2011 Honda CB Review

The first look at a 2011 Honda CB 1000R leaves the impression that the lines are confused about where to go. Angles, curves, bends, and sharp edges all compete for attention, each trying to out-shout the other. From the three-quarter-rear view, the visual confusion is exacerbated. The eye finds nothing to follow. Some call this a clean design, but there are too many lines and angles to qualify for that characteristic. This is truly an edgy machine, if talking about bodywork and wheels. The most riveting to the eye is the oddly curved and shaped exhaust tube. The word tube does not quite seem to fit this odd, progressively thicker, somewhat elliptical piece of metal as it bends and curves upward to fire spent gasses at a 45-degree angle toward the sky. Wheels are a design study in themselves. Four curved, hook-like bars meet in the middle to form a bent four-point star. Maybe the designers had battle in mind, as the wheels bring to mind the form of a throwing star. From the side view the body is all zigzagged with lightning bolt lines. On the whole, it communicates nervous, restless energy, and may be tiring to view for very long. However, being of Italian blood (designed and built there), the 2011 Honda CB 1000R mimics the bold, animated styles of many Italian rides.

Still, the 2011 Honda CB 1000R looks purposeful enough to do the job. It is a muscular superbike. The engine is amply displayed in all its glory. Honda calls this high-performance rocket their naked bike, and that is why the term is applied. When it is time to do maintenance, this design provides a great advantage. Everything is out in the open, easy to access. Thus time is saved for the less mundane aspects of owning a motorcycle. The CB 1000R supposedly is inspired by Honda's 1969 CB750K0. Only one color is available: Pearl Black. Engine speed readouts are instantaneous on the tachometer. The seat is slim and short, with a dramatic upsweep at the tail, inspired by racing designs. There is plenty of room on the seat, as it tapers forward to integrate with the side panels. Hard rubber covers the slim gas tank so the knees can grab extra grip during hard cornering. On the more controlled rides, where passengers would be more inclined to join in, they will find plenty of room just in front of the LED taillight.

The 2011 Honda CB 1000R has good balance. The gravity die-cast aluminum frame incorporates the engine, with a rigid diamond configuration. This configuration makes for precision handling and instantaneous response to steering inputs. Heavier components, such as the motor, mainframe, and stainless steel exhaust are near the center of mass. Lighter weight parts are on the outward edges of the bike. The base price of the 2011 Honda CB 1000R is a healthy $10,999, a bit dearer than the average of bikes of this kind.