Honda have taken my fave CB1000R, added a smattering of 1980s CB900F & come up with this!

Honda has pulled the virtual wraps off a new concept version of its CB1000R – the Honda CB-F Concept – which draws inspiration from its original early 1980s CB750F and CB900F sportsbikes for a more retro nostalgic finish.

Using the CB1000R as a familiar naked base, the concept version gives it a cosmetic overhaul influenced by the model’s long lineage, which began way back in the 60s with the CB750 superbike and helped consolidate Honda’s status as the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer.

However, it is the Honda CB900F that shares most of the CB-F concept’s design traits, a machine introduced in 1979, with today’s CB1000R’s sharp, handsome looks given a retro refresh with a silver and blue colour scheme.

Further nods to its heritage include a single ‘megaphone’ exhaust, a simpler seat design and a cleaner tail and headlight design, plus a restyling of the engine housing.

Under the skin, the CB-F Concept retains the more modern aspects of the CB1000R’s engineering with a familiar water-cooled, four-stroke in-line four cylinder 998cc engine, together with the inverted fork, single-sided swingarm and single shock.

This looks fab! I used to love the CB900F back in the day - especially in it's Bol d'Or variant. Love to see this make production, but isn't gonna happen anytime soon - what with COVID19 knocking society for six. Even if Honda did make it, you wouldn't be able to / allowed to ride it anywhere... Here's to the future & normality all round! Blessings & health readers!

www.visordown.com

Take Don's two fave bikes & blend them together - what do you get? The 2018 Honda CB1000R!

I have adored two Honda bikes for some time:

The CB1100RS - proper 80's musclebike vibe, with modern build quality.

The CB1000R - A retuned blade minus the fairing: modern & aggressive.

Honda have taken the best of both bikes & squished them into the all new CB1000R!

While Crescent Honda were running a MOT on my beloved Crosstourer (passed, flying colours), I took the opportunity to take out a new & very much improved CB1000R. The styling is a bit retro ("Neo Sports Cafe" - as Honda's marketing guru's would call it) while also feeling modern, just not muddled. The engine note is fabulous - free revving, and howling. A pleasure to ride fast & hard. Steering is precise & fast, suspension is firm - but not too hard. Riding position is sports business like, but not too angular for an old git like me. 143bhp - lots of power for a 212Kg naked sports bike. Engine modes - I tried "standard" - plenty quick, and "sport" - mad & brilliant! The bike is stumpy, light & fast - I love it!

Somehow Honda have taken two quite different bikes, and combined them to make something which has typically great Honda build quality, feels modern & yet nods to a retro aesthetic - so ticks all of my boxes! Take one for a spin, it's a wrench to hand it back... Dear Santa...

www.honda.co.uk

Honda's updates to the CB1000R for 2021

 

Neo Sports Café has evolved. Starting with the CB1000R; completely restyled, from the sleek headlight, to the newly redesigned aluminium subframe, with an individual and aggressive character. And for an even more hand-crafted look, the CB1000R Black Edition is the epitome of style through its individual design.

So, Honda have updated my bike. Most of the bike is the same, many of the tweaks are OK, but a bit "meh". However, where I think the 2021 model is a definite improvement is in the LCD dash. The current version works well - but the new version is clearer, customisable & allows headset / smartphone integration. Oooo, dash envy!

www.honda.co.uk

Chancellor urged to deliver £3,000 Brexit voucher for every small business

Businesses should be given Brexit planning vouchers worth up to £3,000 to pay for legal and professional advice ahead of the UK’s split from the EU, according to the Institute of Directors.

The Institute of Directors (IoD) called on the chancellor, Philip Hammond, to announce the scheme in his upcoming Budget as a new survey revealed directors’ confidence in the economy has fallen steadily over the past six months hit by Brexit fears.

The IoD said the UK’s uncertain trading status with the EU had become the leading concern for the first time in 2018 and that directors were now requesting help to prepare for leaving the EU.

