Honda's large-displacement motorcycle lineup expands in 2008 with the introduction of the CBF1000. Sold in Europe for many years now, this newcomer targets a market segment that's increasingly popular in Quebec: standard-type sport bikes.


The Japanese manufacturer is offering a well-designed motorcycle for a specific clientele. Taking advantage of its expertise in the development of sporty touring motorcycles, Honda was able to reproduce all the characteristics of European CBFs. With a compact, rider-friendly size and sportier riding dynamics, the new CBF1000A is sure to please.

Right from the start, engineers were asked to design a large-displacement machine carrying the feel of a medium-displacement one. At first glance, we can say mission accomplished. The 2008 CBF1000 will write another chapter in Honda's North American motorcycling history; this new steed targets riders looking for power, versatility and accessibility.

Engineers also strived to increase the fun factor -- the idea was to design an exciting new bike that would be the least demanding possible. The new CBF1000 seems to be well executed, pleasantly compact and easy to straddle and maintain upright. It inspires confidence at idle, which bodes well for city riding, especially in stop-and-go traffic.

The heart of a champion
The 2008 Honda CBF1000A is powered by a liquid-cooled, inline 4-cylinder engine derived from the big Honda CBR1000 from a couple of years ago. This mill is obviously suited for the road. The powerband has been revised in order to offer more low- and mid-range torque, thereby making accelerations smoother with less shifts. According to engineers, the 1000-cc powerplant feels more neutral and performs with terrific efficiency. The extremely high redline will always remind the rider of the engine's sporty roots.