2008 Honda CB1000R
Introduction
Stunning Performance Naked style, breathtaking
acceleration, light, responsive handling and invigorating
thrills at every twist of its throttle. The new CB1000R
packs full-blooded litre-class Super Sports performance
into a compact, spare and muscular-looking form that
speaks of good times and fast friends, blasting down
the avenue in search of excitement in the bright lights.
Sales of large-displacement Naked models, and
particularly big-bore Performance Naked machines have
rapidly grown over the last several years, and now attract
a wide cross-section of both new and experienced riders
attracted to their uncomplicated style and sharp focus
on the pure basics of motorcycle riding enjoyment. These
riders are not only looking for exciting top performance,
they also place high value on comfort, user-friendliness
and distinctive styling that heightens their sense of pride
in the bike they ride.
For years now, Honda’s popular lineup of Performance
Naked motorcycles have consistently set the stage for
exciting riding fun coupled with slim, lightweight
proportions and cool, attractive looks that set hearts on
fire. Introduced in 2002, Honda’s Hornet 900
commanded a leading role in the litre class of
the Performance Naked segment, featuring distinctive
Hornet styling, lithe, responsive handling and
the powerful midrange acceleration of its retuned
CBR900RR Fireblade engine. The times, however, have
caught up with the Hornet 900, as have tightening
exhaust emissions regulations, and the time was right to
start with a clean slate and chart a new future for Honda’s
Performance Naked flagship.
Gauging recent trends in the litre-class European street
bike scene, Honda’s development team set out to create
a bold new statement in Performance Naked design,
incorporating many of the latest innovations developed
for its cutting edge line-up of high-performance Supers
Sports corner-carvers. Setting their sights on crafting
a startling new look of Naked aggression that delivers up
hard-charging performance and swift handling
highlighted by compact proportions and light weight,
the team put together a whole new concept in cool
streetbike style that sets pulses racing. Prowling
the avenues or even standing still, the exciting new
CB1000R will surely write a whole new chapter in
Performance Naked motorcycle design for years to
come.
Development Concept
In conceptualising their new Performance Naked street
scorcher, the CB1000R’s development team set out to
convey the powerful impression of performance in
a bike that looks fast even standing still. Looking to create
a bike that can be just as fun and thrilling to ride casually
prowling around the streets of the city as tearing up
the twisties outside of town, the team adapted recently
developed and proven engine and chassis components
that could together provide the desired range of top
performance in a compact configuration that more
people could fully enjoy.
As sketches were drawn and ideas developed,
the team gradually began to focus on a guiding theme
that could express the image of a downtown party bike.
One that could drop in and meet the friends at the local
hangout, attract admiring looks and comments with its
distinctive design and superb quality of parts and
execution, and then take off in a roar of wheel-lofting
power and performance to back up its impressive looks:
a “Bar Star and Twist King.”
With this fun-loving image firmly in mind,
the CB1000R’s development team set about making
a compact, great-handling midsized runabout that packs
an eye-opening punch of exhilarating litre-class
acceleration with each and every twist of its throttle. One
that offers smooth, easy control even in dense traffic, yet
is always ready to back up its wildcat looks with quick
dashes of pleasure-producing power and nimble
handling along winding roads that anyone would want to
enjoy again and again.
The CB1000R’s list of exciting features include:
Styling Features
• Coolly sophisticated ‘Bar Star’ image with exciting
Performance Naked style.
• ‘ Mass forward’ design concept positions rider
forward, as emphasised by short, compact tail cowl.
• Eye-catching high-tech–look parts integrated with
sophisticated overall design that grabs attention.
• Angular-looking, semi-underslung stainless steel
exhaust system lowers centre of gravity for lighter, more
responsive handling and an exhilarating sound.
• New-design triangular multi-reflector headlight
integrated into compact bikini cowl with unique LED
position light.
• Attractive 17" wheels featuring impressive swept 4-spoke designs.
