Alright, so let’s talk about this CB1000 and its top speed. It’s one of those things, right? You get a bike with a liter engine, and even if you’re a sensible chap, there’s that little voice in your head going, “I wonder…”
The Itch You Gotta Scratch
For me, it wasn’t about bragging rights or anything. It was just pure curiosity. I’d read the forums, seen the YouTube videos, all that jazz. Everyone’s got a number. But you never really know until you try it yourself, do you? So, I decided, one fine day, I was gonna see what this beast could actually do. Not in a stupid way, mind you. I’m not a kid anymore.
First things first, I needed a good stretch of road. Found this long, pretty empty piece of highway early one Sunday. You know, when sensible folks are still in bed or having their breakfast. The bike was all good – checked the tires, chain, usual stuff. Put on my best gear, not that it makes the bike faster, but it makes me feel a bit braver, if you know what I mean.
The Actual Run – Wind and Noise
So, there I was. Road clear. Took a deep breath. And then I just went for it. Twisted that throttle and hung on. Man, this CB1000, it just pulls. First gear, gone in a blink. Second, same story. Third, fourth… it just keeps on giving. The acceleration is something else. You feel it in your chest.
I tucked in as much as my middle-aged body would allow. The wind noise was insane, even with a good helmet. Everything becomes a blur on the sides. You’re just focused on that strip of tarmac ahead. It’s a weird feeling, a mix of exhilaration and a tiny bit of “what am I doing?”
I glanced down at the speedo. It was climbing, climbing. Saw some pretty big numbers flashing up. Was it 140? 150? Maybe a bit more? To be honest, at that speed, looking down for more than a split second feels like an eternity. And then, well, I saw the end of my “safe” stretch approaching faster than I liked. So, I eased off. Had to. Discretion, valor, all that.
So, What’s the Real Deal?
Did I hit the absolute, theoretical, redline-in-top-gear top speed? Probably not. I think I chickened out before the bike did. And that’s the thing, isn’t it? Most of us will run out of road, or nerve, before these modern superbikes run out of puff. Especially a naked bike like the CB1000. It’s not designed to be an aerodynamic missile.
What I can tell you is this: it’s bloody fast. More than fast enough for any sane person on a public road. The sensation of speed, that relentless shove, is what stays with you. It felt pretty stable, mind you, for a naked bike. No crazy wobbles or anything, just a lot of wind trying to peel you off.
I’ve had other bikes, you know. Some felt like they were gonna shake themselves to bits when you pushed them. This Honda, it’s different. It feels engineered, solid. But honestly, after that one big pull, I haven’t really felt the need to do it again. It’s like, okay, I’ve seen what it can do, I’ve scratched that itch.
Now, I just enjoy the ride. The torque, the handling, how it feels on a good twisty road. That’s where the real fun is with this bike, for me anyway. That top speed run? It was an experience, for sure. A bit wild. But the CB1000 is so much more than just a number on a spec sheet or a fleeting moment of terror on a long straight. It’s a proper all-rounder, just a really, really quick one.
So, yeah, that’s my take. It’s fast. Very fast. How fast? Fast enough to make you grin like an idiot, or maybe clench a little. And that’s probably all you need to know.
