool move and ads to the aggressive look of the bike.

Handling wise it’s a gem. I’ve managed to find some dry-weight figures that claim it to be around 204KG dry. So it is heavier then my CBR1000RR but it feels a lot lighter in the terns. I guess the riding geometry has something to do with that. The stock suspension setting was a bit too soft for my taste, but it turned very well, especially through the Clevedon Scenic view route. The handles bars assembly are similar to the once seen on MX bikes, and If u know me, I come from MX school, so I was glad to see these around. CB1000R is a very light turning bike with a lot of feedback from the both tires. The brakes are flawless, as usual with the new bikes.

The only thing I would do to improve the handling is install a steering damper. Under heavy acceleration on the back road the front and the rear seem to lack same direction, so hold on to the steering! Also at high speeds you can’t be too confident either.

Motor comes from 2007 CBR1000RR, and it’s been returned for more torque and more low rpm grunt. Works very smooth, plenty of power almost in any gear at any RPM. It only revs to 10k before the red line though. The exhaust sounds a bit lame, it’s a bit too quiet and doesn’t have “that” note, but I’m sure there are plenty of people who prefect quite exhausts out there. Gear box is perfect. Very smooth ups and downs, light clutch, although I missed the slipper clutch from my Blade, and had to think about stuff I don’t normally think in corners.
The bike was quite comfy to me; the only thing I found destructing is the shape of the pillion seat. The front edge of it will stick in your arse with its geometry if you lean back too much. Other than that it is very good. Haven’t tested the bike with the pillion though...
The clock looks very cool, although it misses a few elements like gear indicator and some fancy welcome bling display.

So in summary:

PROS:
Smooth ass engine with lots of linear torque and power anywhere in the RPM range
Feels feather light
Awesome gear box
Lots of torque and power
Cool clock
Very easy to ride
Comfy
Turns heads with its looks
Honda's fit and finish
Fun and fast

CONS:
No steering damper
No slipper clutch
No Gear indicator (call me whatever you want, but this is the thing I miss too much on my blade)
Relatively lame exhaust sound and looks
Pricy ($19k)

Botany Honda will have their demo till Wednesday. Go ride it!

Cheers to Botany Honda for letting me be one of the first to test the new bike!

PS Some more info on the bike can be found here http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/Honda/honda_cb1000r%2008.htm

[Pussy]

Had a bit of a look at two of them at Energy Honda last week... nice bike

[Big Dave]

Gear indicators annoy me. After an hour on a bike I can feel what gear it's in.

[MentalFacility]

Gear indicators annoy me. After an hour on a bike I can feel what gear it's in.

Each to there own. Ive been riding for almost 13 years now, and I still would prefer to have it on my bike. My blade doesnt have it, and i miss it.

[Big Dave]

Each to there own. Ive been riding for almost 13 years now, and I still would prefer to have it on my bike. My blade doesnt have it, and i miss it.

Indeed - I disagree about the steering damper and slipper clutch too. :-)

[AlBundy]

People who need steering dampers, have a flaw in their riding styles...

Same applies to slipper clutches. They are a good backup for crap downshifts but if you rely on it for road riding, you need to smoothen up...

Only touring bikes should have gear indicators...

[MentalFacility]

People who need steering dampers, have a flaw in their riding styles...

Same applies to slipper clutches. They are a good backup for crap downshifts but if you rely on it for road riding, you need to smoothen up...

Only touring bikes should have gear indicators...

Sometimes the road surface isnt that great... If ur bike is overpowered, it is better to have them on ur side, then ur arse in the air.
Having them would also make it easir to consentrate on the riding fast.

[Big Dave]

There is a good argument for slipper clutches on track bikes.

Not so compelling for one marketed primarily as an urban machine.

[AlBundy]

Sometimes the road surface isnt that great... If ur bike is overpowered, it is better to have them on ur side, then ur arse in the air.
Having them would also make it easir to consentrate on the riding fast.

If you are going to use that as an argument, it's admitting you have no throttle control!

[AlBundy]

Also for steering dampers, most of the trouble there, comes from people hanging onto the bars too tightly.

[MentalFacility]

As for steering dampers, most of the trouble there, comes from people hanging onto the bars too tightly.

Fuking sake, there are blind corners out there with patches and potholes right in the middle.

[short-circuit]

Each to there own. Ive been riding for almost 13 years now, and I still would prefer to have it on my bike. My blade doesnt have it, and i miss it.

Why would you pay $19, 000 for a honduh (108 HP)- Speed Triple wannabe at 204 kgs dry

When you could get the King of the nakeds for another grand with 131 bhp, 189 kg, gear indicator inclusive...as above about the slipper clutch and steering damper (doesn't matter with your front wheel in the air)

[MentalFacility]

Why would you pay $19, 000 for a honduh (108 HP)- Speed Triple wannbe at 204 kgs dry

When you could get the King of the nakeds for another grand with 131 bhp, 189 kg, gear indicator inclusive...as above about the slipper clutch and steering damper (doesn't matter with your front wheel in the air)

Predator actually makes around 124bhp.

