Two new maxiroadsters arrive last year: The CB1000R, highly anticipated at Honda and the Speed Triple, surprise of Triumph. Two motorcycles with similar approaches who compete against MNC: on the way to a duel of beautiful and rebellious! The readers rebelsnreaders.blogspot.com who, as everyone knows, have a little more RAM than others, remember that Honda had taken its time to replace the Hornet 900 with the CB1000R: for two long years (2006- 2007), the catalog of the winged coat of arms no longer displayed a maxiroadster!
Strangely, the success of the CB1000R was also slow: due to the entry into force of the Euro 4 emission standard, the Tokyo Reds did not offer any bikes last year against the Kawasaki Z1000, GSX-S1000 Suzuki or MT-10 from Yamaha.
Duel Honda CB1000R 2018 Vs Triumph Speed Triple RS: chic duo for shock duel
This slight misfortune, Honda intends to fill it by taking the opposite of its compatriots. At least in terms of look! If it remains true to the 4-cylinder line, the new "Cebe" and its touch "retro" actually break with the - recent - tradition of Japanese machines that seem straight out of manga.
Although the first CB1000R has already been designed "in Europe, by Europe and for Europe", the second adopts much more "Western" features. It is in this that it is close to another great novelty, much more unexpected this one: the Speed Triple 2018 which, despite the "Brexit", remains a reference in terms of roadster on the old continent!
MNC test - Honda CB1000R 2018: Universe change
Triumph Speed Triple RS 2018 MNC test: the roadster raises the tone and sound
Deeply revised in 2016, the maxiroadster has evolved again this year. His "Tripeul" was at the center of attention Hinckley firm: the 3-cylinder 1050 cc now develops 150 horses, against 145.5 ch for the 4-legged 998 cc of the CB1000R, derived from the engine Fireblade 2017.
While maintaining a relatively reasonable maximum power, the Speed stands out from its own European rivals: Aprilia's Tuono V4 twin and KTM's 1290 Super Duke R spew respectively 175 and 177 hp, the 4-in-line of the BMW S1000RR comes out 165 hp.
Duel Honda CB1000R 2018 Vs Triumph Speed Triple RS: chic duo for shock duel
As everyone knows, are a little more demanding than the others will miss the Ducati Monster 1200S whose philosophy of motorcycle looks neat, powerful-but-not-scary engine and the Honored cycle part could have joined this duel. But this is not a 2018 novelty! And incidentally, we could not try it in 2017.
The confrontation between the new Honda and Triumph seemed unavoidable: on the one hand, the second novelty preferred by readers, on the other, one of the biggest favorite editorial this new Year. A nice duel in anticipation!
Only problem (noted by some commentators informed on our smart-videos), the two roadsters were entrusted to us by their respective importers in different versions: Honda France kindly lent us a CB1000R with quickshifter but without "+", while Triumph France kindly passed a Speed Triple RS with "shift assist" as well. Moto-Net.Com will try to take this into account.
CB1000R 2018: the Honda + expected
For this duel unpublished here- as on all the canvas -, the testers received the keys of a brand new CB1000R 2018: its odometer displays only 40 km at our departure! Completely original, this machine has the services of a quickshifter (to 695 euros) to go up and down the reports without resorting to the clutch lever.
But this accessory is the only one that distinguishes the standard model from its "+" version in terms of dynamic behavior. Indeed, the heated grips, aluminum fender inserts, wind deflectors, saddle bonnet and radiator grille do not change the acceleration, braking or handling of the motorcycle.
Duel Honda CB1000R 2018 Vs Triumph Speed Triple RS: chic duo for shock duel
rebelsnreaders.blogspot.com , which has already been tested on the real CB1000R + during its press launch, can therefore estimate that it is running on the high-end version of the all-new Honda roadster, invoiced at 14,699 euros, ie 1,500 euros more than the CB1000R " anyway".
Even without a few "plus" skins, the CB1000R remains a magnificent motorcycle: its engine benefits from an exemplary finish. The finely and partially polished housings echo at the level of the hub of the rear wheel carried by the massive single-arm all aluminum.
Duel Honda CB1000R 2018 Vs Triumph Speed Triple RS: chic duo for shock duel
The black color of the beast is also perfectly associated with the beautiful brushed aluminum parts of the headlight, the radiator and the air box. Aluminum also, but as cut in the mass, the plates of footrest before could perhaps have gained to be openwork. They are none the less admirable.
The frame is steel, but its configuration "mono backbone" (backbone!) Makes it completely invisible: the engine is even more valuable! Ditto for the rear rim design that oscillates between classy and aggressive: the wheel is not too hidden by the compact pot that MNC did not find terrible in the photos, but who likes in the end!
Duel Honda CB1000R 2018 Vs Triumph Speed Triple RS: chic duo for shock duel
The general line of the "Cébé" is also very successful, alternating classic touches and modern spikes, avoiding mistakes of taste. The round, flat lighthouse is equipped with modern LED lighting, whose night lights evoke a horseshoe. There is a second iron in the back: the Japanese want to put the odds on both sides of their bike!
The tank levitating above the mill hides its welds carefully. Pretty flat, it also seems particularly long where the touch of gray paint "alu" just in front of the saddle of the pilot ?! The rear of the machine is aerial: the passenger seat is placed on a back loop whose perfectly smooth finish makes superfluous any plastic cladding.
