– 2021 Honda CB1000R + Black Edition Review / Specs | Buyer’s Guide with everything you need to know about the 2021 Neo Sports Cafe bike! –

Say hello to the absolutely gorgeous 2021 CB1000R & Black Edition! Honda decided to throw some changes at the 2021 CB1000R and I’m thinking they hit a homerun with this one… especially the CB1000R Black Edition. In my best Jim Carrey impersonation – it is B-E-A-utiful! Do you follow me on Social Media like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter? If so, you would’ve known that these CB1000R changes were on the way with some of the sneak peak info posted. That’s the last shameless plug on this page haha so let’s get back to what you’re here for… Also, if you’d like to check out the history of the CB1000R on my blog, here’s an archive of all CB1000R posts that date back to concept models and different custom CB1000R builds from Honda over the years – Click Here.

2021 Honda CB1000R USA Release Date / Announcement Date: This page will be updated soon… However, at the moment I can not guarantee that we will be getting this new 2021 CB1000R in the USA. Honda skipped the 2020 production year for the CB1000R here in the American market but that doesn’t mean that we have no hope for getting this motorcycle released on our side of the pond. Honda has done that on multiple models, skip a production year for the American market and then bring it back with those new changes and then sometimes without any changes. What’s the rhyme or reason behind that sometimes? I have no idea but I would love to sit down with some of the people that have answers to questions like that and many others, I would love to pick their brain on how things are done and decided on – behind the scenes when it comes to which country gets this model and why they don’t want that model etc. Long story short though before I ramble on any more… We don’t know if this new generation, 2021 CB1000R will be releasing in the US at this time but I will be updating this page ASAP once I’m able to “officially” spill the beans on its release for America.

2021 Honda CB1000R USA Release Date Update on March 2, 2021: Honda is going to be releasing the new 2021 CB1000R Black Edition in the USA and I have updated pricing and release dates etc below. Keep in mind though that this page covers both the standard 2021 CB1000R and the Black Edition versions whereas the USA is only getting the Black Edition.

Quick overview of 2021 CB1000R Changes: The flagship of Honda’s Neo Sports Café family evolves – tighter, sleeker, with an even more aggressive stance ­- further developing the unique motorcycling proposition that it represents. With these new styling changes and new wheel design, it showcases that the CB1000R is a thing of beauty. A new, color TFT instrument display connects the rider to their smartphone via Honda Smartphone Voice Control System, and there’s also now a USB charging socket under the seat. Alongside the standard CB1000R, the Black Edition is exactly that: accessorized with fly screen, pillion seat cover and quickshifter it is as blacked-out as a motorcycle can be, with just the merest hint of aluminum on show. The engine gets revised PGM-FI settings and EURO5 compliance. We’ll dive deeper into all of this below!

• Quick CB1000R Info (for those in a hurry):
  • 2021 CB1000R Black Edition USA Price / MSRP: $12,999
  • 2021 CB1000R Black Edition USA Release Date: May 2021
  • 2021 CB1000R Colors: Candy Chromosphere Red, Matte Beta Silver Metallic, Matte Ballistic Black Metallic | Deep Graphite Black on the CB1000R Black Edition (USA)
  • 2021 CB1000R Horsepower: 143 HP @ 10,500 RPM
    
  • 2021 CB1000R Torque: 76 lb/ft torque @ 8,250 RPM
    
  • 2021 CB1000R MPG: 40
  • 2021 CB1000R Seat Height: 32.6 inches
  • 2021 CB1000R Weight: 467 lbs (curb)
  • 2021 CB1000R Fuel Tank Capacity / Size: 4.3 gallons
  • 2021 CB1000R Front Suspension: 43mm Showa SFF-BP fork with spring preload, rebound and compression damping adjustability; 4.3 inches travel
  • 2021 CB1000R Rear Suspension: Single Showa shock with spring preload and rebound damping adjustability; 5.2 inches travel
  • 2021 CB1000R VS 2020 CB1000R Changes: Yes, explained below.
  • 2021 CB1000R VS 2020 CB1000R Price Change: $0 

