2021 Honda CB1000R First Look

Admin · November 10, 2020

Honda has updated the CB1000R for 2021, giving its “Neo Sports Café” flagship a slightly new look, a color TFT display and Euro 5 compliance, as well as a Black Edition variant. As of this writing, the new 2021 Honda CB1000R has only been announced for Europe, but we expect a U.S. announcement to come soon.

The updated CB1000R maintains the Neo Sports Café modern-retro aesthetic, with Honda giving it subtle changes that some people may not even notice. The radiator shroud and anodized airbox cover located below the fuel tank’s knee cutouts are new, noticeably smaller than on the previous version and angled forward. The rear aluminum subframe is a slimmer design but it keeps the seat height at the same 32.7 inches as the previous CB1000R.

The most notable design change is the headlight which now slants backward with a horseshoe-shaped LED. The rear lighting gains an emergency stop signal (ESS) function that flashes the hazard lights under sudden hard braking, though it’s unclear if that has been approved for use in the U.S. The CB1000R also gets self-cancelling turn signals that is based on measuring the speed difference between the two wheels rather than a simple timer.

Rounding out the design changes are the new seven-spoke cast aluminum wheels.

The 998cc Inline-Four is relatively unchanged, claiming the same peak performance figures of 143 hp at 10,500 rpm and 76.7 lb-ft. at 8,250 rpm. Honda also modified the inlet valve lift, setting it at 8.3 mm instead of the previous 8.5 mm while the exhaust valve lift remains at 8.1 mm. The PGM-FI settings were updated to help meet Euro 5 standards while smoothing power delivery and response, most noticeably in the 6-8,000 rpm range.

The 4-2-1 exhaust system is mostly unchanged, though for Euro 5 compliance, Honda did replace the O2 lambda sensors with linear air flow sensors in the downpipes to improve measurement accuracy.

The suspension is unchanged from the previous model, with an adjustable Showa Separate Function Fork Big Piston (SFF-BP) unit up front and a Showa rear shock with adjustable spring preload and rebound damping. Likewise, the brakes are unchanged, with dual radial mount four-piston calipers and 310 mm discs up front and a twin-piston caliper with 256 mm disc at the back. The CB1000R comes standard with a two-channel ABS.

Honda replaced the outgoing model’s LCD instruments with a full color 5-inch TFT display. The CB1000R also receives a new Honda Smartphone Voice Control system which connects the bike to smartphones and Bluetooth-compatible headsets. Honda also added a USB socket under the seat for charging phones.

For 2021, Honda is producing a Black Edition CB1000R which comes with Deep Graphite Black paint, several blacked-out components, a quickshifter and a machined CB logo. The regular CB1000R gets three color options: Candy Chromosphere Red, Matt Ballistic Black Metallic and Matt Beta Silver Metallic. U.S. availability remains to be announced.

2021 Honda CB1000R Specifications
Engine Type	Liquid-cooled DOHC Inline four-cylinder, four valves per cylinder
Engine Displacement	998cc
Bore and Stroke (mm)	75mm x 56.5mm
Compression Ratio	11.6:1
Max. Power Output	143 hp at 10,500 rpm (claimed)
Max. Torque	76.7 lb-ft. at 8,250 rpm (claimed)
Carburation	PGM-FI
Fuel Tank Capacity	4.3 gallons
Fuel Consumption	40.2 mpg (claimed)
Starter	Electric
Battery Capacity	12V/8.6AH
Clutch Type	Wet, multiplate clutch
Transmission Type	6-speed
Final Drive	Chain
Frame	Steel mono backbone
Front Supsension	Showa SFF-BP USD fork
Rear suspension	Showa monoshock (axle travel 5.2 inches)
Front Brake	310mm double disc
Rear Brake	256mm single disc
ABS System Type	2 channel
Front Wheel	Cast aluminum
Rear Wheel	Cast aluminum
Front Tire	120/70 ZR17
Rear Tire	190/55 ZR17
Instruments	5” TFT screen
Headlight	LED
Taillight	LED
Dimensions (LxWxH)	83.5 inches x 31.1 inches x 42.9 inches
Wheelbase	57.2 inches
Rake/Trail	25°/3.9 inches
Seat Height	32.7 inches
Ground Clearance	5.3 inches
Kerb Weight	467 pounds (claimed)