If there’s one bike in Honda’s modern lineup that actually feels bold, emotional, and borderline rebellious, it’s the CB1000F. And yeah, that’s a big statement. But think about it. In an era where liter-class naked bikes are all about sharp edges, angry faces, and race-bike aggression, Honda went the other way. They built a proper neo-retro with 1980s vibes and a big four-cylinder heart. Who even does that anymore? Honestly, almost nobody.
To be fair, Suzuki still has the Katana. And credit where it’s due, it does keep the retro flame alive. But it’s kind of an outlier, too. The Katana leans more neo-futuristic than old-school. Sharp lines, edgy surfacing, very cyberpunk samurai energy. Cool bike, no doubt. But it doesn’t really hit that classic UJM nerve the way the CB1000F does. Round headlight, chunky tank, simple proportions. That timeless look we all grew up drooling over.
That’s what makes the CB1000F such a big deal. The retro-liter segment is basically extinct. Yamaha killed off the XJR, and the XSR900 is really an MT-09 cosplaying as a retro bike. Kawasaki pivoted away from truly big-bore retros, save for the Z900RS, which is, by all means, an amazing machine, but technically not a liter bike. Everyone else is chasing the hyper-naked formula. Meanwhile, Honda shows up with a bike that looks like it time-traveled straight out of a VHS-era poster.
Honestly, when I first saw the production-ready CB1000F, I genuinely told myself that this is a bike I'll eventually own and ride. I’ve always had a soft spot for neo-retros and naked bikes. Give me exposed engines and classic silhouettes over tech-heavy futuristic bikes any day of the week.
So when news broke that the CB1000F might be delayed, yeah, it stung. According to reporting from the folks over at Motorrad Online, Honda Germany confirmed that production won’t start until Q2 2026. That means April to June at the earliest. Add shipping time from Japan, and we’re realistically looking at summer before bikes land in Europe. Translation: No early riding season flex for you.
At first glance, it feels like bad news. Pre-orders are in. Hype is high. People want their bikes. But here’s where it gets interesting. The delay very likely ties into something we covered just last week: the piston and oil consumption recall affecting the CB1000 Hornet SP. After all, both bikes share the same engine architecture. The issue? Excessive oil consumption. And that’s not just a minor inconvenience. If riders don’t notice it in time, it can lead to serious engine damage. Worst-case scenario, the motor locks up and you’re suddenly having a very, very bad day.
That’s why Honda issued a recall in the US, and why Europe is preparing to follow. Now imagine if Honda greenlit CB1000F production while this was still unresolved. That would’ve been a PR disaster, with two models sharing the same engine, with the same problem. Literally double the trouble. Instead, Honda hit pause to figure it all out, and fix it properly before more bikes roll out.
And to be fair, I think that's the right call—it's the only call, really. Yeah, it sucks for people waiting. And quite frankly, I’m one of them. I really like this bike, and having ridden derivatives of this engine in the past, it's one that's very usable and enjoyable to ride. Big inline-fours on UJMs just hit different. Silky smooth, loads of torque, and tons of character. Absolute chef’s kiss.
But I’d much rather wait a few extra months than end up with a brand-new bike that’s already on a recall list. If Honda ends up replacing engines or doing major internal fixes, that’s not cheap or easy. And that says a lot about how seriously they’re taking this.
So yeah, bad news in the short term. Delays always are. But long term? This is good news. It means when the CB1000F finally shows up in your garage, it’ll be right. It'll be something you can actually ride hard without that little voice in your head going, “Is my engine about to grenade?”
And hey, if I do end up owning one someday, I’d rather it be late and perfect than early and problematic (I experienced the exact thing with my early-model 2nd-generation KTM 390 Duke, and it's something I wouldn't want anyone else to experience, if I'm being honest).
Source: Motorrad Online