2021 CB1000R Review Contents:

• 1. | Introduction
• 2. | Model Overview
• 3. | Key Features / Development
  • 3.1 | Engine
  • 3.2 | Chassis / Suspension
  • 3.3 | Chassis / Suspension
  • 3.4 | Chassis / Suspension
• 4. | Accessories
• 5. | Photo Gallery / Pictures
• 6. | Technical Specifications

1. | Introduction

Motorcycling has seen many shifts in riders’ expectations of their bikes – what they do, how they look and how they make them feel – over the last decade. And Honda has never been afraid to apply its technology, engineering and ‘what if…?’ imagination to create motorcycles that inhabit new spaces in the marketplace.

The CB1000R is one such bike. Introduced through a major model change in 2018, Honda’s development engineers re-assessed the hard-core streetfighter underpinnings of the previous model and, steered by retro-industrial minimalism, stripped everything back. The resulting machine, born under the banner of ‘Neo Sports Café’, was a new fusion of sport naked and bare-boned Café Racer inspirations.

It stood out from the crowd by moving away from the standard super sports-derived big naked formula, melding exhilarating function to a form that offered a radically fresh, visually stunning two-wheeled aesthetic. Combining more with less, the reborn CB1000R gave its rider a huge amount of usable engine performance, with the control of a super sports machine.

Exciting to ride, and fully capable of chasing much more focused machinery down on a twisting back road, from whichever way it’s approached – aesthetics, emotions, performance or technology – the CB1000R has proved itself a hard motorcycle to ignore.

Minor cosmetic updates for 2020 further enhanced its premium status. Now, for 2021, the CB1000R moves forward significantly, both in terms of style and rider engagement.

Before we dive too deep into the new 2021 CB1000R changes, lets touch base on what Honda changed on the 2020 CB1000R. Why? A lot of people may not be familiar with the 2020 CB1000R changes as Honda didn’t bring the CB1000R into the USA for 2020. It was launched here in the USA as with the rest of the world in 2018, then returned in 2019 with a different color option and then nothing for the American market in 2020 like in Europe and other corners of the world. In 2020, Honda made a few subtle cosmetic changes to the CB1000R with replacing the silver accents for black as well as an all black triple clamp and stem with color changes to the rear spring and front brake rotors. Small changes indeed but changes nonetheless.

2. | Model Overview

Visually, the 2021 CB1000R’s lines are more aggressive, forward-set with shrink-wrapped new details like the exposed aluminum subframe, radiator shrouds and airbox covers, flowing in holistic, dynamic harmony. The headlight, too, evolves in shape and now slants back, while intricately crafted new wheels add to the engineering prowess on display.

While the CB1000R chassis is unchanged the engine earns revised PGM-FI settings, smoothing power delivery, and EURO5 compliance. A new, full color TFT instrument display offers Honda Smartphone Voice Control System, linking the rider to their smartphone function, and there’s also a USB charging socket under the seat.

The 2021 CB1000R will be available in the following color options:

• Candy Chromosphere Red
• Matte Ballistic Black Metallic
• Matte Beta Silver Metallic

The CB1000R Black Edition

While the new CB1000R is a motorcycle shaped into purposeful beauty, Honda’s engineers chose to go several steps further with the new Black Edition. With a hand-built, custom look, the Black Edition starts out on the same manufacturing line as the standard CB1000R, then takes a detour into a moodier aesthetic territory and some extra, desirable, accessories.

Apart from a few machined aluminum details – on the wheel spokes, swingarm plates, engine covers and handlebar clamps – everything on show is black: the headlight bezel, fly-screen, fork stanchions, radiator shrouds, and airbox covers (with an anodized finish), exhaust and muffler. Deep Graphite Black paint adorns the fuel tank and pillion seat cover. A machined ‘CB’ logo adds a finishing touch.

