HONDA CBR1000F (1987 - 1997) Review

Version: 1999

Year: 1997

Annual servicing cost: £150

Nice, simple, comfortable and reliable old sports bike. I've had 3 of them, a red 1999 model (the last batch made), a red/white 1991 model and a black/gold 1995 model. Never had any mechanical issues with any of them. They are fast enough to get you out of trouble, will run happily on mediocre regional fuel, aren't heavy on brakes or tyres and not too sporty that your back and wrists get sore. eg room is only average though (I'm 6'4).

Buying experience: 1 from a dealer, the other 2 were private buys.

Year: 1990

Annual servicing cost: £100

i bought one .mist used a lot of work but new if i got it right .cam adjuster bought from Germany .head a studs ground of . kymoca 125 head nuts 7m or vw 7m plain did the job. try not to damage the studs . stript the bike from back to front . was amazed the frame was in relay good .faring at to fix some lugs . age , lithium battery bought from halfods 3 years cover. it starts the engine great, heavy but still it holds the road do all my own work why pay 20.000 and get in to d e t

Buying experience: privately . offed 1250 he if and hard must be 1500 . no thank i could have just past it but i all ways like the Honda cbr 1000 F. i ask him about the cam chain adjuster i have just had it mot . i check wear it was done at. i told him the bike was a mess. ok 1250 he even drove it to my garage . paid him big smiles i found he paid 1250 5 years before .so he did well out of it . the bike as done 51650 miles .no smock no engine problems past a proper MOT .

Year: 1996

who ever says this bike is flat needs there head tested ,it will pull you off the seat with the torque ,it handles beautifully ,it was not discontinued in 97 it carried on in the us until 1999-2000,owned mine for four years now ,when it came out it was one of the fastest sports bikes in the world ,.

Buying experience: 2000pounds second hand .

Year: 1997

Annual servicing cost: £120

Cracking all rounder Heavy bike at 230kg but just butter smooth carb fed motor build quality is excellent. They do it all besides a track day you want to have forearms like popeye. Cracking twin pipes and good tank range 160-180 miles

Buying experience: Swapped fir a clean zx10 good trade it was a 1989

Year: 1989

Comfy and reliable long distance workhorse. We toured Australia two up with a huge rack bag and a tank bag. Over 25,000km in 6 months, the bike ended up with over 100,000km on the clock. Never had a problem although the steering head bearings were giving up when we sold it.

Version: L Model

Year: 1990

its a Honda what can you say its bean around for years its a lump of lead. bickerer for 45years. compeer it to days bike its a proper motorbike not a skeleton like a £21.000 .todays bike. you downt dream when your on a CBR1000F 1990 BIKE YOU RIDE IT.

Buying experience: ALL GOOD FOR ME £1500 MADE HIME A OFFER £1250 as the bike was scruffy

Version: F-L

Year: 1990

Annual servicing cost: £80

Lots of return trips Killarney County Kerry to Coventry and back, really comfortable ride.

Buying experience: Bought privately (recommended by my Brother) Paid the asking price no quibbles.

Year: 1987

Annual servicing cost: £100

Very comfy perfect riding position for someone over 6ft 5in only problem is a very spongy rear shock.

Buying experience: Private, the last owner rebuilt it as a project bike and did a very good job.

Year: 1990

Annual servicing cost: £250

I would absolutely recommend this bike to a friend. I would then show them the advantages to gear ratios. Zero to a hundred in the city is all you need. It's much easier to talk your way out of an 80 mile an hour ticket then a160 mile an hour ticket. Sprockets and ratios are just a way of discipline. This bike by new standards is very heavy at about 560 pounds. Seat height can be a plus for short legged people that are wanting a 1,000 CC bike.

Buying experience: I bought from an individual, it this was the love of his life. He was very meticulous at keeping it absolutely original. It would never sit in the sun more than an hour if not being ridden.

