The Honda CB1000R has built its reputation on powerful, understated performance combined with cutting-edge Neo-Sports Café styling. And for 2021 we’ve done it one better: Introducing the CB1000R Black Edition. The blackout look is apparent at a glance, but the closer you look, the more attention to detail you’ll see. This isn’t just a bike with a black tank: virtually every element gets the treatment—the fork, subframe, radiator shrouds, airbox covers, front fender mounts, wheels, and more. But there are some tasty machined highlights too—like the touches you’ll see on the handlebar clamp, swingarm pivot plates, and wheel spokes, all of which give the Black Edition a hand-crafted, custom look. Other upgrades include a new digital instrument display, seat cowl, under-seat USB port, and a new quick shifter too. So come over to the dark side—on a CB1000R Black Edition.

Comfort

  • OPEN RIDING POSITION: We call it the rider triangle—where your butt hits the seat, where your feet rest on the pegs, and where your hands grip the bar. By opening up the triangle on the CB1000R Black Edition, you sit up a little straighter, which gives you a higher vantage point. Plus, most riders will find it a little more comfortable, too.
  • LEAN, LIGHT, STRONG: At just 467 pounds, the CB1000R Black Edition is in the welterweight champion class. For an open-class inline four, there’s not an ounce of fat here. That not only helps performance, but contributes to better handling too, and makes the bike more fun to ride just about everywhere.

Engineering

  • SLIPPER/ASSIST CLUTCH: This innovative design hooks up tight to get all the CB1000R Black Edition’s power to the ground, yet still offers a light pull at the clutch lever. Plus, the slipper design helps mitigate wheel hop during aggressive downshifts and deceleration.
  • NEW THREE-LEVEL QUICK SHIFTER: The CB1000R Black Edition features a six-speed manual gearbox, but with a key difference: this one comes with a quick shifter. That means you can upshift without the clutch under full power. Plus, the shifter is adjustable for three shifter levels: soft, medium, and hard. This is race-bike-spec, built for the street.
  • FIVE-INCH TFT INSTRUMENT DISPLAY: Check out the instruments on the CB1000R Black Edition. You get a big, bright, five-inch TFT (Thin Film Transistor) display that gives you all the information you’ll need while riding.
  • BETTER BREATHING: Every athlete knows you gotta breathe to perform. Compared to earlier engine designs in this class, the 2021 CB1000R Black Edition gets higher valve lift, larger valves, larger diameter inlet ports, and refined combustion-chamber shapes to improve gas flow and offer improved torque in midrange.
  • BLACKED-OUT EXHAUST: From the four head pipes all the way to the end of the muffler can, the CB1000R Black Edition’s exhaust is a harmonizing symphony of black tones. The system not only sounds great, but it’s a major contribution to the bike’s overall look.
  • FOUR-INTO-ONE EXHAUST: On a bike like this, the exhaust system can make a critical difference in power. The CB1000R Black Edition’s four-into-one system boosts torque at 5,000 RPM and above, saves 10 pounds, and provides the CB1000R Black Edition with a deeper, more raw exhaust note for added character.
  • HONDA SELECTABLE TORQUE CONTROL: A great system that combines the CB1000R Black Edition’s old-school raw horsepower with a modern power delivery that keeps the bike hooked up and the power flowing under a wide variety of surface conditions
  • HUGE REAR TIRE: In order to get all that engine power to the road, the CB1000R Black Edition comes with a 190/55 ZR17 rear tire.
  • POWERFUL BRAKES: Dual radial-mount four-piston front calipers bite 310mm floating rotors while the twin-piston rear caliper squeezes a 256mm rear rotor. Plus, front and rear ABS is standard.
  • SINGLE-SIDED SWINGARM: The CB1000R Black Edition features a unique, single-sided swingarm. It’s part of the bike’s excellent handling character, but also contributes a great deal to the way this machine looks.
  • SPECIAL GEARING: We fit the 2021 CB1000R Black Edition’s close-ratio six-speed transmission with gearing designed to emphasize the bike’s awesome acceleration. Crack the throttle and you’ll feel it instantly.
  • THROTTLE-BY-WIRE: The CB1000R Black Edition uses our throttle by wire system. In addition, we’ve given it four riding modes (Standard, Sport, Rain and User). The last one lets you choose between three settings for each parameter, and save the settings.

Handling

  • STEEL BACKBONE CHASSIS: The CB1000R Black Edition features a unique frame design. The main mono-backbone component is steel, and that joins up with split-tightening aluminum pivot plates. You get the basis for excellent handling along with lightweight design.
  • SHOWA FRONT SUSPENSION: Great handling and precise steering demand a premium front suspension. That’s why the CB1000R Black Edition uses a Showa Separate Function Front Fork Big Piston unit (SFF-BP). It offers both reduced weight, superior rigidity, and excellent overall performance. Plus it offers adjustability for spring preload as well as rebound and compression damping.
  • STANDARD ABS: Our front and rear Anti-Lock Braking System (standard on the CB1000R Black Edition) can be a big help in making controlled stops in less-than-ideal conditions, like on wet pavement or other compromised surfaces.

Performance

  • INLINE FOUR ENGINE: The CB1000R Black Edition’s powerful 998cc DOHC four-cylinder engine uses an architecture and layout proven on Honda’s Superbikes. Forged (not cast) pistons make it as strong as it is powerful.

Style

  • BLACKOUT STYLING: The CB1000R Black Edition is a standout both when it comes to performance and how it looks. And it hasn’t just been dipped in black paint either—we use special black plating and black anodizing on parts like the front suspension, rear subframe, swingarm-pivot plates, handlebar clamp, the entire exhaust system, and more. You can see in the photos how it looks—and it looks even better in person.
  • ALL-LED LIGHTING PACKAGE: The CB1000R Black Edition features LED lighting through and through. The lights are bright, more compact, lighter, and feature an incredibly long life. And check out the horseshoe-shaped light ring—it brings a modern flare to the bike’s traditional styling.
  • CLASSIC ROUND HEADLIGHT: The CB1000R Black Edition’s round-styled LED headlight is powerful and bright, and sets the tone for the bike’s no-nonsense Neo-Sports Café streetfighter presence.
  • FLANGELESS FUEL TANK: Details matter. Case in point: the CB1000R Black Edition’s fuel tank. We build it without a visible bottom flange. Sure, it takes a little more effort to manufacture, but you get a fuel tank with a clean, custom look that we think is worth it. Plus, the tank is slimmer for an even better fit and lighter feel thanks to its unique shape.
  • REAR SPLASHGUARD: A first for Honda, and you’re seeing it here. The rear splashguard/fender mounts directly to the swingarm for a fresh, sharp styling touch.
  • SOLID STYLE: Check out all the steel and aluminum alloy detail on this bike. The metal components send a definite message: the CB1000R Black Edition is all business.
  • UNDERSTATED STYLE: Take a close, long look at the details on this bike. The CB1000R Black Edition sends a subtle message that this is a premium machine. Check out the burnished-aluminum radiator shroud and airbox cover, along with the engine cases, cylinder head, and sprocket hub.