Honda

Honda CB1000F SE  

By Ben Purvis

Officially Honda calls the CB1000F a 'concept' but the pretence that it's anything other than an upcoming production model is wearing increasingly thin with the reveal of a second variant - the new CB1000F SE - and multiple colour schemes for the machine that will essentially replace the age-old CB1300 Super Four and Super Bol d'Or in the company's lineup.

CB1000F SE Concept and CB1000F

After showing the CB1000F Concept earlier this year, Honda took the wraps off the CB1000F SE Concept at the Suzuka 8-Hour race in August. Like the previous bike, it's based on the FireBlade-derived 999 cc four-cylinder engine and the chassis from the current CB1000 Hornet, but wrapped in 70s-inspired styling that owes a lot to the old CB750F.

The 'SE' version adds a small, bar-mounted cowl and windscreen to the previous design, as well as a few other tweaks including a slightly more luxurious seat and heated grips. Honda also displayed modified versions, including a Moriwaki-made, race-style CB1000F.

Details not seen before include the bike's instrument display - the same TFT panel that's used on the CB1000 Hornet - and elements like the indicators and numberplate hanger, which were absent on the original CB1000F concept earlier this year. Although the bikes still lacked mirrors, they were otherwise in road-ready form.

The chassis is largely identical to the CB1000 Hornet, and the subframe under the CB1000F and SE's retro-style tail bodywork is reshaped.

A question remains over whether the CB1000F will be offered outside Japan. Its predecessor, the CB1300 Super Four, was sold around the world when it was new, but was discontinued in markets other than Japan many years ago.