HONDA have remixed their big CB1300S for 2005, with new bodywork adding an eighties touch to the big, beefy all-rounder.
The bike is a successor to the old CB1000 from the late 1990s, and offers good, old-fashioned biking fun, with modern suspension, handling and braking characteristics.
But there's one noticeable difference from many retro bikes, which is the decent-sized fairing on the CB1300S, and Honda has styled the bodywork in the fashion of the old CB1100R flagship from the 1980s.
It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but rivals like the SV1000S, Aprilia Tuono and Kawasaki Z1000 all have minimal fairings, so Honda may well appeal to some of the sports-touring riders with this new machine.
The CB1300S has useful features like a glovebox, HISS anti-theft ignition switch, 43mm cartridge-type forks, gas-damped twin rear shocks, a box section swingarm, 17ins wheels and anti-lock braking as standard.
The S version shares its engine with the standard CB1300 and should make 113bhp, with most of the power delivered in the midrange.
The bike also has a handy 11-litre sized underseat storage space, slimmer side-panels, plus optional crash mushrooms, tank protector and rear carrier.
For my money, the Honda's closest rival is the big GSX1400 Suzuki, which is a beautifully styled machine - it has no fairing - but is slightly cheaper than the Honda, which is predicted to sell for around £7,000 on the road.
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