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Unfortunately, for the 46th consecutive year, I didn't make it to the Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race to see Honda take its fourth consecutive win with Takumi Takhashi and Johann Zarco putting in a heroic two-man effort against the three-rider teams. That means I also wasn't there to see the other Honda news.
What Honda news, you ask? The Japanese manufacturers often use Suzuka as a stage to show off some of their more interesting creations. Last year, it was Kawasaki with a hydrogen-powered motorcycle. This year, Honda followed through with not one but three examples of its classically styled CB1000F concept bike shown earlier this year. And these look very much like production models.
Even though I wasn't there, several YouTubers were, so we have videos showing off the CB1000F. Following the original concept displayed in Japan back in the spring, Honda showed two versions in three color schemes at Suzuka: the original, with the bare, round headlight and an upspec SE version with a small fairing. Color choices were silver-and-blue, silver-and-gray, and black with red stripes.
Looks are subjective and count for a lot in this category, but to my eye, the CB1000F is a pretty handsome package. To avoid offending those who think "retro" should only be applied to faithful copies of the past, let's just say the CB1000F has classic styling. It clearly draws from the 1983 CB1100F I had a chance to ride two years ago. But don't expect twin rear shocks and round gauges with needles sweeping around. This is not a replica.
The CB1000F is based on the same platform as the CB1000 Hornet SP I test rode in June and it also gets the TFT display from the Hornet. When I rode the Triumph Speed Twin 1200 last year, some of the testers and some of the readers, after my story came out, complained about Triumph not using analog gauges instead of a digital display. Triumph's response is that its Bonneville is for rider who want a motorcycle faithful to the original, while the Speed Twin is for riders who want classic styling but modern performance. The CB1000F clearly falls into that latter category, as well. For me, I like the modern touches mixed with the throwback looks. For others, it's a deal-breaker.
Unlike most concept bikes, the CB1000Fs at Suzuka sported turn signals, license-plate carriers, and other obligatory bits you don't see on bikes made purely for display at a show. That tells me these are close to production and will likely be officially announced later this year.
Which leaves only the questions of what they'll cost and where they'll be available. Honda took its time bringing some of its other models, like the Hornets, to the U.S. market. I don't think we'll have to wait long to find out whether U.S. retro fans will be rewarded with another choice or frustrated and forced to wait longer.
See two of the videos from Suzuka below for a better look at the CB1000F.
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