As for speed tripple. I never ridden one, I wouldn't know.

[Big Dave]

Short answer is yes I would buy one - I rate the CB1000R very highly - as I do the Speed Triple.

[AlBundy]

I'm NOT going to argue with you...

What I will say, is since you are used to a sportbike, the nakeds will feel very different. Generally it takes a while to get used to the different feel from the front end, due to having less weight on your wrists. Also, they usually have more leverage due to wider bars, so it can make the bike feel twitchy, so it needs a rethink sometimes.

I think I'd probably go for a Trumpet or Z1000 before the Honda. The triple sounds awesome, though I'm not a fan of the headlights and the styling of the Z1000 isn't as out there as the Honda (well, maybe it is actually, lol...).
Each to their own really...

Thanks for the review though...

[short-circuit]

Predator actually makes around 124bhp.

As for speed tripple. I never ridden one, I wouldn't know.

Sorry - stand corrected that was the big old 900 Hornet at 108 hp.

Have you given up on the CBRR?

[R6_kid]

You need to go and ride a Yamaha FZ-1N.

Better yet - a mildy tuned Fazer like what The Stranger has.

[AlBundy]

You need to go and ride a Yamaha FZ-1N.

Better yet - a mildy tuned Fazer like what The Stranger has.

Why?

Does it have a damper and gear indicator?:innocent:

[R6_kid]

Predator actually makes around 124bhp.

As for speed tripple. I never ridden one, I wouldn't know.

Your bum dyno is out then. 124hp is at the crank. It puts out a smidgen under 110hp at the wheel.

There was a good comparo between the FZ1, CB1000R and the Z1000 in the October SuperBikes magazine.

[R6_kid]

Why?

Does it have a damper and gear indicator?:innocent:

No, but then I don't require them. The FZ1 is what the Z1000 and CB1000R should aspire to be more like - a naked bike with a re-tuned superbike engine, not a detuned one.

The engine revs should tell you if you need to be up or down a gear for a given corner.

FWIW The Strangers FZ1 put out around 150hp at the wheel when it was last dynotuned.

[AlBundy]

Your bum dyno is out then. 124hp is at the crank. It puts out a smidgen under 110hp at the wheel.

There was a good comparo between the FZ1, CB1000R and the Z1000 in the October SuperBikes magazine.

And and and? Please enlighten us with the basic reviews... Please...

[R6_kid]

FZ1, CB1000R, Z1000.

In that order. They said the would have marked the FZ1 higher if not for poor wind protection (its a naked FFS). They said all bikes were nice, but the FZ1 took it out. It has a big power advantage over the other two (the Z1000 running a ZX9R motor), as well has having sportier suspension and chassis, making it more capable on the back roads than the other two.

[AlBundy]

FZ1, CB1000R, Z1000.

In that order. They said the would have marked the FZ1 higher if not for poor wind protection (its a naked FFS). They said all bikes were nice, but the FZ1 took it out. It has a big power advantage over the other two (the Z1000 running a ZX9R motor), as well has having sportier suspension and chassis, making it more capable on the back roads than the other two.

Thanks.

Yeah, it is funny how the bikes can never be great, they always find fault. Didn't they complain about lack of midrange when the FZ1's first came out? Or was it strange fuel injection? Can't remember...

Interesting they never had the Triumph in it... Did they say why?

[The Stranger]

Thanks.

Yeah, it is funny how the bikes can never be great, they always find fault. Didn't they complain about lack of midrange when the FZ1's first came out? Or was it strange fuel injection? Can't remember...



Both, and both are easily corrected.
Yamaha took some soft options in crippling the engine which are easily undone.

Later ones are still quiet in the mid range, but the throttle snatch is fixed.

I suspect it is more of a contrast than actually lacking mid range. at 6,500 rpm it's pulling 75hp, at 7,000 rpm it pulls 90hp. It's not like a 600 in the middle.

[Big Dave]

Personally I prefer the Honda to the Yamaha for road use.

[The Stranger]

Personally I prefer the Honda to the Yamaha for road use.

Sure, to each his own and I'm guessing you maybe haven't tried a de-restricted FZ1, but quite frankly I would rather have the extra 30-40hp gift and save some money.

[Big Dave]

Once it's over 120hp the total power makes not a lot difference to me really - it's wicked fast and will lose you your license in first or second gear - no matter which badge - and I go to where it matters infrequently.

How and where it develops the power in the rev and velocity ranges is more important. The Honda hits my spot precisely. low down grunt-wise.

