There’s something about the simplicity of a retro roadster. Of course, the design is timeless; it’s been inspired by legendary bikes of old, so it has to be. Yet there’s more to roadsters than just the design. Such bikes lack any frills that distract you from the riding experience. Instead, roadsters focus on what matters the most: a pleasurable riding experience.
Most roadsters deliver on that promise, too, whether you look at the Royal Enfield INT 650 or the BMW R 12 nineT. Where most fail, however, is balancing that fun character with real-world practicality, lightweight handling, and enough performance to keep you entertained for years. So, what if you want that balance in a retro roadster package? Look no further than this new entry in the segment. It offers liter-class performance, a lightweight build, stunning design, and Honda reliability.
Roadsters, As Good As They Are, Aren’t The Most Balanced Bikes
2024 BMW R 12 nineT static front quarter shotBMW Motorrad
The retro roadster segment has really exploded in the last decade or two, with almost every manufacturer offering some sort of retro ride for every budget. From beginner-class models, like the Triumph Speed 400, to Italian exotics, like the Moto Guzzi V7, you have many options to choose from. Yet, it’s still hard to find a roadster that strikes the right balance of performance, handling, everyday comfort, and affordability.
Triumph
This problem is most evident at the lower end of the segment, where you’ll find models that are affordable and easy to ride but lack the performance and finesse to keep you entertained for a long time. Two excellent examples here include the Triumph Speed 400 and the Royal Enfield INT 650. The former is a lightweight roadster best suited for beginners, while the INT 650, as good as it is, is a bit too heavy to be fun to ride.
Honda
Meanwhile, expensive roadsters have their own shortcomings. Bikes like the Triumph Speed Twin 1200 or BMW R 12 nineT offer plenty of performance to keep you entertained, but have expensive entry prices and can be expensive to maintain in the long run. That’s where the roadster in question comes into the picture. This liter-class roadster balances big bike performance with old-school styling, and it’s backed by Honda’s easy and cheap ownership.
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The Honda CB1000F Offers Unmatched Balance
Honda
We’re talking about the new Honda CB1000F. Ask yourself this: “What do you need from your balanced roadster?” Whatever the answer may be, the CB1000F likely delivers that. This takes inspiration from the legendary CB750F of the ‘80s. This was the iconic bike that powered Freddie Spencer through the closely fought American AMA championships. But unlike most retro models out there, the CB1000F is more of a modern reinterpretation of the CB750F, instead of being a mere imitation of the past.
Honda
Built on the CB1000 Hornet platform, it is built with the target of creating the best-balanced roadster, and that shows in how the bike is packaged. It features a powerful Fireblade-derived liter-class engine that’s tuned for low- to mid-range power, with specific gearing to match. This should make the bike more practical for everyday riding without losing out on the top-end drama of an inline-four engine.
Honda
Similarly, the bike uses premium, modern underpinnings despite its old-school design. This includes a modern frame, adjustable suspension, and radial-mounted brake calipers. It’s also pretty lightweight (looking at you, INT 650), tipping the scales at well under 500 pounds. As a result, the bike is said to deliver a broader performance envelope, along with middleweight-like handling and big-bike feel.
Honda
Perhaps the best part about the CB1000F is that it starts at just $10,599, making it among the most affordable liter-class motorcycles you can buy in 2026. This sticker price is exactly the same as the CB1000F’s arch rival, the Yamaha XSR900, and considerably cheaper than the $12,899 Kawasaki Z900RS and the $15,395 Triumph Speed Triple. And for the price, the CB1000F offers a package that’s hard to beat by any other retro roadster out there.
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Fireblade-Derived Inline-Four Powerplant, Tuned For The Mid-Range
Honda
The CB1000F’s powerplant is based on the 2017 CBR1000RR Fireblade. This powerful liter-class DOHC four-banger engine’s architecture and layout are quite similar to the bike it’s built on, the CB1000 Hornet. But on this retro roadster, the engine is tuned to deliver more low- to mid-range power. According to Honda UK, the engine produces 122 horsepower and 76 pound-feet of torque earlier in the rev range, at 9,000 RPM and 8,000 RPM, respectively.
Honda
Character is something we look for in retro roadsters, and the CB1000F wouldn’t disappoint you there, either. Honda emphasises the four-into-one three-chamber muffler is not only period correct and sounds great, but is tuned to boost low- to mid-range torque and character. Honda says the engineers have improved on that character via inlet and cam timing revision. So, unlike some inline-four motorcycles out there, the CB1000F should feel more alive and less numb.
Specific Gearing To Match The Meaty Mid-Range
Honda
Apart from simply tuning the engine for more meaty mid-range, Honda has gone a step further by reworking the gearbox, too. The first and second gears are shorter than the Hornet’s for excellent acceleration off the line. Meanwhile, the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth gears are taller, which should make for a relaxed highway riding experience. The gearbox is paired with a slipper/assist clutch that should offer a light pull at the clutch lever while mitigating rear wheel hop under hard deceleration.
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Welterweight Status And High-End Underpinnings
Honda
Retro roadsters typically use a lot of metal over lightweight plastic, which adds to their heft. That’s not the case with the CB1000F. The bike’s ‘80s-inspired design doesn’t come with a huge weight penalty, as the bike weighs 472 pounds fully fueled. That isn’t too far from a Kawasaki Z900, which looks comparatively more stripped back. This is made better with a one-piece steel diamond-style twin-spar frame and an F-specific rear subframe, which are said to bring light, easy handling to the bike.
Honda
The frame sits on Showa suspension, with 41 mm Showa SFF-BP forks up front with full adjustability and an adjustable rear shock working through Pro-Link. Honda says the Pro-Link setup offers comfort at low speeds and stability at high speeds. Meanwhile, braking duties are handled by two radial-mount Nissin calipers up front, biting on 310 mm floating rotors and a rear caliper squeezing a 240mm rotor. The bike also runs a massive 180/55-17 rear tire to get all the power to the ground.
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Built For Everyday Use And Much More
Honda
It’s easy to see why the CB1000F is such a balanced motorcycle. The engine delivers big bike performance that’s tuned for the real world, not a racetrack. Similarly, the lightweight build and underpinnings are said to offer light handling. The bike’s ergonomics follow the same principle. Honda says the open riding triangle is relaxed and lets you sit upright. Even the seat is said to use thick cushioning, while the narrow mid-section should make for an easy ground reach. Put simply, the bike’s ergonomics are designed to balance comfort and control, not outright sporty control.
Honda
Rounding out the CB1000F’s package are the electronic essentials, featuring everything you need and nothing you don’t. The bike features a five-inch TFT display with Honda RoadSync and all-LED lighting. Throttle by wire enables five riding modes: Standard, Sport, Rain, and two user modes. Safety is handled by cornering-enabled ABS and Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC). This may not be a comprehensive features list, like other modern liter-class nakeds, but it stays in line with the bike’s theme. The CB1000F isn’t about winning any races; it’s about offering a balanced riding experience that reminds you why we picked up this hobby in the first place.
Source: Honda
