2021 Honda CB1000R Black Edition Sports Bike Review Specs Price

The Honda CB1000R is designed to stand out from the crowd, with designers abandoning the super sport-derived, big-naked formula in favor of a well-rounded product that balances form and function. The CB1000R, as the flagship model in the Noe-Sports Cafe lineup that it helped create, has since become a problematic motorcycle to ignore, with the bike’s performance allowing it to keep up with the competition on tight, twisting roads and its looks turning heads even when parked outside the local coffee shop.

The bike’s appearance has been reinforced for 2021, with sharper lines and a more aggressive posture, as well as a attractive “Black Edition” suffix to match the blacked-out components, with just minor accents of aluminum on show. A windscreen, passenger seat cover, and a fast sifter are also included.

While Honda’s engineers opted to go many steps farther with the new Black Edition, the new CB1000R is a motorbike hewn into intentional beauty. The Black Edition, with its hand-built, bespoke appearance, begins on the same production line as the ordinary CB1000R, then deviates into a moodier visual realm with some additional, desired equipment.

Except for a few machined aluminum accents on the wheel spokes, swing arm plates, engine covers, and handlebar clamps, everything on display is black: the headlamp bezel, fly-screen, fork stanchions, radiator shrouds, and air box covers (with an anodized finish), exhaust, and muffler. The fuel tank and pillion seat cover are finished in Deep Graphite Black paint.

2021 Honda CB1000R Black Edition Sports Bike – Features and Specs

Design

Honda’s Neo Sports Cafe design concept was built with a love of both the past and the future in mind. The 2021 CB1000R Black Edition builds on the stunning aesthetic statement established in 2018 by rocking the bike’s stance for a more aggressive, hunched-forward look. New seven-spoke cast-aluminum wheels complement the detailed, eye-catching design.

The sleek, round headlamp is housed in new teardrop-shaped housing and is located below the fork legs. The radiator shrouds are considerably more compact and inclined in the direction of travel for a similar aesthetic approach, reflected by the air box covers. The subframe has been rebuilt, and the license-plate mount has also been reduced in size.

While the new CB1000R Black Edition’s redesigned appearance may draw attention, the day-to-day practicality has not been forgotten, and the simplicity of use has been enhanced. A new five-inch full-color, high-visibility TFT screen with four kinds of speed/rpm display, fuel gauge/consumption, riding mode selection/engine characteristics, and a Shift Up indication is available. The buttons on the left handlebar are used for management.

There’s also a USB port beneath the seat for charging smartphones.

Almost all of the parts are dark in hue. Everything on display is black, except a few machined-aluminum embellishments on the wheel spokes, swing arm plates, engine covers, and handlebar clamps. It includes the headlamp bezel, windscreen, fork legs, radiator shrouds, anodized air box covers, exhaust header, and muffler. A machined CB logo completes the look.

Chassis

The chassis of the CB1000R Black Edition remains unaltered for 2021, with a mono-backbone steel frame and split-tightening aluminum pivot plates gripping the characteristic single-sided swing arm. The rake is adjusted to 25 degrees and the trail to 100 mm. The wheelbase is 57.3 inches, and the curb weight is 470 pounds. The front/rear weight bias is 48.5/51.5.

As the broad, tapered aluminum handlebar is linked to a rider-friendly 32.7-inch seat height, the rider triangle is built to be athletic but comfortable in many situations, from urban streets to twisty back roads. The flangeless gasoline tank has a wide shoulder but is extensively cut away to provide enough knee space.

The Showa Separate Function Fork Big Piston unit (SFF-BP) includes all damper functions in one leg, saving weight while providing compliance, comfort, and control in various riding situations. The Showa shock controls spring preload and rebounds damping, allowing users to customize the bike to their preferences.

Dual radial-mount four-piston calipers bite 310mm floating discs up front, a twin-piston caliper and 256 mm disc in the back, and two-channel ABS. The new cast-aluminum seven-spoke wheels ooze assertive beauty; the rear tire (sitting on a 6-inch-wide rim) is 190/55 ZR17, while the front is 120/70 ZR17.