[AlBundy]

That is one thing Honda have done, that's have engines with more midrange than the other bikes...

Maybe not a good example (being race bikes) but it showed at some of the WSB rounds where it would take the Yamaha the whole straight to gain what the Honda pulled out of the corner... One can argue it's better for the street too but then again, a few ft/lbs of trq low down for a few more ponies up top, makes for a different rush...
We won't even mention the Kawi, which is supposed to have a monster of a motor... That said, they did get a few podiums in the States behind Spies and Mladin... BUT, I digress, lol...

[Gremlin]

ah.... so you must have been number 1 on the list... I was number 2, and someone was taking it out for 2 hours on Monday arvo.

Thats ok, my boss and I get it Tuesday night (tonight was due to be crap weather), time for some head to head comparo with the bike it replaced (albeit a modded one).

For me, I didn't think much of the fz1 (it was 08, and stock), I don't like the retuned idea of a sportsbike engine, I think honda did a fantastic job detuning the hornet (just a bit lacklustre around 100kph). Its punchy down low, pulls from 1500 odd rpm (gawd thats low for 900cc) and is super smooth.

The Speed Triple didn't handle well, but the engine is a beaut. I'm hoping Honda do something similar to the CB1000R to what they did with the hornet, but better. I'll know come Wednesday.

[The Stranger]

How and where it develops the power in the rev and velocity ranges is more important.

Again, sure, I agree 100%. Hence I went for the Yamaha.

If I am giving shit, it develops the torque where I want it - from mid rpm on. No good developing high torque at low rpm when you never use low rpm when giving it stick.

Round town or in the wet I am riding it in the low rev range where I don't need high torque, so why bother with having it there?

These characteristics suit me to a tee.
When I change and want peak torque for commuting and wet weather and low torque for giving it shit. I'll probably choose the Honda too.

[MentalFacility]

Sorry - stand corrected that was the big old 900 Hornet at 108 hp.

Have you given up on the CBRR?

Nah i haven't=)

[MentalFacility]

FZ1 is a very cool looking bike too.

I also found a tricked out one on the web.

[R6_kid]

That's a fucked up R6... stay off the crack.


This is a tricked up FZ1... done right. (http://hellforleathermagazine.com/2008/11/yamaha-celebrates-abarths-cent.html)

[Big Dave]

stay off the crack.


That's where the little finger goes silly.

[slowpoke]

I don't like the retuned idea of a sportsbike engine, I think honda did a fantastic job detuning the hornet (just a bit lacklustre around 100kph). Its punchy down low, pulls from 1500 odd rpm (gawd thats low for 900cc) and is super smooth.


What's up with a 'retuned' sportsbike engine? On a naked bike they are hugely understressed but still provide plenty of fun if you are that way inclined.

The "problem" with naked bikes for manufacturers is that they can't gear the thing for 290km/h as per the original fully faired donor bike. As a result it's that much harder to harder to meet emissions and noise reg's: more revs at a given speed means more sound/emissions nasties. Instead they have to lean the fucker out and fit quiet, restrictive airboxes and slow acting secondary throttle butterflies etc which emasculate the bike through the mid range where most emissions testing is carried out.

I reckon a CB1000R or FZ1 would make a great starting point, and with a bit of tinkering a la The Stranger's I reckon they would be awesome real world bikes....but then I never did like "standard".

But why not make your own? An early Fireblade/R1/GSXR/ZXR is cheap as chips and you get a full monty motor, better suspension and can recoup some costs by selling off unwanted panels etc.

[Gremlin]

I think its quite an individual taste thing. Having had a 1L sportsbike (and lost the license) I found it reasonably unusable for most of the time. Try to abuse the throttle, and you're long past the instant license loss point. Most of the time, I was having more fun on the hornet 900.

To me, the nakeds I like aren't a sportsbike without fairings (eg, the fz1). They have relatively low down grunt, but can still fly through the country as they are more usable.

r6 kid was making a difference between re-tuned and de-tuned. Re-tune being the fz1, detuned the hornet. I like the de-tuned idea, and don't need more than 120hp odd.

[Fatjim]

Mate, I'd take the cb over the fz1, just, the Zthou has been getting some really bad press lately.
But why waste your time, get the trippe, or better yet the Tuono. There's good deals on the Tuono at the mo. Or you can wait a little for the cb to be repriced at something more reasonable.

[pritch]

Having them would also make it easir to consentrate on the riding fast.

According to all the tests I've read this is where Honda win hands down. Their bikes do not require you to adapt to the built in eccentricities. They allow riders (of whatever level) to be all they can.

BIKE recently did a comparo: CB1000R, Speed Triple, Tuono, and FZ1.
A similar impression to the above was attributed to the Honda, "You get on with riding and don't worry about me."

