Msl Test

HONDA CBFIOOO AB5 lf there is a bike that fullq optimises

the Honda bike-building philosophg' then the CBF1000 is it. Suitable for all things to virtuallg all men, it's as easg as it is effective. There's verg

little it falls short on, and not onlg is the Honda able to Perform a multitude of tasks, it can also do virtuallg all them so impressivelg it's almost impossible to fault. I struggle to think just how mang man-hours must have gone into

cAlinder power-Plant as its base, clever retuning Iincluding changes to the ports, cams and fuel-injection sgstemJ has resulted in one ofthe most remarkable engines I've ever had the pleasure of samPling. That sort of description is normallg

reserved for immenselg Powerful motors that can generate incredible performance - and le1's face it there

getting this bike as near-perfectlg finished and sorted as it is. 0nce

are plentg of those to choose from these dags. But in the case ofthe CBE I use the word remarkable simplg because of its friendlg and

upon a time, the VFRB00 was Honda's flagship all-rounder. As far

flexible nature that makes it so outstandinglg comPetent, not to

as l'm concerned, the CBF is in a different league to the now outdated

mention so dead easg to use. Evergthing about it is highlg

nd u nder-pa r V4. The main advantage it has over the VFR, and the best of the mang

appropriate for road use. Whether that road is a winding ten-foot wide mountain pass, high-speed motorwav,

features it can boast of its own, is its wonderful engine. Usingthe 2006 Fireblade sportsbike's inline four

congested citg street, or anU other tgpe of route gou can Possiblg

a

imagine, matters not. The near-perfect

gou give it via the throttle. And again,

Running a close second in the awards is prettu much angthing else about the bike reallg, though l'll settle

whether that's a sudden demand via a ganked fulltwist of the wrist for lots of

for the braking. The linked CBS/ABS sgstem is simplg superb, and just Iike

extra horses, orjust

a ting movement of the butterflies to maintain a walking

the engine works imPressivelg in a broad range of circumstances- lt does

pace is immaterial. Perfect fuelling

the job of scrubbing off speed so well it almost goes unnoticed. Quite apart

manners of the 9BbhP motor make it keen and obedient to ang command

combined with a suPer-smooth progressive power and torque build-up means a swift and sophisticated stgle of progress is constantlg availableThe Honda's six-sPeed gearbox

might be light and slick to use, but choosing just the'correct' ratio or needing the right amount of rpm isn't ever necessarV to achieve good

strong drive. lt makes the job of riding the CBF so much easier, calmer and

HONDA CBFlOOO ABS

ln{' l20l2l7

WHEEIS/TYRES: -ENGIN! IYPE:

Reor:

998cc, liquid-coled, 1 6-volve,

not;q

rJgr,f ogooop.

slfP.-"d

anticipated and instant acceleration is needed to exit it cleanlg, or when a

:!:gil

cHAs,s!sfcoMPoN-ENT5

chance to get past slow-moving traffic suddenlg presents itself, the CBFjust executes the act in the most un-

FRAMF t::19$Yl9t :9,'lt9! :t"d:lYb'd :PiT 5U5PENSION: Froni: 43mm inveried telescopic forks, no odiustment Reor: rising-rote monoshock, odiusioble prelood ond rebound domping

PERFORIVIANCE:

BRAKES: Front: twin 296mm discs with three

HAffiiine;--

piston ABS/CBS colipers Reor: single 240mm

iRAaiffiirY'---

disc with three-piston ABS/CBS coliper

niLuE

56

www.mslmogozine.co.uk

appreciated it on unknown roads or

can be verg unpredictable. lfa corner turns out to be tighter than

MAxrM_! M .ro-Ro_u_!i 7l :|ft :lh @ 9-{9qPT

.rnanltvtlsslottl flNar_-onlv!1

60/ 60-17

those with constantlg changing traffic conditions when speed requirements

dohc, in line four

MAxMU;