A quickshifter also comes standard on the CB1000R Black Edition and is available as an accessory for the standard CB1000R models.

3. | Key Features / Development

3.1 | CB1000R Styling & Equipment

• Aggressive, ‘mass-forward’ stance heightened, with sleeker styling front to back, and new cast aluminum wheels
• Honda Smartphone Voice Control System links the rider to their smartphone via Bluetooth and 5-inch color TFT screen; USB charging socket under the seat

Honda’s ‘Neo Sports Café’ design aesthetic was created not only with a fondness for the past, but with an eye on the future as well, with ample scope for variations to the theme. As such, it is not standing still for 2021; the CB1000R takes the impressive styling statement made in 2018 as a springboard, and turns up the dial. The distinctive Neo Sports Café look is unmistakable, but the drama is heightened and stance even more aggressively hunched forward, and diagonally down, around the striking, black-finished engine. New 7-spoke cast aluminum wheels add an intricate, head-turning finish.

From tip to tail the flow is harmonious: the instantly-recognizable round headlight now sits in a teardrop style surround, and lays backwards between the forks; the burnished aluminum radiator shrouds are much more compact and angled into the direction of travel, a design cue mirrored by the airbox covers.

The sinuous aluminum subframe, completely redesigned, is now finished in aluminum (rather than black) highlighting the stark minimalism of the rear. And not to miss an aesthetic detail, the number plate mount is also smaller.

While it may turn heads and stop traffic with its revised looks, the day-to-day practicalities have also not been overlooked, and real-world ease-of-use is improved with the new CB1000R. The instruments now comprise a 5-inch, full color high-visibility TFT screen, which offers four types of speed/rpm display – according to rider preference – as well as fuel gauge/consumption, riding mode selection/engine parameters and Shift Up indicator. Management is via the buttons on the left handlebar.

Also incorporated into the interface is the new Honda Smartphone Voice Control (HSVC) system, which links the rider to their smartphone while on the move and allows voice management of phone calls, email, music and navigation. A helmet-mounted headset is needed and the smartphone connects to the dash via Bluetooth; management of HSVC is also possible using buttons the left switchgear. There’s also now a USB socket under the seat, for smartphone charging.

The CB1000R’s rear indicators have an Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) function. Under hard braking, the hazard lights flash to warn other road users a hard stop is in process. The indicators also auto-cancel; rather than using a simple timer, the system compares front and rear wheel speed difference and calculates when to cancel the indication relative to the situation.

3.2 | CB1000R Chassis

• Strong, lightweight mono-backbone steel frame, adjustable Showa SFF-BP forks and rear monoshock
• Dual, radial-mount four-piston calipers and 310mm floating front discs

The CB1000R’s chassis is unchanged for 2021 and employs a mono-backbone steel frame and uses split-tightening aluminum pivot plates to grip the signature 574.2mm single-sided swingarm. Rake is set at 25° with trail of 100mm. Wheelbase is 57.2 in. (1455mm) with a curb weight of 467 lbs (212kg). Weight bias is 48.5%/ 51.5% front/rear.

A ‘natural crouch’ is afforded by the relaxed rider triangle of wide, tapered aluminum handlebars matched to an 32.6 inch seat height on the 2021 CB1000R (830mm). The flangeless fuel tank too, is broad-shouldered, but heavily cut-away to allow plenty of knee room.

The adjustable front fork is a Showa Separate Function Fork Big Piston unit (SFF-BP). It contains all the damping function in one leg, reducing weight, while delivering compliance, comfort and control across a broad range of riding conditions. The Showa rear shock, adjusts for spring preload, and rebound damping.

Up front, dual radial-mount four-piston front calipers bite 310mm floating discs, matched to a twin-piston caliper and 256mm rear, and 2-channel ABS. The new, intricately designed cast aluminum seven-spoke wheels exude bold elegance; the rear tire (sitting on a 6-inch rim) is sized 190/55 ZR17, the front a 120/70 ZR17.

