2006 Honda CBF1000
Introduction;
Honda's broad range of large-displacement motorcycles
provides a strong and highly attractive focus on virtually
every facet of riding enjoyment, from kneescratching
sports machines, as epitomised by the CBR1000RR Fireblade,
to fully outfitted touring machines like the Gold
Wing and Pan-European. One sort of machine that has
been notably needed of late is a good all-rounder
that can be called upon to perform well in a wide
range of riding applications.
Recently Honda has had great success with the introduction
of just such a group of all-rounders in the mid-displacement
class, as represented by the CBF600 and its smaller
displacement twin-cylinder sibling, the CBF500. Designed
to help less experienced riders grow comfortably into
the greater performance potential to be had with a
midsized motorcycle, these machines also provide amply
satisfying performance for more experienced riders.
Their versatile configurations also provide a special
appeal to riders big and small, especially the CBF600,
with its three-position adjustable seat, which gives
shorter riders -and particularly women-a more comfortable
reach to the ground in its lowest position, and gives
taller riders greater overall room and riding comfort
in its highest position. With these and other well-considered
features and strong, satisfying performance, the CBF600
is proving to have a significant impact on the middisplacement
motorcycle class and the riders attracted to it.
Hoping to build on this initial success, Honda's
engineering teams set out to develop the next big
step up in performance, to a litre-class machine that
offers much of the same easy fun-to-ride appeal as
the smaller CBFs, while delivering the stronger and
more sporty performance one expects from a big litre-bike.
However, rather than pursuing blistering Superbike
levels of performance in this new machine, it was
decided from the very start that the new CBF would
follow in its predecessors' footsteps by providing
exhilarating sportsbike riding fun in a 'Just Fit'
configuration that a wider range of riders can more
fully enjoy. Proportions would have to be kept relatively
compact and performance strong where it's most used:
in the low-end and mid-range of the engine's rev range.
With these goals firmly in mind, the CBF development
team set out to create a versatile new litre bike
that can compete well in its class on many levels.
Development Concept;
The new CBF1000 was created as the next step in Honda's
'Just Fit' programme of basic, all-round motorcycle
development following the successful CBF600. Concentrating
on providing a strong emphasis on riding ease and
its overall 'fun-toride' quotient, the idea was to
make an exhilarating-but not overwhelming so-litreclass
motorcycle that provides the fullest satisfaction
in a wide range of riding applications, from daily
street riding to sporty blasts up the hills to even
a bit of light touring with a friend along for the
ride. The 'Just Fit' programme also demanded that
the new machine offer proportions that aren't overwhelming,
as well.
Something relatively compact and easy to throw a
leg over, with a balance of size and weight that promotes
confidence and control in all riding situations.
Choosing the chassis on which to build this new machine
was relatively easy. The CBF600 itself was judged
to be an excellent starting point owing to its easily
adaptable Mono-Backbone frame and sporty suspension
gear. A minimal amount of gusset strengthening here
and there to ensure the frame can securely withstand
a bigger and stronger new engine's performance without
affecting its geometry and balance was made the prime
focus of its re-development, and this well-rounded
chassis proved itself well up to the task of handling
a much more powerful engine.
But what to do for the engine? The CBF's development
team very quickly settled on the new CBR1000RR's high-powered,
race-winning mill. And not just last year's model,
either. No, the team focused on the very latest generation
of the CBR1000RR's engine, and then took it in a radically
different direction of development.