1

more appealing. I esPeciallg

--

ioi-xioNiY'

troubled manner gou could ask of it. Verg few engines can match the prompt get Polite wag the Honda

from the power the arrangement possesses to haul uP the bike smartlg, the Progressive and predictable control it delivers makes ang braking experience feel totallg dependable. Given the weight of the bike, which when loaded can easilg exceed 300 kilos, not to mention the speed il can so easilg get to, the fuss-

free and effective nature of the brakes warrants plentg of praise. lt certainlg made me feel a iot more safe and secure, especiallg whenever grip was reduced. Part ofthe reason for the brakes'

brilliance is the overall balance ofthe bike. lt ensures efficiencg and helps postpone the ABS being triggered too often. lt's a real allg to the rider too. Good weight distribution makes the CBF easg

to handle from walking pace

all the wag to its top speed. U-turns are particularlg simple and are helped bg the excellent steering lock- The

delivers its power lt deserves absolutelu full marks for its amazinglg

dominant riding position, aided bg the leverage offered bg the wide bars,

versatile abilitg.

mean the business of bossing the

MSL I TESTED brke around is nowhere near as

phgsical as something this big and

weightg should be. Neutral steering, qualitg suspension and excellent

qt

Michelin Pilot Road tgres complete the

rffi

more than capable handling package.

*s"CFdeF

You can enjog the Honda all dag

without

*.,-d

Uour enthusiasm or phgsical

condition diminlshing. Guaranteed to

fit all bar phgsical freaks of nature, the roomg riding position has that'just right'feel to it. And if it's not quite to gour exact tastes, then the adjustable bars, seat and screen should bring

things more into line. Though it has to be said, making those changes are

got to be one of the most underrated

character Whatever the reason,

not five minute affairs.

bikes out there. I can't for the life of

hope l've convinced gou of its sheer

I

me think whg it's not become a much

brilliance even if that huge level of

fairing is surprisinglg effective, even at

better seller. I'm confident that if

c0mpetence is delivered in quite an

Protection from the screen and speed. And bg the time gou consider

people actuallg tried it, theg'd instantlu

understated fashion. I honestlg think

the further thoughtful and useful

realise just how good it actua lg is and

details like the grab rails, roomg

develop a strong interest in ownership.

it's one of Honda's verg best bikes ever. And if I had a garage full of mg favourite bikes, it's likelg to be the one that clocked up the highest

underseat storage and effective

Magbe it's

just because it's not the

assess the CBF1000 as a highlg

most stglish and alluring bike on the market. Magbe it's because it's a bit

competent and capable motorcgcle. lt's

too refined, civilised ano acl^.ing in

mirrors, there's little choice but to

mileage. Underrated certainlg

doesn't mean under-par in this case.

SUZUKI BANDIT IzsOGT lf I was onlg allowed to use two

'-!r:..-ii. ;,'1 -..l.ii9ii!r:

of the standard SA version of the bike

words to describe Suzuki's Bandit

bg adding full luggage, fairing lowers

1250GT, l'd immediatelg sag 'brilliant

and 6armin satellite navigation

value'. There are plentg of other good

sgstem. Raisingthe price bg less

things to sag about it, as well as a few criticisms, but if gou want a great return for gour moneg, then the GT will not disappoint.

than

f1000 to a fraction under

f6655 to convert the roaster into well-equipped tourer makes the

a

GT

nothing short of a bargain.

It's a verg relevant and welcome

Apart from the'extras' there's

qualitg in these dags of economic uncertaintg. Like the CBE the Bandit is a basic, no-frills, no-nonsense sort of molorcucle that multi-tasks well. As l've'owned'one this gear as a long-

plentg to shout about from a value point of view. Just like the Honda, the Suzuki's engine is a big reason forthe Bandit's attraction. lt's changed a great deal from its earlg dags of powering the

termer, I feel well qualified to assess

original 1200cc big-bore Bandit of

its versatilitg.

1996, but is all the better for it. The

The GT is a Suzuki GB creation. The

importer decided to boost the appeal

1250cc water-cooled unit has been

verg much designed with realworld in

wHi!!s/TYR!s: lpl| 1

255cc. liquid'cooled, I 6-volve, dohc, inline four

lI*IlM"lrI PowiR: lI+IlM-Y| roRauli

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piston ABS colipers Reor: single 235mm disc with twin-piston ABS coliper

M',ta,

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odjustoble prelod Reor: rising-rote monoshock,

sdiy:lgiFlrld s$ fb.-,ld d:rpiig

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0845 850 8800,

CONTACT:

Fronf: 43mm ielescopic forks,

BRAKESI Fronl twin 3lOmm discs with four-

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s-EAr HFIGHT:

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$er DIMENSIONS/CAPACITY

PERFORMANCET

xar.roLrNef-

.--

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pnliiiiairrv'VAini ;oi Mofti;

