Honda CB1000R

Every so often a brand new motorbike appears that makes so much sense you wonder why it hasn't been around for years. Such is the case with the mind-altering machine that is the all new Honda CB1000R - their nastiest naked motorcycle yet.

Picking the best from other highly respected Honda motorcycles, the 2008 CB1000R is fully focussed on the sheer joy of owning, and riding, a crowd stopping bike. Built like an international rugby player, its 'mass forward' design sits you right up in the thick of the action, while leaving the tail looking lean and lithe.

And while it stays true to the bike naked ethos, the detailing this radical rebel does have is astonishing in its audacity. Take, for example, the angular looking semi-underslung exhaust, or the original swept four spoke 17" wheels laid bare by the single sided swing arm. You can be sure these new motorcycles will turn heads wherever they go.

However those heads will have to turn pretty fast if they are to get more than a fleeting glimpse of this impressive machine. Honda are, as yet, reluctant to say just how powerful it is but with a retuned version of the in line 4 cylinder power plant from the CBR1000RR Fireblade on board, packed with even more low-to-mid range punch, they're not going to be figures for the faint hearted. Add to this the lightweight naked styling, aided by an advanced die cast aluminium mono block backbone frame and magnesium cylinder heads, and you've got a superhero of a bike that really believes it can fly.

And it's every bit as good when it comes in to land, with radial-mount 4 piston callipers gripping lightweight 310mm floating front discs and dual piston calliper 256mm discs at the back. You can even upgrade to a combined ABS version for even greater stopping style.

Naked power and naked aggression: dressed to impress those who want more than just sheer sports speed - that's the promise of these brilliant new motorbikes, as the CB1000R comprehensively raises the bar for 2008.

Specifications