The Kneeslider

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2008 Honda CB1000R

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2008 Honda CB1000R

Honda unveiled their 2008 CB1000R in Milan. They take the engine from the CBR1000RR and build a naked bike around it. The styling, which was done in Italy, has lots of edges and angles and to me may be an acquired taste though some riders might really like it.

There’s a 43mm inverted fork up front with a monoshock and single sided swingarm out back. ABS is available. It does not appear to be headed to the U.S.

More photos below:

2008 Honda CB1000R

2008 Honda CB1000R

Link: Honda UK

Comments

  4. Personally I like the muffler and the rear wheel. Something different to the usual cylindrical pipe.

  9. Very, Kawasaki Z1000. Does that bike do ok in the US? That would determine if Honda imports this bike.

    -todd

  10. Kudos to Honda for making a bike a styling exercise, and for putting a single-sided swingarm on another bike (I’m a VFR guy and love ’em). But WHAT on earth possessed the designer of that rear wheel?! I can overlook the exhaust, which looks a bit strange to me, but that rear wheel just makes the back of the bike look heavy and the swirling spokes don’t go with the angularity of the overall styling.

  12. First the uglified Z1000, next the Ducati 696 with that weird “eye” in the gas tank, and now this abortion. Too many zigzag lines, and those swirly wheels are just dumb. What happened to “form follows function?” Their naked functionality is what I like about bikes. This ain’t it. Please take the drugs away from the “stylists” at Honda.

  13. Am I the only one that thinks that CAD has been an accomplice in the death of good design? And not just with motorcycles…….

  15. I think that if they’re going for the single swing arm, they should have stuck the exhaust on the other side, or moved it under the seat.

    I guess there’s always the aftermarket parts for that!

    It looks more like something I’d expect from Kawasaki, not necessarily a bad thing though.

  16. Am I the only one that thinks that CAD has been an accomplice in the death of good design? And not just with motorcycles…….

    I really don’t understand what that has to do with anything, and when exactly did good design “die”? but yeah that rear wheel is pretty fugly.

  20. Motorcycle design is one of the products which still is made in the “old” fashioned way meaning a designer sketches, makes a clay model and if that is accepted by the board of management makes a production model out of it; then CAD comes in the play regarding the design but untill that it is all “handwork” even the KTM is done that way…

  22. The difference between car and motorcycle design is that in car design the clay modelling is done by clay modellers (logical 🙂 (Most) motorcycle designer are also excellent clay modellers and they really make the complete product from first sketch till production including making the clay model which isn’t done in the automotive industry
    The first designs of cars are often built in CAD (ICEM, Alias) and that data is used to mill a model which is the base for the design model.

  24. My streetbike is a Hornet 900 (called a 919 in the US I think?).

    Im not sure I will be trading my bike on this. I dont mind the exhaust, and if you really hate the wheels there are expensive alternatives (Carrozzeria, Marchesini) available. My guess is the wheels are supposed to look like the thing is going so hard that its twisted the wheelspokes, even at a standstill.

    I wonder whether it will be functionally superior to my Hornet though? My bike goes any amount fast enough for an unfaired motorbike, is well grunty enough for the street, was the best value new motorcycle available when I bought it (2005, $11000 NZD)and now it has decent suspension does most everything I want. Ive toured, commuted and done trackdays on mine and had a ball evertime. People say “UJM” pejoratively but really this reminds me of my SOHC 750s and my CB750F1: usable and good at everything. Sure there are bikes with narrower focus, but if you dont have unlimited money then this type of bike is great. Now, how does THIS bike do better at what I do with mine. More expensive, more power, faster, but still naked.. (anything over about 80mph on a naked bike is quite tiring…)

    This thing answers a question I didnt ask.

  25. Not bad !! Why they changed the throttle boddies god knows. when will the manerfactures realise we want the 1000 race bike with out the fairing and with a seat not a plank of wood and a pair of bars so we don’t have to do a hand stand all day.
    Not much to ask DON’T WATER IT DOWN !!! Oh and 50mm forks would look better but hey not bad and from the company of shell suit paint schemes IMPRESSIVE. Might be the Only Honda Id buy.