• Magnesium cylinder head and ACG covers for
reduced engine weight.
Performance Features
• Compact, lightweight 998cm³ liquid-cooled fuel-injected
inline-4 engine based on 2007 CBR1000RR
Fireblade, but retuned for stronger low-to-midrange
performance.
• Light-action hydraulic clutch can be engaged at less
than 2,000rpm without fear of engine stalling.
• Advanced gravity die-cast aluminium Mono-Backbone frame.
• Swift-handling, fully adjustable 43mm inverted front
fork.
• Lightweight and rigid single-sided cast aluminium Pro-
Arm swingarm supported by adjustable Monoshock rear
suspension.
• Wide, high-performance Super Sports-class radial
tyres.
• Lightweight 310mm floating front disc brakes with
radial-mount 4-piston callipers. 256mm dual-piston
calliper rear disc brake.
• Combined-ABS version features 3-piston front brake
callipers and advanced antilock brake system for
confident control in all braking situations.
for those who relish the attention that comes with riding
a true performer, and the performance to back it up,
the totally new CB1000R features stunning styling,
breathtaking engine performance and comfortably quick
handling in a compact litre-class road burner that anyone
can enjoy.
Styling
The new CB1000R features a dynamic, hard-edged
design that immediately grabs attention with its
unmistakeable look of muscular performance. As cool to
look at as it is a blast to ride, its lightweight form shows
off its sharply styled bodywork and sculpted mechanical
parts to riveting effect. The CB’s bold styling projects
a wild ‘Bar Star’ image with cool, sophisticated lines that
evoke a big jungle cat poised and ready to pounce on its
prey. Much of this aggressive impact is embodied in
the CB1000R’s distinctive ‘mass-forward’ orientation,
which positions the rider slightly forward and seemingly
above its dynamic inline-four engine. Its short and slim
tail cowl and brawny forward-tilted fuel tank and side
cowls further convey an image of awesome ‘Twist King’
street performance. Mechanical parts like its magnesium
head and ACG covers and natural finish aluminium pivot
plates exude a high-tech look of purposeful
performance, accentuated by the eye-catching array of
nickel-plated Allen-head bolts that describe the outer
perimeters of the engine’s side covers.
The new CB1000R’s remarkably short and slim seat and
tail cowl takes obvious design cues from the newly
redesigned CBR1000RR Fireblade and Honda’s
powerful RC212V MotoGP racer before it. Its compact
form locates the rider closer to the steering head, for
a riding position that shifts the CB1000R’s balance of
weight slightly forward onto its front tyre, achieving
a greater feeling of crisply responsive control along
the winding roads that sports bike riders love so well.
Up front, the CB1000R’s compact bikini cowl surrounds
a brilliant new three-corner shaped multi-reflector
headlight with a distinctive LED position lamp integrated
into its ‘chin’. Behind that cowl resides an eye-catching,
high-tech, fully digital meter panel featuring three large
LCD readouts of all operating information. Even its
tachometer features an instantly responsive multisegment
LCD readout of engine speed displayed in
a wide, sweeping bar that extends across the entire
upper side of this compact unit. Below, a large, highperformance
inverted front fork complements
a robustly styled single-sided Pro-Arm swingarm, while
both support stylish 17" swept 4-spoke wheels that
provide a strong accent on the CB1000R’s exciting
performance potential.
Following its stunning appearance, the next thing to leave
a strong impression about the new CB1000R is its size,
or lack of it. Remarkably, the CB1000R looks and feels
more like a compact mid-sized sportbike than
the full-bodied litre-class performer it really is. Once
seated aboard, its compact form and easy reach to both
the ground and its controls are simply extraordinary in
this class of Naked road machines. Its comfortable seat
narrows at the front with a shape that smoothly
integrates with its side covers and cast aluminium pivot
plate, offering a slim and pleasurable position for fully
satisfying riding enjoyment. Behind the roomy, tapered
seat, the CB1000R’s sleek and compact upswept tail
cowl, supported by a strong and rigid cast aluminium rail,
confidently carries a pillion passenger and integrates an
attention-getting LED taillight into the underside of its tail.
