The CB1000R turns Honda’s streetfighter into the Neo Sports Café

Honda first revealed the Neo Sports Café concept at least year’s 45th Tokyo Motor Show. Soon after, the 2018 CB1000R production bike was unveiled at EICMA. The naked sport standard has arrived in ASEAN with its debut at the 2018 Bangkok International Motor Show.

While the new CB1000R remains a naked sport standard, it replaces the old streetfighter look with an all-new chassis and design. Its retro-modern aesthetic is more contemporary than classic — alluding to its technological advancement. For clarification, the engine is not taken from the 2018 CBR1000RR Fireblade. The CB1000R is still powered by the same longer-stroke 998cc four-banger, found in the previous CB1000R and derived from the 2006 Fireblade.

BIMS 2018: Honda CB1000R

The redline, however, has increased from 10,300 rpm to 11,500 rpm — and there are big power jumps from 124.7 PS at 10,000 rpm to 145 PS at 10,500 rpm, and from 99 Nm of torque at 7,750 rpm to 104 Nm at 8,250 rpm. The new CB1000R is also 12 kg lighter than the outgoing model, improving the power-to-weight ratio by 20%.

Unlike other motorcycles that offer old-school rawness for the retro crowd, the CB1000R does not shy away from technology; it celebrates it. The 16% increase of peak power and 5% more torque are attributed to the Throttle By Wire system that has been added to the new CB1000R. It comes with three riding mode presets and a user programmable setting, which makes adjustments to the combination of Engine Power, Engine Brake, and Honda Selectable Torque Control.

BIMS 2018: Honda CB1000R

The 2018 CB1000R travels on 17-inch wheels with 310 mm dual brake discs and radial-mounted four-piston calipers up front, and a 256 mm single disc and a twin-piston caliper out back. Adjustable suspension is taken care of by Showa via SFF-BP USD front forks and a BRFC rear mono shock. 2-channel ABS comes standard. This motorcycle has a fuel capacity of 16.2 L, a seat height of 830 mm, and a verb weight of 212 kg.

The 39th Bangkok International Motor Show is ongoing from March 27 to April 8, 2018 at the IMPACT Challenger Halls 1-3 at Muang Thong Thani in Bangkok, Thailand.