Honda CB 1000R

An inline-four streetbike is truly a thing of beauty. It’s all business, and you never get tired looking at it. Simply put, our CB1000R is the best open-class naked streetfighter we’ve ever produced. It has cutting-edge Neo-Sports Café styling, and a high-revving 998cc four-cylinder engine that’s specially tuned for midrange and top-end power. All in all, the CB1000R is light, powerful, responsive and an absolute blast to ride. So get ready to get noticed, on our 2019 CB1000R.

Honda’s venerable CB1000R sport standard bridges the gap between performance and bare-boned Café Racer inspirations. The model boasts cutting-edge Neo-Sports Café styling, a capable chassis and an advanced electronics package—all characteristics that bolster performance while highlighting the importance of a strong, emotional connection between rider and machine.

Originally introduced in Europe in 2007, the CB1000R has always been designed for versatility through the classic Honda formula of high performance in a naked four-cylinder machine. It embraces retro-inspired design through a compact and aggressive layout, satisfying the needs of a growing audience—customers who desire a motorcycle that performs aptly but also features retro-minimalist looks that inspire emotion.

DESIGN
The CB1000R’s styling deliberately separates it from the naked-bike mainstream, touting a powerful stance and an elevated performance package. The proportions are compact, with a trapezoid silhouette. The minimal overhang of the distinctly styled round headlight and the swingarm-mounted rear mudguard unit (a first for Honda) allow for an extremely short, sculpted aluminum tail unit that incorporates neat, under-slung passenger handholds.

Only six exterior parts are constructed from plastic, the largest being the svelte front mudguard. By contrast, what really makes its presence felt is the use of premium metal finishes throughout, drawing on the long café-racer tradition—parts such as the burnished-aluminum radiator shroud and airbox cover; machined engine cases, cylinder head, and sprocket hub; and flangeless steel fuel tank.

All lighting is LED, and the thin, round headlight employs a horseshoe-shaped light ring, as well as a distinctive two-bar light signature. The rear light is also a semicircular light bar that fills in solid when the brakes are applied. The T-shaped instrument panel integrates into the top triple clamp, minimizing bulk, and the ignition switch is positioned at the front of the fuel tank.

The rider triangle is relaxed, with a natural crouch afforded by the tapered aluminum handlebar. The flangeless fuel tank is broad-shouldered but features distinct cutaways to allow plenty of knee room.

CHASSIS
The CB1000R has a mono-backbone steel frame that uses split-tightening aluminum pivot plates to save weight. Mounted to those plates is a signature single-sided swingarm, which is just 22.6 inches long.

Front suspension is an adjustable Showa Separate Function Fr Fork Big Piston unit (SFF-BP). All of the damping function is contained in one leg for minimal weight, and the fork delivers compliance, comfort, and control across a broad range of riding conditions. The Showa shock has adjustable spring preload, compression damping, and rebound damping.

Dual radial-mount four-piston front calipers bite 310mm floating rotors while the twin-piston rear caliper squeezes a 256mm rear rotor, and two-channel ABS is standard. A 190/55 ZR17 rear tire sits on a 6.0 inch rim, replacing the 180/55 ZR17 from the outgoing model. The front tire is still a 120/70 ZR17.

ENGINE
The CB1000R’s 998cc DOHC four-cylinder engine—which shares its architecture and layout with the previous-generation CBR1000RR super sport bike—provides ample power and torque. Bore and stroke are 75mm x 56.5mm, while compression ratio is 11.6:1 and the pistons are forged (rather than cast), as with the CBR1000RR SP.

The engine has been tuned to deliver its torque with strong character, especially in the 6,000-8,000 rpm range, where it generates an exciting and engaging riding experience. The character is ideal for rapid roll-on acceleration in real-world overtaking conditions. Redline begins at 11,500 rpm, and the rev limiter cuts in at 12,000 rpm.

A 44mm diameter throttle body feeds large-diameter inlet ports. The airbox, ducting, and air filter present a simple, smooth route for airflow into the engine, reducing pressure loss all the way from the outer ducts to the throttle body. The assist/slipper clutch offers light lever pull and helps manage aggressive downshifts.

A 4-2-1 design exhaust system helps the CB1000R’s midrange muscle, and a link pipe joins the two main pipes just before the catalyzers, boosting torque at 5,000 rpm and above. The system is light at just 24.7 pounds, and as engine speed rises past 5,500 rpm, the machine takes on a deep, raw tone.

TECHNOLOGY
Throttle By Wire (TBW) allows the rider various options for utilizing the powerful engine, via three preset riding modes plus 1 USER mode (selected from a switch on the left handlebar).

There are three levels of Engine Power (P), Engine Brake (EB), and Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) available; HSTC can also be switched off.

The three individual riding modes offer different combinations of each parameter.

RAIN mode employs the lowest Power setting, medium EB, and high HSTC. The lower levels of power and torque are focused on the first three gears.

STANDARD mode uses the middle setting for Power, HSTC, and EB. It reduces output a bit in first and second gears and uses a power curve that sits just below that of SPORT mode, with reduced torque at partial throttle openings. It also allows for small rear-wheel slides and the front wheel leaving the ground.

