The Motorcycle That Quietly Defines Modern Classic Motorcycling
With time, motorcycles have become more powerful and more tech-loaded than ever. All these features and technologies allow for a safer and more convenient riding experience. But some buyers want a motorcycle that feels nostalgic and looks old-school, without sacrificing modern essentials. To fulfill that, a few manufacturers have worked on neo-retro motorcycles that look like a piece of history but perform like a modern motorcycle. The Honda CB is one of the best examples of this kind of motorcycle right now.
Why Getting The Retro-Modern Balance Right Is Harder Than It Looks
Building a genuine modern classic means pulling two things in opposite directions at once. The styling of the motorcycle has to be retro-inspired—something that looks out of a decades-old motorcycle catalog. And that has to be blended with new technology. This is usually easy to achieve by brands since they just use existing platforms and simply tweak the design to add the retro on top.
Most of these end up feeling like half-hearted efforts, though. You look at the bike and expect something, while the actual ride delivers the opposite. Edgy handling, peaky performance, and a truckload of modern tech result in a not-so-seamless experience that simply doesn’t match the aesthetic.
That is what makes life difficult for brands. Building an actually modern-retro machine requires focusing on the nitty-gritty, while also meaning more money dumped into R&D. Not every brand can do that, leaving only a few heavyweights to create actual modern classic bikes. Unsurprisingly, the world’s largest motorcycle maker has dipped its toe in the segment, and it has done an excellent job.
Honda Built A Retro Roadster Around A Fireblade Engine — And Priced It Under $11,000
The Honda CB1000F checks all of those boxes. It wears design cues pulled straight from the brand’s own racing history, while packing genuinely modern hardware underneath – a combination that’s harder to pull off than it sounds. Honda didn’t simply borrow the design for the CB1000F. Honda built the motorcycle around genuinely modern hardware, a Fireblade-derived engine, a slew of useful features and tech, all of which come together to form a sweet package – a great modern classic motorcycle.
A Shockingly Low MSRP Sweetens The Deal
At $10,599, the CB1000F costs less than several of its closest rivals. It even matches the Yamaha XSR900 in price, despite packing a bigger and more powerful engine. Adding to the value-for-money proposition, Honda offers a litre-class retro motorcycle with a complete electronics package, something rivals in this price range simply don’t match. It’s the kind of pricing that makes buyers double-check the spec sheet, expecting a catch that never actually shows up.
CB1000F’s Design Is A Throwback To The 70s
The Honda CB1000F’s styling takes inspiration from the popular CB750F and the CB900F, the four-cylinder superbikes Honda campaigned in AMA Superbike racing in the early 1980s. That heritage shows up in the details of the motorcycle—a round LED headlight, twin horns, tank graphics, and a four-into-one exhaust are all a nod to the original motorcycle. Every cue on the CB1000F traces back to bikes that helped build Honda’s reputation on the racetrack. These styling elements put together create a motorcycle that is timeless in terms of design.
But It Hides Some Premium Kit Underneath
Despite the aggressive price tag and an old-school shell, underneath the CB1000F, you’ll find all the modern hardware. Borrowed from the CB1000 Hornet SP, the CB1000F is underpinned by a steel diamond frame. The chassis is paired to 41mm fully adjustable Showa SFF-BP forks up front and an adjustable rear shock working through Pro-Link.
On the braking front, Honda offers dual 310 mm discs with Nissin calipers up front, and a 240 mm rear disc with a Nissin caliper, all backed by a six-axis IMU that enables cornering ABS and traction control. It also gets a five-inch color TFT display with connectivity features and riding modes.
Power Comes From A Superbike Engine
The CB1000F borrows its engine from the CBR1000RR Fireblade—a 999cc inline-four engine. Producing 124 horsepower from this superbike engine, the CB1000F is the most powerful bike in its segment. However, Honda has tuned this engine to be more tractable, and with 76 pound-feet of torque, the low-end and mid-range grunt on this motorcycle is the highlight.
The power and torque are spread out quite well rather than chasing a redline. Cruising at around 60 to 65 mph with lower revs, the CB1000F can return 42 MPG—quite an impressive figure for a liter-class motorcycle.
A 472-Pound Liter Bike That Doubles As A Comfortable Daily Commuter
The 999cc engine with its unique tune ensures you have ample power at the slightest twist of a throttle. And to back it up, you get a chassis that is built for everyday use rather than the race track. With an accessible seat height of 31.3 inches and weighing in at 472 pounds, the Honda CB1000F is slightly hefty but manageable. The CB1000F offers a balanced riding experience, promising a sharper ride on a weekend back-road run and a comfortable commute.
Why The CB1000F Makes Its Closest Rivals Look Overpriced
The CB1000F isn’t alone in this space. Yamaha’s XSR900 costs the same as the Honda and offers a quick shifter and cruise control that the Honda misses. But the CB1000F, being a liter-class motorcycle, is more powerful. The Kawasaki Z900RS and the BMW R 12 cost more than the CB1000F, making the CB1000F a great choice for someone seeking a modern classic. A big inline-four, Honda reliability, retro design, and loads of features—all under $11,000.
Source: Honda Powersports
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