- To be launched on August 1
- Based on the CB1000 Hornet
- No word about NZ and AUS launch yet
Earlier this year at the Osaka Motorcycle Show, Honda pulled the wraps off its CB1000F Concept. Despite the “concept” label, it was apparent that this bike was much more than a design study—it was a production-intent model poised to enter showrooms. Now, Honda is set to unveil a second iteration, the CB1000F SE Concept, at the Suzuka 8-Hour endurance race on August 1.
The term “Concept” appears to serve mainly as a smokescreen to deflect inquiries about pricing and release dates. Both the original CB1000F and the newly introduced SE version appear nearly production-ready, signalling Honda’s strategic shift in its lineup. With the discontinuation of the long-running CB1300 Super Four and its semi-faired variant, the Super Bol d’Or, Honda is filling the void with this next-generation pair. These bikes trace their lineage back to the 1992 CB1000 Super Four “Project Big-1” and have maintained a cult following in Japan, even as they’ve faded from international markets.
Honda’s Osaka display featured not only the base model but also custom builds, including one by Moriwaki, highlighting the bike’s tuning potential once it reaches customers’ hands.
As for the CB1000F SE Concept, Honda’s teaser ahead of Suzuka only showed a silhouette, but it clearly shares its foundation with the March concept. The standout addition is a bar-mounted nose cowl and screen, evoking the styling cues of the classic 1983 CB1100F. The tank and rear end, complete with a modest ducktail, appear unchanged, and the handlebar position remains consistent with the earlier version, despite the cowl addition.
In contrast to the CB1300 Super Bol d’Or’s more extensive, fixed front fairing, the CB1000F SE opts for a more minimalist approach—though it’s clear Honda intends it as the spiritual successor. Japanese dealerships have already closed order books for the final CB1300 Super Four and Super Bol d’Or models as production winds down by year’s end.
Honda is expected to officially announce the production versions of the CB1000F and CB1000F SE later this year, likely as 2026 models. What remains uncertain is whether these machines will see global distribution or remain exclusive to the Japanese domestic market, much like the Hawk 11 café racer based on the Africa Twin platform.
