It's only been a couple of weeks since Honda took the wraps off the production CB1000F in Europe. And if you know my taste at all, you know I love a good naked bike, especially a good retro naked bike. But what if you want your CB1000F to have a nice retro fairing instead?
That's where custom shop Proto comes in. Or where they'd like to come in, anyway. Drawing inspiration from a different Honda classic, the CB750F Integra, classic Honda fans may already have a clear mental picture forming in their minds. And while it's true that I love naked bikes, even I can't deny that having a good fairing isn't just nice to look at; it's a lot friendlier if you're planning to do a lot of touring on your bike.
So, with that in mind, here's the Honda CB1000F Bol d'Or 2 Custom Concept by Proto. How well do you think they nailed the aspiration? Check out the slider to compare for yourself.
As you can see, it's not exactly the same. But at the same time, would you really want it to be, or would you prefer that it instead be a modern interpretation of a classic design? Me, I'd prefer the latter, and I know I'd definitely much prefer modern braking capabilities, please and thank you.
The lightly smoked windscreen is a nice update, too, and hopefully current plastic formulations will help it age a bit better than many Honda windscreens from the 1980s (yes, even the tinted ones; the one on my VF500F Interceptor isn't the worst I've seen, but it's definitely showing its age). I also kind of appreciate the magnesium-looking matte finish on the wheels here, which adds a certain classy touch to the thing. It's also hard to go wrong with a good Akrapovič exhaust, as well.
But take a look at this concept from every angle, and see what you think. Is it a worthy addition to the new CB1000F canon?
Gallery: Honda CB1000F Custom Bol d'Or 2 Concept by Proto