Under the IoD’s proposed scheme, small and medium-sized businesses could submit online applications for immediately redeemable vouchers to purchase legal and professional advice in order to be as prepared as possible for Brexit, whatever the outcome of negotiations. The scheme would be in place for the duration of any transition or adjustment period.

Dunno that Donline would need £3k to spend on Brexit planning. 

Wonder if I could spend it on a second hand CB1000R instead?

www.businessadvice.co.uk

When MCN needs to know - who do they turn to? ;0)

Motorcycle News (MCN) asked the question: 

If you had £20k to spend on a bike, what would you buy (& why)? 

This is my answer:

I have a Crosstourer, which I love, My wife Kim has a Grom, which is brilliant fun!

I often try bikes from the various dealerships that we are Blessed to be surrounded with in Hampshire. I usually enjoy the rides, but only two have left me wanting to own one: Honda’s CB1000R & CB1100RS - the latter wins!

The CB1100RS has a great old school musclebike feel, pulls strongly, rides sweetly, looks incredible, has the whole toy shop thrown at it! Honestly, what’s not to like? PS: you get lots of change from £20k!

As published in MCN 12th July 2017.

www.motorcyclenews.com

Ariel my CB1000R is in for a service @ Doble - look what I have for a 24 hour loan!

Ariel: my lovely CB1000R+ is in Doble Motorcycles for a somewhat overcooked 600 mile service. While arranging the service I asked the nice chaps if I could have a 48 hour loan of the 2020 Gold Wing - they agreed - so I have her from Weds to Fri this week!

When I woke up this morning, it was raining cats & dogs in Denmead! I thought this is going to be a very wet day's riding! Doble are in Coulsden (near Croydon) so a fair old trek in the rain... However, as it happens (thanks Lord!) the ride up was pretty much bone dry. Ariel is a fantastic bike - wonderfully quick, nimble & satisfying to ride, especially on fast, twisty A roads. This morning I didn't notice the buffeting (she's a naked bike - so no wind protection) that has plagued me on motorway journeys in the past. Perhaps that's just an issue on particularly blustery days? I went up the A3 to Tolworth, then East to Ewell, Banstead, Coulsden - a fab ride!

After a good chat with Robin, Steve & Paul at Doble, we swapped bikes & I headed back home - the scenic route: via Reigate, Dorking, Horsham, Petworth, Goodwood, Chichester, Denmead. Great roads, but terrible weather! Varied between fine skies, absolutely throwing it down, howling wind, roads were very wet & loads of slushy leaves - so not ideal conditions for playing with this wonderful & very powerful machine - ho hum. Fortunately my Rukka gear kept me dry & warm. What also helped was the the GoldWing's excellent weather protection including an electrically adjustable windscreen and toasty heated grips & seats!

I have previously spent an hour or so in the seat of a big wing - loved it then, still love it now! Deffo one for my fantasy garage. More of my thoughts & findings on this remarkable bike to follow over the next couple of days. TTFN!

www.doble.co.uk

Honda DreamTech Roadshow - Brockenhurst 26 April 2025

 

Get ready to take Honda’s latest technology for a spin! The Honda DreamTech Roadshow is hitting the road for four weekends, starting at the end of April, bringing you the chance to test ride some of Honda’s most advanced motorcycles. Whether you're curious about the seamless E-Clutch system or the smooth performance of DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission), this is your opportunity to experience the next generation of riding firsthand.

I was really pleased to attend the Honda DreamTech Roadshow session at the stunning Rhinefield House Hotel, Brockenhurst on 26th April. Honestly - what a setting, in the heart of the beautiful New Forest! Honda had provided a number of demonstration bikes, including: NC750X, Africa Twin, NT1100, CB650R, CBR650R - the day was provided to experience their revolutionary gear shift technologies.

After a warm welcome, I spent the morning session riding a NT1100 DCT with Electronic Suspension. I've ridden a similar bike a year or two ago - and didn't gel with it, can't remember why though. This time - I loved it! Physically, quite a large motorbike (it has been referred to as a "baby Gold Wing"). However, as always, the weight disappears as soon as you start moving. Honda's latest generation of DCT makes for silky smooth gearshifts. I kept the bike in sport mode - which holds lower gears, and allows the bike to rev out somewhat. There's "paddles" to manually select gears too - on the admittedly fairly complex switch cluster. A really comfy ride, with a relaxed riding position. The parallel twin engine made a great sound, and had plenty of torque - picked up really well! I really liked this bike & believe it would make a fantastic sports tourer for Kim & me.

After a very tasty lunch (thanks Honda 👍) I took out the CB650R with E-Clutch. This bike is the little brother of my CB1000R - so I was looking forward to going for a spin! The E-Clutch allows you to ride this sporty naked motorcycle (sort of) like a twist'n'go moped - but with a manual gearbox! The E-Clutch handles up & down shifts sweetly - on or off the gas. I really liked the bike, but found the E-Clutch a bit confusing - my fault as I kept going for the clutch lever - which seemed to put the system back in manual gear shift mode. If I left the clutch lever alone, the E-Clutch worked really well. It's sort of like the quick shifter on my bike - but at a cracking price of £100 over the manual gearbox - honestly, why wouldn't you?

Thanks Honda - what a great day. The CB650R was fun, but the NT1100 was viable... Might have to make some room in the garage!

Click here to see some photos from this great day

Ariel's latest upgrade! R&G's Tail-Tidy kit for the Honda CB1000R Neo Sport Cafe

 

This is a short video of my experience installing the R&G Tail Tidy kit (SKU: LP0254BK) for my Honda CB1000R+ Neo Sport Cafe.

Why do this upgrade? Honda standard fit this gorgeous, delicately designed bike with a humongous plastic/ally rear fender/mudguard/reg plate holder. The R&G tail tidy removes this entire assembly & looses almost 1.7Kg at the same time.

The UK cost is approx £150 - which is quite a lot when you see what comes in the box! HOWEVER - the design & build quality is excellent. When you have completed the install - you'll be glad you hadn't ordered a cheapo Chinese knock-off...

Do have a look at this excellent video from "The 333". I wondered why he didn't include more footage of the install itself. The reason (I suspect) is the R&G instructions for installing this kit leave plenty to the imagination! So sometimes you have to be creative - or use your imagination! So where I wanted to include shots of all steps of the process, it all got a bit tricky, and sadly wasn't easily possible to do capture all of the installation.

Top tip: stick the unreadable printed instructions in the recycling, then download & print this version in A4 full colour! Then keep an open mind regarding these instructions & crack on!

If you are thinking of installing this tail-tidy on your bike - just do it! Honestly - it looks fab & really smartens up the rear end of an already very pretty bike.

www.youtube.com

And now for something completely different! Crosstourer to CB1000R+

I bought Holly our Honda Crosstourer Highlander back in 2014. Kim & I have loved our trips out on her - many local, but also Ireland, Wales & our Camino. However to every thing there is a season, and I felt that it was now time for something different...

As you may have noticed, I like to test bikes from the various dealerships around us, and came to a shortlist of two models: Indian FTR1200 and Honda CB1000R+. Although the Indian was a fab ride, I decided that the Honda was the bike for me. The CB1000R is (sort of) a naked FireBlade - which makes it a "cheeky little number"! The "+" is a special tricked out edition with a quickshifter, heated grips, rear seat cowl & some added aluminium bling. Usually "+" bikes are only available in black, I have one of the only CB1000R+ bikes in stunning metallic "candy chromosphere red".

