2008 Honda CBF1000A Mark 1
The CBF1000A (otherwise referred to as the "Biffer") is a bit of an enigma in North America because it was not available in the United States, and was not imported in large numbers in Canada. Too bad, because I have found the Biffer to be a very capable bike that has plenty of grunt, comfort, reliability, and handling characteristics second to none. In Europe, where sport bikes are the norm, not the exception, the Biffer is common, and well revered. For the cruiser class of North America, not so.
The CBF1000 (and the CBF600) for that matter are not the prettiest bikes you can ride, and they differ from most other sport bikes in the Honda stable by allowing you to ride in a more upright position, keeping your feet under you, making its handling at slow speed maneuvers far better than cruiser style bikes.
So, lets look at the good, the not so good, and the bad of the Biffer, from a rider that owns one.
How did I end up owning a CBF1000A? Glad you asked J I got on to the CBF1000A almost by chance. I happened to stop in at the local Honda Powerhouse dealership to get servicing done to another bike I had, the VLX600C, and in the process of waiting for the work to be completed, I started looking over the bikes in the showroom. Most were the usual bikes you might find early before the bike season really begins (it was a cold early March day), but the Biffer caught my eye, because it was different from the rest, even the sport bikes. It seemed lonely, and needed just the right rider, which apparently, was me. After I swung a leg over the seat, and sat on it while on the centre stand, I knew this bike had great promise. I arranged a test ride right there and then (they trusted me to take it for a ride – imagine that!), and headed out with it for an aggressive test (acceleration, highway passing, threshold braking with ABS, handling characteristics at high speed and slow speed parking lot maneuvers, and lean angle). Result – I threw the keys to the 600 at them and said lets talk. Because it was a “new” 2 year old bike, the price was right (no reference to the game show by the same name).
The Biffer (also referred to as “Grampies Mo-Bike” by my granddaughter) has been a great ride for me, as it accelerates like a sports bike, handles like a standard /naked bike, comfortable to ride like a lay back cruiser, and sits you up fairly high so that you can look over cars parked in front of you, rather than through the windows or have your vision blocked altogether. For those that are “vertically challenged”, this would probably be an issue for you as it does require some leg inseam to balance the bike. The seat can help, as it is adjustable to 3 settings (approximately a difference of 1.5 inches). The handlebars, as they are one piece mounted in risers, can be altered slightly back or forward to fit the rider (it is amazing how many riders never attempt to adjust their handlebars because they either never think about it, or believe that is the way they should be). The bike is not overly heavy and this makes it easy to move around in tight places if you have to push it (or run out of gas – just remember that just because a gas gauge is on the bike that you should trust it!!)
As fast as the CBF will accelerate, it also will stop in a very short distance as well, thanks to the dual disc front / single disc back ABS brakes. For those of you who have never used ABS brakes before (or thought you didn’t need them), they are the one safety factor not to be without as you maintain much better control of the bike in hard beyond-the-threshold braking (note: they do have their limitations on gravely or sandy roads). These ABS brakes are also Combined – that is, if you grab the back brake (over 6 km/h) the front brake will also activate somewhat (approximately 30%). However, if you grab the front brake in the same way, the back brake will not be effected.
The CBF1000 (and the CBF600) for that matter are not the prettiest bikes you can ride, and they differ from most other sport bikes in the Honda stable by allowing you to ride in a more upright position, keeping your feet under you, making its handling at slow speed maneuvers far better than cruiser style bikes.
So, lets look at the good, the not so good, and the bad of the Biffer, from a rider that owns one.
How did I end up owning a CBF1000A? Glad you asked J I got on to the CBF1000A almost by chance. I happened to stop in at the local Honda Powerhouse dealership to get servicing done to another bike I had, the VLX600C, and in the process of waiting for the work to be completed, I started looking over the bikes in the showroom. Most were the usual bikes you might find early before the bike season really begins (it was a cold early March day), but the Biffer caught my eye, because it was different from the rest, even the sport bikes. It seemed lonely, and needed just the right rider, which apparently, was me. After I swung a leg over the seat, and sat on it while on the centre stand, I knew this bike had great promise. I arranged a test ride right there and then (they trusted me to take it for a ride – imagine that!), and headed out with it for an aggressive test (acceleration, highway passing, threshold braking with ABS, handling characteristics at high speed and slow speed parking lot maneuvers, and lean angle). Result – I threw the keys to the 600 at them and said lets talk. Because it was a “new” 2 year old bike, the price was right (no reference to the game show by the same name).
