EICMA 2019: Honda reveals updated CB1000R for 2020. LESS weight and MORE power.

Building on the success of its 2018 CB1000R, Honda’s updated its Neo Sports Café motorcycle for 2020 – upping its power output and reducing its weight.

In addition to some subtle cosmetic changes, the big news is that the latest generation CB1000R is more powerful and lighter – which is an impressive achievement considering it’s been created to meet new Euro 5 emissions regulations.

Powered by a Fireblade-derived 998cc DOHC four-cylinder engine, the 2020 CB1000R kicks out 143bhp at 10,500rpm and 104Nm of torque at 8,250rpm. It’s a decent step up from the previous model, which offered 123bhp at 10,000rpm and 99Nm at 7,750rpm. In addition to the boost in outright performance – there’s been a 4% reduction in gear ratios to help improve acceleration through the gears between 30-130km/h. The CB1000R is 12kg lighter than the previous street-fighter-focused model – which translates into a 20% improvement in power to weight ratio.

Suspension is provided in the form of an adjustable Showa Separate Function Fork Big Piston unit (SFF-BP) up front. It contains all the damping function in one leg, reducing weight, while delivering compliance, comfort and control across a broad range of riding conditions. At the rear, there’s a black Showa shock which offers spring preload and rebound damping adjustment.

Brakes come in form of dual radial-mount four-piston front calipers with 310mm floating discs up front, and a twin-piston caliper and 256mm disc at the rear – helped by 2-channel ABS.

To help keep the more powerful machine in check, there’s a Throttle By Wire (TBW) system which comes with three preset riding modes plus a USER setting. The Power (P), Engine Brake (EB) and Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) settings all work to help riders find the perfect setup depending on the road conditions.

As with the 2018 model, there’s a higher specification ‘CB1000R+’ version available, which comes with a quickshifter, heated grips and a range of premium accessories that flesh out the CB1000R’s styling including: metallic meter visor and seat cowl, front fender panel, hugger panel and radiator grill  

Speaking about the new CB1000R Mr S. Uchida, Large Project Leader (LPL) for the bike said: “As Honda, our intention is always to look to the future and to be ready to lead. Hence, as the Naked sector’s requirements mature, we knew that we had to go much further than giving the new CB1000R a boost in real world performance. Customer expectation and interests are about much more than just ‘how fast?’. We wanted to build in not only exhilaration and emotion to each experience of the CB1000R, but also real pleasure in owning, and showing off, such an individual machine. So we travelled in a new direction and are very proud of the result – both when out on the road and when admiring it in the garage!”

Mr Valerio Aiello from the Design Department at Honda’s R&D centre in Rome added, “With the Neo Sports Café aesthetic we wanted to create a new stylistic dimension, different from the muscular streetfighters of the last few years, and at the same time, far from the simpler café-racer style. Compared to the original concept, the various models of the Neo Sports Café range retain their original essence but naturally each one differs, in the use of different layouts and engines. We used ‘noble’ materials, such as metal, to enhance the technical elements, with compact and essential shapes. Even the colours go in this direction.

“The end result is that none of the bikes from the competition resemble the Neo Sports Café range and, like them or not, they are easily recognisable as Hondas. The competitors have classic or very modern motorcycles in their ranges, but in my opinion, not something that goes in the wake of both styles.”

Available in three dynamic colours – Candy Chromosphere Red, Graphite Black and Matt Pearl Glare White – there’s been no official news on pricing yet, but chances are we won’t have to wait too much longer for the full inside scoop. For more information on the new CB1000RR, click HERE. And for the latest breaking news from EICMA 2019, click HERE.

5. Technical Specifications