Technology

Throttle By Wire (TBW) gives extra engine control through three preset riding modes and one USER mode, all of which are controllable via the left handlebar and the TFT screen.

Engine Power (P), Engine Brake (EB), and an all-new Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) are all available in three settings; HSTC may also be turned off. The riding modes provide various combinations of each parameter.

RAIN mode uses the lowest Power setting to offer the least aggressive power, mild Engine Braking, and high HSTC. Lower amounts of energy and torque are concentrated in the first three gears.

STANDARD mode employs the medium power, HSTC, and engine braking settings. It softens the power delivery in first and second gears and uses a power delivery slightly lower than SPORT mode, with less torque at partial throttle openings.

SPORT employs the most significant levels of power delivery and the lowest levels of engine braking and HSTC to give maximum performance through all six gears, maximum torque and power at all throttle locations, and minimum HSTC intervention.

In USER mode, the rider may choose one of three settings for each parameter and store the selection for later use.

The CB1000R Black Edition boasts a three-level, adjustable quick sifter, allowing rapid, smooth up-and-down gear changes during enthusiastic riding.

Engine

The CB1000R’s 998cc DOHC four-cylinder engine delivers plenty of power and torque: 107 kW @ 10,500rpm and 104Nm @ 8,250 pm. The bore and stroke dimensions are 75mm x 56.5mm, with a compression ratio of 11.6:1. The reline is set at 11,500rpm, while the rev-limiter is set at 12,000rpm; the only adjustments for 2021 are optimized PGM-FI settings that smooth out power delivery and improve responsiveness, as well as EURO5 compliance.

This engine has been developed to provide torque with a distinctive ‘ramp’ in the 6-8,000rpm range, where it bulges dramatically, resulting in an exhilarating and engaging riding experience. It can also help with quick roll-on acceleration in real-world overtaking situations.

The airbox, ducting, and air filter provide a smooth path for airflow into the engine, eliminating pressure loss from the exterior ducts; a 44mm diameter throttle body feeds air/fuel mixture into large diameter input ports and well-sculpted combustion chambers. The inlet valve lift is 8.3mm and the exhaust valve lift is 8.1mm. The pistons are made of forged aluminum.

Short gear ratios provide exciting acceleration between 30-130km/h. The assist/slipper clutch is very light and aids in the management of harsh, fast downshifts.

The exhaust contributes to the mid-range muscle and low weight of the CB1000R. It’s a 4-2-1 design, with four short catalyzes feeding into a central chamber, which provides a dual chamber muffler. The exhaust sound has been internally tweaked, so when the revs reach over 5,500rpm, it takes on a much deeper, more raw tone.

The 02 lambda exhaust sensors have been switched with brand new Linear Air Flow (LAF) sensors in the downpipes for EURO5 compliance, allowing for far more precise detection of the wasted gases. The engine’s fuel economy is 17.1 km/L.

Electronics in engines

Throttle Via Wire (TBW) gives the rider complete control over the CB1000R’s strong engine with three basic riding modes and one USER mode, which are controlled by the left handlebar and the TFT LCD.

Engine Brake (EB), Engine Power (P), and Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) are available in three settings; HSTC may also be turned off. The riding modes provide various combinations of each parameter.

RAIN mode uses the lowest Power level to offer the least aggressive power, with a medium degree of EB and a high HSTC. Lower amounts of energy and torque are concentrated in the first three gears.

STANDARD mode uses the middle Power, HSTC, and EB settings. It softens the power delivery out of first and second gears and employs a power delivery somewhat lower than SPORT mode, with less torque at partial throttle openings.

SPORT employs the most significant levels of power delivery and the lowest levels of EB and HSTC to give 100% performance through all six gears, maximum torque and power at all throttle locations, and minimum HSTC intervention.

In USER mode, the rider may choose one of three settings for each parameter and store the selection for later use.

2021 Honda CB1000R Black Edition Sports Bike – Price

The new 2021 Honda CB1000R Black Edition Sports Bike is available at $12,999 only.

2021 Honda CB1000R Black Edition Sports Bike – Technical Specifications

Engine

Suspension

Brakes

Tires

Measurements