All Tests – Less wise than its image – Used HONDA

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Less wise than his image

All Tests - Less wise than its image - Used HONDA

Presented at the Paris Motor Show last September, the CBF 1000 is intriguing because the line, the cycle part and the peaceful philosophy of Honda’s new semi-streamlined roadster contrast with the engine block of the CBR1000RR which equips it … Angel or demon ?

The highlight of the 2006 Honda novelties (read), the CBF 1000 completes the range of CBFs and stands out from the big roadsters currently available on the market.

At Honda, the leitmotif "Just fit"in fact consists in identifying the needs and desires of potential buyers. Thus, according to studies carried out by the Japanese manufacturer, bikers wishing to replace their first motorcycle are primarily looking for a motorcycle"Just for fun".

The mission of the CBF 1000 is therefore to provide these buyers with five characteristics which constitute – according to the world number one – the essence of "Fun": ease of use, safety, low price, adapted performance and modern and sporty style..

CBF "Ein Tausend"

But the designers of the Japanese brand may not have the same sense of sportiness as the majority of bikers … Neither ugly nor beautiful – according to tastes – the CBF goes everywhere. While roadsters with a sharp or even aggressive look achieve the best sales in France, Honda offers the French biker a motorcycle with a design all that is most agreed and wise.

"To the French biker"? In fact, not really … Brands are experiencing uneven success in European markets which leads to different policies. Yamaha, the leading manufacturer in France for all engine sizes combined, thus pays particular attention to our market while Honda, which trustees the first places among the majority of our European neighbors, further neglects France to the benefit of our German neighbors. !

Where does this new CBF 1000 – the 600 go very hard across the Rhine – with a discreet look, classic colors – dull? – and more oriented towards comfort and "tourism" rather than pure looks and performance. "And again, fortunately the countries of the south – France in the lead – obtained the orange color", says Bruno Chemin, head of communications at Honda..

Unavailable in Germany, this warm color and a few accessories – crankcase trim, carbon-look parts, single-seater backsplash – boost a motorcycle that aesthetically sins by its lack of originality and … "Fun".

Complete and welcoming

Beyond these aesthetic considerations which ultimately remain subjective, we appreciate that the CBF 1000 offers several settings: the handlebars and the screen have two positions and the saddle three.

We just regret, as was already the case on the Deauville (read), that the manipulations take too long and require a key.

The instrument panel is complete – speedometer, tachometer, two trip meters and a totalizer, clock, fuel gauge and other warning lights – and the controls provide an upright and comfortable driving position, no matter what. sportsmen. Long-legged riders may be hampered by the rear end of the fairing, but positioning slightly back in the saddle will protect their kneecaps..

The passenger has a welcoming saddle – for its category -, wide grab handles and footrests placed low enough to allow him to consider long rides.

A full engine

The sound produced by the engine and its two pots differs from that of the CBR1000RR (read). More subdued, it accentuates the quiet image that the motorcycle has. However, from the first turns of the wheel we realize that the block inherited from the hypersportive has not lost its breath !

In fact, the CBF 1000 is fuller at low and medium revs (compared to the 100 hp version). Japanese engineers have managed to give this ex-horse-eater a softness mixed with vigor that excels on the road..

From 1500 rpm, the four-cylinder drives without flinching the 250 kg (all full facts) of the roadster. Between 2,000 and 5,000 rpm, the engine winds with conviction, allowing you to concentrate on the road – always greasy and dusty around Athens! – rather than on his reports. We realize on this occasion that to guide it, the CBF requires a little more commitment in the direction than some of its cronies.

If the desire comes to accelerate the pace, it suffices to drop one or two reports and the range of 5,000 to 8,000 rev / min tumbles. In the heat of the moment, we still take a quick look at the speedometer … to realize that the speed at which we are moving is also to be reserved for our German neighbors on their portions of free highways. !

Hidden sensations

However, the bubble in the low position does not protect the head or the top of the shoulders, even for busts of average height. And when you pay more attention to it, your hands should be firmly gripped to the handlebars – not just resting on them – because the scenery spins around you at high speed and turns come very quickly. !

The difficulty in perceiving the actual speed achieved is that the engine delivers its horsepower silently and linearly – too much, some might argue. But the ease of handling also has its share of responsibility: even above 8000 rpm, after having suddenly rolled up and then tumbled down, the engine upsets you and the need for landmarks arises..

The sensations are hidden, because the CBF is efficient but not very communicative. And it’s finally when a car appears on the horizon only to find itself a handful of seconds later in the mirrors that the 1000’s performance takes on their full meaning….

Despite everything, this engine is undoubtedly the strong point of the CBF 1000. Under its air of wise road hides a machine capable of propelling you efficiently whatever the speed. The four-cylinder was designed from the outset so as not to exceed 100 horsepower (97.8 hp exactly) and its performance is only better at low and medium speed..

Likewise, the quest for top speed is not a priority on this model, Honda has skilfully adopted a short final report (16×43) in order to favor the times.

Safe and healthy

Be careful not to get caught up in a frantic pace! Even if this motorcycle is not intended specifically for new licenses, it may surprise more than one! In order to avoid breakage, Honda offers the CBS and ABS systems on its "Deluxe" version..

Because if the piloting aids will never replace the vigilance and the application of the pilot, it must be admitted that these systems provide a reassuring sensation on slippery and tricky roads. Billed 600 euros, they entail the replacement of the standard double piston calipers by three piston calipers combined with the rear brake.

Regarding the cycle part, the frame and the suspensions inherited from the CBF 600 and Hornet 900 are up to the task: on good surfaces, the CBF 1000 allows you to attack calmly, as long as you keep in mind that it is also not cut for the track. It is the same for the tires – Michelin Pilot Road -, which make it possible to touch the toe clips and to accelerate hard when exiting a turn, always on condition that the road is clean..

Offered at € 8,900 in the standard version and € 9,500 with ABS-CBS and central stand, the CBF 1000 suffers from being above all designed for a "Nordic" clientele: its "politically correct" design and its "discreet" feel. ” will certainly handicap against the Speed ​​Triple, Z1000 or Fazer that the French appreciate so much … However, its healthy behavior – even playful – and especially its engine deserve to be known !

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