Honda is gearing up to pull the covers off its latest neo-retro motorcycle, the CB1000F SE, at the iconic Suzuka 8 Hours race in Japan, scheduled from August 1 to 3. This new café racer concept is an evolution of the CB1000F prototype showcased earlier this year and is built around the popular CB1000 Hornet platform.
Drawing inspiration from the CB1000F SE, the teaser shows a blend of a motorcycle with styling cues. It gets a round LED headlamp, and a stepped single-piece seat, all nods to the cafe racer era. While the design has been refined slightly since the original concept was shown in March, the core hardware will likely remain familiar.
At its heart, the CB1000F SE will likely share the same potent 999cc inline-four engine as the CB1000 Hornet SP, delivering a healthy 155bhp. Expect performance figures to be nearly identical, but Honda could tweak the suspension for sharper handling. Reports suggest that the CB1000F SE will come equipped with premium Showa suspension to complement its sporty-retro character.
With its unique styling, the CB1000F SE will likely appeal to a niche group of riders who crave a café racer look. However, given India’s limited demand for litre-class retro bikes, a local launch seems improbable, at least for now. If it does manage to make its way to India, it would join a very exclusive segment with little direct competition among Japanese brands.