CBR Stories
Super Sports Flagship Model
Powered by All-New Inline 4-Cylinder Engine
Launched in 1987, the CBR1000F was a new generation supersport model powered by a newly developed high-performance engine.
Until the CBR1000F, the flagship model for Honda’s large supersport bikes was the 1984 VF1000R powered by a 1000 cc water-cooled 4-stroke V-4 engine.
The V-4 engine combined Honda’s originality with innovation, and its success in the Endurance World Championship boosted its racing engine image.
1984 VF1000R (Export model)
In comparison, the 1983 CB1100F’s inline 4-cylinder engine was air-cooled, and less advanced than the water-cooled V4 engine.
1983 CB1100F (Export model)
At the time, there were two types of sports bike fans: those who preferred 4-cylinder engines with powerful low to mid-range torque, and those who preferred inline 4-cylinder engines with a lively sound in the mid-to-high rev range. It was only natural that the latter group would want a new supersport model to be powered by an inline 4-cylinder engine. These market conditions led to the launch of the CBR1000F.
The CBR1000F’s newly developed engine was a liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, 4-valve, inline 4-cylinder DOHC unit.
Catalog (1987): CBR1000F/600F (European model)
Emphasized the CBR1000F’s high tech and sporty riding characteristics
The CBR1000F was sold as an export-only model mainly in Europe and the United States, the main markets for large motorcycles. In Japan, the CBR750 Super Aero, a 750cc version of the CBR1000F, was launched in 1987.
Honda’s 750 cc-class supersport lineup consisted of two models: the VFR750F with a V4 engine, and the CBR750 Super Aero with an in-line 4-cylinder engine.
1986 VFR750F
1987 CBR750 Super Aero
In 1993, six years after its launch, the CBR1000F was updated and finally launched in Japan. The CBR1000F adopted the advanced Dual Combined Brake System, which provides a much higher level of braking force distribution to both the front and rear wheels regardless of whether the rider operates the handlebar lever or foot pedal to brake.
1993 CBR1000F
Since then, the CBR1000F underwent various refinements, with the 1996 model being the last in its lineage.
1996 model CBR1000F (Export model)
Know-how developed for the CBR1000F led to the CBR1100XX Super Blackbird, launched in 1996 as the next generation of Honda’s supersport models.