Only favourable comments about the steering, and no mention of any need for a steering damper. Nor have I ever seen any mention of this requirement when reading of the Hornet, or felt same when riding it, and both bikes have very similar steering head angle and trail.

One interesting little snippet concerning "retuning", under 5,500 rpm the Predator makes more ponies than a CBR1000RR. And after all that's where the bike will likely spend most of its life. You may disagree, but that must equate to 135kph or thereabout. Legalities aside, on a naked bike that's more than enough wind pressure for anyone to handle for a sustained period.

Then again lads of the WBTYM persuasion may well disagree.

The ultimate choice is very much up to personal taste. BIKE chose the Aprilia (again). My "Lotto bike" would also be the Aprilia. The BIKE "second opinion" chose the Honda, and if I had to actually hand over my money, I probably would too.

[The Stranger]

To me, the nakeds I like aren't a sportsbike without fairings (eg, the fz1). They have relatively low down grunt, but can still fly through the country as they are more usable.


Hmm, according to this chart (http://www.motorcycle.com/gallery/gallery.php?g2_view=largephotos.Largephotos&g2_itemId=12569) my FZ1 develops more torque than the 919 at all points except a couple of brief interludes - at 2,500 rpm and again at 6,500 - just prior to ripping your head off by 7,000.


Was trying to get a comparrison on the CB1000R, but the only charts I could find were at the Akrapovic site and clearly flawed. This (http://www.akrapovic.com/typo3conf/ext/user_products/mod1/uploads/products/akrapovic_slip_on_open_exhaust_system_for_the_hond a_cb_1000_r_2008_/45e0b8f690d032c5ebd47e41b576884a.jpg) simply can't be the same smooth torque bike that Big Dave was referring to. The torque curve looks more like a mountain range.

In a world where HP rules and we have just got 200hp bikes in the quest for the fastest and so many lament the crippled naked that doesn't measure up to the original from which it was derived, we now find 100 - 120 is enough.
Is this the the work of Katman?
Are some riders getting old prematurely?
Oh well you guys would love my XT - 47hp.

[jrandom]

The "problem" with naked bikes for manufacturers is that they can't gear the thing for 290km/h as per the original fully faired donor bike.

I don't see why not. My GSX1400 is geared for 300km/h in sixth at redline. 3,000rpm at 100kph.

Then again, it's a ground-up design (with the engine presumably derivative of all the other big Suzuki aircooled IL4s), not a reskinned sprotbike.

[Insanity_rules]

I threw my leg over a CB1000 at big boys toys, can't wait to take one for a rip. Looked and felt SEXY!

[The Pastor]

if you ask me, any more than 250cc is being gready :D

[R6_kid]

I think its quite an individual taste thing. Having had a 1L sportsbike (and lost the license) I found it reasonably unusable for most of the time. Try to abuse the throttle, and you're long past the instant license loss point. Most of the time, I was having more fun on the hornet 900.

Thats where the FZ1's engine character comes in to play. Apart from the fact that we all know you lack self control, the FZ1 build in 'two stroke kinda way'... below about 7k it's smooth and not really very enchanting. I mean, it moves dont get me wrong... but get over 7k rpm and the engine spins up something mental and you're now playing in superbike territory.

So basically - to keep your licence, or keep the ride flowing nicely for you're good looking pillion, simply keep it below 7k and use the gears accordingly. Wanna fly? - use the revs and it shall deliver. It's equally capable of eating up country roads either way - you're right hand and left foot decide which way you play.

[JDMC]

I rode one this week end. I agree about steering damper & gear indicator. Rest of the bike is great. Good mid range. I'll stick with my CBR 1000rr with fairing.

[slowpoke]

The "problem" with naked bikes for manufacturers is that they can't gear the thing for 290km/h as per the original fully faired donor bike.


I don't see why not. My GSX1400 is geared for 300km/h in sixth at redline. 3,000rpm at 100kph.

Then again, it's a ground-up design (with the engine presumably derivative of all the other big Suzuki aircooled IL4s), not a reskinned sprotbike.

If you gear a naked for 300klicks as per your 14 then you effectively reduce the useable gears by 1. As per my old 916 with it's stratospheric gearing, 6th was more of a theory than an actuality 'cos it was good for fuck all.

I'd prefer to gear it for 250 and have 6 useable gears than 5 gears + an overdrive that wouldn't pull the skin of mum's gravy. That's for any naked with vaguely sporting pretensions anyway, if you prefer more "regal" transport you may prefer something different.

It all comes down to mission statements. Without knowing exactly what the manufacturers have set out to build how can we say it's no good?

[R6_kid]

It all comes down to mission statements. Without knowing exactly what the manufacturers have set out to build how can we say it's no good?

Because, we are the people of KB and we know everything.

[Big Dave]

Because, we are the people of KB and we know everything.


What's with the 'we' ?