Intensive study of rider interests and riding habits
garnered from extensive surveys and other research
found that few riders, especially those moving up
to larger displacement machines, really feel an irrepressible
need to have, never mind actually use, the highest
power output on the block. Instead, most riders, and
especially most riders in the over-30 age group at
whom this new machine would be targeted, seemed to
prefer a strong feeling of roll-on acceleration combined
with a more relaxed riding position and easy all-round
handling. This sort of strong roll-on acceleration
comes not from rip-roaring peak power, but instead
from a long-misunderstood force called torque. So,
rather than using the RR's full blast of overwhelming,
high-revving, raceready performance in this new 'all-rounder',
the CBF's development team concentrated on finding
ways to maximise its value as a daily rider and an
easily accessible fun machine, albeit a powerful and
aggressive one, by maximising its engine's torque
output, and thus roll-on performance. Excitement also
plays a key role in attracting the interests of these
riders, so a certain degree of sporty behaviour and
barely concealed savagery on tap were called for just
to keep things interesting. With such an exciting
blend of strong yet easily manageable performance,
the new CBF also required some basic comfort features
for greater all-round enjoyment. So, a stylish and
wide-coverage half-fairing was called for to provide
an extra level of riding comfort at all speeds for
both rider and passenger, while the CBF600's convenient
range of adjustability was carefully maintained to
ensure a 'custom' fit for the widest possible range
of rider sizes.
Effective brake systems are also a priority with
Honda, and the CBF1000 is no different in that regard.
While its standard model is fitted with powerful triple-disk
brakes with high-performance opposed 4-piston front
callipers, the CBF will also be made available in
a deluxe edition with a full complement of Combined
Antilock Brake Systems for the ultimate in braking
control and confidence.
Finally, concern for the environment is a constant
motivation at Honda, and the new CBF meets these concerns
head-on with a full HECS3 oxygen-sensing catalytic
converter system that reduces harmful emissions to
far below EURO-3 regulated emissions standards. Riding
enjoyment, safety and a responsible attitude toward
the environment all are hallmarks of Honda motorcycle
engineering, and are proudly displayed in the new
CBF1000: A new litre-class semi-naked fun machine
for the future.
Styling;
Light and sporty in both look and performance, the
CBF1000's sleekly integrated bodywork and spare, no-frills
chassis borrow heavily from the CBF600 in a design
concept that was initially formulated in Honda's local
European design centres. Featuring a compact yet wide-coverage
frame-mounted half-fairing that accentuates its excitingly
sporty look of performance while providing excellent
protection against the wind and elements at speed,
the CBF projects an impressive image of inherent strength
and reliability.
Contrasting with the purposeful mechanical look of
its engine, exhaust and suspension components, the
smooth contours of its bodywork also fully incorporate
the CBF concept of 'Just Fit' proportions into every
component. While there's no denying that the CBF1000
is a litre-class motorcycle, its size and proportions
have been purposely kept as close as possible to those
of its middleweight predecessor, the CBF600.
Every curve in its shape has been specially designed
to ensure exceptional comfort, confidence and handling
ease, and its slim seating area and three-position
adjustable rider's seat ensure an easy and comfortable
reach to the ground for a remarkably broad range of
rider sizes that provides ample evidence of its 'Just
Fit' design brief. Aerodynamic Half Fairing The powerful,
aerodynamic lines of the CBF's front cowl reach up
and back to complement the broad curves of its fuel
tank with a sharper and more distinctive form than
seen on the CBF600. Integrated dual multi-reflector
headlights dominate the cowl's leading edge, and present
both a determined look of performance and brilliant
night-time illumination that makes after-dark rides
a much more reassuring experience.
Behind the fairing, wind protection is, as you'd
expect, excellent, its broadly sculpted nose cutting
cleanly and effortlessly through the air even at high
triple-digit speeds. Large clear-lens multi-reflector
style front indicators are built prominently into
tapered recesses in the cowling's sides, while at
the back is positioned a newly designed, fully integrated
one-piece combination light assembly, with form-fitted
clearlens indicators surrounding a large central brake
light for an attention-getting rearward display. Behind
the deep solo rider's seat, the slim tail cowl rises
upward over the rear wheel to convey an unmistakable
sense of lightness and agility as it tapers into the
sleekly organic upswept curves of its beautifully
integrated tail.
Integrated Instrument Panel;
Behind the windscreen, the CBF1000's cleanly appointed
cockpit presents the stylish form of an integrated
one-piece instrument panel, with large, fully electronic
dials providing a highly accurate indication of performance
parameters.
