[Test Ride] ACTIVE CB1000F: "A CB That Offers Even Greater Peace of Mind!"

■Text: Hiroshi Nakamura | Photos courtesy of ACTIVE | https://www.acv.co.jp/

The CB1000F has been a huge hit since its release. Now that it’s gradually finding its way into owners’ hands, it’s also the time when people are starting to say, “I’d like to tweak this part a bit…” ACTIVE, a company that develops and sells numerous custom parts such as Hyperpro and Gale Speed, gave me the opportunity to test ride a demo bike designed to address those “little tweaks.”

The moment I straddled it, I realized, “Huh? This feels different.”

The CB1000F has been a huge hit since its release. This naked bike, a long-awaited homage to the legendary CB-F by Honda enthusiasts, is based on the CBR1000RR engine but is well-received for its performance that isn’t quite overwhelming.It features the streetfighter style currently on the market, and while it has more subdued power than its sibling, the CB1000 HORNET—which served as the base for the CB1000F—its frame is a full 50 kg lighter than the CB1300 SUPER FOUR, which is a definite plus.

Although the chassis is nearly identical to that of the CB1000 HORNET—with the CB1000F weighing just a few kilograms more—strangely enough, the CB1000F actually feels lighter.One of the CB1000F’s charms is that you can immediately sense its inherent quality the moment you hop on, but as owners ride it more, many seem to start feeling a slight sense of unease. Speaking for myself, after riding both stock and custom versions over considerable distances in a short period, I’ve formed my own thoughts.

“When I first rode a CB, whether in the city or on a tour, I felt that ‘the suspension was a bit unsettling, and I couldn’t feel the road,’ says Mr. Uda of Active’s Development Department. “For this CB1000F-based custom build, we focused on improving that aspect first.”

At Active, they decide on a customization plan only after thoroughly testing the vehicle that will serve as the base. It was the suspension’s performance that left the strongest impression on Mr. Uda.

Consequently, Active began work with a focus on refining the suspension to elevate the bike’s handling performance to the next level. Using the company’s signature approach, they replaced the front and rear wheels, the front fork inner kit, the rear shock, and the swingarm. The braking system was also upgraded, with both rotors and calipers receiving enhancements.

“Above all, I want to make the bike more responsive. We’re aiming to increase road grip without compromising safety, with a setup that can be adjusted to match the owner’s riding style and physique,” says Uda.

Mr. Uda of the Active Development Department

The venue for this test ride was SPA Nishiura Motor Park in Aichi Prefecture. To start, I rode the course—which features a winding layout with numerous corners—at a moderate speed, simulating conditions on public roads.

This CB1000F, modified by Active, makes the difference from the stock model apparent the moment you straddle the seat. In particular, the rear shock absorbed the bumps softly, hinting at a comfortable ride.This sensation was likely due in part to the significantly altered riding position, achieved by replacing the standard bar-style handlebars with separate handlebars via a convertible stem kit.

Once underway, the rear end dips sharply during acceleration, and the front end dips smoothly when the throttle is released—a movement that’s clearly discernible.Even when riding with the throttle only partially open, the suspension’s movement is easy to feel. To describe the sensation, both the front and rear compress sharply and return slowly. This movement is noticeable even at speeds of around 40–50 km/h on public roads.

As I increased my speed and began to open and close the throttle more aggressively and brake harder, this suspension behavior became even more pronounced. Even when I shifted my riding position or moved around, the tires maintained a firm grip on the road surface. Even on this course, which I hadn’t ridden in over a decade, the bike was tuned so that I could control it without any anxiety right from the start.

As I completed lap after lap, there were moments when the rear suspension’s behavior didn’t quite match my expectations, so I reported the issue to Mr. Uda in the pits. Specifically, when opening the throttle right after exiting a corner, I wanted the rear tire to press down a bit harder onto the road. I explained how, during that brief lag, the rear tire tended to drift outward…

“Let’s try changing the setup a bit. First, to address the rear tire, let’s increase the low-speed compression damping on the rear suspension by two clicks, and then apply preload to both the front and rear to raise the center of gravity,” said Mr. Uda.Of course, my riding style isn’t necessarily the “correct” one, but the advantage of high-grade suspension is that it should allow both skilled and less-skilled riders to ride comfortably.

So, when I got back on the track, I could feel the bike moving distinctly differently from my previous laps. Then, the front fork started to feel like it was extending too quickly, so I had them adjust the rebound damping using the standard fork’s adjustment mechanism.Hmm, even when set to a higher value, it’s hard to tell the difference here. Is this the difference between the stock and the aftermarket suspension?