[short-circuit]

The Japs should stick to 1 litre screamers - contracting Italians to do the styling for this bike and they come up with a cumbersome cross between a Z1000 and a transformer.

[AllanB]

The best part of the 'old' Hornet 919 was the new cost of $10999.

Try and beat that with a stick.

I can't foresee me having $19k for an 'upgrade'. Period.

Still maybe just a wee test ride.

They are not in Christchurch yet.

Also the name 'Predator' from the global magazines I have seen only NZ is giving it a 'name'. Weird.

[Big Dave]

Can't wait for a burn on the Buell 1125CR transformer. I'm digging the looks now that I have seen it.

Big Davo tron

[short-circuit]

Can't wait for a burn on the Buell 1125CR transformer. I'm digging the looks now that I have seen it.

Big Davo tron

Yeah - even the yanks can do better

[pritch]

Yeah - even the yanks can do better

May I respectfully suggest an urgent visit to an optician??? :innocent:

[short-circuit]

May I respectfully suggest an urgent visit to an optician??? :innocent:

I've learn't never to preach to the indocrinated - but maybe I can save a few others

[jrandom]

If you gear a naked for 300klicks as per your 14 then you effectively reduce the useable gears by 1. As per my old 916 with it's stratospheric gearing, 6th was more of a theory than an actuality 'cos it was good for fuck all.

Your 916 didn't have 80 foot pounds of torque from 3krpm.

:doobey:


an overdrive that wouldn't pull the skin of mum's gravy.

I'm guessing you haven't ridden a GSX1400?


That's for any naked with vaguely sporting pretensions anyway, if you prefer more "regal" transport you may prefer something different.

Well, yes, Betty's pretty regal. Although she still laps Taupo quite happily at mid-pack F3 pace under my unskilled direction, so perhaps you can't go calling her entirely unsporting.

I think a lot of people are a little too hidebound in their thinking about what a motorcycle can or should be.

The new HD XR1200 is a good example of something that might fuck up a few preconceptions.

Same-old same-old bikes get boring after a while eh?

:sunny:

[gijoe1313]

Well the kindly personas at Botany Honda were right bastards to me today. After I dropped off my Big Ol'Hornet for its overdue service (somehow in the week of booking, at 17500km, I end up with 21000km on the clock! :o).

Lo and behold Richard is there looking all cosy like and sitting on the showroom is the Hornet CB600F and Predator CB1000R. A bit of a chinwag and I get tossed the keys to go out and have a bit of a test ride on the 600.

Richard's a bastard like that.

After the usual pleasantries I take it out to the Whitford twisties and back again. My oath, a lot of fun to be had on that middle ol'hornet! :yes: :woohoo:

Handles well, is a completely different beastie after 10k revs and all in all, a very sharp little package. Damn I hate it when they do that to you! After all, they just let you sell the bike to yourself! :rolleyes: Will have to be adding one of these to my Hornet stable.

Anyhow, Zapf and Gremlin rock up after some texting and I decide to tag along and see how the CB1000R rides. Watching Zapf take it down the road, I'm struck at how small it seems from the back! :scratch: But damn, it looks good and usually in biker parlance that translates to riding fun! :shit:

Will be interesting to see Zapf's and Gremlin's opinion on the bike!

I got stuck with a zxr250 as my loaner and got to learn how to ride a 250 all over again! :o Any excuse for a ride I say!

[Gremlin]

The best part of the 'old' Hornet 919 was the new cost of $10999.

Try and beat that with a stick.

I can't foresee me having $19k for an 'upgrade'. Period.
The hornet was nowhere near $11k when it was first released. All Hondas that have a long life cycle get cheaper near the end. Sure, the CB900, brand new, in 07-08 was the best value for money of any bike, but it was more like $15k brand new?

Have had a spin on it, unfortunately, the weather wasn't playing ball, and I wasn't too keen to play with a press bike on roads on a little wet, so testing was restricted to a few minutes on some well chosen roads prior to the rain setting in.

If you haven't ridden a hornet, you probably won't grasp a lot of this, as its quite similar to it, but updated. You have the same low down pull from 2k (maybe lower) and the same restrained feeling when opening the throttle wide (it doesn't seem to open up and get wild).

First impressions sitting on it, there isn't much in front of you. You have the small flash dash, a bit of the tank, and a wheel somewhere. Bars are narrow, but provide enough leverage, should be an ace when splitting. Seating position is quite upright, and forward focussed. You feel tilted towards the front, without it being too uncomfortable. Seat is small, I fill the thing from front to back. You also can't sit on it sideways as you would when stopped chatting. Pillion seat is even smaller. Cunningly, they have tucked cut outs in the body work under the tail, to serve as handholds for the pillions.

