Honda CBR 1000F

Before the CBR1100XX Super Blackbird appeared in 1996, the CBR1000F was Honda's fast sports tourer. When the CBR1000 first appeared in 1987, alongside its smaller 600cc sibling, it was one of the fastest, most accomplished machines available, and later versions had even better performance and handling.

A turbine-smooth inline-four cylinder engine provides good straight-line performance, up to and beyond 260km/h (160mph), while remaining impressively civil at more moderate speeds. An unremarkable, 16-valve inline-four design, its smoothness and flexibility are its trump cards, although it lacks outright top-end power compared to more recent large-capacity motors.

The chassis, while overweight and soft by modern standards, is very capable, offering extremely stable handling at motorway speeds. The relaxed steering geometry and large mass do mean that the big CBR steers rather slowly though, so it's not at its best on twisty back roads or race tracks.

The CBR1000F is suitable for high-speed two-up touring, helped by its all-enveloping bodywork. The broad screen guides wind round the rider, and a deeply-padded comfortable dual seat gives ample accommodation for rider and pillion.

The CBR1000 was the first Honda to feature the firm's Dual-CBS linked brakes. This system uses an arrangement of slave cylinders, linkages and valves to link the front and rear brake circuits to provide improved stopping performance. Pulling the brake lever on the handlebars operates two of the three pistons on each front caliper, and one of the three pistons in the rear caliper.

Pushing the foot brake pedal operates the remaining piston in the front calipers, and the two remaining pistons in the rear caliper. While the system works well, some advanced riders complain that it removes ultimate braking control from the rider.