SPORT uses high Power and lowest levels of EB and HSTC to deliver 100% power through all six gears, maximum torque at all throttle positions, and minor intervention from HSTC.

The USER mode allows the rider to choose between the three settings for each parameter and save the setting for future use.

Performance

Inline Four Engine

The CB1000R’s powerful 998cc DOHC four-cylinder engine uses an architecture and layout proven on Honda’s Superbikes. Forged (not cast) pistons make it as strong as it is powerful.

Better Breathing

Every athlete knows you gotta breathe to perform. Compared to earlier engine designs in this class, the 2019 CB1000R gets higher valve lift, larger valves, larger diameter inlet ports, and new combustion-chamber shapes to improve gas flow and offer improved torque in midrange.

Special Gearing

We fit the 2019 CB1000R’s close-ratio six-speed transmission with gearing designed to emphasize the bike’s awesome acceleration. Crack the throttle and you’ll feel it instantly.

Slipper/Assist Clutch

This innovative design hooks up tight to get all the CB1000R’s power to the ground, yet still offers a light pull at the clutch lever. Plus, the slipper design helps mitigate wheel hop during aggressive downshifts and deceleration.

Four-Into-One Exhaust

On a bike like this, the exhaust system can make a critical difference in power. And since it’s so visible, it also makes a critical contribution to the machine’s style. The CB1000R’s four-into-one system boosts torque at 5,000 RPM and above, saves 10 pounds, and provides the CB1000R with a deeper, more raw exhaust note for added character.

Throttle-By-Wire

The CB1000R uses our throttle by wire system. In addition, we’ve given it four riding modes (Standard, Sport, Rain and User). The last one lets you choose between three settings for each parameter, and save the settings.

Honda Selectable Torque Control

A great system that combines the CB1000R’s old-school raw horsepower with a modern power delivery that keeps the bike hooked up and the power flowing under a wide variety of surface conditions.

Huge Rear Tire

In order to get all that engine power to the road, the CB1000R comes with a 190/55 ZR17 rear tire.

Single-Sided Swingarm

The CB1000R features a unique, single-sided swingarm. It’s part of the bike’s excellent handling character, but also contributes a great deal to the way this machine looks.

Powerful Brakes

Dual radial-mount four-piston front calipers bite 310mm floating rotors while the twin-piston rear caliper squeezes a 256mm rear rotor. Plus, front and rear ABS is standard.

Comfort

Open Riding Position

We call it the rider triangle—where your butt hits the seat, where your feet rest on the pegs, and where your hands grip the bar. By opening up the triangle on the CB1000R, you sit up a little straighter, which gives you a higher vantage point. Plus, most riders will find it a little more comfortable, too.

Tapered Handlebar

The wide, tapered-section handlebar sits up high for a more relaxed riding position, making this Neo-Sports Café machine ideal for around-town rides. The bar also transmits excellent feedback for precise steering.

Lean, Light, Strong

At just 467 pounds, the CB1000R is in the welterweight champion class. For an open-class inline four, there’s not an ounce of fat here. That not only helps performance, but contributes to better handling too, and makes the bike more fun to ride just about everywhere.

Handling

Steel Backbone Chassis

The CB1000R features a unique frame design. The main mono-backbone component is steel, and that joins up with split-tightening aluminum pivot plates. You get the basis for excellent handling along with lightweight design.

Showa Front Suspension

Great handling and precise steering demand a premium front suspension. That’s why the CB1000R uses a Showa Separate Function Front Fork Big Piston unit (SFF-BP). It offers both reduced weight, superior rigidity, and excellent overall performance. Plus it offers adjustability for spring preload as well as rebound and compression damping.

Standard ABS

Our front and rear Anti-Lock Braking System (standard on the CB1000R) can be a big help in making controlled stops in less-than-ideal conditions, like on wet pavement or other compromised surfaces.

Style

Flangeless Fuel Tank

Details matter. Case in point: the CB1000R’s fuel tank. We build it without a visible bottom flange. Sure, it takes a little more effort to manufacture, but you get a fuel tank with a clean, custom look that we think is worth it. Plus, the tank is slimmer for an even better fit and lighter feel thanks to its unique shape.

Classic Round Headlight

The CB1000R’s round-styled LED headlight is powerful and bright, and sets the tone for the bike’s no-nonsense Neo-Sports Café streetfighter presence.

Understated Style

Take a close, long look at the details on this bike. The CB1000R sends a subtle message that this is a premium machine. Check out the burnished-aluminum radiator shroud and airbox cover, along with the engine cases, cylinder head, and sprocket hub.

All-LED Lighting Package

The CB1000R features LED lighting through and through. The lights are bright, more compact, lighter, and feature an incredibly long life. And check out the horseshoe-shaped light ring—it brings a modern flare to the bike’s traditional styling.

Rear Splashguard

A first for Honda, and you’re seeing it here. The rear splashguard/fender mounts directly to the swingarm for a fresh, sharp styling touch.

Solid Style

Check out all the steel and aluminum alloy detail on this bike. The metal components send a definite message: the CB1000R is all business.

• Throttle By Wire opens the door to four riding modes (STANDARD, SPORT, RAIN, and USER), as well as Engine Brake and Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC)—technological advances that bridge the gap between performance and café racer inspirations