Ignore the paper weight figures, as with a lot of new bikes, it hides its weight very well. The bike seems light on its feet, changes direction very easily (one riding it almost rode it into a curb, when it changed direction quicker than anticipated) but this does give way to it sometimes feeling nervous in the front end. I had definite headshake heading into a downhill off camber corner, but then I think its a really soft setup for me. Being a press bike, I'm not sure who has had a go on the suspension, so there could be a factor there.

The bike is well balanced, low speed handling (walking pace) is easy. It will also see 200+ quite easily, said another shocked rider not normally known to see those speeds (I did gently remind him of the existence of laws and "speed limits"). Bar the headshake, it will punt through corners very well, feeling planted, and ready to play.

Braking is superb, and something Honda have definitely improved over the hornet (always felt soft, and not strong enough). It doesn't have a strong tendancy to stand up under braking as the Speed Triple did, good sign if you have woopsies. More than anything, the front digs into the tarmac, the brakes are that strong.

The bike is physically very small, the peg to seat height is shorter than the hornet. I was said to look like I had a bike stuck up my arse, so if you're 6 foot plus, be prepared to look like a giant, but you won't feel uncomfortable. There is also plenty of space under the tank for your knees.

Overall, it is more focussed to the sportsbike range, than simple naked, than the hornet, but still has enough low down pull to not need to constantly change gears. As always, Honda smooth, but it is not quite as practical as the hornet.

Up at 0530 for another head-to-head, hopefully the weather plays ball... lets see. :ride:

[AlBundy]

Well, it seems we owe Mentaldude an apology. Seems this bike is a lively one by all accounts...

[MentalFacility]

The hornet was nowhere near $11k when it was first released. All Hondas that have a long life cycle get cheaper near the end. Sure, the CB900, brand new, in 07-08 was the best value for money of any bike, but it was more like $15k brand new?

Have had a spin on it, unfortunately, the weather wasn't playing ball, and I wasn't too keen to play with a press bike on roads on a little wet, so testing was restricted to a few minutes on some well chosen roads prior to the rain setting in.

If you haven't ridden a hornet, you probably won't grasp a lot of this, as its quite similar to it, but updated. You have the same low down pull from 2k (maybe lower) and the same restrained feeling when opening the throttle wide (it doesn't seem to open up and get wild).

First impressions sitting on it, there isn't much in front of you. You have the small flash dash, a bit of the tank, and a wheel somewhere. Bars are narrow, but provide enough leverage, should be an ace when splitting. Seating position is quite upright, and forward focussed. You feel tilted towards the front, without it being too uncomfortable. Seat is small, I fill the thing from front to back. You also can't sit on it sideways as you would when stopped chatting. Pillion seat is even smaller. Cunningly, they have tucked cut outs in the body work under the tail, to serve as handholds for the pillions.

Ignore the paper weight figures, as with a lot of new bikes, it hides its weight very well. The bike seems light on its feet, changes direction very easily (one riding it almost rode it into a curb, when it changed direction quicker than anticipated) but this does give way to it sometimes feeling nervous in the front end. I had definite headshake heading into a downhill off camber corner, but then I think its a really soft setup for me. Being a press bike, I'm not sure who has had a go on the suspension, so there could be a factor there.

The bike is well balanced, low speed handling (walking pace) is easy. It will also see 200+ quite easily, said another shocked rider not normally known to see those speeds (I did gently remind him of the existence of laws and "speed limits"). Bar the headshake, it will punt through corners very well, feeling planted, and ready to play.

Braking is superb, and something Honda have definitely improved over the hornet (always felt soft, and not strong enough). It doesn't have a strong tendancy to stand up under braking as the Speed Triple did, good sign if you have woopsies. More than anything, the front digs into the tarmac, the brakes are that strong.

The bike is physically very small, the peg to seat height is shorter than the hornet. I was said to look like I had a bike stuck up my arse, so if you're 6 foot plus, be prepared to look like a giant, but you won't feel uncomfortable. There is also plenty of space under the tank for your knees.

Overall, it is more focussed to the sportsbike range, than simple naked, than the hornet, but still has enough low down pull to not need to constantly change gears. As always, Honda smooth, but it is not quite as practical as the hornet.

Up at 0530 for another head-to-head, hopefully the weather plays ball... lets see. :ride:


Totaly agree with u on the sitting position. But i got used to the feeling that there is nothing infront of u on the blade. It has a very short and blind nose too.

[madbikeboy]

Also for steering dampers, most of the trouble there, comes from people hanging onto the bars too tightly.

Really? So steering head angle/rake/trail and road surface make no difference?

Even the most relaxed geometry will shake its head occasionally, depending on road condition. A damper is cheap insurance to ensure things don't get wildly out of shape. Dampers can be used to mask poor design (try riding a TLS / TLR without one).

