Honda CB1000R Black Edition
2023 Honda CB1000R Black Edition: 145 hp four-cylinder roadster, 214 kg, no longer sold in France. Full specs, press reviews and rivals.
At a glance
The Honda CB1000R Black Edition is a "Neo Sports Café" roadster powered by a CBR1000RR-derived 998 cc four-cylinder engine producing 145 hp for 214 kg kerb weight. It is no longer sold new in France: the 2023 model year, offered only as the Black Edition, is the last one documented by Honda France, which replaced it with the CB1000 Hornet (€10,599 in 2025) and, for retro styling, the CB1000F (€12,099 in 2026). Reviewers praise its engine, ease of use and finish, but criticise a rear shock that could be better, an abrupt throttle in Sport mode and the lack of an IMU.
World press review
Meta-score
7 sources
Press ratings
Strong, usable engine, easy chassis, much better TFT and premium finish; rider aids are not lean-sensitive, as there is no IMU.
Stunning styling, very comfortable riding position and clear TFT; the rear shock misbehaves when pushing on over bumpy roads.
The most sensible streetfighter: solid performance, well-damped Showa suspension, versatile ergonomics and a good price; no IMU, unintuitive menus.
A racy, original roadster with a lively yet controllable engine and remarkable balance and precision; suspension set too soft from the factory, pillion seat for occasional use only.
The four-cylinder's character and enjoyment are retained, with successful finish and instruments; power-to-weight ratio behind rivals, shock limited when ridden very hard, vibrations through the rear subframe.
Press synthesis
What the world’s press says
No review covers the 2023 model year, which only changed the colours: the reviews used here cover the technically identical 2021 and 2022 Black Edition, and the 2018 generation. The average score of 80/100 rests on a narrow base: MCN is the only publication to score the bike, with 4/5 for the 2021 Black Edition as for the 2018 CB1000R. Bennetts BikeSocial, Visordown, Cycle World, Le Repaire des Motards and Moto-Net tested it without a numeric score.
What reviewers like: a strong four-cylinder engine with plenty of midrange character, an easy and precise chassis (“the most sensible streetfighter” for Cycle World), a premium finish and styling that Visordown finds stunning. BikeSocial calls it a superb road bike, Le Repaire des Motards a connoisseur’s motorcycle, Moto-Net a tremendously enjoyable machine despite its modest figures. MCN rates its reliability 5/5.
What they criticise: a rear shock that is overwhelmed when pushing on over bumpy roads (MCN, Visordown, Moto-Net), an overly abrupt throttle in Sport mode (MCN), rider aids that are not lean-sensitive (BikeSocial, Cycle World), unintuitive menus (Cycle World), a power-to-weight ratio behind its rivals (Moto-Net) and suspension set too soft from the factory (Le Repaire des Motards).
Key quotes
"Fast and fun but not overwhelming, light and accurate without sacrificing rideability, the Honda CB1000R might not be as rowdy or as focused as some of its sportier opposition but it delivers a polished and inspiring road ride."
"The 2021 CB1000R doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not – simply put, it’s a bloody good road bike with genuine style."
"But start to push on and when the road gets bumpy, the rear shock will begin to misbehave."
"All hail the CB1000R, the most sensible streetfighter."
"Racy, elegant and original, the Honda CB 1000 R is a connoisseur's motorcycle."
"Although its spec sheet still shows a peak output of 145 hp and a wet weight of 213 kg, figures well behind some of its recent rivals, the CB1000R is tremendously enjoyable to use, and even to thrash."
Pros
- 145 hp four-cylinder with strong midrange character
- Easy, precise chassis with adjustable Showa suspension
- Very high-quality finish and “Neo Sports Café” styling
- Quickshifter, flyscreen and connected TFT as standard (Black Edition)
- Reliability rated 5/5 by MCN
Cons
- No longer sold new in France
- Rear shock overwhelmed when pushing on
- Abrupt throttle in Sport mode
- No IMU (ABS and torque control not optimised for cornering)
- Power-to-weight ratio behind recent rivals
- Unintuitive dash menus
Our review
Is the CB1000R still on sale?
