2011 Honda CB1000R - First Look

You first saw it at Milan in 2007. Two years later, E.I.C. Hoyer was forced to travel to the Alps to ride it. In October, 2009, it graced our cover, inside of which we pined for the unattainable Honda. Now for 2011, American Honda has chosen to import it. That’s right, it’s the CB1000R, inheritor of the mantle passed down from the original ’69 CB750K, waxes Honda.

In essence, the CB1000R is an ’07 CBR1000RR four-cylinder reworked to crank out plenty of midrange power and work as a sit-up naked bike for all seasons. Sidedraft 36mm throttle bodies and 11.2:1 compression result in an engine allegedly good for 123 hp and 74 ft.-lb. of torque. Gravity die-cast technology creates a thin-wall mono-backbone aluminum frame that’s strong yet light, claims Honda, and the bike’s distinctive single-sided swingarm is controlled by a single shock with spring preload and rebound-damping adjustability. A fully adjustable 43mm inverted cartridge fork carries the front wheel and radial-mount dual 310mm disc brakes.

Best of all, says Honda, the roomy seating position delivers excellent rider comfort and tremendous versatility for long-distance travel and two-up riding. Hoyer’s reasonably glowing report didn’t disagree: He gave the Honda high marks for its sporty comportment, all-around flexibility and ease of use. For the CB1000R’s sake, now that we’ve already been smitten by the Kawasaki Z1000 (and now the Ninja 1000), you have to hope it won’t be a case of too little too late.

The CB1000R will be available in Pearl Black in spring, 2011, for a price yet to be determined.

|#### SPECIFICATIONSEngine:|liquid-cooled, dohc, four valves per cylinder inline-Four| |Displacement:|998cc| |Bore x Stroke:|75.0 x 56.5mm| |Compression Ratio:|11.2:1| |Fuel System:|fuel injection, four 36mm throttle bodies| |Ignition:|digital transistorized with 3-D mapping| |Transmission:|six-speed| |Final Drive:|#530 O-ring chain| |Rake/Trail:|25.0 deg./3.9 in.| |Front Tire Size:|120/70 ZR17| |Rear Tire Size:|180/55 ZR17| |Wheelbase:|56.9 in.| |Front Suspension/wheel travel:|43mm inverted cartridge fork; adjustable for spring preload, compression damping, rebound damping; 4.7 in. travel| |Rear Suspension/wheel travel:|single gas-charged shock; adjustable for spring preload and rebound damping; 5.0 in. travel| |Front Brakes:|dual 310mm rotors with radial-mount four-piston calipers| |Rear Brakes:|single 256mm rotor| |Seat Height:|32.5 in.| |Fuel Capacity:|4.5 gal.| |Curb Weight:|TBD| |Color:|Pearl Black| |Price:|TBD|