Honda CB1000F Concept Unveiled In Japan: Upcoming Kawasaki Z900RS Rival?

Quick Highlights

• Honda has unveiled the CB1000F concept

• Features a retro-inspired design and styling

• Is powered by a 1000cc inline-four engine 

Honda CB1000F concept was unveiled at the Osaka Motorcycle Show 2025. The bike features a retro-inspired design and styling which incorporates elements. With the Honda CB1300 scheduled soon, the CB1000F will carry forward the retro flag. Here’s why we think so.

One of the most iconic Honda  bikes has been the CB750, and over the years the brand has tried to keep the legacy alive. It had launched the Honda CB1000 and later the Honda CB1300 as a successor to the CB750. The brand had recently launched the final editions of the Honda CB1300 Super Four and the CB1300 Super Bold’or, which means that 2025 will be the final year for the two.

Now, this will leave a gap in Honda’s lineup for a retro-roadster. We expect the upcoming Honda CB1000F to fill this. Judging by the images, the bike features a retro design with a round headlight and a slim-looking tank. The slim-looking tank goes in well with a narrow tail section. The exhaust is a chrome-finished four-in-one unit which looks quite good.

Honda is likely to use the same engine and mechanicals as the Honda Hornet CB1000, as per reports from Japanese publications. If the reports are to be believed. then the bike could feature the same 1000cc, liquid-cooled, inline four engine, which makes 151.7PS and 100Nm in the Hornet. 

In terms of underpinnings, the bike could likely feature a 41mm Showa inverted fork and a Showa monoshock, with the pro-link swingarm setup. The swingarm setup changes the way in which the rear monoshock is mounted. 

In this system, the shock is not directly mounted to the swingarm and instead is mounted on a linkage. This setup will offer a smoother ride quality and give the rider more control over the bike. The bike will likely roll on 17-inch alloys at both ends. It will likely get a 310mm dual disc setup at the front and a 240mm single disc at the rear. 

Overall, the Honda CB1000F looks quite good, and Honda has done a very good job getting the retro styling right. The bike could be the perfect rival to the Kawasaki Z900RS.