Autocar India - Car & Bike Magzine

Honda first rode into India at the turn of the millennium astride the automatic Activa to revive our scooter market. The company followed that blockbuster with a sporty variant, the Dio, and thereafter gradually introduced the Eterno geared scooter in 2003, then the 150cc Unicorn (2004), the 125cc Shine (2006), Aviator scooter (2008) and the 125cc CBF Stunner in 2008. It’s been a typical measured Japanese approach to this massive two-wheeler market — from a single, compact manufacturing plant in Manesar, near Delhi — to grow from an insignificant market shareholder into India’s second largest two-wheeler producer within a decade.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg, for the guns have only just begun booming at the big H. We previewed its state-of-the-art, litre-class champ, the CBR1000RR in January 2009, at which stage Honda was still undecided about its second Indian superbike.

Now we know. And it’s great news for Indian motorcycle aficionados for the CB1000R is available and will sell at a relatively attractive price of Rs 9,50,000(ex-showroom, Delhi).

The CB1000R was developed for Europe and launched in 2007. It’s done Honda proud, bagging the runner-up spot (the CBR1000RR grabbed gold) at the 2009 International Bike Of The Year awards.    

The CB1000R comes with naked and distinctly European styling, with sharp lines dominating the muscular motorcycle. The new CB is compact, and falls in line with the latest breed of international models that concentrate their mass, low and centrally. Butch and eye catching from every angle, this aggressive streetfighter sports very few decals, including a pair of wings prominently displayed on its tank. The CB1000R comes with a unique front mudguard, and broad conical front headlight with a circular, tinted blue city light set in its chin.

This bike will keep thieves at bay thanks to HISS (Honda Ignition Security System), an electronic security feature that doesn’t allow the engine to fire up without its original pair of keys. The bike’s low-set, broad and easy-to-read digital instrument cluster uses a bar-type engine rpm counter with redline beginning at 10,500rpm. The speedometer is set on the left, while the engine temperature, a clock, fuel level, as well as trip and odometer gauges are on display apart from the usual array of warning lights.

The CB1000R mounts a wide handlebar on top of beefy upside-down telescopic forks. Ideal grips, top-drawer adjustable buffed levers and high quality switchgear inclusive of a hazard and engine on-off switch come with the new superbike. This Honda provides standard fare mirrors. Its curvaceous tank extensions flow forward, then downwards into a shroud that covers the radiator. And fibre is used behind its aircraft-style filler lid where the tank blends into the riding saddle.

While black dominates the motorcycle, the CB1000R’s exposed engine uses several bright nickel-plated allen key bolts that contrast nicely and complement the machine. Another trendy highlight is its stubby, under-slung silencer. One can easily view the 1000R’s trendy wheels thanks to a single-side swingarm. Handsome flank panels lead into a minimalist rear end,

with a simple, yet eye-catching tail-light set just ahead of an extended rear mudguard.

The CB1000R will sell across India in two paint schemes called Dragon Green Metallic and Pearl Nightstar Black. Needless to say, this Honda is built with top-quality parts, and a superlative level of fit and finish.

This bike is powered by a retuned 998cc CBR1000RR engine tweaked for a more enjoyable city riding experience, rather than out-and-out performance as sought by most RR owners. Basic specifications are common with the CB1000R using an in-line four, four-stroke and liquid-cooled power plant. Its lightweight cylinder head is prepared from magnesium, and houses 16 valves. An Intake Air Control Valve, or IACV, works to keep any torque reaction from causing jerky low-rpm conduct, and ensures the CB1000R stays smooth and enjoyable to ride at low speed. An in-built oxygen sensor and 300-cell catalytic converter combines with a sophisticated, electronic fuel-injection system to cut emissions.

Maximum power of 125bhp is developed  at 10,000rpm and routed to the rear tyre via a light-action, ◊

∆ hydraulic-assisted clutch that takes advantage of the engine’s strong low-end torque and supplies a nice feel to the rider. The CB uses a six-speed gearbox that shifts smoothly, with respectable feel in a one-down and five-up pattern.

While the drop in power relative to an RR is quite a bit on paper, low rpm performance feels robust on the CB1000R with the bike escaping slow corners with cracking throttle response. And there’s a wave of mid-range power that pulls strongly all the way into the redline.

The CB1000R is a quiet performer with a mere hum apparent at idle, and this soft feel stays constant throughout its equator-wide power curve. Good low- and mid-range performance along with comfortable ergonomics make this an easy bike on which

to power the front wheel off the deck. Fueling always stays well sorted, with the engine firing cleanly and without flat spots anywhere in the powerband.

Although our brief ride didn’t allow us to explore high speeds, it is certain that the absence of a fairing will cause riders to catch uncomfortable windblast, and make riding over speeds of

150-160kph a chore.

The CB1000R is built around a gravity die-cast (GDC) aluminium frame that holds its engine in as a stressed member. Riding on 17-inch rims front and rear, with ample tyres — a 180/55 section radial at the rear — the CB is light for its class, and never really feels like a 1000. Easy to flick around and steer in the city, CB1000R owners in India will be delighted by how effortlessly it fits into our crowded urban conditions.

Agile and nimble through any corner, the 1000R does not feel anything like the more cumbersome full-size big bikes on sale here. Although its high speed handling remains a question mark for now, the CB1000R provides a riding position that is just right. The rider holds on to a nearly straight handlebar and sits in a slightly weight-forward, comfy posture that encourages attacking corners and remains easy to live with, even after long stints in the saddle.

We wish the CB1000R had offered a more comfortable pillion saddle. Suspension is top class with beefy, adjustable inverted forks in front and a trick monoshock at the rear that is supported by a single-side swingarm. Having only ridden the new Honda on a billiard-table smooth race track in Japan, it’s impossible to comment on ride quality just yet, but we know the brakes are easily up to their job. Radial-mounted, four-piston calipers grab a brace of massive 310mm floating discs in front, while a single 256mm disc does duty at the back.

It’s sad Honda won’t be offering Indian riders the CB1000R with ABS as is available abroad, but still the CB here will provide excellent braking, with the rider getting the right level of feedback.

Expect the CB1000R to provide fuel economy somewhere in the region of 20 kilometres per litre.

Selling at a notably lower price than other recently launched superbikes in India, the CB1000R is a model that is bound to haunt Indian grey market operators. The new Honda effectively bridges the price gap the grey market thrives on, more so in light of the latest brigade of 2009 models being pricey, and the CB being a European model that’s expensive to import into India. Keep in mind that buying from Honda means legal documentation, rock- solid insurance, good aftersales service, plus the possibility of bringing your CB1000R home with the convenience of a loan.

Yes, a Suzuki Hayabusa is effortlessly faster in a straight line, and a Honda CBR1000RR or Yamaha YZF-R1 will eclipse the CB1000R on a circuit, but make no mistake, Honda couldn’t have selected a better big bike to bring into India. The CB1000R makes one heck of a sensible superbike for our roads. Stunning looking, with ample and useable power, this is a comfortable, light and agile motorcycle that’s as straightforward to ride on a daily basis as a superbike gets.

In a nutshell, the CB1000R would undoubtedly be number one on our list given the choice of owning a superbike in India.