The Biffer (also referred to as “Grampies Mo-Bike” by my granddaughter) has been a great ride for me, as it accelerates like a sports bike, handles like a standard /naked bike, comfortable to ride like a lay back cruiser, and sits you up fairly high so that you can look over cars parked in front of you, rather than through the windows or have your vision blocked altogether. For those that are “vertically challenged”, this would probably be an issue for you as it does require some leg inseam to balance the bike. The seat can help, as it is adjustable to 3 settings (approximately a difference of 1.5 inches). The handlebars, as they are one piece mounted in risers, can be altered slightly back or forward to fit the rider (it is amazing how many riders never attempt to adjust their handlebars because they either never think about it, or believe that is the way they should be). The bike is not overly heavy and this makes it easy to move around in tight places if you have to push it (or run out of gas – just remember that just because a gas gauge is on the bike that you should trust it!!)
As fast as the CBF will accelerate, it also will stop in a very short distance as well, thanks to the dual disc front / single disc back ABS brakes. For those of you who have never used ABS brakes before (or thought you didn’t need them), they are the one safety factor not to be without as you maintain much better control of the bike in hard beyond-the-threshold braking (note: they do have their limitations on gravely or sandy roads). These ABS brakes are also Combined – that is, if you grab the back brake (over 6 km/h) the front brake will also activate somewhat (approximately 30%). However, if you grab the front brake in the same way, the back brake will not be effected.
As with most sport bikes, there are plenty of gauges to keep you abreast of the bike, with an analog style tach and speedometer the centre piece of the “dash”. These are sometimes hard to read when the sun is over your back and shining on them. The windscreen is designed more for a leaned over sport bike (it is not very high, and I sit high in the saddle), so I swapped it out for a Givi windscreen that is 6 inches higher. This made my rides in the cold better, and in the spring I have less bug poop to clean off of my helmet visor. The Givi does create some “dirty air” behind the rider so that the passenger will note some head bob at higher speeds.
Speaking of cold, in the never ending quest to remain warm in the early spring, late fall, and onset of winter (which seems to last almost from November to May some years!), in addition to the proper riding apparel, I have added certain accessories to make life a little bit more comfortable. Starting with Honda supplied wind deflectors to the fairing to help my hands, heated grips (ah, yes!), and a Heat Demon temperature controller to plug my heated seat pad and vest into. If any of these accessories were given priority, it would be the heated vest (a great in-vest-ment) because when your core body is warm, so are you arms and hands. Even your feet stay warmer longer.
And cold effects the range of the CBF1000A. Its 19.1 L fuel tank will get on average for me, in varied conditions in the summer, approximately 350km to fume sucking. In the cold (-5 to 10 degrees C), you may get approximately 270 km. Ouch. By the way, the CBF1000A does not like ethanol added gases (neither do I!) so make sure you use Premium gas or have octane boost with you to add if you cannot get anything other than gas tank rotting ethanol based gas (did I mention I hate ethanol?).
Other accessories placed on this bike are a Wolo Air Horn (I believe loud horns are better than loud pies for safety – especially in scaring away deer from the road!), Pyramid Plastics Fender Extender (which should be on the bike in the first place) and a Pyramid Plastics rear hugger to keep dirty spray away from a good portion of the hard to clean areas. Accessories, by the way, are only handled by a few on-line e-businesses because, I presume, of the few number of bikes in the North American market. There are much more choices in the UK or Europe, and just as easy to get, for the same or a lesser price than in Canada from a reseller. You just don’t have to deal with customs. Honda does not have a large selection (pitifully small would be the proper term) of accessories so third party is the way to go.
Other accessories placed on this bike are a Wolo Air Horn (I believe loud horns are better than loud pies for safety – especially in scaring away deer from the road!), Pyramid Plastics Fender Extender (which should be on the bike in the first place) and a Pyramid Plastics rear hugger to keep dirty spray away from a good portion of the hard to clean areas. Accessories, by the way, are only handled by a few on-line e-businesses because, I presume, of the few number of bikes in the North American market. There are much more choices in the UK or Europe, and just as easy to get, for the same or a lesser price than in Canada from a reseller. You just don’t have to deal with customs. Honda does not have a large selection (pitifully small would be the proper term) of accessories so third party is the way to go.
Something on the down side is the “speed wobble”. The CBF seems to be prone to a speed wobble at, not high speed, but a low to moderate speed, such as 60-80 km/h. Lower than this, or higher than this you do not notice any wobble. Apparently, through contact with many riders who have the Biffer, it is common. Especially if you have the Top Centre Hard Bag on, that is when it will add an extra 5 km/h in either direction. If you ride the bike without any bags, and the low windscreen, and you are at more leaned over attitude, the bike barely wobbles at all, and only for about a difference of 7-10 km/h.
Overall, I am very satisfied with my CBF1000A (AKA Grampie’s Mo-Bike, AKA “The Biffer”), and will likely keep it a few more years, then look at a newer version if they still exist. If not,……
Overall, I am very satisfied with my CBF1000A (AKA Grampie’s Mo-Bike, AKA “The Biffer”), and will likely keep it a few more years, then look at a newer version if they still exist. If not,……