A long and slim moulded plastic arm extends out from
under the seat cowl to provide support for the licence
plate holder and rear indicators.
Colouring Concept
The new CB1000R will debut on the streets of Europe in
four colour variations that emphasise its proud mix of
cool urban style and powerful performance. A wild
metallic green stands out with a shimmering hue that
highlights the CB’s uniquely poised street-wise style. In
deep pearlescent black, the CB1000R exudes
the sharp-eyed sense of looming big-cat menace as it
prowls the night streets of the big city. A brilliant
pearlescent white strongly provides a strong, attractive
contrast with the CB’s dark metallic engine, wheels and
body parts for an enhanced look of excitement, while
a neutral metallic silver accentuates the CB1000R’s
mechanical attractiveness with quiet strength.
Colours
• Dragon Green Metallic
• Pearl Nightstar Black
• Pearl Cool White
• Sword Silver Metallic
Engine
The new CB1000R’s compact yet powerful 998cm3
liquid-cooled fuel-injected inline-four engine ably delivers
the breathtaking power and brilliantly responsive
performance one expects from a litre-class street
performer. Its high-energy thrust of excitement is
generated from a direct descendant of Honda’s racewinning
Super Sport powerhouse, the exceptional 2007
CBR1000RR Fireblade, winner of the 2007 World
Superbike Championship.
Like the mid-displacement Hornet, the CB1000R’s mill
has been tuned for maximised low-to-midrange
performance that produces stronger power and sharper
acceleration in the lower reaches of its rev range and
more full-bodied torque that pulls hard at each twist of
the throttle. However, unlike the CBF1000, the new
CB1000R’s engine has been tuned for stronger, more
exciting power that extends further up the powerband,
resulting in nearly 30% stronger performance that is both
breathtaking and smoothly linear in its delivery. Features
such as an IACV (intake air control valve) keep excessive
torque reaction and jerky low-speed performance to
a minimum, ensuring smooth, enjoyable operation from
start to finish.
Combine all this with the CB1000R’s significantly lighter
weight and more compact form compared to other bikes
in its class, and the result is eye-popping excitement at
every twist of its throttle. Power and torque that roll up
smoothly and effortlessly from a standing start, and lunge
for the horizon when called upon to deliver.
All this power gets to the rear wheel through
a light-action hydraulic clutch that takes full advantage of
the engine’s strong low-end torque to allow it to be
engaged at engine speeds of less than 2,000rpm without
fear of engine stalling. Even the transmission was reengineered
to achieve remarkably smooth operation,
starting with an easy click, instead of clunk, into first gear.
Maximised Torque for Maximised Excitement
For many people, the term ‘torque’, as related to ‘power’
is difficult to conceptualise, especially the seemingly
contradictory idea that torque can actually be increased
by reducing maximum power. Maximised power would
obviously seem to be a primary objective of any
motorcycle engine design, as bigger numbers would
equate with bigger performance and by extension
a bigger fun factor. However, that’s not always
the case, especially with multi-cylinder engines which
tend to produce their maximum power at much higher
engine speeds than singles and twins.
Rather than peak power, it is torque, especially in
the midrange, that is the real ‘power’ experienced when
the throttle is opened. That strong thrust of acceleration
you feel pulling at the handlebars and pressing you firmly
back in the seat are the signs of powerful torque working
to produce maximum excitement, rather than just
maximum power generating big numbers. In racing, it is
torque that pulls a motorcycle quickest out of
the corners or up the hills. On the street, it the same
torque that gives you the most exhilarating feeling of
brute power and acceleration. The sooner it kicks in,
the greater your visceral enjoyment and excitement at
hitting the gas.