No. The CB1000R is no longer in Honda France’s range, and its configurator has disappeared. The 2023 model year is the last one documented by Honda France; Honda Europe still refers to a 2024 model year, but no Honda source confirms it was sold in France. Honda has not explained why the model was dropped.
Its replacement is the CB1000 Hornet, presented by Honda as its new flagship naked: 152 hp, 211 kg kerb, €10,599 in 2025 (€11,799 for the SP). The heir to its retro styling is the 124 hp CB1000F, priced at €12,099 in 2026. Both use a different technical base (twin-spar frame, engine derived from the 2017 Fireblade).
Which version in France?
In 2023, Honda France sold only the CB1000R Black Edition, in Deep Graphite Black or Mat Jeans Blue Metallic. Compared with the standard version, it adds a two-way quickshifter, a flyscreen, a pillion seat cowl and black finishes (fork yokes, fork tubes, shrouds, exhaust). The 2023 model year only changed the colours, with a black rear subframe and a silver stripe on the tank.
Honda France no longer publishes a price for this model, so this page gives no new price. For reference, Honda Italy’s configurator lists the standard 2023 CB1000R at €13,590 (Italian price).
How good is the engine?
The 998 cc inline four (75 x 56.5 mm, 11.6:1) shares its architecture with the 2006 CBR1000RR Fireblade. It makes 145 hp (107 kW) at 10,500 rpm and 104 Nm at 8,250 rpm; the spec table of Honda France’s 2023 press kit gives 105 Nm, while its text and the other Honda documents give 104 Nm. The redline starts at 11,500 rpm. Honda tuned it for generous torque between 6,000 and 8,000 rpm and pairs it with short gearing and a cable-operated assist and slipper clutch.
On the dyno, Cycle World measured 121.8 hp at 9,800 rpm, and ran the quarter-mile in 11.11 s. MCN, however, still finds the throttle too abrupt in Sport mode.
How does it ride?
The steel mono-backbone frame carries an aluminium single-sided swingarm, a fully adjustable Showa SFF-BP upside-down fork and a shock adjustable for preload and rebound. Braking relies on two radial four-piston calipers on 310 mm discs, and the rear wears a 190/55 tyre. Reviewers unanimously praise the chassis for its ease and precision. Their reservations concern the rear shock, which struggles when pushing on over bumpy roads according to Visordown and MCN, and the lack of an IMU: the ABS and torque control do not account for lean angle (BikeSocial, Cycle World).
Equipment
Three riding modes (Rain, Standard, Sport) and a User mode combine three levels of power, engine braking and HSTC torque control, which can be switched off. The 5-inch colour TFT connects to a smartphone (Honda Smartphone Voice Control); Cycle World finds its menus unintuitive. There is also LED lighting, a USB socket under the seat, emergency stop signal and self-cancelling indicators. There is no cruise control.
Fuel consumption and maintenance
Honda quotes 5.84 L/100 km on the WMTC cycle, giving a range of about 275 km from the 16.2-litre tank. Bennetts BikeSocial recorded the equivalent of 6.0 L/100 km. The owner’s manual calls for an oil change every 12,000 km or every year and a valve clearance check at 36,000 km.
Generations
The first CB1000R (2008-2016) had an aluminium frame and 125 hp. The 2018 “Neo Sports Café” generation changed everything: styling, steel frame, +15 kW, throttle by wire and riding modes. The 2021 update brought Euro 5 homologation, the connected TFT and the Black Edition.
Recalls
No recall affects the CB1000R (RappelConso, NHTSA).
