Honda has revealed the new CB-F concept based on the CB1000R and its retro design takes us back to a time when even the simplest of designs worked so well.
Its a very interesting time when we are seeing many modern motorcycles being styled like retro ones. That’s how the entire genre of neo-retro motorcycles came into being. Unlike cars, motorcycles are seeing a vintage renewal trend in terms of design and we think its a great thing. Modern complexities in design are being ditched in favor of simple yet beautiful looking motorcycles. Well, all this is in context of the new CB-F concept that Honda has recently unveiled and its really a looker.
Having talked so much about design, lets address that first. The design is delightfully 80s and the simplicity of this motorcycle is simply charming. The classic round headlamp, a clean and flat tail-section, a square-ish fuel tank that flows perfectly into the single-piece seat are all period-perfect. Even the cascading exhaust headers and the end can are so perfectly retro. The design really harks back to the Honda CB750 and although a neo-retro concept, its certainly more retro than neo.
Of course this is a concept motorcycle and it does not have things like mirrors, pillion foot-pegs or even grab rails. We really hope that Honda is able to put all these necessary elements back as aesthetically as possible to make this street legal, if and when it makes it to production. The minimalistic look manages to do so much with so little, it almost feels unnecessary for modern motorcycles to have so many cuts and creases.
But there are things that really remind you that this motorcycle belongs to 2020. Take the fully-digital color TFT screen for example, or the single-sided swingarm and monoshock. What’s powering it is also quite modern. The Honda CB-F concept is based on the CB1000R and it borrows the engine from the same as well. It is thus a 998cc liquid-cooled inline-4 motor that puts out a healthy 146PS and 104Nm. The engine is mated to a 6-speed gearbox via an assist and slipper clutch.
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This is not the only neo-retro motorcycle in Honda’s lineup though. The CB1000R is also designed with the same philosophy but its certainly much more modern with its design. Honda also has the CB1100 which is sold abroad and its a true-blue retro motorcycle with an air-and-oil cooled inline-4 engine and twin-pod analogue instrumentation.
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Coming back to the CB-F concept, Honda will surely throw in their full suite of electronic aids on this motorcycle including traction control and riding modes. Also, in case you were wondering why you can’t see any perimeter beams or frame tubes on the CB-F, it is because the motorcycle is underpinned by a steel backbone frame suspended on an upside-down fork and monoshock. The single-sided swingarm also keeps the entire rear wheel on display. Yes, that’s how far we have come in 40 years of technological advancements.