This is also the wide area in the engine’s power zone
where the vast majority of riders spend most of their time,
since this is where the most satisfying rush in
motorcycling lies. Peak power is fine for racers and those
who live on the edge, but it is torque that you really feel
and depend on for that swift, breathtaking rush of
acceleration to get you away from city traffic lights and
down the road in a hurry. And it is this torque that
the new CB1000R’s development team set out to fully
maximise in its engine’s development and tuning.
The result is a widely satisfying thrust of acceleration that
comes on strong throughout the powerband. With
the new CB1000R, just twist the throttle and go; no
waiting for the revs to pick up and wind their way into
a taller sweet spot. In fact, with its lighter weight
contributing to a stronger power-to-weight ratio,
the new CB1000R delivers a more dynamic thrust of
acceleration throughout its powerband than any other
machine in its class, and stronger even than some bikes
with a significant displacement advantage. But don’t
take our word for it. Throw a leg over, grab hold of
the throttle and find out for yourself.
Mass-Centralising Low-Slung Exhaust System
Like the 2007 Hornet, one of the main goals in
the design of the new CB1000R was achieving optimised
mass centralisation for quicker, more neutral handling.
One of several important factors in a motorcycle’s weight
distribution is its exhaust system, and like the 2007
Hornet and 2008 CBR1000RR Fireblade, the new
CB1000R features a low-slung system that concentrates
most of its weight and mass directly under the engine.
This results in significantly quicker response to steering
inputs, especially felt when leaning quickly over for tightly
executed turns, or side-to-side through a series of tight
esses.
The system’s exhaust headers reach straight down from
the engine’s exhaust ports to join together at the lower
front corner of the engine, where two exhaust pipes enter
the large primary muffler and catalyser system positioned
under the engine and rear portion of the main frame.
The exhaust then folds around and reaches back
through a sleek, angular, upswept extension that
contains the main silencer, and exits behind
the swingarm pivot, through a uniquely styled tailpipe.
Maximum cornering clearance was also a critical element
in the design of the CB1000R’s exhaust, and
the angular form of this stainless steel system was
specially designed to be well out of contact area when
cornering hard to the right. The CB’s single-sided Pro-Arm swingarm also plays a role in this design by freeing
up ample clearance room for the compactly configured
system.
The system’s built-in oxygen sensor and 300-cell
catalyser element combine with the engine’s advanced
fuel injection system to ensure low emissions that easily
conform with strict current EURO-3 regulations while
maintaining strong and smooth performance throughout
the engine’s wide powerband.
Chassis
For a compact, lightweight mid-displacement class form
that contributes to sharper overall performance,
the new CB1000R is built on a rigid Mono-Backbone
frame like that first introduced on the 2007 Hornet. This
innovative gravity die-cast (GDC) aluminium frame
features relatively simple construction, yet maintains
optimal structural strength by holding the engine as
a stressed member in a rigid diamond configuration.
The frame’s three hollow cast sections (front head pipe,
backbone and swingarm pivot) are welded together in
a highly compact shape that wraps around the engine,
achieving lighter weight than conventional steel tube
designs, and providing exceptional strength and rigidity
for sharper yet smoother handling and instantaneous
response to changes of direction.
Mass-Forward Construction
In order to achieve the sharper, more responsive
handling desired in this new litre-class Performance
Naked, the new CB1000R was designed from
the ground up to be one of the lightest, most compact
and well-balanced street bikes in its class, with
a silhouette and proportions more common to middisplacement
sportbikes. Common to most of Honda’s
recent high-performance road bikes, emphasis on
optimal mass centralisation plays a fundamental role in
the new CB1000R’s top riding performance. Its heavier
components, notably its engine, main frame sections
and exhaust system, were positioned as close as
possible to the machine’s rolling centre of mass while
those sections located farther away from its centre were
designed for as light weight as possible.
