Honda virtually unveils CB-F concept

The pandemic has forced the cancellation of the 47th Tokyo Motorcycle Show, so motorcycle manufacturers have chosen to virtually launch their new products, including the Honda CB-F concept.

This “modern retro” is a tribute to the CB900F of the 1970s-80s.

But don’t get your hopes too high that it will come to Australia.

The 20-13 CB1100 was also a great retro tribute bike, but Honda abandoned it, even after it was substantially updated with a sixth gear and ABS just a year later.

Instead, we have the very uninspiring CB1000R sport. That bike is still shown on its website, but we think it’s been quietly discontinued as there are no 2019 models available for sale that we can find. Just as well!

Honda CB-F

The CB-F is powered by a water-cooled, inline 998cc four-cylinder engine with a six-speed box, the same drivetrain as the CB1000R, so maybe this is the replacement bike.

Although the CB-F is just a concept at the moment, Honda tends make production bikes very close to their concept moneys.

That’s good news, because we like the CB-F with its retro boxy shapes, single round headlight and silver/blue colouring.

Obviously, the missing indicators and mirrors will be added.

And maybe that elegantly small and simple exhaust pipe will be modified for emissions regulations.

Let’s hope it doesn’t end up as hideous as the pipe on the CB1000R!

The chassis is made of lightweight high-tensile steel with an aluminium single-sided swingarm and upside-down forks, so it should be a lithe little handler.

Honda describes the CB-F as an “ambitious fusion of cutting edge technology with a design paying homage to the CB900F”.

Let’s hope Honda Australia does bring this one in!