---

**** -.-***--. -^***** -*****

.'.-

7 www.mslmcgozine.co.uk

57

TESTED I MSL 4.9 mind and Uou oniLl have to look at the four-cglinder unit's torque figures for

r.,#.-' t ' €fd; 9."' n nq:.' i ,

evidence of that. Making a claimed

{

.* '!

nigh-on B0ft-lb at just under 4000rpm equates to a lovelg, strong low.rev

wave of strength that needs verg l;ttle rider input to take advantage of- Just like the CBI rewing the motor harder or constantlu swapping gears to gain speed is simplg not a requirement. lts

gutsu stgle is particularlg evident when the bike is loaded with a pillion and lots of luggage. And just like

a

truck does, the Suzuki still drives hard and unflustered whenever gou twist the throttle. lt has the bonus of being verg smooth too, with little vibration to spoil its sophisticated feel. Nice fuelling and a verg friendlg linear build-up of power and torque contribute to the 1250's excellent, easg-going manners. The onlg thing I raise in the wag of personal criticism is thal the overall

!ffi

gearing is quite high. As t is, it gives

appreciablg more lazg and heavg

Suzuki's excellent ABS. More

low-rpm cruising advantages with

than the Honda does. lts suspension

importantlg though, the Suzuki's value

B0mph coming with jusr 4000rpm

doesn't have quite the same level of refinement either. I'd reason the difference in agilitg could well be

when all things are considered. Forjust

f1Z3 more,

down to the Bandit being fitted with

help it become significantlg more

on the rev counter. But I for one

would like to reduce the overall gearing slightlg to give the Suzuki even moTe pep, making overtaking

is what helps it to oulscore the Honda

Uou get the GT's extras that

a 18O-section rear tgre, which could

versatile. Some of the additions are

even less taxing and the engine even more flexible than it is alreadg. lt's

well offer a much less rounded

worth more than others but the top

profile than the CBF's relativelg

box and panniers are especiallg useful,

just

skinng 160-section rubber. lt makes the Honda a bit easier and preferable to manage on roads where direction

and the Garmin sat nav is something all other bikes I ride without one seem

changes are constantlU required.

lesser machines. I'd sag the fairing

a

thought.

Comparisons between the CBF are alwags likelg given

GT

and

the

similar make-up and price of the bikes, and one issue of the pair in particular turned out to be more different than I'd expecred. Despite verg similar chassis stats, with weight and wheelbase figures being especiallg close, the Suzuki feels

But straightwag I need to put the

lowers don't do much other than

'advantage'ofthe

cheapen the look ofthe bike a little. But

CBF in context.

Before testing the two bikes back to back, l'd never had anU reason to

when gou consider the f6655 cost of the Suzuki and just how well it

find the Suzuki's handling flawed in

performs, it's nothing short of an

ang wau. l've done 3500 miles on mg

economic marvel.

long-termerthis gearand ridden it along all sorts of different roads. I've

can for that price in standard trim makes it a verg hard act to follow. Like all other bikes on the market,

there are some shortcomings with the

Bandit'fh for purpose'. The or.lg thing to improve it was fitting a pair of Bridgestone BT-

will need some regular,ight attention

Gl

The

finish isn't the strongest and

to keep looking good. The pillion

016 sports tgres. With these I could

accommodation is slightlg cramped

explore more of the bike's

with the top box mounted as far

performance in greater safelg.

forward as it is. And while l'm talking about it, the box can taint the handling

steered, handled the bumps and

a little unless it's onlg lightlg loaded.

alwags allowed me to travel with

Bar those minor points though, those two words 'brilliant value'are

poise and securitg was worthg of much praise. lt's just that after trging the Honda, I didn't consider its qualities in quite the same light. However, for all its slightlg greater refinement, the CBF still falls behind the GT in some wags. To

start with the Bandit's brakes are

a little more powerfuland though not

www.mslmogozine.co.uk

it

on it and in all cases pronounced the

In doing that, the wag the Suzuki

58

To do as much as

even done some laps of Mallorg Park

I changed on the bike

4:...;;:Ii

l've grown to depend on so much that

the most appropriate ones to describe

the Bandit

1250GT. lt's not often bikes

come along and offer as much as this one does, Vet take so little from gour pocket for the privilege. lt's quite hard

to understandjust how Suzuki has managed to keep the price so low. But in this case, l'm happg to be ignorant

quite as clever as the CBFs CBS/ABS

of the economical policg behind it. l'd

set-up, do still feel like theg can stop

wager most other manufacturers

gou a little more sharplg. And theg can

would charge around a f 1000 more

do so just as securelg thanks to the

for such a competent all-rounder.