Full Sports Bike Suspension Systems
Like its high-performance Super Sports cousin,
the Fireblade, the CB1000R is supported up front by
a sturdy and responsive 43mm inverted HMAS cartridgetype
front fork that delivers superbly responsive handling
through tight corners and uneven sweepers for confident
control that rivals many more performance-oriented
machines. Providing 120mm of smoothly damped wheel
travel, its fork tubes are also fully adjustable for preload,
compression and rebound damping, affording
customisable control over riding performance.
At the rear, an adjustable Monoshock damper takes up
position between the CB’s impressive single-sided cast
aluminium Pro-Arm swingarm and the back of
the frame to provide 128mm of smoothly damped travel
for assured handling balanced with compliant comfort.
High-Performance Wheels and Brakes
Like Honda’s top Super Sports riding machines,
the new CB1000R’s dynamically styled 4-spoke cast
aluminium wheels mount high-performance Z-rated
Super Sports tyres including an impressively wide
180/55 17" radial rear tyre. Providing outstanding
performance to back up their distinctive looks, these
tyres further ensure precisely responsive high-speed
cornering control for exhilarating street riding capability.
Held in place by four bolts the CB’s Pro-Arm mounted
rear wheel further accentuates its cool urban looks in
the area beneath its short, upswept tail cowl.
Fast bikes need strong brakes, and in its basic
configuration, the new CB1000R mounts an impressive
pair of radial-mount four-piston front callipers like those
fitted to Honda’s race-winning CBRs. These lightweight
yet powerful callipers grip wide 310mm drilled floating
discs for high-performance braking control on par with
the hottest Super Sports. At the rear, mounted to its eyecatching
Pro-Arm swingarm is a compact dual-piston
calliper slowing a 256mm disc for a superior balance of
smoothly responsive braking control.
Optional Combined-ABS Version
The new CB1000R is also available in an advanced
Combined-ABS configuration that features
the powerfully reassuring braking control of Honda’s
long-proven Combined Brake System coupled with
the smooth, confidence-inspiring operation of its popular
Antilock Brake System. Visually, the only major difference
between the CB1000R’s standard and Combined-ABS
versions are its front callipers and lower fork castings.
replacing the standard version’s high-performance
radial-mount 4-piston callipers are a set of responsive
three-piston callipers gripping the same 310mm floating
rotors. Each wheel also mounts a small pulsar ring, which
is constantly monitored by the Antilock Brake System.
The ABS portion of the CB1000R’s highly effective
Combined Antilock Brake system operates in precisely
the same way as Honda’s other ABS-equipped models.
When braking over uneven or slippery road surfaces, this
high-accuracy system instantly reacts to the most minute
variations in the relative speed of the two wheels,
predicting and counteracting tyre slip before it occurs.
With precise control, this system maintains just enough
brake pressure for smooth and steadily controlled
deceleration that greatly enhances confidence in
the CB1000R’s ability to stop quickly and surely.
Its proven Combined Brake System links the rear brake
pedal to both the compact dual-piston rear brake calliper
and the centre piston of its right-side three-piston front
brake calliper to provide a measured balance of front
brake control whenever the rear brake is firmly used. An
inline delay valve ensures that light operation of the rear
brake, such as when trailing through a corner, has little
or no effect on front brake operation.
Stronger pressure applied to the rear brake pedal results
in just enough front brake engagement to provide
a more effective balance of front and rear braking forces
for smoothly controlled operation. The remaining five
pistons of the two three-piston front brake callipers are
controlled in a conventional manner by the hand brake
lever and provide reassuringly strong braking control to
match the CB1000R’s aggressive sportbike riding
capability.
Aggressive and confident sportbike riding also requires
strongly assured braking performance, and
the CB1000R’s advanced Combined-ABS version
provides an exceptional level of smoothly responsive
braking control to give all riders more confident stopping
power in situations where optimal braking capability is
crucial.
