Hitting SA’s Streets soon…
Honda’s new CB1000GT stepped into the sport-touring space with a clear brief:
Litre-bike performance wrapped in real-world comfort. It’s not trying to be a superbike with a screen bolted on, and it’s not a soft tourer either.
On paper, it looks like a machine built for riders who want weekday commuting comfort and weekend long-distance pace in one tidy package. Here’s what South African riders can expect.
Engine
At the heart of the CB1000GT is a 999 cc liquid-cooled inline-four, sharing its DNA with Honda’s modern litre-class naked platform. Output sits around the 110 kW mark with torque just over 100 Nm, delivered through a six-speed gearbox. A slipper-assist clutch comes standard, along with a quickshifter, said to keep shifts smooth whether you’re slicing through traffic or stretching its legs on an open highway.
Tuning is aimed at strong midrange drive with that famous top-end excitement still very much intact. For riders used to big twins or middleweight fours, it promises that familiar Honda smoothness with proper litre-bike urgency when you ask for it.
Suspension & Chassis
The CB1000GT runs on a steel diamond frame derived from Honda’s current naked range, adapted for touring stability and load-carrying capability. Suspension is handled by Showa’s electronically controlled EERA system, which continuously adjusts damping based on riding conditions and input from the bike’s IMU.
Seat height is a manageable 825 mm, and kerb weight comes in just under the 230 kg mark. On paper, that places it firmly in proper sport-touring territory rather than heavyweight tourer status. It should feel substantial enough for high-speed stability without becoming intimidating in town.
Brakes & Wheels
Up front you’ll find twin 310 mm discs with radial-mount calipers, backed by a single rear disc. IMU-assisted cornering ABS forms part of the safety package, working alongside Honda’s traction and stability systems.
Seventeen-inch cast wheels front and rear keep things sporty, shod in typical 120 front and 180 rear rubber. This isn’t adventure-touring crossover territory; it’s firmly road-focused, aimed at tar passes, coastal highways and long inland stretches.
Electronics
A five-inch TFT dash sits front and centre, offering Honda’s RoadSync smartphone connectivity. Multiple riding modes adjust power delivery, engine braking and traction control settings, with at least one user-customisable option for riders who prefer to dial things in themselves.
Cruise control comes standard, along with wheelie control and Honda Selectable Torque Control. The package seems modern but not overcomplicated, keeping everything accessible rather than buried in endless menus.
Ergonomics
Touring practicality is clearly part of the design. The riding position is upright and neutral, with a reshaped fairing and adjustable windscreen designed to offer improved wind protection over the naked sibling. A 21-litre fuel tank suggests strong touring range potential, and factory panniers, heated grips and a centre stand underline its long-distance intentions.
It looks like a machine built for riders who want to leave Johannesburg before sunrise, carve through the passes, and still arrive home without feeling wrung out.
You know you want to find out more, so contact your local Honda dealer and see what the new CB1000GT is all about.
The homologation model was unveiled at Zwartkops, you can Watch That Here!
