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- We have been waiting for a Hornet 1000 for two years, it is the CB 1000 R that Honda presents in 2008…. model 2009 !
- Discovery
- Contact
- In the city
- Highway
- Departmental
- Braking
- Comfort
- Consumption
- Convenient
- Conclusion
We have been waiting for a Hornet 1000 for two years, it is the CB 1000 R that Honda presents in 2008…. model 2009 !
A real novelty, official replacement for the late Hornet 900, Honda continues the principle of the big roadster: a sports car base – the 2007 CBR 1000 RR – a redesigned engine for more torque at low revs, the resumption of certain aesthetic and technical elements of the roadster family and in particular the Hornet 600 (mono backbone frame) and let’s go. The CB 1000 R is the result of this alchemy, particularly successful aesthetically.
Is the ramage up to the plumage and able to actually launch a model after the limited success of the Hornet 900 ?
Discovery
Compact, cut with a billhook, with a short and profiled rear, we immediately notice the rear single-sided arm with its four-spoke rim, the pot under the engine slightly raised and a specific optic with two superimposed headlights. If the engine is from the 2007 Fireblade, it has been reduced to 127 horsepower compared to the 175 horsepower of the sportswoman..
The passenger seat, without visible handles, is closer to the jump seat than to a real seat. The CB 1000 R automatically displays its selfish values. That said, on closer inspection, two notches under the saddle reveal two invisible handles, well placed and easy to grip. Other brands should be inspired by it.
Honda has made the choice of all digital for the speedometer, with a central tachometer and a red zone at 10,500 rpm. Everything is there: speedometer relegated to the left, totalizer, partial double trip, clock, fuel gauge. It is very beautiful if it is not perfectly readable.
The handlebars fall well under the hands. The position is revealed to be slightly bent, bust forward, arms naturally outstretched. The feet are well placed and partly touch the ground for the 1.70 m rider, thanks to a thin saddle despite its height (827 mm).
The convex tank but not too wide, allows to grip the motorcycle well.
The mirrors are aesthetic, but with short supports, especially highlight the arms.
Contact
A deep sound marks the awakening of the beast. First, the CB 1000 R starts slowly on idle at 20km / h. In fact, the bike even accepts to run on a trickle of gas in 6th gear, on idle at 30 km / h. And it doesn’t even hiccup at the acceleration that follows! In fact, there is no jerk, neither acceleration nor deceleration for an impressive smoothness of the ride and whatever the speed. Impressive and rare in suppleness and smoothness.
In the city
The CB 1000 R excels in the city and seems comfortable at all speeds: from the first capable of going up to 105 km / h (not in town of course) to the sixth where it winds effortlessly at 2,000 rpm. min at 50 km / h.
Its small size and light weight (217 kilos fully loaded) allow it to sneak around easily and effortlessly. The correct turning radius (2.30 m) completes a positive picture. One would expect an unsuitable or difficult monster, but the CB adapts particularly well here with a curled and natural ride, able to fit through the slightest mouse hole. Day to day, its handling is closer to a 600 than a 1000cc.
Highway
The CB 1000 R is moving hard on the motorway. At just 120 km / h at 5,000 rpm, it picks up 25 km / h every 1,000 rpm and never seems to want to stop. In fact, the cervicals are the first to fail. Because the complete lack of protection despite a profiled speedometer in the form of a nose screen does nothing to protect against the wind. And it gets hard from 145 km / h when you are only at 6,000 rpm and very far from the red zone. Moreover, it is enough to open so that the arms lengthen, even on the last report..
Its road holding remains exemplary whatever the speed and not very sensitive to the wind, including sideways. Suddenly, we can really send very big gas. But once again, it is really the necks that bring you to your senses and encourage you to release the right grip, including to wish to quickly return to a normal route..
Departmental
In fact, the CB 1000 R finds with pleasure the departmental. If the engine is flexible at all speeds, it gives a first impulse from 4,000 rpm, then becomes really angry from 7,000 rpm. And when the first pushes without forcing up to 105 km / h and the second up to 140 km / h, in other words, the first gears can be almost violent. Always so easy, the bike sends hard and each turn happens very quickly.
It is then particularly neutral in bends and simply goes where the eye goes, without any particular effort. Worthy heir to the ease of driving of the Hornet 600 but the torque in addition, the CB 1000 R offers the same ease, even docility, with a lot of additional sensations…. without having the character side of some roadsters.
The front axle is particularly precise here. Even slight course corrections in the middle of a curve are carried out willingly and without forcing.
Braking
The rear brake is simply impossible to lock on a dry road, and can therefore crash as much as desired.
The front brake offers excellent feeling and good power for an instinctive and easy feeling. Everything can be dosed very easily, and the radial calipers enclosing two discs of 310 mm in diameter respond instantly..
Comfort
The suspensions are well tuned and smooth out distorted pavements quite well. The saddle is on the other hand firm, even very firm for the pilot.
On the passenger side, things are spoiled: the saddle is just a decorative element where the plastic hides a real board. And even if the handles (hidden under the hull) and the toe clips are well placed, the CB 1000 R is not made to carry anyone, unless you have a sadomasochistic relationship..
Consumption
The 5-stick counter is quite accurate. The first stick disappears from 65km, each following stick disappears after 30 km, allowing it to reach the reserve after 200 km. There is still 50 km of autonomy so, in the average.
Convenient
There is a slight space under the saddle that allows for rain pants and a disc pad, but no more.
Conclusion
The CB 1000 R is a real success on the aesthetic level with a ramage which in the end equals its plumage. Easy to handle, but with all of a "mile", this is a real big fat roadster that will delight riders coming from a 600 and wanting to maintain a certain ease of handling. She lost the temper of the ex. Hornet 900 to mellow without having the heaviness of a bigger roadster (1200/1300 cc). Its low price of 10,300 euros completes a picture for a recent motorcycle, easy and punchy.
Strong points
- Ease of handling / agility
- Engine smoothness
- Braking
Weak points
- Comfort and duo
- wing mirror
Competitors: Aprilia Tuono, BMW K1300R, BMW R1200R, Ducati 1100 Monster, Honda CB 1300, Kawasaki Z 1000, Moto Guzzi 1200 Sport V8, Suzuki
Bandit 1200, Suzuki GSX 1400, Yamaha Fazer 1000, Yamaha XJR 1300
Datasheet
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