Specifications
| Displacement | 998 cc |
|---|---|
| Power | 145 hp (107 kW) @ 10,500 rpm |
| Torque | 104 Nm @ 8,250 rpm (the spec table of Honda France's 2023 press kit gives 105 Nm) |
| Weight | 214 kg (kerb, Black Edition, owner's manual; 212 kg in Honda's press kits) |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 1.48 |
| Seat height | 830 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 16.2 L |
| Fuel consumption | 5.84 L/100 km (WMTC cycle) — 136.6 g/km CO2 |
| Maintenance interval | Oil change every 12,000 km or 1 year — Valves: 36,000 km (Honda owner's manual) |
| Engine type | CBR1000RR-derived inline four-cylinder, 4-stroke, DOHC, 16 valves, liquid-cooled |
| Cooling | liquide |
| Transmission | 6-speed, chain drive, assist and slipper clutch |
| License | A |
Engine detail
| Bore x stroke | 75 x 56,5 mm |
|---|---|
| Compression ratio | 11,6:1 |
| Fuel system | PGM-FI electronic fuel injection, 44 mm throttle bodies, Throttle By Wire |
| Valve train | DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
| Max power RPM | 10500 units.rpm |
| Max torque RPM | 8250 units.rpm |
| Starter | Electric |
| Euro standard | Euro 5 |
Chassis & running gear
| Frame type | Steel mono-backbone frame, aluminium pivot plates, aluminium single-sided swingarm |
|---|---|
| Rake angle | 25 ° |
| Trail | 100 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1455 mm |
| Ground clearance | 135 mm |
| Front suspension | Showa SFF-BP upside-down fork, adjustable for preload, compression and rebound, 120 mm travel |
| Rear suspension | Showa monoshock adjustable for preload (10 positions) and rebound, 131 mm travel |
| Front brake | Dual 310 mm floating discs, radial four-piston calipers |
| Rear brake | Single 256 mm disc, two-piston caliper |
| Front tire | 120/70 ZR17 |
| Rear tire | 190/55 ZR17 |
| ABS system | Two-channel ABS (no IMU, not cornering-optimised) |
Performance
| Quarter mile | 11.11 s |
|---|
Electronics & rider aids
| Riding modes | Rain, Standard, Sport, User |
|---|---|
| Traction control | Yes |
| Quickshifter | Two-way, standard on the Black Edition (3-level adjustable sensitivity) |
| Cruise control | No |
| Dashboard | 5-inch colour TFT |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth Honda Smartphone Voice Control (calls, messages, music, voice-controlled navigation) |
| Other features | 3-level HSTC torque control, can be switched off, 3-level adjustable power and engine braking, Throttle By Wire, Emergency Stop Signal (ESS), Self-cancelling indicators, Full LED lighting, USB-C socket under the seat, HISS immobiliser |
Ergonomics & rider fit
| Riding position | Roadster: upper body leaning slightly forward, wide tapered aluminium handlebars |
|---|---|
| Wind protection | Small flyscreen as standard (Black Edition) |
| Payload | 188 kg |
Honda describes a “natural crouch”: upper body leaning slightly forward, wide tapered aluminium handlebars and an 830 mm seat. Cycle World finds the seat well padded and wide enough for multi-hour rides, with legs not tightly folded and handlebars high enough to balance the wind at 80 mph (about 130 km/h). Bennetts BikeSocial finds the seat more comfortable than it looks and the ergonomics roomy, Visordown the riding position very comfortable; in 2018, MCN found the seat comfortable for a few hours only. The Black Edition gets a small flyscreen, and Le Repaire des Motards considers the pillion seat suitable for occasional use only. Maximum load is 188 kg (rider, passenger and luggage), including 27 kg of luggage.