Inside the speedometer resides a liquid crystal display
of odometer and dual trip readouts, while a digital
clock is provided behind the tachometer's lens. The
two main dials are surrounded by a prominent fuel
gauge on the right, while on the left a standard assortment
of indicator lights include a fuel injection system
warning light, a Honda Ignition Security System (HISS)
'armed' warning indicator, and a red ABS failure indicator
on the ABS-equipped versions of the CBF.
Convenient controls include light-action, adjustable
brake and clutch levers, a newly adapted hydraulic
clutch, and a hazard light flasher switch built into
the rightside handlebar switch pod. And even the handlebar's
mounting position can be adjusted by reversing its
aluminium risers for 10mm of forward offset, and another
example of the CBF's 'Just Fit' riding ease. And even
the fairing-mounted rear-view mirrors feature longer
stems for easier viewing of traffic to the side and
rear, instead of a close view of one's shoulders.
Three-Position Adjustable Seat;
Like the CBF600 before it, one of the CBF1000's most
important 'Just Fit' features is its 3-position height-adjustable
seat. A concept pioneered on Honda's prestigious sport
touring flagship, the ST1300 Pan-European, this convenient
innovation allows a much wider range of riders to
custom-fit the CBF to their own body heights and riding
needs by letting the seat be raised or lowered 15mm
from its 795mm-high central position.
Like the CBF600's excellent seat design, this adjustment
not only moves the seat higher or lower, it also shifts
it forward or back by a distance of 10mm in order
to better conform with ALL body size factors, not
just trouser inseams, for a wider range of seating
freedom. In this way, shorter riders can find a position
closer to the handlebars and foot pegs for easier,
more confident control, and taller riders can enjoy
a much more natural and comfortable reach to both
the bars and pegs, for a more relaxing riding position
that doesn't distract from the enjoyment of the ride.
The seat adjustment can be easily performed in a
few minutes using a single hex driver to unbolt and
detach the rider's seat, unbolt its seat sub-frame
and reinstall the frame in a higher or lower position
depending on the corresponding holes selected, then
reattach the seat. This one adjustment changes the
entire personality of the CBF1000, and makes it a
much more user-friendly mount for riders of virtually
all sizes and ranges of riding experience.
2-Position Adjustable Windscreen;
The CBF1000 also features a 2-position adjustable
windscreen which can be raised an extra 40mm in height
to provide extra wind protection for taller riders,
even when taking into account the CBF's more upright
riding position compared to most sport-touring machines.
Vents at the front of the fairing direct air into
the space behind the windscreen to create a higher-pressure
area at speed that expands the area of wind protection
and reduces turbulence behind the screen to provide
significantly more comfortable motorway cruising for
both rider and passenger. Also, a steady airflow directed
under the backside of the windscreen helps raise the
rush of air hitting the rider from the top of the
screen while reducing fogging in cold conditions.
Contributing to greater pillion passenger security
and comfort are a pair of comfortable cast aluminium
grab rails positioned on either side of the wide and
comfortably padded pillion seat, while stylish and
strong cast aluminium brackets support the pillion
foot rests.
Colouring Concept;
The stylish CBF1000 presents itself in five cool
colour variations that accentuate its distinctive
bodywork's subtle curves with an air of superb quality.
Leading with a bright metallic silver that exudes
a sporty look of speed and agility, a deep and sultry
black follows with metallic highlights that spring
to life under the bright lights. Next is an electric
candy blue that grabs attention both at stop and on
the move, and a dark metallic green that blends beautifully
in with the passing scenery. Finally, a special metallic
orange version should certainly draw a fast following
to this exciting new riding machine.
With graphics kept to a minimum, the CBF displays
its lightly shimmering colours to optimum effect with
only the most basic identifying markings, for a spare
look of understated elegance that doesn't have to
shout to be seen and heard. The CBF's engine is painted
a darker metallic grey than used in its more sportoriented
incarnation, for a more purposeful look of strength
that further highlights its body colours
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