Honda targets sport-touring fans with new Fireblade-based Honda CB1000 GT
The simple sporty-touring sector has been a little neglected of late, with adventure machines grabbing all the attention. But there’s still a lot of people out there who don’t want to look like they’re riding to Mongolia every time they go out, or who simply prefer a less-tall machine.
The success of Suzuki’s GSX-S1000 GT surprised a few people, and now Honda’s looking to grab some of that action. The firm has a current ‘normal’ tourer of course, the NT1100, which uses the Africa Twin 1100 parallel twin motor, but that’s a bit of a soft-edged machine, with marginal performance for a 1000cc+ machine, especially loaded up with two people and full luggage.
Enter the 2026 CB1000 GT. It’s based on the same platform as the wildly-successful CB1000 Hornet, which is to say the old 2017 CBR1000RR Fireblade engine, in a cheaper steel-tube frame with solid running gear and a decent electronics package. The GT simply takes that foundation, and adds a dollop of touring kit.
That starts with the chassis, which gets a new strengthened frame, with more space at the back, to suit two-up riding with hard luggage. The suspension is upgraded to Showa-EERA (Electronically Equipped Ride Adjustment) semi-active electronically-controlled kit, with manual preload adjusters on the 41mm USD forks and electronic preload adjustment on the rear shock, plus ECU-controlled damping adjustment on the fly.
That alters settings based on bike speed (from the ECU), the bike’s stance and attitude (from the IMU) and the fork behaviour (from the stroke sensor). That should allow softer suspension settings for touring comfort, but sharper wheel control when you turn up the pace, or dial in a sportier pre-set mode. There are four pre-set modes – Standard, Sport, Rain and Tour, plus a customisable User setting.
Away from the suspension, brakes are by Nissin, with dual radial-mount four-piston calipers up front and 310mm discs. Wheels are cast aluminium with standard sport sized rubber – 120/70 17 and 180/55 17 rear.
On the powertrain front, the inline-four 999cc engine makes a solid 148bhp at 11,000rpm, while the fuelling, throttle modes and gear ratios have all been tweaked to better-suit the touring usage.
The electronics package is good: IMU-assisted rider aids, and ride-by-wire throttle, meaning a proper up/down quickshifter, cruise control, wheelie control and rider power modes. It’s all accessed via a new 5” TFT colour LCD dash, and there’s the usual smartphone link with Honda’s RoadSync app.
Touring luxury abounds: from a sleek but protective half-fairing with beefy 21-litre fuel tank to standard hard luggage, manual-adjustable windscreen, standard heated grips and handguards, USB-C charging port, keyless ignition and LED lighting.
Factor in a reasonable mass of 229kg wet, including luggage, and you have a tempting touring toy – especially as Honda has maintained its recent competitive pricing policy: the CB1000 GT starts from £11,999. More info: www.honda.co.uk
2026 Honda CB1000 GT TECH HIGHLIGHTS
Detachable rear panniers standard
Fiveposition screen adjusts with one hand
Cruise control, heated grips and knuckle guards standard fit
Fiveinch TFT display with Honda RoadSync smartphone connectivity
Honda Smart Key convenience
Autocancelling indicators with Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) function
Steel diamondstyle twinspar frame, with revised subframe increasing rider/pillion room
Showa Electronically Equipped Ride Adjustment (ShowaEERATM) suspension standard fit
Sixaxis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU)
Fourpiston, radialmount front brake calipers, 310mm floating discs Cornering ABS improves braking security
120/70ZR17 and 180/55ZR17 front and rear tyres
CBR1000RR Fireblade engine retuned for supersmooth throttle response
Strong midrange torque with exhilarating topend power
Assist/slipper clutch control
Sixaxis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) management of all ride systems Throttle By Wire (TBW) control; four default rider modes plus USER custom options
Three levels of Engine Power and Engine Brake
Three levels of Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC)
Accessories:
Comfort Main Seat
Comfort Pillion Seat
Engine Guard
Rear Carrier
Tall Screen
Tank Side and Centre Decal Under Cowl
Wheel Stripe
Alarm
Fog Lights
Knuckle Guard Extension Rear Seat Bag
Top Box Pad Top Box Panel 3L Tank Bag 50L Top Box