Honda is promoting its cool, new CB1000R in several different ways, but this one caught our eye. In connection with the Glemseck 101 just concluded in Germany, this custom beauty was created by Honda Racing UK to be ridden by none other than five-time 500cc GP champ Mick Doohan.
Doohan used the bike in a drag race event at the festival. Take a look at this article for pictures of Doohan and the bike at the event, together with additional details about the one-off build. We hope to get our hands on a production Honda CB1000R for testing. Stay tuned.
See more of MD’s great photography:
THAT is a gorgeous custom. Wow.
The stock WB is 57.3 and I would like to know what we have here. Anyone know?
You could start by counting chain rivets along the bottom run and do a comparison. If you wanted to.
Thank you!
Only approximate based on chain link counting but it looks like 6.0 to 7.2 inches over for 63.3 to 65 WB.
So Supersport all the way to the swingarm pivot then Cruiser on from there- 2019 HD Sportglide!
I would really like to try this with a double saddle- two-up not all over the road. Sport bikes can be VERY short though the stock CB1000R is not and this is fine for fast curves on the track you are often overriding your stopping distance on public roads making longer WB not a real loss. You get straight line stability with WB but most cruisers are way too lazy on the front end geometry. BUT what about the bike above? Launch hard from the stop on straights when you can see where you are going and a good weight balance.
As a former owner of a ’94 CB1000 Big One, I’m very interested in the new CB1000R. Imagine owning a litre-naked that hauls ass AND looks good. That’s what I call a cool concept.
I still don’t see any dealers carrying the bike in the US, and it seems that the red color scheme might not be sold here. Recent reviews in the US have only now just started to trickle in, despite the fact that the bike was supposed to become available this summer (like, June). Needless to say, I look forward to reading the upcoming MD review. There is a lot of competition at the $13K price point…
I had one of those CB1000’s too. I liked the look of the bike but what a pig to ride. Heavy, ponderous,under powered, unispiring handling. I sold it for a six month old 2000 SV650 which was a Revelation in comparison.
I’m unmoved. They’ve taken what was a very unique and stylish looking bike and dragged it through the gold anodizing and aftermarket parts catalog, leaving something that looks like a lot of other highly-customized “streetfighters” (or naked bikes).
Remember, this is done up as a 1/8th drag bike for Mick Doohan. I would cast a ballot on its final livery until/when it hits the market. Wouldn’t be surprised at all if Europe keeps it to itself.
Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s pretty cool, but the original style of the bike has pretty much disappeared.
I rode a stocker around Luxembourg, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands for a few days. The engine is kind of odd in that it comes on the pipe as 600rpm not at all unlike a two stroke does when the power valve opens at about the same RPM. I thought that it was a decent enough bike.
But the people I rented it from took off the weird little fender like thing that makes up for the ridiculous stunted tail section. When it rained, the back tire would pump nasty road spray onto you until even a good pair of riding pants was soaked through and you were covered with a fine layer of mud from head to toe. That was a bit less than pleasant.
6000 rpm?
Oops! Yeah.
I was living in NL at the time and the local shop would only rent to a resident. So when my buddy came to ride from America, I loaned him my bike and I rented the Honda. He housed my US 2004 Multistrada and rode it from time to time. So my NL 2003 Multistrada was familiar to him.
The two bikes worked pretty well together.
My, what a long swing arm you have there.
My, what a long single-sided swing arm you have there.
there is a big following of the CB1000R in the UK, and they like the bling. But, one better not corrupt the original design, I got chastised when i posted a pic of mine with a small round shield. I couldn’t defend it in any way, I am still ridiculed on some pages for it.
I’m a big fan of the new CB design, and this paint job with the gold bling and other subtle but tasty farkles really set the thing on fire for me. Like others have said… Put the stock swingarm back on and start collecting wallets!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DB8vVFwA3uQ
Need!
Drool
Honda should have used this paint on the production bike. Much better than just black. This has some pop to it.
I was just thinking that this past weekend when I pulled my ’84 Interceptor out of the garage for a bath. Its blue and white tank, red stripe, and two-toned orange wing sure looked nice in the sun.
I’m more than tired of seeing shades of black.
Nice, but I’d just like to see designers put the rear wheel in the same Zip Code as the rest of the motorcycle.
Well, this particular bike was drag raced. I should think if it becomes an actual “concept” for possible production, the dimensions would become normal.
A concept for possible production? It’s an actual bike that you can go out and buy. With an unstretched swingarm.
I was thinking the same thing. Put the stock swing arm & chain back on it and SHIP IT!!
You mean like this? https://powersports.honda.com/2018/cb1000r.aspx?forcedesktop=true
Sorry, I’ll have to remove that cool exhaust system before I can ship it to you.
The “naked” trend is SOOOO more appealing to me than the fully fared bikes. I think the manufacturers are on the right track. Less weight, easier access, lower cost, aesthetically more “pure”. I like it.
Right on brother.