Honda has deliberately given the CBF a non-threatening look so it can market it as a ‘beginner’s’ 1000, or simply to those ‘nice’ people you’re supposed to meet on Hondas who don’t care for racy paintwork and socially irresponsible graphics. And no, I don’t mean it’s a girls’ bike, because making adjustments in the other direction should enhance its appeal to taller riders too. In short, this allows adjustability for the handlebars, seat and screen, making the CBF more appealing for the lower legged among us. All this aside, theories born from press packs can sometimes be turned on their head.Īs with the smaller 600 version, Honda has incorporated its ‘Just Fit’ ethos to the manufacture of the 1000, which sits meekly between the Hornet 900 and the two retro CB1300s. Give it basic components with a very sensible look and you could be in for a sound kicking from disappointed journalists. Borrowing an engine from a famous sportsbike and shoving it in a budget all-rounder is no guarantee of success.
