Honda CB1000GT – A Game-Changer That Forces Us to Ask Some Big Questions
- Ben Grayson
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
There’s a quiet revolution happening in the motorcycle world, and Honda — of all manufacturers — seems to be the one lighting the fuse. The newly announced Honda CB1000GT, expected to land in early 2026, is already generating massive buzz across the UK. Pre-orders are flying in, dealers are calling it “the bike of the year” before it’s even arrived, and riders are scrambling for early test rides.
And honestly? It’s not hard to see why.
This thing arrives fully loaded, dripping with premium spec, touring tech, comfort features, and Honda reliability… for just £11,999 OTR.
Yes. You read that right. A litre-class Honda sports tourer with big-bike performance and top-tier electronics for under twelve grand.
Which begs the uncomfortable but necessary question:
If Honda can build a bike of this spec for £11,999… then why the hell have we been paying so much more for so long?
Honda’s Pricing Reset — A Direct Response to China?
Let’s be honest: the last three years have completely rewritten the motorcycle pricing landscape.
Chinese manufacturers like CFMOTO, Voge, Benelli, Benda, QJ, MBP and Zontes have stormed the UK with aggressively priced, well-specced machines that undercut Japanese and European rivals by thousands. Not hundreds — thousands.
And for the first time ever, the Japanese brands are being forced to look in the mirror.
The CB1000GT is clear evidence that Honda have finally realised they can’t keep coasting on heritage, loyalty and brand prestige. They’ve had to meet China head-to-head, and the result is something nobody expected:
A Honda litre bike priced below many midweight competitors.
Let that sink in.
The GT Undercuts Its Rivals by £2000+ — So What's Going On?
Traditionally, if you wanted a fully specced sport tourer from Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, or BMW, you were looking at:
£13,999
£14,499
£15,999
Or in BMW’s case… well into the £17k+ bracket
And suddenly Honda drops the CB1000GT at £11,999 and walks away like it’s no big deal.
So here’s the elephant in the room:
Why were we paying so much more all these years?
And while we’re asking uncomfortable questions…
Why has dealer margin been so unbelievably tight on Japanese bikes if there’s always been this much room in retail pricing?
Dealers have struggled for decades with:
4–7% margins
High targets
Bonus-based survival
“Push the metal, hope for the best” business models
Yet here comes Honda — same factories, same engineering prowess — suddenly able to price aggressively and still support the network.
Where was this energy in 2018?Or 2012?Or 2005?
It’s a strange jump, and one that has the entire industry raising an eyebrow.
But This Isn’t an Accident — Honda Already Did This in 2025
It’s worth remembering what Honda pulled off last year:
The newly revised CB1000 Hornet
The premium CB1000 Hornet SP
Both arrived with punchy pricing that undercut rivals by meaningful margins and signalled a shift in Honda’s pricing philosophy.
The CB1000GT is simply the next evolution — but this time, the leap is bigger, the disruption louder, and the message from Honda is unmistakable:
“We can compete on price whenever we want. And now we want to.”
A Positive Disruption for Riders and the UK Market
Whatever the deeper strategy, one thing is certain:
This is good news. Very good news.
In an industry where prices have soared, dealer networks are shrinking, and riders are being squeezed from every angle, the CB1000GT feels like a breath of fresh air.
For under £12k you’re getting:
A powerful 1000cc engine
Touring comfort and wind protection
Advanced rider aids
TFT connectivity
Honda build quality
A genuine alternative to bikes far above its price bracket
And because Honda is Honda, you know:
The parts will be available
The dealers will be trained
The warranty process will work
The residuals will be stable
That’s something many Chinese brands still can’t offer at scale.
Will the CB1000GT Be One of the Best-Selling Bikes of 2026?
Honestly? It looks almost inevitable.
The formula is perfect:
A trusted Japanese badge
A spec sheet that embarrasses rivals
A price that disrupts the whole segment
A huge pool of riders wanting value without compromising quality
Dealers are already reporting strong pre-orders, and this is before most people have even seen the bike in person. When demo bikes arrive, expect chaos.
The CB1000GT is exactly the kind of motorcycle that hits the sweet spot for UK riders: practical, powerful, affordable, and built by a brand with a bulletproof reputation.
Final Thought — And a Question Honda Should Answer
The CB1000GT proves Honda can build premium bikes at competitive prices.
But it also forces the question:
If Honda can deliver this level of spec for £11,999 today… what exactly were we paying for before?
Inflated pricing? Margin stacking? Market comfort? Or have the Chinese simply forced Honda to show their true hand?
Whatever the answer, the future looks brighter for riders — and far more competitive for manufacturers.
And if Honda continue this pricing trend, the next few years could be the most exciting decade the motorcycle industry has seen in a long time.
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