Ownership & maintenance
≈ 6.0 L/100 km (47 UK mpg recorded by Bennetts BikeSocial, 2021 test)
L/100km
Real-world consumption
~~275 km (calculated from Honda's figure: 16.2 L tank / 5.84 L/100 km)
km
Estimated range
| Oil change | every 12,000 km or every 12 months |
|---|---|
| Valve check | every 36,000 km |
| Spark plugs | every 48,000 km |
| Chain | Check and lubricate every 1,000 km |
Warranty
2 years / Unlimited (2 years as standard, up to 5 years in total with Honda's extension in force before April 2025)
Honda’s owner’s manual specifies a first oil and filter change at 1,000 km, then an oil change every 12,000 km or every year (2.9 litres of 10W-30 JASO MA oil with the filter). The oil filter and air filter are replaced every 24,000 km, valve clearance is checked at 36,000 km and the spark plugs are replaced at 48,000 km. Coolant is changed every 3 years, brake fluid every 2 years, and the chain is checked and lubricated every 1,000 km. Honda France’s warranty is 2 years with unlimited mileage; for a bike sold before April 2025, Honda’s extension brings it up to 5 years in total, provided the maintenance schedule is followed.
Direct competitors
Compare →| Model | MSRP | Power | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honda CB1000R Black Edition | — | 145 hp (107 kW) @ 10,500 rpm | 214 kg (kerb, Black Edition, owner's manual; 212 kg in Honda's press kits) |
| Suzuki GSX-S10002026 | €13,599 | 152 hp | 214 kg (kerb) |
| Yamaha MT-102024 | €15,999 | 166 hp | 212 kg (wet) |
| Kawasaki Z900RS2026 | €13,299 | 116 hp | 216 kg (wet) |
| BMW S 1000 R2027 | €17,000 | 170 hp | 199 kg (wet) |
| Honda CB1000 Hornet2025 | €10,599 | 152 hp | 211 kg (kerb) |
Generations
- CB1000R (1re génération)2008 – 2016
998 cc · 125 hp · 99 Nm · 217 kg (road-ready)
Naked roadster with a 2007 CBR1000RR engine: cast aluminium mono-backbone frame, single-sided swingarm, optional combined ABS; restyled in 2011.
- CB1000R « Neo Sports Café »2018 – 2020
998 cc · 145 hp · 104 Nm · 212 kg (road-ready)
Complete redesign in "Neo Sports Café" style: +15 kW, throttle by wire, riding modes and torque control, steel mono-backbone frame, Showa SFF-BP fork.
- CB1000R (évolution 2021)2021 – 2024
998 cc · 145 hp · 104 Nm · 212 kg (road-ready)
Euro 5 homologation, 5-inch connected colour TFT, USB socket, new headlight, subframe and wheels; Black Edition with quickshifter, the only version sold in France in 2023.
- CB1000 Hornet (remplaçante)2025 – today
999 cc · 152 hp · 104 Nm · 211 kg (road-ready)
Replaces the CB1000R: new steel twin-spar frame (70% more torsional rigidity according to Honda), 999 cc engine derived from the 2017 Fireblade.
| Generation | Displacement | Power | Torque | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CB1000R (1re génération)2008 – 2016 Naked roadster with a 2007 CBR1000RR engine: cast aluminium mono-backbone frame, single-sided swingarm, optional combined ABS; restyled in 2011. | 998 cc | 125 hp | 99 Nm | 217 kg road-ready |
| CB1000R « Neo Sports Café »2018 – 2020 Complete redesign in "Neo Sports Café" style: +15 kW, throttle by wire, riding modes and torque control, steel mono-backbone frame, Showa SFF-BP fork. | 998 cc | 145 hp | 104 Nm | 212 kg road-ready |
| CB1000R (évolution 2021)2021 – 2024 Euro 5 homologation, 5-inch connected colour TFT, USB socket, new headlight, subframe and wheels; Black Edition with quickshifter, the only version sold in France in 2023. | 998 cc | 145 hp | 104 Nm | 212 kg road-ready |
| CB1000 Hornet (remplaçante)2025 – today Replaces the CB1000R: new steel twin-spar frame (70% more torsional rigidity according to Honda), 999 cc engine derived from the 2017 Fireblade. | 999 cc | 152 hp | 104 Nm | 211 kg road-ready |
Manufacturer figures (otherwise specialist press). Weighing conditions differ between generations: compare weights with care.
Available colors
Manufacturer recalls
No known recalls for this model.