Indian motorcyclists have never had it so good and an array of world-class motorcycles has us spoilt for choice today. A whole new evolution is playing out, with formidable models like the Yamaha YZF-R1 and MT-01, Suzuki Hayabusa and Intruder as well as Honda CBR1000RR and CB1000R all available at local showrooms. Yes, it takes big bucks to buy these big bikes but assuming you can afford one, which one makes most sense among these dynamic rivals? Which one is best suited to Indian conditions? AutoCar (July ’09) checks out the Honda CB1000R to see if it lives up to its cult status…

Design & Engineering
The naked, sharply sculpted CB1000R harks of European descent, because it was styled there. A fabulous –looking street-fighter class bike from every angle, this muscular Honda deploys a few decals other than a familiar pair of wings adorning its tank. Black is predominantly used, with a plethora of nickel-plated allen key bolts making a glimmering contrast around the engine bay.

Its diminutive front mudguard is sporty and sits just ahead of a prominent ‘Z’ shaped radiator cowl. The CB1000R uses futuristic LCD instruments that are blue backlit in three adjustable states of dimness. These offer a bar-style rev counter and fuel gauge, digital speedometer, engine temperature and clock as well as odometer and twin-trip functions apart from the usual gauges. This bike is burglar-proof thanks to its key slot being HISS-enabled – Honda’s Ignition Security System, which prevents firing up the engine without its original keys.

A wide, flat handlebar mounts palm-friendly grips, really top-of-the-line, reach-adjustable buffed alloy levers and top-class switches that provide a hazard warning button and engine kill switch.

The smart-looking fuel tank provides an aircraft-style fuel-filler and a superbly integrated tank pad that leads smoothly into the riding saddle. The rear seat covers a tiny lockable storage cubby. A simple yet tasteful tail-light sits above the CB’s rear mudguard.

The CB1000R is available in India in two paint schemes - metallic green and black. It goes without saying that this big Honda comes with an outstanding level of quality all-round, uses really top-quality rubber and plastic parts and that an impeccable level of attention has gone into every design detail.

Engine, Gearbox & Performance
The CB1000R’s four-stroke engine is basically a modified version of the brilliant Fireblade unit. It uses liquid cooling for its four cylinders sitting in the traditional in-line-four configuration. The pistons, valves and dual overhead camshafts are altered. As is fueling – Honda’s renowned PGM-FI electronic fuel injection system – now with single injection for each cylinder, as opposed to dual injection on a Fireblade.

The ignition system is computerized on this bike and magnesium alloy is used for construction of its four-valve-per-cylinder head. The CB1000R provides an Intake Air Control Valve (IACV) to keep all torque excess at bay. At the same time an oxygen sensor and a 300-cell catalytic convertor work to keep engine emissions at a minimum.

This is an engine with a soft exhaust beat, nowhere near as gruff or aggressive in note as a CBR. The CB1000R makes nearly 50bhp less than a Fireblade on paper, but this power is easier to access and actually put down to the road thanks to an equator-wide and meaty power band that’s a doddle to exploit.

Engineered for an enjoyable city riding experience, another CB highlight is flawless fueling, which always sees the big power plant fire cleanly and without any steps or hiccups.

Still, make no mistake, cracking the whip on a CB1000R brings more than just a hint of litre-class brutality into its acceleration, with the front wheel eager to kill the horizon anywhere in that strong low to mid-range region.

The CB1000R goes like a bolt of lightening to 100kph in 3.39 seconds, thereafter making the sprint to 160kph in 7.03sec and breaching the 190k mark in 10.23sec. Top whack is in the vicinity of 203kph.

Ride, Handling & Braking