Equipment
Honda Ignition Security System (HISS)
Like most of Honda’s larger displacement motorcycles,
the new CB1000R is also fully equipped with the highly
capable Honda Ignition Security System (HISS), which
features a fail-safe electronic interlock to prevent
the engine from being started by anything other than
the machine’s two original keys, thus providing effective
protection against ride-away theft. Designed to totally
disable the engine at the very heart of its ignition system,
the HISS system cannot be bypassed by hot-wiring
the ignition or exchanging the ignition switch module.
Optional Equipment
Honda Access will be supplying the new CB1000R with
an assortment of optional parts and accessories to
accentuate is bold, attractive style and extend its range
of operating versatility. These accessories include:
• A colour-matched rear seat cowl that snaps into place
to accentuate the CB1000R’s purposeful street-brawling
look.
• A luxuriously finished Alcantara seat.
• A decorative crankcase cover set.
• A decorative fuel tank cap cover.
• A selection of lightweight and stylish carbon fibre parts
specially developed for the new CB1000R.
• A selection of decorative panels.
• A compact alarm unit with motion detector, siren and
back-up battery to provide extra protection against
vandalism and theft. A low-consumption sleep mode
protects battery from drainage.
Specifications
Engine
Type -
Liquid-cooled 4-stroke 16-valve DOHC
inline-4
Displacement - 998cm³
Bore x Stroke - 75 x 56.5mm
Compression Ratio - 11.2 : 1
Idling Speed - 1,200min-1
Oil Capacity - 3.6 litres
Fuel System
Carburation - PGM-FI electronic fuel injection
Throttle Bore - 36mm
Aircleaner - Dry, cartridge-type paper filter
Fuel Tank Capacity -
17 litres (including 4-litre LCD-indicated
reserve)
Electrical System
Ignition System -
Computer-controlled digital transistorised
with electronic advance
Ignition Timing - 5° BTDC (idle) ~ 50° BTDC (10,000min-1)
Sparkplug Type - NGK: IMR9E-9HES (NGK); VUH27ES (DENSO)
Starter - Electric
Battery Capacity - 12V / 8.6AH
ACG Output - 350W
Headlights - 12V, 55W x 1 (low) / 60W x 1 (high)
Drivetrain
Clutch - Wet, multiplate with coil springs
Clutch Operation - Hydraulic
Transmission - 6-speed
Primary Reduction - 1.604 (77/48)
Gear Ratios - 2.538 (33/13),
2; 1.941 (33/17),
3; 1.579 (30/19),
4; 1.363 (30/22),
5; 1.217 (28/23),
6; 1.115 (29/26)
Final Reduction - 2.750 (44/16)
Final Drive - #530 O-ring sealed chain
Frame
Type - Mono-backbone; cast aluminium
Chassis
Dimensions - 2,090 x 775 x 1,090mm
Wheelbase - 1,445mm
Caster Angle - 25°
Trail - 99mm
Turning Radius - 2.8m
Seat Height - 828mm
Ground Clearance - 130mm
Suspension
Type Front -
43mm inverted HMAS cartridge-type
telescopic fork with stepless preload,
compression and rebound adjustment,
120mm cushion stroke
Rear -
Monoshock with gas-charged HMAS damper
featuring 10-step preload and stepless
rebound damping adjustment, 128mm axle
travel
Wheels
Type Front - Closed-section 4-spoke cast aluminium
Rear - Closed-section 4-spoke cast aluminium
Rim Size Front - 17M/C x MT3.50
Rear - 17M/C x MT5.50
Tyre Size Front - 120/70 ZR17M/C (58W)
Rear - 180/55 ZR17M/C (73W)
Tyre Pressure Front - 250kPa
Rear - 290kPa
Brakes
Type Front -
310 x 4.5mm dual hydraulic disc with 4-piston
(*Combined 3-piston) callipers, floating rotors
(*ABS) and sintered metal pads
Rear -
256 x 5mm hydraulic disc with dual-piston
calliper (*ABS) and sintered metal pads
* Combined-ABS version
All specifications are provisional and subject to change without notice.
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