It wants to go fast!
You can feel the bike challenging you to go fast just sitting on it. Track behaviour does not match RR models of course, but allows slower or more relaxed riders to approach their personal limits more easily. Put another way, you can ride at a certain pace more comfortably that aboard a full-on sport bike, at least up to a point where the extra power, tires and suspension efficiency of the sport bike start to make a real difference and you need the race position. But what a trip on the track for us non-racers.

On the street, the R keeps the same ”Let me at it” attitude, with power, brakes and road holding to match any level of rider.

Overall behaviour is predictable, with controls that produce instant actions, and the nice sit-up position means that some of us are more comfortable when pushing as hard as we feel like, as opposed to working hard all the time just to keep yourself aboard a full-on sportbike.

Good thing that the massive exhaust system is close to the engine where it helps mass centralization, and keep the heat away from the rider. Love that single swingarm and nice alloy wheel. (Photo: Honda)

So do you want one?
If you are looking for a bad-ass attitude bike with Honda quality and reliability, start praying that Big Red decides to bring the CB1000R into Canada next year – or bring in a similar replacement if and when it comes out.

And if you need your jollies right now, look into my pick, the current CBF1000A, a more civilized model in my view, at a lower price for sure, and available today. And remember, all us scribes loved the CBF1000 at the Honda Press event, and as the old Indian saying goes, “A mongoose on the leash is worth two in the bush.”

Plus
Tractable engine that wants to please
Comfortable ergos for those under 90kg.
“In your face” looks

Minus
Maybe the price
Maybe next year