Honda brings back the birthday suit: First look at the bound-for-America CB1000R

It could be said that Honda created a piece of two-wheeled history in 1969 when the company first introduced the CB750KO as a musclebound, no-nonsense means to get yourself from Point A to Point B. Call it a naked sport bike, a power-cruiser or everything you need and nothing you don’t – no matter what the nomenclature, Honda made a performance motorcycle that happened to look great when it hit the showrooms wearing nothing more than absolutely necessary.

Honda announced that it will once again spare the nonsense and give the American market a naked sportbike known as the CB1000R, packing 998cc of inline four power. Honda calls it also “surprisingly versatile,” with a broad powerband and roomy cockpit. We shouldn’t forget fun either, as the big CB will put down 124 horsepower and 74 pound-feet of twist. Modern amenities to include a fully adjustable 43mm inverted fork and four-piston radial mounted calipers clamping a rotor on each side up front.

We are not sure if it was nostalgia, or loss of market share that ultimately landed the CB1000R on U.S soil, but at this point, it looks like Honda may be remembering who pays for their motorcycles… the customer, and we like what we see so far. To read the the official jabber and full specs from Honda, hit the jump.