  26. I’d take it.

    Honda finally got it right, it’s about got-d*mned time. I’ve been waiting for Honda to produce a decent naked since the 80’s Nighthawk 650’s.
    (I just heard yesterday that a buddy just qualified for Atlanta on a stripped down version of one)

    But I still might have to settle for an FZ1-N with the N Headlight & Tail parts sent from across the pond if I can’t get one of these CB1000R’s sent over too America or the import and EPA $$$ is too much.

    I’d rather ride Honda, but I’m not rich.

    WTF is it with the Marketing Departments of these Motor Cycle companies ? Why is it that these kind of Naked’s are only available across the pond ?

    Why do they all believe the Naked’s won’t sell here ? I know everyone was fairing-happy for awhile but things have changed.

    Oh yea, the Exhaust. A d*mn good try, but the transition from the round to the geometric shape is what is throwing everyone off. When you look at the back it looks cool, the same when you look at the front. But taken as a whole, Eh….

  27. All I ever wanted was a version of my CB1000 Big One that lost 100lbs., had better suspension & maybe a second helmet lock. That would be spot on.

  28. I can’t understand why so many of you dislike this gorgeous piece of machinery. I think they really stepped it up a notch with this one and focusing most the aesthetics towards the front of the bike gives it a muscular look. I will admit though the pipe is a bit odd but it’s grown on me. I would like to hear how it sounds and some more specs would be nice.

  29. Nice bike. Nice design. Honda finally puts out a bike which takes design into consideration. Joins the ranks of the FZ1 and Z1000. Nice work Honda!

  30. Foot pegs are positioned high and far to the back,unlike the honda919.Ever road a buell xb9?Same position not very comfortable.The rear tail section is even fuglier than the 919 tail section,hope it removes as easy.After market pipe is a must.WHERE IS THE REAR MUDGARD?How hard would it be to put a rear mudgaurd as a oem feature”919″.I got to get me some radiator shrouds for my 919 cause they look good.Inverted forks is always a plus.

  31. The only thing I don’t like is the zigzag radiator shrouds, but other than that I think Honda has finally come up with a pretty good looking design. With some aftermarket parts you could have a pretty wicked street fighter. The single sided swingarm is nice. I have a feeling it’s going to look better when seen up close in the showroom at your dealer, that is if they ever bring it to the States. If and when they do I would definately consider one, black not green, whenever I retire my 1st gen FZ1.

  32. i like my z1000 and wouldn’t see any reason to change to this. the look and specs are very similar, even down to the tacky looking radiator shrouds. i took mine off and it looks much better

  33. Honda has raised the bar for naked bikes. I can’t wait to see what the competition will answer with.

    Even if ya don’t like the looks, you’ve got to admit, a bike that goes, handles and stops like a true sport bike is good for the class!

  34. Personally, I think this bike is the most beautiful and perfect combination of comfort and performance I have ever seen. If this bike became in available in the US I would do whatever it took to own one. I am a huge naked fan, and most of the people that I know that aren’t naked fans love this bike. Someone who knows someone please get this bike over here for us.

  35. Ok for all you dudes who don’t like the new bike….take a spin on one and then comment..i traded my gsxr 750k4 in for one of these babies and i’m not one bit sorry…it handles like a fucking dream and it’s a lot more comfortable than the gixer…also i think it’s better to see one in real life as opposed to web pictures as it is a lot cooler looking than you might think…anyway i know you can’t convert everyone but hey… what the fuck…if everybody liked it there would be something wrong…lol

  37. Everyone is entitled for an opinion, I have always been a Kawasaki fan but I just traded my ZX900R for this bike and I have never driven anything like this…it’s amazing and so fun to drive. Take it for a trial run and you’ll definetly like this bike….Well done Honda.

  38. I’m here at my window looking down the road waiting for this gorgeous beast to come. Please come here in America. I’ve been longing for you the first time i saw you.