The sport-touring motorcycle segment can be divided into two sub-segments. One focuses on the sporty side of things, essentially serving as a touring-ready sports bike. The second type is commonly known as a crossover. Think of these as a centaur between a sports bike and an adventure bike. So you get 17-inch wheels and high-revving engines from sports bikes, but housed on long-travel suspensions and featuring half fairings.
Between the two, crossovers are slowly taking over as a preferred choice, thanks to their versatility and comfort. This surge in popularity has urged more brands into the space. That includes the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer, which has a new sport-tourer that blends Fireblade DNA and BMW-level tech.
Crossover Sport-Touring Bikes Make A Solid Case For Themselves
In the heated touring bike segment, crossovers stand out for a few reasons. For starters, they bring ADV-style versatility. The long-travel suspension means you can comfortably glide over most things you’ll encounter on your tour. Large speedbreakers, big bumps, or a broken patch of road–they’ll handle everything.
Then, when the tarmac is good, you’ll have proper front-end feel to have some serious fun (maybe drag the knee as well). That’s thanks to the 17-inch wheels and sporty rubber–something proper ADVs lack. The underpinnings are also more favorable for spirited riding than their adventure bike counterparts.
Finally, the overall dimensions are more favorable for regular riding. Yes, these are still heavy bikes, but they usually weigh considerably less than a proper adventure bike. For example, the S 1000 XR weighs 500 pounds wet—23 pounds less than BMW’s R 1300 GS. It’s a similar story for the Suzuki GSX-S1000GX (511 pounds) and V-Strom 1050DE (554 pounds). All of these pros apply to Honda’s new crossover, too.
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Honda’s New Crossover Hits The Sweet Spot
Case in context is the Honda CB1000GT—the company’s answer to the Suzuki GSX-S1000GX and BMW S 1000 XR. It undercuts both its rivals in International markets by a massive sum, which backs up Honda’s latest aggressive pricing trends. In fact, the price is so aggressive that it actually ends up close to the middleweight crossover bikes–like the Yamaha Tracer 9 GT and Triumph Tiger Sport 800–while also undercutting Honda’s own NT1100 DCT.
At the same time, the equipment on offer is properly premium. That includes high-end technology and a proven CBR1000RR-derived inline-four engine, which is why this is the sport-tourer with Fireblade DNA and BMW-level tech for thousands less.
Expect The CB1000GT To Cost Around $12,000
Speaking of which, the GT is currently a forbidden fruit for the US. But given Honda Powersports’ trend, the tourer’s US arrival is a matter of when, not if. Doing some math based on British prices, we further expect a competitive MSRP in the $12,000 ballpark. That would make this one of the most bang-for-buck touring bikes on the market, regardless of the segment. We just hope saddlebags come standard here and not as separate accessories–something Honda did with the NT last year.
The CB1000GT Ticks All The Right Boxes For A New-Age Crossover
We’ve already mentioned why crossovers are great, and we’re happy to report the CB1000GT ticks all the right boxes. Peppy performance, modern safety aids, comfort features–you name it, and it’s all here. Let’s dive into the deets.
Powered By Honda’s CBR-Derived Inline-Four Engine
Fireblade DNA is quite prevalent here, all thanks to the powerhouse. The GT has the same 1,000cc inline-four engine we’ve seen on the CB1000 Hornet, which is actually based on the 2017 CBR1000RR’s powerhouse. Since it favors on-road duties rather than the track, the mill has a retune to focus on more low and mid-range grunt rather than peaky performance. Accordingly, the 73 pound-feet is available under 9,000 RPM, while the 147 horsepower peaks at 11,000 RPM.
|
Engine |
Power |
Torque |
Transmission |
Claimed top speed |
|
1,000cc, inline-four |
147 HP @ 11,000 RPM |
73 LB-FT @ 8,750 RPM |
Six-speed |
124 MPH (claimed) |
You Can Eke Out Over 200 Miles Of Range
The retune also helps boost fuel efficiency over the sports bike. The claimed figure is 40 miles per gallon (6 liters per 100 kms), which is in the ballpark of the Hornet. But Honda has thrown in a new 5.5-gallon tank here. Thus, the theoretical tank range is 220 miles. That means you will be able to travel a greater distance here than its arch-rival–the GSX-S1000GX+. For reference, the Suzuki returns 37 miles per gallon while featuring a smaller 5-gallon tank.
The Honda Built For Riders Who Want It All
A true all-rounder, the Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES merges rugged capability with refined touring features for riders who demand more
Electronic Suspension Promises Sophisticated Riding Dynamics
For a motorcycle priced so aggressively, you’d expect basic underpinnings. And you’d be wrong. The GT features Showa Electronically Equipped Ride Adjustment (Showa-EERA) suspension as standard with 41 mm USD forks (5.1 inches travel) and a monoshock (5.6 inches travel). Each end is fully adjustable electronically.
The EERA further draws information from the six-axis IMU and SCU (suspension control unit), which monitor bike speed (from the ECU), the bike’s stance and attitude (from the IMU), and the fork behaviour (from the stroke sensor). These help it change damping on its own to ensure the most stable ride.
Four preset modes let you decide how you want the suspension to act on the fly. These include:
- STANDARD (all-round mode for a wide range of situations)
- SPORT (for high suspension stability for more aggressive riding)
- RAIN (soft damping reaction to smooth and slow suspension response)
- TOUR (maximum braking and turning stability and the firmest damping for high speeds and two-up, fully laden touring)
The Package Weighs Just Over 500 LBs
The suspension joins hands with 17-inch cast alloy wheels and a steel diamond chassis. The frame and wheels are identical to the CB1000 Hornet SP. These help it tip the scale at 504 pounds wet, which is right in the ballpark of its rivals. It’s the same story with other dimensions. These include:
- Wheelbase: 57.2 inches
- Rake: 25 degrees
- Seat height: 31.85 inches
No Shortage Of Creature Comforts Or Safety Features
Rounding the likable package is a modern set of features. A six-axis IMU and ride-by-wire kick things off, enabling dedicated traction control, wheelie control, engine brake control, and cornering ABS. Four ride modes (Standard, Sport, Tour, Rain) are present, too, alongside a USER mode to let you turn everything off in case you’re in the mood to break laws.
Safety aside, comfort is a priority here as well. After all, this is a touring bike. So Honda has thrown in a USB port, heated grips, keyless ignition, and cruise control all as standard. This is topped with a Bluetooth-enabled TFT, accessible via backlit switchgear. The display sits behind an adjustable windscreen.
Source: Honda Global