My GSXR1000 will tend to wiggle occasionally on the road, running across overbanding, poor surfaces, even diesel. I'm pretty sure that I've got a relaxed grip...

[slowpoke]

Your 916 didn't have 80 foot pounds of torque from 3krpm.

:doobey:

Yep, there's no subsitute for cubes

I'm guessing you haven't ridden a GSX1400?

Nooooo, I've got a reputation to think of.....or more to the point I don't wanna get one!

Well, yes, Betty's pretty regal. Although she still laps Taupo quite happily at mid-pack F3 pace under my unskilled direction, so perhaps you can't go calling her entirely unsporting.

If you are doing those sort of times you aren't half as unskilled as I am

I think a lot of people are a little too hidebound in their thinking about what a motorcycle can or should be.

The new HD XR1200 is a good example of something that might fuck up a few preconceptions.

Same-old same-old bikes get boring after a while eh?

:sunny:

Yep, no body is riding the bike but you, so if it does what you want how you want it to, then it's all good.

[Big Dave]

Really? So steering head angle/rake/trail and road surface make no difference?

Even the most relaxed geometry will shake its head occasionally, depending on road condition. A damper is cheap insurance to ensure things don't get wildly out of shape. Dampers can be used to mask poor design (try riding a TLS / TLR without one).

My GSXR1000 will tend to wiggle occasionally on the road, running across overbanding, poor surfaces, even diesel. I'm pretty sure that I've got a relaxed grip...

Hmmm, interesting - I don't test the litre sprotsbikes - so leaving them and their geometry out of the equation - I do test the standards often and I haven't ridden a road bike in the past 3 years where the notion of a steering damper has even entered my head. CB1000R included.

I considered one for my Buell but it turned out it was a faulty tyre and unneccesary.

[Gremlin]

time for an update, after getting up at some ridiculous time that started with a 5 (and I thought it only existed as I was going to sleep at times).

All the previous info from my other post holds true, but after some country riding, you can definitely feel the difference from the 07 cbr engine. While the way it accelerates (building power, restrained feeling etc) are the same as the hornet, the 1000r certainly has more punch throughout the rev range.

The lightness of the bike has all the pros and cons that you would expect. Easy to tip into and out of corners, easy to flick about, but then, it can also feel unsettled and nervous at times.

Who the hell needs a gear indicator? Trundling along at 60 in 6th, it is quite capable of pulling away, no need to chop down a gear unless you want acceleration in spades. You don't need to know what gear you are in, and I didn't find myself hunting for a 7th at any point. Damper... mmm not sure, may or may not need it, depending on how you ride.

Bike certainly looks good standing still, but Honda have sacrificed some of the practicality of the hornet to give a sportier experience. Good luck fitting givi panniers to it... there isn't an arse to speak of, for attaching the racks.

Zapf summed it up best. Evolution rather than Revolution.

The problem for Honda now is, they don't have a large capacity bike in the 10-12k market. Returning bikers have no issue plonking down that kind of cash for a bike, but start thinking twice at 16k (the 600) or 19k (the 1000). Coupled with that, Honda no longer has the vtr and blackbird (obviously no hornet either). The bikes were very capable of selling themselves. Also, shipment of the cb1000r has been cut to NZ, so Honda dealers here aren't going to have a fun christmas holiday period.

[Big Dave]

>>Good luck fitting givi panniers to it...<<

That doesn't need luck - it needs bad taste.

[Big Dave]

http://web.me.com/david_cohen_design/KIWIRIDER/Vault_Index/Entries/2008/10/27_Ridden%3A_CB1000R.html

[Gremlin]

>>Good luck fitting givi panniers to it...<<

That doesn't need luck - it needs bad taste.
:bleh: Some of us like bikes that have a multi-role functionality (that sounded cool... can I be in government?). Whether people love or hate luggage, the hornet could do a lot of things, not all of which the "predator" can do. Since the hornet doesn't exist, and the "predator" is the replacement (whether honda admits that or not) its a factor that should be pointed out, as it could be a crucial element in buying one or not.

And why the hell did some twat try to tag it with the name predator?

edit: nice write up BD... and I know of one for sale, in stock should you plonk down the dough ;) The only one I know of for this year, until more stock arrives.

[Big Dave]

:bleh: Some of us like bikes that have a multi-role functionality (that sounded cool... can I be in government?). Whether people love or hate luggage, the hornet could do a lot of things, not all of which the "predator" can do. Since the hornet doesn't exist, and the "predator" is the replacement (whether honda admits that or not) its a factor that should be pointed out, as it could be a crucial element in buying one of not.

And why the hell did some twat try to tag it with the name predator?

I don't mind the name. And I agree about versatility - that is why I have my tractor - supremely versatile.

This vehicle however will be enhanced by how it is stripped down and sportified and streetied. Bottom pic on the KR link.

