Satoshi's Review: The Hornet Successor (Sort Of)

"Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura" (sundowne36)
07/27/2014 at 16:03 • Filed to: two wheels good, two wheels bad, honda, review, satoshis rides, satoshis review

Now, most of you may recall that I purchased a Honda 919 simply because insurance, parking and fuel happened. I also wanted something I can have fun with on the twisty roads down through Redondo Beach and Des Moines, Burien and Seattle. I was actually impressed with the Hornet's characteristics but I thought, "wouldn't it be better if they gave us a big-bore CB -F/R?"

( Full Disclosure: Honda wanted me to ride the CB1000R so badly that they gave me a brand new showroom model and told me to have fun with it. The only stipulation is that my ride has to be less than 1 mile total on the Odometer. I brought it back under a mile. I will not be grading this just yet as a mile is not enough for a full-scale review. Honda, you listening?)

After I bought the 919, I found out that the CB900F had been discontinued since 2007 and was a bit disheartened - only to find out that the CB1300 was out and about. Being giddy, I asked a dealer when the model was coming to the showrooms, and this is what I got back.

"The CB1300's not available in the US." Well, damn. There goes an alternative for a streetfighter-style Hayabusa. (Suzuki has one, but they stopped making it from what I can dig up.)

I knew the 919 has to be the last of its kind in Honda's lineup until my eyes caught sight of the 1000R. That mad styling, single swingarm and the CBR's 1000cc engine shoved into that frame told me one thing: It's back... Just as a more race-oriented bike.

Gone was the analog pod, replaced with a digital read-out with a fuel gauge this time around, compared to looking at the trip and guessing how much fuel you have left. (On normal rides, I could try to average 195 miles on a tank until the light stayed on: 43.3 Miles per gallon.)

The exhaust system was changed, too; instead of the underseat-style twin pipes, you now have the standard four-into-one system similar to the bikes of yesteryear. Sadly, they forgot about the center stand again.

And speaking about the engine earlier, it's the same from the CBR1000RR, except that it was tuned to produce more mid-range torque that works in any situations, even in high altitudes. And cold starts aren't a bit of a bother which means the choke/fast idle is no longer installed. On full throttle, the bike has the ability to produce 108 WHP (9,900 RPM) and 64.3 lb/ft (7,400 RPM) - more than the power produced from the former CB900. You can feel the torque kicking in around 3,000 RPM and coupled to the close-ratio 6-speed, power feels linear and smooth. I also enjoyed how the clutch felt; it was easy and forgiving, though I knew where the friction point would occur as if I've been riding the CB for more than 5 months.

With decent power comes decent handling: despite being a single swingarm/shock, the CB1000R enjoys cornering as if it was a pleasurable thing to do; this is done by Honda's idea of mass centralization on keeping the weight and center-of-gravity as low and centered as possible. That doesn't mean you're forced to ride while leaning forward, as upright people like me could also enjoy the bike without having to sacrifice the Honda's potent handling characteristics.

Faults? Well, there was one and it's the ergonomics. I did say upright people can also enjoy the bike as much as I did, but if there was one area that let me and the bike down, it was the seat. For some reason, Honda thought it would be a good idea to include a bump that's pressed against the spine and I didn't mind it, but on harsh roads.. It was painful. And the price might be a bit of a turnoff if you wanted a naked bike compared to a CBR500R, CBR650F or the new VFR800 Interceptor. Heck, even the CB500s look like a bargain.

That being said, I still wouldn't mind buying the 1000R over the 919 if I could do it all over again, but I haven't been able to ride beyond a mile to get the full impression of what it could do in the real world. Until that day comes, I would enjoy the 1000R as I did under a short ride.

DISCUSSION (8)

anothermiatafanboy > Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura
07/27/2014 at 16:23

that bump against the spine that you are talking about appears to me to be part of a cowl covering the passenger seat. It might just be a plastic piece that can be taken off and that bump might come off with it.

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > anothermiatafanboy
07/27/2014 at 16:34

It's actually part of the seat - you'd have to get a custom mount.

anothermiatafanboy > Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura
07/27/2014 at 16:39

I saw the cut out lines and it looks obviously removable. But I guess if it's not a cover it must just expose a little storage area with the owners manual and toolkit etc.

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > anothermiatafanboy
07/27/2014 at 16:49

I thought it was a removable bit too but it's part of the passenger seat. I haven't checked the storage space under but I assume it's the same with the 919.

itranthelasttimeiparkedit > Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura
07/27/2014 at 16:56

I dont like the angular looks, I still think (my) 919 looks 10x better. Never going to sell that bike...

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > itranthelasttimeiparkedit
07/27/2014 at 16:57

Same here. I love the 919 for quite a number of reasons and I'd be damned if I have to part ways with her. Then again, I racked up miles on the bike that I didn't know where there. (30K+ miles and still going strong!)

itranthelasttimeiparkedit > Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura
07/27/2014 at 17:07

I don't ride near as much as I used to, I don't think mine has more than 10k on it...

jkm7680 > Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura
07/27/2014 at 17:11

I love the bike, the back wheel bothers me though. I'm not a huge fan of how they shaped it. Good looking, and performing bike though, I'll definitely be looking into taking a closer look at them.