2026 Honda CB1000GT confirmed - Big Red jumps in!

diferg said:
In all seriousness What is the actual definition of a Sport tourer?
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In my highly-opinionated view, seeing as sport tourers are largely anachronistic as a class, I agree with all of your "misinformed mind", as I apparently still think like that.
Only add sufficient fuel capacity for a 300-mile range (unless you're really screaming across deserts at triple digits), and "maybe" a shaft drive, and you're there.
Kinda like that one bike they used to make, what was it... oh yeah! The ST1300!
I won't address this specific CB 1000GT, just sport tourers in general.
Are we really asking for too much?
It would appear we are.
*sigh*
But that's ok. I'm used to feeling outdated these days.
 
diferg said:
In all seriousness What is the actual definition of a Sport tourer? In my often-misinformed mind it is a machine that is designed to deliver very sporty handling / performance (with minimal maintenance requirements) and near opulent comfort and weather protection with generous luggage capacity for two up riding on multi-day long distance trips. Possibly screaming across deserts at triple digits or scraping pegs through the mountains or can also be used for commuting. Does the presented Honda CB 1000GT "SPORT TOURER"? (Or possibly "SPORT BIKE"!) fit this description? Or am I once again misinformed?
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Kinda goes like......
SPORT Tourer ----- More like a VFR type... .closer to a sport bike, that a touring bike... the Suzuki GXR S1000 GT comes to mind...
sport TOURER ---- More like the ST1300 type, lots of BMWs, FJR1300 .....

Really is however you want it.... I have a buddy that has a Kawi ZX9 and we covered Pennsylvania to Georgia.....

Not stressing over it... To each his own.... :p
 
My path to the ST model line started with realizing that my greatest riding joy was to seek out interesting roads that lead to interesting locations. Elevated speed increased the joy, but not the peg scraping limits of traction level elevated.

My V45 Interceptor / (VF750F to those outside North America) wasn't a terrible platform to build on, but I tired of soft luggage and wanted the holy trinity of sport touring must-haves - wind protection, hard luggage and shaft drive. BMW was doing that with their RT and RS lines, and Kawasaki had recently introduced the Concours. For the few years between the Connie and the ST1100 arriving I'd hammer the Honda reps at events to equip a CBR1000F / Hurricane with those and I couldn't throw money at them fast enough. "Naw, don't see the market in that."

I bought a used Connie - which I liked, not loved - and within months Honda announced the ST1100. I still have my 91!

Though I really want a shaft drive, I see the performance of properly maintained sealed chains are pretty good. And though that now becomes an expensive consumable, chain instead of shaft is now longer a deal breaker, but boy is it a really strong want!
 
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1985 V65 Sabre VF1100S.png

I had one of these. Back then I lusted after the color matched Hannigan fairing but was too late when I found they existed.

But this with FI and a Rifle or National Cycle bikini windscreen would be my choice in a heartbeat. My favorite UJM of all time. The little windscreen was great. Through some soft luggage on it and awaaaaay we go.
 
I look at all the old classic UJM motorcycles and the brand new "old" classics and wonder why were they replaced. Could it be that newer bikes came out with better designs?

I think part of the nostalgic alure of the classics, whether they be old originals or new old designs is we forget what they were really like. I had a 66 VW Beetle. I went everywhere with it. Lots of great memories. My new wife and I put all our belongings in one and headed cross-country to Denver in it. When I got assigned to RAF Mildenhall, we sold it and kept the 75 VW Rabbit. The windows were always clean because you were constantly wiping off the condensation on the inside glass. And the heat...only blew on you if you kept the rpms up. There was no fan in the heat/defrost system. The interior sometimes had a sulfur smell because of the battery under the rear seat. The 6 volt electrical system could barely power the headlights. And the engine could chirp the tires at 16 mph going from 1st to 2nd. Top speed was about 77 mph...downhill...with the wind behind you.

As the years passed, I'd think back fondly on that wonderful car...and then remind myself of why we shed no real tears when we sold it.

