Honda’s Most Hyped Retro Motorcycle Finally Rolls Out, and It’s a Beaut

The red brand sure took its time with this throwback thoroughbred, but hey, don’t good things come to those who wait?

Black Honda CB1000R motorcycle with red and gray accents against a red background.

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By Steve Mazzucchi

Published October 10, 2025

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Updated November 10, 2025

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As we know all too well in the product world, hype can be a fickle beast.

More often than not, highly anticipated items get so gassed up that when they finally arrive, they can’t help but disappoint.

Silver and blue Honda motorcycle with round headlight parked on a road with a clear sky background. — The final version of the CB1000F looks as fantastic as I dreamed it would.

Yet, that does not appear to be the case with Honda’s new CB1000F, which I have been stalking, er, tracking for months.

The concept is finally a reality, and by all indications, it will deliver on its promise of stunning retro styling and stirring modern performance.

Style for miles

The hype really has gone on for months, with rumors first popping up on my radar back in March, before the picture got much clearer with the “concepts” Honda showed off in Japan in August.

At that point, production models started to feel inevitable, which brings us to this week’s big news: the CB1000F (and its be-cowled brother, the CB1000F SE) will hit the European market early next year, teasing hope of a US release to follow.

Two Honda motorcycles, one silver with blue accents and one black with red accents, parked on a winding forest road. — The naked CB1000F (left) and the be-cowled CB1000F SE (right) both offer their own unique aesthetic charms.

So what is this thing? According to Honda itself, the CB1000F is inspired by the 1979 CB750F, yet amped and revamped for 2025.

Reviving the spirit of a badass bike Freddie Spencer rode to AMA Championship glory explains the slogan: “Original Soul, Modern Rebellion.”

It’s hard not to get stoked about the ramifications, as a bevy of beloved old-school styling cues find new life.

Close-up of a silver exhaust pipe and rear wheel of a blue and silver motorcycle with "CB1000F" decal. — The megaphone-style exhaust pipe is sure to delight those who appreciate vintage vibes.

The most notable throwback touches include the big round headlight, the angular tank and the serpentine exhaust pipes emerging from the four-cylinder engine and converging in a glorious silver bell-shaped silencer.

The long-awaited bike gets three paint schemes — Wolf Silver Metallic with Blue Stripe, Wolf Silver Metallic with Grey Stripe and Graphite Black (the red-accented one that might just be my favorite).

Power to the people

One of the most notable advancements over the late ’70s bike is, of course, the engine, which, as the name suggests, is significantly bigger.

Drafting off the CB1000 Hornet/SP I am also slightly obsessed with, this bike boasts a down-tuned Fireblade-derived 1000cc inline-four making a claimed 122 horsepower at 9,000rpm and 76 Lb-ft of torque at 8,000rpm.

Black Honda CB1000 motorcycle with red and silver stripes parked on a paved surface. — Gorgeous from any angle, the CB1000F packs an appropriately sized engine sure to satisfy.

The modern suspension system boasts 41mm Showa SFF-BP USD front forks and a Showa rear shock, both of which allow for preload and rebound damping adjustability.

Helping to keep this roaring retro beast under control are Nissin four-piston radial-mount front brake callipers squeezing 310mm floating discs up front, plus a 240mm disc paired with a Nissin single-piston calliper in the back.

Motorcyclist wearing black gear and silver helmet riding a silver and blue Honda motorcycle on a forested road. — The power and handling of the new CB1000F should leave no one wanting, especially on two-lane twisties.

Then there are more modern performance features, including wheelie control, cornering ABS and three built-in ride modes — Standard, Sport and Rain — plus two customizable ones you can dial in yourself.

That’s all accessible via a feature they probably did dream of in the late ’70s — a five-inch TFT screen dash that pairs with your smartphone and is controlled via the switchgear on the left handlebar.

Availability and pricing

According to the brand’s Japanese site, the 2026 Honda CB1000F starts at 1,397,000 yen, which roughly converts to $9,163 USD.

No US availability has been announced, but considering it is expected to hit UK dealers in early 2026, I’m optimistic that it’ll reach our shores next year as well.

Black and red Honda CB1000R motorcycle with round headlight and chrome exhaust on a white background.

2026 Honda CB1000F

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About the Author:

Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone’s bike seat is at the proper height.

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