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Honda spokesman and test rider Dave Hancock has gone on record in MCN today talking about the CB1000R.
The article discusses that the bike is "powered by a 130bhp version of the 2007 Fireblade's engine and the alloy frame holds fully adjustable suspension and top-spec radial callipers, as fitted to the 2008 Fireblade".
It also goes on to say that "development is ongoing" and that the bike is actually a 2009 model that will come to market early. The article is very vague about when and just says during the summer this year.
The test rider states that the bike is "very similar to the new Fireblade in concept, in that it's a 1000cc bike that feels like a 600cc". He also compares the bike to the Hornet 900 and CBF1000 by saying "it's a new breed. It's a lot more fiery and it's so small and manoeuvrable, like the Fireblade".
"We had the Kawasaki Z1000, Triumph Speed Triple and Yamaha FZ-1 when we were doing the development - they were so much heavier. The CB1000R is really tiny, especially with the shape of the tank".
"The two things you notice are the power and the weight, it's very tractable and the midrange is very good; it's a lot sportier, really. It has a hooligan side if you want it to, but it's what people would call a typical Honda. You can ride it in top gear and just pootle around on it or drop down the gearbox and it's a completely different bike."
I'm even more excited now
The article discusses that the bike is "powered by a 130bhp version of the 2007 Fireblade's engine and the alloy frame holds fully adjustable suspension and top-spec radial callipers, as fitted to the 2008 Fireblade".
It also goes on to say that "development is ongoing" and that the bike is actually a 2009 model that will come to market early. The article is very vague about when and just says during the summer this year.
The test rider states that the bike is "very similar to the new Fireblade in concept, in that it's a 1000cc bike that feels like a 600cc". He also compares the bike to the Hornet 900 and CBF1000 by saying "it's a new breed. It's a lot more fiery and it's so small and manoeuvrable, like the Fireblade".
"We had the Kawasaki Z1000, Triumph Speed Triple and Yamaha FZ-1 when we were doing the development - they were so much heavier. The CB1000R is really tiny, especially with the shape of the tank".
"The two things you notice are the power and the weight, it's very tractable and the midrange is very good; it's a lot sportier, really. It has a hooligan side if you want it to, but it's what people would call a typical Honda. You can ride it in top gear and just pootle around on it or drop down the gearbox and it's a completely different bike."
I'm even more excited now
