What to look out for...
Owners and mechanics highlight the weak spots
1 ENGINE/TRANSMISSION True, this engine’s only been out for four years, but even so we’d have expected to hear about a few niggles. But no. James Bennett had a water pump fail at 5000 miles, though that seems to be a one-off: “All fixed under warranty and Honda gave me £100 as a gesture of goodwill. It was a pain at the time (it happened while I was touring the Alps) but it hasn’t really knocked my confidence in the bike.” 2 KEYS When buying a used bike, make sure you get both original keys, along with the original tag which carries the key number and a bar code — you’ll need this to get any replacement keys coded by a dealer. Keep the spare key and tag safe — if you lose them you’re stuffed – the only solution is to change the bike’s ECU, lock set and new keys. Just the new ECU is around £550... 3 HESITATION/FLAT SPOT Some owners complained (or at least mildly grumbled) about a noticeable hesitation off-idle, which caused them to put more throttle on so when the hesitation cleared, the bike lurched forwards. Other owners hadn’t noticed anything at all. There’s some suggestion that cheap supermarket E10 fuel with high levels of ethanol makes the problem worse (try a tank of posh 98 from a branded garage), but it could also be down to improperly balanced throttle bodies. You could also try removing/bypassing the PAIR valve (part of the emissions circuit), which some owners blame for the problem. 4 FINISH Most owners are pretty happy with the general fit and finish, though all-year riders are more likely to report problems with rusting bolts and fixings. There were some reports of paint flaking from the frame as well, but it doesn’t seem to be a common complaint. We suspect that as the bikes get a bit older and on to their third or fourth owners, this is going to become more of an issue. In the meantime, avoid anything that’s tatty - there are plenty of nice ones out there. 5 SUSPENSION It’s built down to a price, and this is where it shows. The forks can be improved with better-quality springs (Öhlins does a couple of options which also give adjustable preload) and
better-quality oil. The rear shock isn’t too bad when new but performance quickly deteriorates. Wemoto supplies a YSS unit that offers adjustable preload and rebound and a far better ride quality – cost is £290.
6 GREASE The CB/CBR’S lack of grease from the factory is no worse than most other modern budget bikes. You’ll be doing yourself a big favour in the long run, though, if you strip and regrease head bearings, swingarm pivots and shock mounts, as well as lever pivots for brakes and clutch. 7 MODIFICATIONS There are a few sensible mods, which most people treat as priorities. A front mudguard extender and rear hugger are a good idea – the first will help keep your engine and radiator clean and the latter, the rear shock and passenger. A taller screen on the R is worthwhile too. Heated grips are popular, and the charging system is easily up to the job. Most owners stick with the standard exhaust, because changing isn’t just a matter of swapping a can – the Akrapovic full system is the favourite option, but at nearly a grand.
One of the most popular mods is an aftermarket gear position indicator. The Healtech unit is reckoned to be best, but many owners prefer cheaper versions, available online. Be aware that none will tell you what gear you’re in while the clutch is pulled in, and they won’t give you a neutral indication either.
Many owners find the standard seat unforgiving for longer rides. Aftermarket alternatives are available or you can get the original modified by a specialist upholsterer. Finally, though the CB/R isn’t hard on chains and sprockets, a chain oiler will double the life of both and save a lot of time and hassle with adjustments — especially as there’s no centrestand and it’s not easy to use paddock stands unless you fit bobbins.
8 ALARMS/IMMOBILISERS/ TRACKERS More complaints about these than anything else. Poor fitting by dealers, draining the battery, immobilising the bike when they shouldn’t, etc. If you must have one, for insurance purposes for example, then our advice is to get it done by a specialist full-time installer who properly understands bike wiring and will use suitable connectors.
“The CB/CBR’S lack of grease is no worse than other bikes”