NAKED HONDA’S A GOOD SPORT
Neo Sports Cafe might sound like somewhere you go in your ‘ath-leisure’ wear to watch the football on a large screen while drinking oat-milk lattes. But it’s actually the genre of bike Honda has created to describe its latest CB1000R.
As far as I’m concerned, it’s a big naked sports bike. Think of it as sitting somewhere between a full-on super-naked like KTM’s 1290 Superduke, and something a bit more demure, such as one of the Triumph cafe-racers.
The CB1000 was first introduced 10 years ago but this is surely the best-looking version to date. It oozes style, class and power, but with a hint of 1980s streetfighter attitude.
The excellent build quality and attention to detail is clearly apparent. The brushed aluminium casings and black bodywork beautifully set off the deep, luscious paint on the tank.
There’s an embossed radiator guard, 4-2-1 slash-cut exhaust, red stitching on the seat, and horseshoe LED headlight with old-school cooling fins.
On board, the ride position perfectly combines relaxed and comfortable with a sense of purposefulness.
The inline-four motor is an excellent unit on which the redline has been boosted from 10,300rpm to 11,500rpm from the previous model, and power is up 12bhp to 143.
The bike now features a ride-by-wire system and a light-action assist and slip clutch.
At lower speeds the motor behaves with perfect refinement, there’s tons of midrange oomph and the top-end power is all you’ll ever need. And it’s seamlessly delivered all the way through with a pleasantly throaty growl.
Three ride modes – Rain, Standard and Sport – look after the power, torque and engine braking. There’s also a programmable User mode.
Suspension is via fully adjustable Showa ‘Big Piston’ upside-down forks and an adjustable rear.
This bike is 12kg lighter than the outgoing model and is also slightly lower with a tad longer wheelbase. What that all means is it handles like a dream – smooth, stable and confidence inspiring.
Double 310mm floating discs and four-piston Tokico calipers provide sharp stopping, with ABS if needed – and it even turns on the hazard lights automatically to alert other road users if you brake hard.
The CB1000R may lack the all-out power of some super-nakeds, but the quality, style, attention to detail and refinement of the motor more than make up for that.