The world’s biggest motorcycle manufacturer is still cool, and just to prove it, they commissioned 12 stunning builds of their CB1000R for the Wheels and Waves show in Biarritz, France.
Honda is the biggest name in motorcycling—and has been for generations. This being the case, it’s rare when Honda decides to push the boat out and do something a little wild, a little un-corporate Japanese-style.
Honda can still throw up more than its fair share of surprises when it wants to. Case in point, these brilliant 12 custom Honda CB1000R machines crafted for the Wheels and Waves show inBiarritz, France.
Click here to read this in the Cycle News Digital Edition Magazine.
Created in conjunction with Honda’s dealers and partner custom shops from France, Italy, Switzerland and Spain, these 12 machines draw inspiration from all corners of Honda’s history—what about a Freddie Spencer 1983 RS500 tribute? Or an Africa Twin-inspired “Africa Four”? Or even the Monkey bike’s dad, dubbed “Monkey Kong”?
They’re all here, and show once and for all Honda didn’t just used to be cool, they still are.
Name: CB1000R ‘Dirt Endurance’
Inspiration: Classic Honda race color scheme
Builder: VC Moto, Sabadell, Spain
Instagram: VC Moto
Work carried out: The number ‘48’ in Japanese on the rear cowl to honor the foundation of the Honda Motor Company in 1948; bespoke fairing inspired by vintage café racers; bespoke rear cowl with standard headlight; racing handlebars with Soichiro Honda quote ‘improves the breed’; bar-end mirrors; semi-off road tires; new split-level silencer; air filter mount made by 3D printer.
Name: Monkey Kong
Inspiration: Honda Monkey Bike
Builder: Mallorca Motos, Mallorca, Spain
Instagram: Mallorca Motos
Work carried out: Original Monkey Bike mirrors, indicators and front mudguard; engine cover with original Monkey Bike-style chrome plate ring; headlight details in original Monkey Bike yellow with chrome surround; original Monkey Bike yellow and white paint scheme; custom seat inspired by original Monkey Bike; high-mount handlebar with chrome finish; chrome rear mudguard; Africa Twin silencer; gold forks, yellow rear shock spring.
Name: The Honda Africa Four CRF1000R
Inspiration: Honda Africa Twin
Builder: Brivermo Moto, Switzerland
Contact: Brivemo Motors
Work carried out: CRF450R front end including single large front disc and anodized four-piston caliper; bespoke four-into-one exhaust with stubby carbon fiber muffler; custom rear seat cowl (with original seat); new headlight and mudguard; new aluminum handlebars, engine bars and serrated foot pegs; mini LED indicators; bodywork in Africa Twin colors.
Name: Alfredo
Inspiration: Freddie Spencer and the 1983 Honda RS500
Builder: Hakuba Motos, Spain
Instagram: Hakubamotor
Work carried out: Tank, subframe, and front guard hand painted in three colors with Freddie Spencer logo on the tank; Hakuba logo lazer engraved on clutch cover; black enameled forks; front and side number boards; handmade exhaust with SCProject racing muffler; relocated foot pegs and controls.
Name: CB1000R Tribute
Inspiration: Celebration of 50 years of the CB750
Builder: Honda Italia
Contact: Honda Italia
Work carried out: Paint inspired by CB750 ‘K0’ of 1969; tubeless Jonich spoked wheels; conical split level SCProject muffler; new 3D Honda logo; Rizoma indicators, mirrors and handlebar weights; Alcantara velvet seat coating; Lightech plate holder.
Name: The Honda CB1000R-adical
Inspiration: “Take it to the limit”
Builder: Fuhrer Moto and Gannet Design, Switzerland
Instagram: Fuhrer Moto and Gannet Design
Work carried out: Ultralight CeraCarbon racing fork and custom sprockets; bespoke Rotobox carbon fiber wheels; Synto Evo brake and clutch levers; fiber glass belly pan; K&N air filter; titanium and carbon fiber Akrapovic muffler; handpainted ‘camo’ bodywork by Walter Oberli.
Name: CB1000R ‘Monkey 1000R’
Inspiration: Honda Monkey Bike
Builder: Werther Honda, Nice, France
Contact: Werther Honda
Work carried out: Frame covers and fork legs painted; glittering blue Monkey Bike mirrors and handlebars; mini LED indicators; undertray tail tidy; Arrow double exit high exhaust; enduro tires.
Name: CB1000R ‘Dani Pedrosa replica’
Inspiration: Dani Pedrosa’s #26 Honda RC213V
Builder: Moto Macchion, Italy
Contact: Moto Macchion
Work carried out: Full titanium SCProject GP four-into-two exhaust; carbon fiber parts with titanium details by SCProject; lighter homologated plate holder; Rizoma indicators, Ohlins forks; Metzeler slicks; aluminum handlebars, front brake guard and mirrors; #26 Dani Pedrosa RC213V paint scheme; seat crafted by Race Seats.
Name: The Café Chic CB1000R
Inspiration: Café Chic
Builder: Horizon Racing Cergy 95, France
Instagram: Horizon Racing Cergy 95
Work carried out: Fully brushed aluminum and candy red paint; fawn colored leather saddle and seat pad; custom rear seat cowl; Kineo spoked wheels with masscut hubs; Moriwaki silencer; thermal paint on exhaust and headers
Name: CB1000R Neo Sports Café Endurance Team Replica
Inspiration: 2006 24 Hours of Le Mans winner
Builder: National Motos, France
Instagram: Team National Motos
Work carried out: Spoked wheels with yellow hubs; 2006 24 Hours of Le Mans race winning paint color; classic Honda logo; Arrow exhaust muffler; Pirelli slicks.
Name: CB1000R Black Edition
Inspiration: “Full Black”
Builder: 3C Motos Dealer, Biarritz, France
Instagram: Honda Moto France
Work carried out: Three shades of black paint scheme; black forks, swingarm and frame; gloss black wheels and rear shock; Akrapovic exhaust; special engraved ‘Black Edition’ plate.
Name: Honda Limited Edition CB1000R
Inspiration: HRC Racing Tri-color
Builder: Honda Motor Europe (production run of 350 in France, Spain, Germany and Italy).
Contact: Honda Italia
Work carried out: HRCinspired tri-color paint scheme, splitlevel SCProject muffler; carbon fiber parts by SCProject.
Click here to read this in the Cycle News Digital Edition Magazine.
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