3.3 | CB1000R Engine

• CBR1000RR derived, four-cylinder engine with Throttle By Wire
• Revised PGM-FI settings smooth delivery and response
• The engine is now EURO5 compliant

The CB1000R’s 998cc DOHC four-cylinder engine provides a healthy dose of both power and torque. Performance numbers for the 2021 CB1000R put horsepower at 143 @ 10,500 RPM and 76 lb/ft torque @ 8,250 RPM (107 kW / 104Nm). Bore and stroke are set at 75mm x 56.5 mm with compression ratio 11.6:1. The redline begins at 11,500rpm and the rev-limiter cuts in at 12,000rpm; the only changes for 2021 are optimized PGM-FI settings – smoothing power delivery and improving response – and EURO5 compliance.

This engine is tuned to deliver its torque with a characteristic ‘ramp’ in the 6-8,000rpm range, where it bulges significantly, generating an exciting and engaging riding experience. It’s also a useful aid for rapid roll-on acceleration in real-world overtaking conditions.

The airbox, ducting and air filter present a smooth route for airflow into the engine, reducing pressure loss all the way from the outer ducts; a 44mm diameter throttle body feeds air/fuel mixture into large diameter inlet ports and carefully-shaped combustion chambers. Inlet valve lift is set at 8.3mm, exhaust 8.1mm. The pistons are constructed from forged aluminum.

Short gear ratios ensure exhilarating acceleration through the gears. The assist/slipper clutch is super-light and helps manage hard, rapid downshifts.

The exhaust adds to the CB1000R’s mid-range muscle and light weight. It’s a 4-2-1 design, feeding via 4 short catalyzers into a main chamber, which then feeds a dual chamber muffler. The exhaust note has been tuned internally, meaning that as the revs rise past 5,500rpm it takes on a significantly deeper, more raw tone.

For EURO5 compliance, the 0₂ lambda exhaust sensors have been replaced with Linear Air Flow (LAF) sensors in the downpipes to allow for much more accurate measurement of the spent gases. How is the CB1000R when it comes to fuel efficiency? Honda rates the 2021 CB1000R MPG at 40 (17.1km/L).

3.4 | CB1000R Engine Electronics

• Three default rider modes plus USER customisation option
• Three levels of Power, Engine Brake and Honda Selectable Torque Control

Throttle By Wire (TBW) allows the rider maximum control over the CB1000R’s powerful engine via 3 default riding modes plus 1 USER mode, managed between the left handlebar and the TFT screen.

There are 3 levels of Engine Power (P), Engine Brake (EB) and Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) available; HSTC can also be switched off. The riding modes offer different combinations of each parameter.

• RAIN mode employs the lowest Power setting for the least aggressive power delivery, medium amount of EB and high HSTC. The lower levels of power and torque delivery are focused on the first 3 gears.
• STANDARD mode uses the middle setting for Power, HSTC and EB. It softens the power delivery a little out of first and second gear, and uses a power delivery just below that of SPORT mode, with reduced torque at partial throttle openings.
• SPORT uses the highest Power delivery and lowest levels of EB and HSTC to deliver 100% performance through all six gears, maximum torque and power at all throttle positions and minor intervention from HSTC.
• USER mode allows the rider to choose between the 3 settings for each parameter and save the setting for future use.

4. | CB1000R Accessories

• Tank pad
• Fly screen
• Pillion seat cover
• Front fender cover
• Alcantara pillion/rider seat
• Bar ends
• Engine cover
• Radiator grill
• Wheel stripes
• Heated grips
• Quickshifter
• Luggage base
• Rear seat bag
• Tank bag

5. | Photo Gallery / Pictures

2021 CB1000R Pictures

2021 CB1000R Black Edition Pictures

6. | Technical Specifications

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