[Big Dave]

That's also a valid point about the price gap in the range.

Bandit 1250?

[Swoop]

Also, shipment of the cb1000r has been cut to NZ, so Honda dealers here aren't going to have a fun christmas holiday period.
Exactly the same problem as last year then... Heaps of customers and bugger all sitting on the floor to sell them.

[Gremlin]

That's also a valid point about the price gap in the range.

Bandit 1250?
Last time I checked, thats a Suzuki... I was talking about the Honda range? :rolleyes:

[madbikeboy]

The Blandit is nice enough, and a mate has a shiny new black one, but the CB1000R is so much more...

I'd take the CB over the Hornetto (which are great bikes) and the Blandit.

Of course, when I get old and more senile, I might reconsider. Tui.

[vifferman]

I don't reckon it.
But the red mildly warmed over one in Big the Dave's review looks a bit less naff.

[Big Dave]

Last time I checked, thats a Suzuki... I was talking about the Honda range? :rolleyes:

Extrapolate bwoy, extrapolate.

[discotex]

My GSXR1000 will tend to wiggle occasionally on the road, running across overbanding, poor surfaces, even diesel. I'm pretty sure that I've got a relaxed grip...

Perhaps your relaxed grip is exactly why it doesn't turn into a slapper?

A little head wiggle is normal and to be expected on any bike that can lift the front on the power - steering damper or not.

Geometry/tyres/frame/rider grip will determine how quickly shake dissipates or escalates. If the design is not prone to getting into a slapper and the frame and suspension damp the shake quickly an aftermarket damper won't do much.

Given Honda have added HESD (electronic steering damper) to the blade and the 600rr I can't see them skipping it if it's really needed on the CB1000R. It's not like it's a budget bike where they've trimmed cost is it....

[AllanB]

The problem for Honda now is, they don't have a large capacity bike in the 10-12k market. Returning bikers have no issue plonking down that kind of cash for a bike, but start thinking twice at 16k (the 600) or 19k (the 1000). Coupled with that, Honda no longer has the vtr and blackbird (obviously no hornet either). The bikes were very capable of selling themselves. Also, shipment of the cb1000r has been cut to NZ, so Honda dealers here aren't going to have a fun christmas holiday period.


I agree 100% re price range - my Honda dealer just said we have had it too good in NZ and are now getting realistic prices! Maybe if I wait 4 years or so the new one will have dropped 6-7k!

They are still not in CHCH - bastards in the North Island must have got them all! - I saw a silver one on Trademe last night - looked good in that colour.

Honda do sell the CB1300 - this is the bike they recommend sticking panniers etc on.

[short-circuit]

I agree 100% re price range - my Honda dealer just said we have had it too good in NZ and are now getting realistic prices!

Nah, not buying that old patter, our prices are in line with the rest of the world. He's just trying to soften you up.

Tell your honda dealer "he's dream'n" -and furthermore point out to him that the Predatron is one overpriced piece of crap

[The Stranger]

my Honda dealer just said we have had it too good in NZ and are now getting realistic prices!


You're shitting me!
A Honda dealer said that?
We haven't had it good from Honda for about 10yrs - the time it seems to take them to release a new model.

Blackbird anyone? or perhaps a Firestorm maybe?

[Nutter34]

Well, Suzuki will be laughing with logic like that...

I can't figure out why the nakeds are so expensive, the R&D is mostly already sorted and paid for by the time the nakeds use the bits... With the exception of some stuff.

I used to have a Z1000 and I'd go for a new one in a beat. Couldn't be bothered with Hondas actually... I think a Speed Triple would be my next choice. That said, I do enjoy the convenience of a fairing these days, sitting at speed without any of the wrestling the wind to worry about.

[Zapf]

CB1000R... good bike.

Weights like a feather
Rides like a pixie
Smooth like silk
Twist your arm likes a brute

Finely balanced.

check out what's in this photo.

[boomer]

That's a fucked up R6... stay off the crack.


This is a tricked up FZ1... done right. (http://hellforleathermagazine.com/2008/11/yamaha-celebrates-abarths-cent.html)


im guessing this is the last 'review' he ever does.. well.. until he passes his 6R anyway..!!!

man what a crack up... and Jrandom and his 300kph 1400 winning f3 was the icing on the cake...

Some people are put on this earth to make us smile.. and larf.... boy i larfed! :rofl:

[boomer]

CB1000R... good bike.

Weights like a feather
Rides like a pixie
Smooth like silk
Twist your arm likes a brute

Finely balanced.

check out what's in this photo.
thats rude :p

[Gremlin]

...not exactly a pullitzer prize winning review...

check out what's in this photo.
Well, your review made mine look a little long :yes:

That garage needs more space. Think the landlord will be happy if we throw his stuff out so we can get more bikes in? :devil2: