2023 Honda CB1000R: A Black Beauty with a Beastly Heart

Are you looking for a motorcycle that can turn heads with its stunning looks and thrill you with its exhilarating performance? If so, you might want to take a look at the 2023 Honda CB1000R. This bike is the latest addition to the Neo Sports Café lineup, which features naked bikes with minimalist aesthetics and modern technology. In this blog post, we will review the 2023 Honda CB1000R’s specs, features, pros and cons, and how it differs from the previous model.

2023 Honda CB1000R Specs

The 2023 Honda CB1000R is powered by a liquid-cooled, four-stroke, inline-four engine that delivers 143.5 horsepower and 104 Nm of torque. The engine is based on the 2006 Fireblade unit, but with some modifications such as forged pistons, a gas-flowed head, increased valve lift, and a higher compression ratio. The bike also features a ride-by-wire system that replaces the old throttle cables and offers four riding modes: Standard, Sport, Rain, and User. The riding modes adjust the power delivery, engine braking, and traction control according to the rider’s preference and road conditions2.

The bike has a steel mono-backbone frame that gives it a slim profile and a low center of gravity. The suspension system consists of Showa Separate Function Big Piston forks at the front and a Showa Balance Free Rear Cushion monoshock at the rear. Both are fully adjustable for rebound and compression damping. The brakes are dual 310 mm discs with four-piston calipers at the front and a single 256 mm disc with two-piston caliper at the rear. The bike also comes with ABS as standard2.

The 2023 Honda CB1000R has a wheelbase of 1455 mm, a seat height of 830 mm, and a ground clearance of 135 mm2. The bike weighs 212 kg wet and has a fuel capacity of 16.2 liters. The bike has a digital LCD instrument panel that displays speed, rpm, fuel level, gear position, riding mode, and other information. The bike also has LED lights all around, including a distinctive round headlight that slants back to give it a retro look.

2023 Honda CB1000R Features

The 2023 Honda CB1000R is not just a pretty face; it also has some impressive features that make it a versatile and fun bike to ride. Some of these features are:

• Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC): This system helps prevent rear wheel spin by adjusting the engine output according to the level of traction. The rider can choose from three levels of intervention or turn it off completely.
• Throttle By Wire (TBW): This system allows the rider to control the throttle response electronically instead of mechanically. The rider can choose from four riding modes that alter the throttle response, engine braking, and traction control settings.
• Assist/Slipper Clutch: This system reduces the clutch lever effort by 16% and prevents rear wheel hop during aggressive downshifts.
• Quickshifter: This system allows the rider to change gears without using the clutch or closing the throttle. It works both for upshifts and downshifts and reduces shift time by 50%.
• Smart Key: This system allows the rider to start the bike without inserting a key into the ignition. The rider only needs to have the smart key in their pocket or bag and press the start button. The system also locks and unlocks the steering, fuel cap, and seat.

2023 Honda CB1000R Pros and Cons

The 2023 Honda CB1000R is a bike that has many strengths but also some weaknesses. Here are some of the pros and cons of this bike:

Pros

• Stylish design: The bike has a unique look that blends classic café racer elements with modern touches. The bike has a sleek silhouette, a round headlight, a single-sided swingarm, and an exposed subframe. The bike also comes in one color option: black.
• Powerful performance: The bike has a potent engine that delivers smooth and linear power across the rev range. The bike also has a responsive throttle, a quickshifter, and an assist/slipper clutch that make shifting gears effortless and fun.
• Adjustable settings: The bike has four riding modes that allow the rider to customize the power delivery, engine braking, and traction control according to their preference and road conditions. The bike also has adjustable suspension that lets the rider fine-tune the ride quality and handling.
• Comfortable ergonomics: The bike has a comfortable riding position that is not too aggressive or too relaxed. The bike has enough legroom for taller riders, but also enough reach for shorter riders. The seat is well-padded and supportive, and the handlebars are slightly narrow but easy to grip.

Cons

• Lack of wind protection: The bike has no fairing or windshield to shield the rider from the wind and weather. This can make riding at high speeds or long distances tiring and uncomfortable.
• Limited storage space: The bike has no luggage rack or panniers to carry any belongings. The bike only has a small storage compartment under the seat that can fit a few essentials. The rider will need to invest in a tank bag or a backpack for more storage space.
• High price: The bike is not cheap; it costs around $12,999 in the US and £11,499 in the UK. The bike also has some optional accessories such as heated grips, a fly screen, and a rear seat cowl that can add to the cost. The bike is more expensive than some of its competitors such as the Yamaha MT-10, the Kawasaki Z1000, and the Suzuki GSX-S1000.

2023 Honda CB1000R Comparison

The 2023 Honda CB1000R is not the only bike in the neo sports café category; there are other bikes that offer similar features and performance. Here are some of the main competitors of the 2023 Honda CB1000R and how they compare:

• Yamaha MT-10: This bike has a more aggressive and futuristic design than the 2023 Honda CB1000R. It has a crossplane inline-four engine that produces 160 horsepower and 111 Nm of torque3. It also has a TFT instrument panel, cruise control, and three riding modes3. However, it has less traction control levels, no quickshifter, and no smart key. It costs around $12,999 in the US and £11,799 in the UK3.
• Kawasaki Z1000: This bike has a more angular and muscular design than the 2023 Honda CB1000R. It has a liquid-cooled inline-four engine that produces 142 horsepower and 111 Nm of torque. It also has an analog-digital instrument panel, dual throttle valves, and two riding modes4. However, it has no traction control, no quickshifter, and no smart key. It costs around $10,999 in the US and £10,199 in the UK4.
• Suzuki GSX-S1000: This bike has a more sporty and sleek design than the 2023 Honda CB1000R. It has a liquid-cooled inline-four engine that produces 150 horsepower and 108 Nm of torque. It also has an LCD instrument panel, low rpm assist, and three traction control modes. However, it has no riding modes, no quickshifter, and no smart key. It costs around $11,099 in the US and £10,599 in the UK5.

How Does the 2023 Honda CB1000R Differ from the Previous Model?

The 2023 Honda CB1000R is not a completely new model; it is an updated version of the previous model that was launched in 2018. However, there are some notable changes that make it different from its predecessor. Here are some of them:

• New color option: The 2023 Honda CB1000R comes in one color option: black1. This gives it a more stealthy and sinister look than the previous model that came in red, silver, or green.
• New graphics: The 2023 Honda CB1000R has new graphics on the fuel tank and side panels that give it a more premium and refined look than the previous model that had plain colors.
• New headlight: The 2023 Honda CB1000R has a new round headlight that slants back to give it a more retro look than the previous model that had a flat headlight.
• New exhaust: The 2023 Honda CB1000R has a new exhaust system that is shorter and lighter than the previous model’s exhaust system1. It also has a new muffler design that gives it a deeper and throatier sound than the previous model’s muffler design.

Conclusion

The Honda CB1000R is a bike that appeals to riders who want a balance of style and performance. The bike has a distinctive neo sports café design that combines retro elements with modern touches. The bike also has a powerful engine that delivers smooth and linear power across the rev range. The bike also has adjustable settings that allow the rider to customize the power delivery, engine braking, and traction control according to their preference and road conditions. The bike also has some advanced features such as a quickshifter, an assist/slipper clutch, and a smart key that make riding easier and more enjoyable.

However, the bike also has some drawbacks that may deter some riders. The bike has no wind protection or storage space that can make riding at high speeds or long distances tiring and uncomfortable. The bike also has a high price tag that may be out of reach for some riders. The bike also faces stiff competition from other bikes in its category that offer similar or better features and performance.

Ultimately, the Honda CB1000R is a bike that is worth considering for riders who want a unique blend of sporty performance and retro-inspired design. The bike offers a thrilling ride experience with its potent engine, responsive throttle, quickshifter, and assist/slipper clutch. The bike also offers a comfortable ride experience with its adjustable settings, comfortable ergonomics, and smart key. The bike also offers a stylish ride experience with its sleek silhouette, round headlight, single-sided swingarm, and exposed subframe.

If you are interested in learning more about the Honda CB1000R or other bikes in its category, you can visit Honda’s official website or Motorcycle Specs for more information.

I hope you enjoyed reading this blog post about Honda CB1000R.