Discussions were had with four Honda dealerships, and Paul Styles at Doble Honda came up with the best package. So on a distinctly wet Wednesday (8th July) morning I rode up to Coulsdon & traded in our lovely Holly for a very shiny CB1000R+ in red! The ride back was also wet, which (literally) took the shine off my lovely new bike. 1st thing I did when I got home was hose down the bike & dry her off!

I managed to get out for a spin at the weekend - on a sunny, warm Sunday afternoon - and enjoyed every second. Of course this is a hugely different motorcycle from the Crosstourer: over 60Kg lighter, faster, lower centre of gravity, sticky sport tyres, etc. What a blast!

Kim & I are going to miss the comfort of the Crosstourer (and the ability to do big distances), but ironically, getting a faster sportbike might save my license! Wind protection is much better on adventure bikes, gearing is much higher, so it is very easy to end up going "quickly" without realising it. On a naked sportbike, any speed feels quick - which oddly enough tends to slow one down!

Holly's new owner will hopefully enjoy her as much as we have: ~19k miles of wonderful, trouble free riding (of course - it's a Honda!). Over my ~6 years of ownership, I tweaked her significantly from original spec - so Holly's next owner should be able to enjoy adventures as soon as they can turn the key!

I've Christened the new bike "Ariel", and have so far added ASV C5 clutch & brake levers a Givi tank bag (that allows my phone to double as a SatNav), more farkles to follow! Watch this space...

www.honda.co.uk

Honda RoadSync Smartphone Voice Control system

 

The Honda Smartphone Voice Control system links you to your Android™ device through Bluetooth® and the Honda RoadSync app. While riding, and hands-free, you can navigate easily to different places, make and receive phone calls, generate and respond to text messages. Also, you can listen to music via your favourite apps, as well as check the local forecast, and the weather at destination.

It’s intuitive to use, between voice recognition input, voice feedback and a 4-way toggle switch located on the left handlebar. With your phone safely in a pocket, you can stay connected and concentrate on the road liberating every ride, every day.

Using the latest Honda RoadSync app couldn’t be easier. When you’re on your Honda motorcycle or scooter equipped with the Honda Smartphone Voice Control system, connect your Android 7.0 (or later) smartphone with the Honda RoadSync app installed through your Google account. The app will also connect to your Bluetooth® helmet-mounted headset with audio input.

Looks fantastic! Available for (apart from other models) the CB1000R. The new one (2021) - not my one from this year. Bah Humbug!

www.honda.co.uk

Mike & Don visit the Norton Motorcycle factory in Shirley, Solihull

 

For some time Mike & I had been planning a two day trip on our bikes up to Brum. The plan was: Day one (Weds 22nd May): Norton factory tour & test ride. Day two (Thurs 23rd May) the National Motorcycle Museum. Dates & visits arranged, pub stayover booked, plans in place! However, as that day approached the weather round Brum looked grim. We bottled it & left the bikes / took Kim's Mini ;0). Just as well as it turned out: day one varied between constant rain & Biblical - literally couldn't see the surface of the motorway at one point!

When we arrived at Norton we were warmly welcomed by the lovely receptionist, then joined by Kevin from sales. He showed us round their collection of bikes in reception: several historic machines & variants of their two current models: Commando 961 & V4. The Commando 961 is a classic looking machine, built to very modern standards (reliable LOL!). The V4 is a state of the are superbike that ranks up there with the best of them!

We then commenced the factory tour! Sadly no-one is allowed to take photos / video in the factory itself. However here is an amazing drone flythrough video they produced earlier! This covered most areas of the plant: parts stores, welding, polishing, engine assembly, rolling chassis assembly, dyno / rolling road, and the various levels of checks to finished bikes. Attention to detail is unbelievable - skilled staff are involved throughout the process.

As the weather was still chucking it down we decided that taking the Commandos out would have made a lousy test ride, so kept our fingers crossed for the following day. We drove to our pub The White Lion Inn, Hampton in Arden & also had a drink & some really tasty Indian nosh at the Soho Tavern, Hampton In Arden. 

