2020 Honda CB-F Concept unveiled – A throwback to ‘80s motorcycling

Honda’s 2020 CB-F Concept is based on the current CB1000R naked i4 but with an ‘80s twist

The global automotive industry is not going through the best of times and many manufacturers are losing millions with each passing week. COVID-19 has taken its toll on almost all kinds of businesses but it seems the world of automobiles is one of the worst affected. Many reputed automotive shows or events have been either postponed or cancelled due to COVID-19 outbreak. However, automakers have taken social media as an effective platform to introduce their new products for the 2020 model year.

Now, Honda Motorcycle has unveiled the new CB-F Concept which is set to make its global debut at 2020 Tokyo Motor Show in November. Despite being a concept, Honda’s new machine has impressed motorcycle enthusiasts across the globe with its styling that showcases a tasteful throwback to the ‘80s.

Honda CB-F Concept shares its platform with CB1000R

Honda has taken the 2020MY CB1000R neo-retro naked motorcycle as base for its new CB-F Concept. Among motorcycle enthusiasts, Honda’s ‘CB’ series of products (especially those from the ‘70s and ‘80s) acquire a special place. While the Japanese motorcycle brand’s current line of CB products is quite good, purists are in the opinion that they have lost their previous charm. Thanks to aesthetic details shared with the good old CB750, CB900F and a few other names, Honda Motorcycle’s 2020 CB-F Concept is aimed to break that notion.

The concept has been finished in a neat shade of brushed silver with a pair of blue highlights. Minimalism and originality are two design considerations that have gone into its making and the overall result is too good not to be a production motorcycle (albeit with a licence plate). Of course, its internals are in line or better than that of many other popular players from Japan available at present. Honda Motorcycle has also added a single-sided ‘megaphone’ exhaust system to complete its visuals.

As mentioned before, the platform is shared with Honda’s latest CB1000R avatar. The 998cc in-line four-banger churns out 141.4bhp @ 10,500rpm and 104Nm @ 8,250Nm. Compared to its previous version, peak power and torque figures have gone up by 16% and 5%, respectively. Honda Motorcycle’s engineers have also shortened its transmission ratio by 4% for better acceleration. The motorcycle has become 12kg lighter as well and boasts of 20% better power-to-weight ratio.

Though not sales toppers, ‘modern classic’ genre of motorcycles have a certain appeal. In fact, they find takers from all age groups. In India, we have Royal Enfield’s 650 Twins as two extremely desirable modern classics. Honda’s reimagination of its iconic CB models from the past has definitely raised a lot of interest but will that be enough to get a green signal for production?