India-bound 2021 Honda CB1000R Revealed, Gets New Black Edition

Honda’s flagship streetfighter gets updated looks, better equipment, and more features for 2021

• Features an all-new full-colour TFT dash with loads of information. 
• Engine now complies with Euro 5/ BS6 emission regulations.
• Black Edition gets a blacked-out paint scheme, a flyscreen, and quickshifter as standard.
• It replaces the top-spec Plus variant. 

A little over two weeks ago, Honda had teased its flagship streetfighter the 2021 CB1000R  through a short clip which gave us a glimpse of what’s to come. We already know the company plans to launch the updated model in India as part of its BigWings lineup. The bike has now been unveiled for the foreign market and is expected to reach India pretty soon, hopefully in the early half of 2021. It looks sharper, features better equipment, and runs a greener engine. Honda will also offer a darker Black Edition which replaces the current-gen CB1000R Plus variant. 

The very first change you’ll notice is the new headlight. Though it retains its signature horseshoe design, it has been tweaked to look a bit sharper. The aluminium sub-frame has been redesigned to look cleaner thus emphasising the bike’s minimalist approach. The radiator shrouds and airbox covers too have been restyled for 2021. Look closer and you’ll notice a set of seven-spoke cast aluminium wheels with a distinctive Y-shape design. As for the Black Edition, it receives an all-black treatment and a flyscreen, and does away with most of its chrome. 

Keeping up with trends, the 2021 CB1000R features a 5” full-colour TFT dash with Honda Smartphone Voice Control system. This enables riders to pair their smartphone with the console and manage calls, music, and navigation using a Bluetooth headset. The bike also comes with a USB charging socket placed under the seat.

At the heart of the matter lies the same 998cc, inline four-cylinder engine, however, it now complies with Euro 5/BS6 emission regulations. Thankfully, performance hasn’t taken a backseat. It continues to make 145.48PS at 10500rpm and 104Nm at 8250rpm, mated to a 6-speed transmission. A bonus if you were to choose the Black Edition is the inclusion of a bi-directional quickshifter which comes in as standard. 

Electronic rider aids are the same as before: four ride modes Rain, Standard, Sport, User, and three levels of Engine Power (P), Engine Brake (EB) and Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC), where HSTC can be switched off. 

No changes have been made in hardware either. However, despite the changes, the bike has actually managed to shed 1kg of weight and tips the scale at 212kg

It’s available in three new colours: Candy Chromosphere Red, Mat Ballistic Black Metallic, Matt Beta Silver Metallic. Expect Honda to launch the 2021 CB1000R in India in the early weeks of 2021. It’ll take on the upcoming Suzuki Katana.