On the other hand, what left the strongest impression on me about the Active CB1000F was the swingarm.The traction control intervenes the moment I open the throttle while leaning into a corner. According to Mr. Uda, this is because the swingarm is designed to increase longitudinal stiffness while reducing lateral stiffness. As a result, the tire feels more firmly planted on the road compared to the stock model, allowing me to open the throttle earlier and more aggressively than usual.

He says the threshold at which you might think, “The tire might slip if I open the throttle while leaning,” has been raised. In other words, it’s a chassis that makes you unafraid to open the throttle.

As mentioned earlier, I felt the significant effects of the suspension and swingarm during this test ride. If I were primarily riding on a circuit, I’d prefer a slightly more aggressive setup (with the clip-on handlebars lowered and the footpegs set to UP & BACK), but for the sporty, winding road riding that the Active model targets, this is the perfect position.

While the front and rear wheels have been lightened and the performance dampers have improved the bike’s overall balance, this Active demo bike made it clear that the developers didn’t just blindly pursue track performance; instead, they crafted a CB1000F that’s street-oriented and can be ridden with confidence by riders of all skill levels.

A Closer Look at the ACTIVE CB1000F Custom

The front and rear wheels are the company’s own brand, GALE SPEED’s forged aluminum Type-J. Featuring a neo-classic cross-spoke cast design, the sizes are front: 3.50-17, rear: 5.50-18.Compared to the stock wheels, this setup reduces weight by 0.22 kg in the front and 1.98 kg in the rear. The front and rear set starts at 276,100 yen.

The brake system features a combination of GALE SPEED cross-lock discs (40,700 yen each) and radially mounted billet calipers (60,500 yen each).The master cylinder is also a GALE SPEED Radial Pump VRD (52,800 yen).

The convertible stem kit, which allows you to choose between 32.5mm and 35mm fork offset (equivalent to stock), was tested this time with the 32.5mm short offset specification.The stem kit, which includes the top bridge, underbracket, handlebars, clutch cable, and brake hose, is priced at 198,000 yen. The top bridge and separate handlebars are also available for purchase separately (110,000 yen).

The engine and exhaust remain stock. Although I thought the CB1000F’s engine was torque-oriented at low RPMs, even in its stock form, the acceleration from mid- to high-RPMs felt great! Accelerating while revving up to 10,000 RPM in each gear was a thrill.

This swingarm features a hollow "U-shaped" cross-section, which reportedly reduces lateral stiffness compared to the stock version. It was chosen for this build because it matches the CB1000F’s styling better than ACTIVE’s other popular product, the press-formed swingarm.

The HYPERPRO rear shock is a Japan-spec model tailored to Japanese road conditions and the physique of Japanese riders. By using a spring with an uneven pitch—known as a constant rising rate—it offers a light ride feel while maintaining stability under heavy loads. Prices start at 163,900 yen.

View of the dedicated subframe (price TBD) and performance damper (44,000 yen) from the left side of the engine. The performance damper suppresses the vehicle’s natural vibrations to improve ride comfort, proving particularly effective during long-distance rides. It is a hit product from ACTIVE, available in a lineup for various models.

A separate handlebar and top bridge kit (110,000 yen) designed to resemble the Jura forged separate handlebars found on the CB750F series. For riders who want a more aggressive riding stance than the standard up-bar handlebars offer.

A separate handlebar and top bridge kit (110,000 yen) designed to deliberately evoke the shape of the CB750F-series Jura forged separate handlebars. For riders who want a more aggressive riding stance than the stock up-bar handlebars offer.

A machined aluminum backstep kit (55,000 yen) that perfectly enhances the air-cooled naked bike vibe.It creates the ideal riding position when paired with the company’s separate handlebars. The stock shift rod, brake hoses, and brake switch can be used as-is, so there’s no need to drain the fluid during installation.

Radiator core guard (from 26,400 yen) to prevent deformation of radiator fins and core damage caused by flying stones. While standard equipment on the SE model of the CB1000F, it is not installed on the STD model. A key feature of the ACTIVE model is its full-jacket design that covers both sides.

What appears to be a sub-monitor sitting in front of the stock TFT meter is the new QSTARZ GPS lap timer, currently in development. It’s said to be a compact model designed for motorcycles—stay tuned for updates.