Chris
 
Uncle Phil said:
My friend, opinions are like armpits - everybody has couple and most of them stink.
Just because in your opinion it looks great does not mean I have to think it looks great in my opinion.
Styling is the issue here - not objective improvements (brakes, suspensions, powertrains, electronics, rider comforts) that you mention.
Those type of improvements are not 'change for the sake of change'.
If I didn't make it clear I was talking about the looks of the thing, then I do apologize but I thought that would be obvious from my comments.
I rode the old Brit bikes with ticklers, drum brakes and Lucas the Prince of Darkness electrics more miles than most folks.
So I appreciate new and improved in function but 'looks' is whole 'nother kettle of fish.
Imagine 25 year old riders (probably hard to find many these days) pining for a simple motorcycle that didn't look like it came out of a Transformer or Tesla Truck design shop ... ;)
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I agree that the CB1000GT is not at all attractive, but I also think that I'm biased because of my "formative" years.

I was building motorcycle models when I was about 14. One of my first was the Honda Goldwing GL1000. That's the first model without fairings, etc. That bike became my idea of beautiful. The whole UJM look was ingrained in me as to how a bike should look. I lusted after a Triumph Tiger or Bonneville, but when I turned 17 I settled on a Honda CB350 due to price, but it still had the same basic look. After all, the Japanese were basically copying and improving the British bikes.

The ST1300 doesn't quite meet my idea of beauty, but it's functionality easily overcomes that.

My second bike is a 2022 Triumph Bonneville T120. It totally meets my admittedly biased view of beauty. I put more miles on the Honda, but I put more trips the the Triumph.

bonnie.jpg
 
Triumph has done (as well as Indian) a great job of wrapping 'retro' around modern technology.
That looks a lot like the old Trumpets/Beezers in the day I used to ride them! ;)
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ST Gui said:
1985 V65 Sabre VF1100S.png

I had one of these. Back then I lusted after the color matched Hannigan fairing but was too late when I found they existed.

But this with FI and a Rifle or National Cycle bikini windscreen would be my choice in a heartbeat. My favorite UJM of all time. The little windscreen was great. Through some soft luggage on it and awaaaaay we goI
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I owned this one but it was the little brother to yours, and it did have the Honda sport faring and bags.

V45.jpg
 
Kinda liking the red...sorta acceptable looking.....but functionally hits what I'm looking for...
Coming to the US? MSRP? Hope it's reasonable!
 
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@SmashVol - that's interesting. Honda jumped into that niche with both feet. Now will they export it to the US market?

A couple thoughts crossed my mind as I watched the video.
  • Where does this put the NT1100? The NT1100 is heavier and has less power. Will it be phased out in favor of this bike? I'm hoping not. The NT1100 fills the niche that my F900XR sits in. It's a wee bit heavier than my XR, but with realistic everyday power for commuting, day trips or touring.
  • This new bike from Honda would be a competitor to the S1000XR. Seemingly only a few cc's larger than the NT1100...but with far higher performance aspirations. It falls short of the S1000XR in terms of hp, but it beats the XR in several comfort and feature areas. For instance, I can adjust my preload with the touch of a button, but I have to be stopped. Suspension adjustment can be done on the fly. It seems the Honda CBR can do both on the fly.
  • It comes with bags. That's big.
  • The windshield has more adjustment. The XR is either up or down.
And besides the BMW S1000XR, it is also competing directly with Suzuki and Kawasaki. The Suzuki doesn't come with a center stand...the Honda does. It's like Honda sat back and looked at the competition...and then incorporated into the design, ways to beat everyone else.

It'll be interesting to see what unfolds here. And the nice part is...we're the winners!

Chris
 
the Ferret said:
From what I read about it last night, NOT scheduled to come to the US at this time.
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My alternative would be the Suzuki GSX1000GT .....


BTW- loved my old V45 Sabre....but the thing ate the cams...twice...sold it cheap...
 
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