EICMA: 2024 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade

As its European rivals have made large gains in the Superbike category, Honda has unveiled an updated CBR1000RR-R Fireblade and higher-spec SP version for 2024 with small but significant updates that should increase competitiveness on track and improve usability on the road.

Good for 160kW at 14,000rpm and 113Nm at 12,000rpm, the 999cc inline four-cylinder engine gets a new cylinder head, which sees an increased compression ratio, while shortened gear ratios will improve acceleration and drive off the exit of corners. A revised aluminium frame promises more steering accuracy and grip feel, while a higher handlebar and lower footpegs combine for a roomier riding position.

As well as a new ride-by-wire throttle system, which can now operate two cylinders independently of the other two in the pursuit of improved throttle response and engine braking, the 2024 Fireblade’s traction control system – or what Honda calls its Selectable Torque Control – has been optimised, while the configurable parameters of the modes, engine braking, traction control and wheelie control have also been tweaked for more accuracy.

The cornering ABS system has been given three switchable modes in Standard, Track, and Race, while the electronic steering damper is controlled by the six-axis IMU. Suspension is by way of a Showa 43mm upside-down BPF fork up front matched to a BFRC-Lite rear shock.

Outwardly, the Fireblade gets larger winglets than the outgoing model which are designed to improve agility rather than increase downforce, while aerodynamic changes to the lower fairing promises to improve rear traction feel. Other changes include an increase in the capacity of the fuel tank to 16.5 litres, while the five-inch TFT will now only display the engine’s rpm when the bike has reached operating temperature.

In terms of the higher-spec SP model, it gets the latest-generation S-EC03 electronic Öhlins suspension and gains Brembo’s top-shelf Stylema R calipers over the standard bike’s Nissin units. Both bikes receive a titanium Akrapovic muffler, which reduces both noise and weight.

The standard bike weighs in at 200kg (kerb), compared to the SP’s 201kg. Honda refers to a ‘Carbon Edition’ SP model which replaces the fibreglass fairings with carbon units, which reduces the SP’s kerb weight one kilogram to 200kg.

There’s no word yet in terms of Australian pricing and availability, but in the past Honda Australia has opted only to make the higher-spec SP version available in dealerships.