MSL i TESTED

BMW FSOOGS :'

:

those wishes perfectlg. Because it's lighter and more

-'1he German brand's line-up for

::-ne gears. After ridingthe

useful ones fitted and l'll mention their virtues in due course. Firstlg though, iet's talk about the main features that help the 800 to

Enter the FB00GS, which grants

'!^/ GS, Gelande Strasse models

-:./e arguablg been the most famous FB00GS,

sag given enough time it stands a

compact, it's a bike that most will feel more comfortable with

-

I know

slill a little on

:-ance of becoming the most

am. To be honest, it's

:-cularofthe

the tall side thanks to its BB0mm

lot.

-l^e middle-heavgweight fills a gap

seat height, but there is a B50mm

the off-road stuled categoru more .^an nicelg, and will open the door to -ang who've wanted such a blend of ::wer and weight for some time. The

option which should help shorties

-1

i

like me. lf gou order it with the bike,

be held in such high esteem. Think of

it as an economg-sized GS with all the useful hallmarks of the 1200, but with extra practicalitv thanks to it feeling more versatile and quite a bit more neutral. l've mentioned the weight and size advantage alreadg but this is a

on the dirt at the BMW Off-Road

Skills School, and have never felt overawed or intimidated. lt has such an easg, light and agile feel to it. Out on the open road, mile-eating

comfort is instantlg and continuallg obvious. The fairing and screen might not look like theu're up to much, but the protectio'l is quite impressive and would definitelg

assist long dags in the seat.

The

benefit that's constantlU apparent.

nice blend of plushness and support.

:^e UK's verg best-selling bikes for

there'll be no extra cost. It would be the onlg thing l'd consider changing if I wanted to bug the 800 [and believe me, it would be

And that's the case at whatever

And with the suspension offering a

:-e last few gears. Ewan and Charleg

one of the few new bikes l'd actuallU

speed the spoked wheels are

similar and valuable mlx 0f comfort

-ave certainlg helped with that. But

think of spending mg hard-earned on - if I wasn't such an

spinning. Nice wide bars and the

and control, few roads are going

generous distance between them

cause the rider ang suffering.

impoverished rider of courseJ. As a package the BMW is so good wouldn't reallg want to alter angthing else. Actuallg, thal's a bit

and the seat, along with a similarlg

:

gger

GS

models have been some of

:^ough I could sing the virtues of the -200GS until mV throat got sore, the

:

aln and simple fact is it's too big

:^d unwieldg for some. I speak from ::rsonal experience when I sag that.

I

main human contact patch has

a

The single rear shock gives a good

lengthq relationship between that

qualitg ride and is benefitted bg the

perch and the footrests, provides not

easilg reachable remote preload

onlg a relaxed riding position but

adjuster. Altering the rebound

a

damping is easLl thanks to good

r1d though I can acluallg handle the .3LL-seated heavgweight, there are ; ',vaUS times when lwish it was that

of a lie given the huge range of

dominant one which allows easg

accessories that are available for the bike as factorg or dealer-fit

masterg and control ofthe bike. I've

access to the adjusting screw as

personallg ridden several B00GSs in

well. [Jp front the inverted forks

, i lighter and easg to shove around.

options. 0ur press bike had a few

everg sort of road environment and

aren't adjustable and dive a little

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15781m 195!S

l9lill:l t6!e9 0800 325 600,

w.bmw-motrrod.co.uk

J:!!.,:J::ldli:

5USPENSION:Fronl 45mm inverted blescopic forks, no

odjushenl Rmr: monoshock,

gdi::dh sfhqg gld r!::ld d"lets BRAKES:

Fronl: twin 300mm discs with

iwin piston colipers Reor: single 265mm disc with single-piston coliper

PERFORMANCE:

HAN;ii#;

-

^

-

.-

'-' '-'-:

^-

.;

; ;;:'

talui ioi MoNin

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www.mslmogozine.co.uk 59

TESTED i MSL readilU under braking. But at least

theg feel far more natural than the vague Telelever arrangement ofthe bigger GS. As a mark of how much

adhesion and gou'd be faced with a damage billto make the Price of the ABS look like a bargain.