Duel Honda CB1000R 2018 Vs Triumph Speed Triple RS: chic duo for shock duel
This first review of the Red is it all rosy? No. For example, it is regrettable that Honda has mounted mirrors of pentagonal shape, today rather banal. At
rebelsnreaders.blogspot.com, we find that retro rounds would have been more in the tone. Not chrome either, just round.
Similarly, if we can congratulate the Reds for having adopted a remote plate support that accentuates the truncated appearance of the rear loop, we can also wonder about the need to split it. One arm was not enough to carry the license plate and the tiny fender?
Duel Honda CB1000R 2018 Vs Triumph Speed Triple RS: chic duo for shock duel
By inspecting the Honda very, very closely,
rebelsnreaders.blogspot.com is surprised that the electronic engine injection system is so apparent on the left, that a strand of black cable strolls under the saddle of the driver and that the Expansion tank is under the shock absorber and above the "pot" of the muffler!
Finally, the front mudguard of "our" seems a bit basic in its shape - retro look, why not - and much too much in its raw plastoc finish. But the CB1000R + only partially corrects this fault menu with its aluminum inserts. This is not the same "halu" as the Speed Triple which has a carbon fender in its version " RS ", we come here!
Speed Triple 2018: the Triumph surprise
Triumph has given us the key - contactless! - a Speed Triple RS, the "top" model 2018 tested and approved by Moto-Net.Com this winter. Unfortunately for the Journal moto du Net, for its readers and for Triumph (also, yes!), No standard model was available to measure the CB1000R "a little +".
It is therefore in her haute couture and big brands that the Speed is aligned for this duel. So she leaves with a serious handicap: its price of 15,850 euros, enhanced by 429 euros for the quickshifter ("up / down", as on the Honda) that does not even appear in the original endowment of the RS. "What The Flute"?!
Duel Honda CB1000R 2018 Vs Triumph Speed Triple RS: chic duo for shock duel
However, compared to the extra 1500 euros that cost the CB1000R + compared to the CB1000R "any short", the 2050 euros required by Triumph to acquire a Speed Triple RS rather than a Speed Triple S seem perfectly justified.
The "Spideresse" includes a beautiful pair of Arrow titanium and carbon pots (1299 euros in the catalog), Öhlins suspensions (which replace the Showa of the "Spidesse"), adjustable levers (doubling to the right, in spacing and offset !) signed MCS and a Continental electronics with inertial unit (the "famous" IMU Superbike)
Duel Honda CB1000R 2018 Vs Triumph Speed Triple RS: chic duo for shock duel
In addition to these electro-mechanical improvements a painted engine shoe, a fender and carbon radiator scoops, small wheel axle hubcaps or on the frame and even without these little tricks, the standard Triumph clearly has nothing to blush in the face of the sculptural Honda in terms of finish.
Less refined than those of its Japanese competitor, the lines and shapes of the English are generous and curved. The "devastating" look of the Speed is carefully preserved by Triumph over the years, rightly so: it seduces the majority of motorcyclists crossed by rebelsnreaders.blogspot.com. It is also unanimous within the writing
rebelsnreaders.blogspot.com!
Duel Honda CB1000R 2018 Vs Triumph Speed Triple RS: chic duo for shock duel
Installed on the beautiful beast for 20 years (!), The double headlights that are no longer round since 2011 are faithful to the post, as are the two escapes under the saddle, as impressive as they are essential. "What did you expect"? The rims on the other hand are redesigned for 2018: the five sticks offer them a delectable flavor "ultralight".
In addition to these new wheels, the S and RS versions of the new triple triple also share the front Brembo (Nissin rear) braking system with aviation-type hoses, as well as the Pirelli Supercorsa SP tires with super-sticky tires, please!
Duel Honda CB1000R 2018 Vs Triumph Speed Triple RS: chic duo for shock duel
To summarize: the Speed S is a bike that "marks", the Speed RS is one that "re-brands" even more! At the same time, there are multiple inscriptions "Triumph" or "T" scattered on the maxiroadster produced in Hinckley, England. More classy then, than the label "Made in Thaïland" worn by the little brothers Street Triple!
Common to the Speed S and RS also, the mirrors at the end of the handlebars bring them a coffee Racer touch that may not be denied by future buyers of CB1000R, spearhead of the new segment "Neo Sports Café" at Honda! Stylish, they are very effective and not too disabling in the city.
Duel Honda CB1000R 2018 Vs Triumph Speed Triple RS: chic duo for shock duel
Is the new Speed Triple perfect from an aesthetic point of view? "Well, nobody's perfect!" Thus, the ABS plant and its channels (like gas plant) and the gasoline vapor filter (tin style "ptipoicarote") would have deserved to be too well camouflaged than the injection of the Modern Classics range (like carburetors!).
Another detail - but on a motorcycle charged 16,279 euros, we can quibble! -: The "aluminum" color of the rear loop is unnecessarily different from the deep gray of the frame and the passenger footrests. Same for the Brembo front brake mounting bracket that is not painted black, like the handlebar and the rest of its hardware. "Shocking".
Duel Honda CB1000R 2018 Vs Triumph Speed Triple RS: chic duo for shock duel
Let us note to conclude that the passage of the cables around the steering column is a little cleaner on the Triumph than the Honda. More disturbingly, the left rear flashing of "our" Speed bathed in the water. This did not prevent him from working during our two days of driving. Will it be two decades?
It is high time to climb on our maxiroadsters who form a particularly chic duo in static and a "duel of shock" in dynamics? Answer on page 2 of our new MNC duel: in the saddle!
EmoticonEmoticon