Honda offers a sensible approach to riding

THE memory can be a funny thing. You usually forget things you want to remember, regularly remember things you'd rather forget, and often remember things as being better than they actually were.

The latter is often referred to as the 'rose-tinted spectacles' effect, and I always felt I had a touch of this in regard to Honda's big, sensible CBF1000. I last rode one of these when they were launched back in 2006, and I remember loving it an awful lot more than I expected. Not for its looks, of course, but for its unexpected level of poise, its beautifully accurate throttle control and its general usability. Few bikes can match the CBF for the silkiness with which it performs any task put its way. As such I was delighted when Fowlers Honda offered me another opportunity to see if it really was as good as I remembered -- or if the memory was just playing tricks.

On paper, Honda's budget litre roadster fails to impress. Variable seat height, half fairing and adjustable windscreen are handy but not ground-breaking. The facts and figures fail to get the adrenaline flowing either, with peak power coming in at just under 100bhp. Honda's original design brief was to create a first step up to a litre bike for your average rider, with power delivery designed not to intimidate. Take it out on the road, however, and you'll find the CBF is quicker, more powerful and more competent than any bike with a centre stand has a right to be.

The CBF1000's power source is a stripped down Fireblade plant from the 2006 CBR1000RR, which has been retuned for smooth, clean torque right through the rev range. For an inline four, this bike behaves like a big V-twin, pulling really hard from low revs right through to its 10,000rpm redline. It's this kind of torque that pulls motorcycles effortlessly out of corners and up hills, and the CBF has enough to pull your arms out. Sit behind traffic in third gear at 3,000rpm, crack the throttle open and the previously gentlemanly CBF turns into a wide-eyed monster, its massive roll-on acceleration leaving everything in its wake. To gain this torque curve, the high-revving, top-end power has been cut drastically compared to the Fireblade. As such the bike is pretty much out of steam by 140mph, but since when has that really been a problem?

On a bike with little scope for suspension adjustment, it's always good to find that the factory set-up is spot on, and try as I might on the roads around Bristol, I couldn't upset the CBF1000. Braking round corners, potholes and mud-on-the-road situations were all lapped up by the strong mono-backbone chassis and the fabulous Bridgestone BT57s. It might not feature all the latest componentry, but if you're not into the latest race technology and couldn't tell an upside down fork from an Egg McMuffin then who cares? The brakes are excellent too. The standard model has a powerful triple disc arrangement, while for an £300 extra you can have Honda's Combined Braking System that distributes stopping power via computer technology and brings with it the security of ABS.

The seat is comfy, the mirrors are great and the riding position is pretty upright, requiring little or no hanging off the sides for decent cornering, and as such fulfilling its brief for being inoffensive for those moving up to the 1000cc category. If I'm really being picky, I would say the cockpit is on the old-fashioned side with its analogue speedo and needles that don't swoop round when you turn the key. But aside from that, pillion passengers are well catered for, with a substantial yet stylish pair of grab handles that offer good support from both acceleration and braking without a change of grip. A wide range of touring accessories are also available to match your chosen colour.

You're unlikely to win any track days on a CBF1000, but you'll more than give those sports bike boys a run for their money on British roads. And what's more, you'll do it with a huge grin on your face. Nice to see my memory's in full working order.

The Honda CBF1000 was kindly loaned through Fowlers Honda, of York Road, Bristol.

OUR STEER ON THE HONDA CBF1000

Price: £5,999 pre-reg model (check)

Engine: 998 cc, in-line four cylinder

Power: 99 bhp @ 8,000 rpm

Torque: 72 lb ft @ 6,500 rpm

Transmission: six-speed, chain drive

Weight: 228 kg

Top speed: 145mph (est)

Fuel capacity: 19 litres

FOUR-CYLINDER MASTERCLASS

by Jon Bennett