Version: FL

Year: 1989

Annual servicing cost: £100

Over the last twenty years I've read many overly-pained reviews about the CBR1000F. Back in the day when the first GSXR1100 came out, the CBR thou was overshadowed, yes. I remember the day very clearly. But at 23 years old I bought my first '90 FL - unknowingly at the time, the quite rare colour version of red and white straight stripy decal with a black seat and gold rims. As it turned out, the '89 FL evolved into the standard White and Blue with Black seat, White and Red with Blue seat, and Red and Black with Black seat versions. These were the 'sorted' FL, FM and FN versions Before the later ABS version came out in 97/98. I now own four Hondas, six including the Accord and the lawnmower. Having ridden many other makes and models, I can't shake the sheer engineering and finish of this particular Honda. More than once I have read about the 'sloppy rear handling' and I just don't agree. Bumpy 80-mph exits are where this beast excels, not fails! My '98 Blade cannot compete with the planted feel of the thou - even now. Before people start to think I don't know what I'm talking about, I've covered the bridge to gantry in just over one minute slower than the fastest lap ever on a motorcycle - 8:25 - on my '98 Blade - in 1998!. 25 years ago at 23 years old, my first 1990 CBR1000FL was the nicest bike I'd ever ridden. but now, my second and latest, 1989 one-previous-(collector)-owner, 4,294-mile museum piece, now concours example (white & red with blue seat), is still my favourite bike of all time. Don't ride it much as keeping it pristine. I don't think it's long before it'll be worth £20k. I love it more now than my first one. Will take it to the grave. I truly believe it's the best example in the world today purely as it's like looking at a brand new '89 F plate bike in the shop, and I guess there isn't another one out there detailed as well as mine. Probably the world's most underrated (and in my view undeservedly slated) motorcycle of all time?

Buying experience: Unridden for 5 years and complete fuel system damaged from old tarred petrol. Bought as non-runner, without a key (owner recently deceased, probate, etc), from Lings Honda. Ordered them not to touch it. A steal at £2,700!

Year: 1995

Annual servicing cost: £20

Reliable, fast and relatively comfortable even for pillion. Able to make 300 km out of a full tank. Bad points are that it's heavy and the weight distribution too much on the front. Not a lot of character also.

Year: 1997

Annual servicing cost: £170

I bought this bike two years ago as a none runner. Did full strip and clean of carbs. And she fired up, felt a heavy bike to corner with Bridgestone tyres on. So fitted Metzler Z6 tyres what made it feel light in the corners. Then fitted a none baffle stainless steel exhaust system and a K&N air filter. With a shim in the carb needles. Now she is a beast

Buying experience: I bought Bike very cheap as none runner with low miles. Carb clean and charge of battery and she was ready for Mot

Year: 1997

Annual servicing cost: £80

Drop forks in yokes 20mm + increase rear preload + add a better single sided can and place 1 thin washer under each Keihini carb needle to rick mid range + K&N Filter and you have a different bike. Just awesome. mine has 110 at the wheel standard and keeps up with anything on the road today,

Buying experience: private ebay

Version: CBR1000FV 30 Thousand miles

Year: 1997

Annual servicing cost: £150

This is the 4 the CBR1000F i have owned and is near identical to my last, yet it is some how a better machine. It has so subtle mods which have greatly improved the overall ride. Handle bar risers, K&N air filter and a pair of Delickivic end cans all set up to run at the optimum. It is super comfortable and has amazing lights for those wishing to venture out after dark. 2 niggles on this the Dual linked brake model. 1st the Dual linked brakes can sometimes dive the front end when using the rear only and 2nd could really do with a back lit clock for touring.

I own 6 bikes and have been riding for over 30 years so I have ridden a few in my time. I bought my CBR1000F last year with 56K on the clock. It is in amazing condition for its mileage and could easily pass for one with 40K less, such is the build quality. The engine has extremely linear power which for a sports tourer is just perfect in my book, particularly if you carry a pillion. Its natural home is on sweeping a roads and motorways as its high speed stability is teh best I have ever experienced and somehow what appears to be quite a low screen results in the best aerodynamics I have experienced with no buffeting to my helmet. I will not be getting a flip screen as it could only make it worse as it is perfect as it is, almost like sitting on a magic carpet. It reminds me very much of a bigger, longer VFR750, which is a good thing!

I rode one of these a few years ago and always dreamt of owning one , well that day came true on the 28th of April 09 , I SOLD MY ZXR750 due to wanting something more upright but still with a bit of power , what a dream to ride , I hope to own this for years to come .

Got this bike last year and i have covered over 3000 miles on it in all weathers without any complaints from. OK this is not an out and out sports bike but it makes an excellent all rounder, riding position is good, suspension is ok if set up properly and will stay with the majority of sports bike if you learn how to ride it properly even 2 up. Will def recommend this for someone who wants a large capacity sports touring motorcycle.

Ok, review probably seems a bit high (verging on favouritism)but as the title says, I dont know any better. It seems too good a bike not to have a review so thought I'd put in my tuppence worth. I only passed in March 07 and I'm now on my second one. I find it very comfortable for my size (6ft2) with a ride position that suits me. The 2 I've had have never let me down, were/was cheap and cheerful, handle fine for my experience and the engines Japanese so bullet proof. Again, I haven't the knowledge or experience to know any better, but I'd highly recommend them as a first bike. My 1994 is a lot better than my old 1989 one, lighter (but with less power), it seems to handle better and is building my confidence nicely.