Day two, no rain, so we decided to abandon plans for the NMM visit (another trip there is planned for next month!). I called Kevin at Norton and hastily arranged for a test ride. We drove over, got introduced to our bikes & were off! We rode our two Commando 961 SPs 40+ miles over two hours, from the factory in Shirley: South through Henley-in-Arden, down to Stratford-upon-Avon. By some miracle we didn't get lost as Mike & I are both pants with directions / navigation. God Bless Kevin for numpty proof instructions!

The weather was cool, overcast. The roads were dry & scenery stunning! The first hour I struggled to gel with the bike - but it was me - or at least my mindset. I was trying to ride the Commando like I ride my Honda - which is a very different bike. When I started adapting my style to the way the Norton wants to ride: I had a hoot! Mike loved his Commando from the get go. The difference between us is that his two bikes are Triumph Modern Classics. A much closer style of bike to the Commando than my Honda CB1000R+.

Pros: Stunning design & looks! Fantastic build quality & attention to detail. Hand built in England. Top drawer componentry (Ohlins front & rear suspension, Brembo brakes, etc). Ride quality & grip is astounding! Fantastic soundtrack from the twin cylinder air/oil cooled engine & delicious exhausts! Walruzoar

Cons: Could do with more grunt (my CB1000R has 143bhp, Commando has 77). Turning circle is very wide. Vibes can be intrusive. The bike I rode had click up footpegs which I kept getting tangled up with - this has now been resolved in current production (spring loaded pegs). The sidestand was a bit fiddly to drop down.

I have a deep love of the Norton brand, going back to when I was a sprog. That's why there's been soooo many articles about them on my Blog - I truly care about Norton: it's heritage & future. 

Both of Norton's current bikes (the Commando & V4) are superb. The V4 is "above my pay grade" LOL! The Commando is stunning, I'd love one, but probably not as my only bike. Deffo in the fantasy garage along with a Gold Wing Tour & CRF250L. 

MikeyG adds: I own a Bonneville T100 and a Street Twin and I considered them to be the best retro-style machines until I rode the superlative Norton Commando. 
This IS THE true British retro motorbike. Its looks and sounds are unsurpassed, it is full of character and a delight to ride. 
The sound of the engine is the best around and once the bike was warmed I had a lovely smooth ride on the best-looking motorbike.  When I opened the throttle ...my goodness!!!! ...the vibration through the footpegs and seat was just brilliant. 
If I had an unlimited budget it would be my choice for the ride on a sunny day to meet up with like-minded friends to admire a thing of beauty.

Massive thanks to Norton, & Kevin in particular to give us this fantastic opportunity. I'd love to relive him of a black & gold Commando 961SP, but sadly not for now, at least...

Link to Google Photos

www.nortonmotorcycles.com

Honda Fireblade SP - CBR1000RR-R - IMHO the most beautiful bike available at this moment

 

BORN TO RACE - be in no doubt! The CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP is built for the track. This is where it belongs. It starts in the same pit lane as the standard Fireblade, but full Öhlins Smart Electronic Control (S-EC) suspension, Brembo master cylinder, brake lever, front and rear calipers and standard-fit quick shifter set it apart. Armed with class-leading 160kW peak power, the semi-cam gear engine has been upgraded with low- to mid-range acceleration boost and refined HSTC traction management. And while it is fully road legal, with lights, indicators and Smart Key, the Fireblade SP defines the ultimate racing motorcycle. One ready to overload adrenaline through every turn.

I love the Fireblade SP: such a beautiful machine, so well engineered & very capable. In my collection of motorcycle models - it's my second favourite, the #1 being my own CB1000R! Unfortunately every time I've sat on one (real one not a model!), it feels like I'm sat on Kim's Grom! Gonna have to take a 2023 model out for a spin this year. I can feel the cramp coming on already - oh how we suffer for our art LOL!

www.honda.co.uk