gives, I was more than happg and confident to push things even when

Testing those brakes is the Power and speed generated bg the twin cglinder B00cc parallel twin engine. ln keepingwith the rest of the bike it

the roads became tgpicallU greasg and slipperg as theu can in winter.

performs well, but more to the Point allows gou to samPle evergthing it

feedback the 800's suspension

Also helping to counter the

discomfort of the cooler months was

has on offer with ease. As qou'd expecl from its configuration the

one ofthe sensible extras BMW had

engine has a punchg and flexible feel

opted to fit. Heated grips are a

to it. lt responds well to the throttle and though it's not bg anU means perfect, it suits the role of an allrounder - which the B00GS verg much is - more than well enough. tt's best 10 keeP the twin at lower rpm and ideallg just in its healthg

godsend when the air temPerature

dips t0 the levels it does in Januarg, which combined with the chill factor must easilU reach minus 30'C. ABS braking is another extra that had been wiselg fitted. lt adds f 510 to the cost ofthe

GS's basic

f6695 and is

more than worth the exlra expense. The quite low-spec

twin-piston sliding

calipers are far more effective and powerful than I expected, and theg have a good level of feel to let gou

mid-range for best effect as overrewing it is a waste of time, even if the throatg exhaust note does encourage it. lt's taken most of the qear for the bike's waiting list to shrink enough to get one without

front Banle Wing tgre lies. Even so, it

ang real delag, and I for one aren't surprised. I think it's one ofthe verg

onlg takes one mistake to exceed that

best bikes

know just where the grip limit of the

BMW has ever made.

THE VERDICT: **** PERFOR'VIANCE:

PERFORMANCE:

nAt.rDirNc;-

HaNbuxe, inacircerrrYt vrrut roi moNiv,

- - ^"

PRACTICALITY:

Vaiuiion monii'-

SUZUKI BANDIT I25OGT Let me put mg views into context straightawag bg saging these three bikes are verg much the sort l'd consider buging mgself. Well Past

the stage of needing glitz and glamour in mg life, the real world virtues that make them easg to ride and live with struck a real chord with

Honda CBF1000. lt's another bike

offering such a price-belging level of performance, gou'd have to think it would cost more than it actuallg does. The CBF's versatilitg is verg impressive indeed. lt seems to be able to cope with ang task. Be it a 10-mile citg commute or a tour tewntg times

me. I can't acluallU pick a favourite, let alone a winner, as each of the trio

that long doesn't matter - the Honda willadmirablg deal with matters.

possesses it's own advantages. In the case ofthe Suzuki its bonus

Tgpicallg Honda, it's the most polished of this trio, which mighl to some be its

is its sheer good value. Allieo to its

onlg let-down. Despite being an

common-sense design that offers enough performance, practicalitu and

exceptional multi-purpose tool, the CBF is so refined and understated it's

comfort, is a level of equipment to make it a true all-rounder without

a bit short of appeal. Most rides on it

needing to spend a penng moTe. Even as a long-distance tourer it's readg to

few of them are memorable.

go from the moment gou wheel it off

package to the Japanese bikes. For a BMW it's actuallU quite cheap though

the showroom floor. For what gou get and what that allows gou to do, its price

off6655

is verg hard to believe,

Well done to Suzuki GB for having the

sense to create it in the first place. Verg similar in terms of design and performance is the trulg brillianl

60

w**.mslmogozine.co.uk

bring lots of praise for its abilitg, but The FB00GS is a different sort of

adding some of the large selection of official accessories on offer easilg raises the price. I personallg reallg enloged.just how easg the GS is to ride and rated its practicalitv. lt's not a bike to get the heart racing, but

@@@@

**** ***- ***t* *****

PERFORMAN€E:

mttoiir.rct---;RAaiiAirY,---"

tAiil i6i

./

MoniY;

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'#*;-; ***e'" .-t-t;f*tR

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d

just like the others here the 800 is verg much a bike to respect and admire. lt shares their all-round abilitg and its fuel consumption is

there was ever a case of not judging

especiallg impressive.

And when gou do, gou'll be in no

thing all three have in common is that theg are far more capable and impressive than their image suggests theg might be. lf

doubt about their numerous

One

a bike bg its image then these are

classic examples. lt's essential to ride them to get a full imPression.

strengths and virtues. All three are verg underrated machines and don't deserve to go unnoticed.