Honda confirms ABS for Fireblade

Honda Australia has confirmed the ABS versions of the CBR1000RR and CBR600RR will be available in early 2009, at a slight premium of the stock models.

Honda claims, "In exhaustive testing, both on the road and racetrack, development riders have found that the system exceeds their demands and out-performs the rider's ability to brake on most occasions. An average ('non-expert') rider using a conventional braking system needs several braking attempts to attain braking performance approaching that of the C-ABS system. An expert rider using a conventional system will need fewer attempts to reach a similar level. For example, only in a racetrack situation where an expert rider repeatedly brakes into the same corner was it found that the tester could outperform the ABS.

"An additional benefit of Combined ABS is that the rear wheel lifting which can accompany extremely heavy braking is reduced significantly. The nature of a Super Sport machine - with short wheelbase and sharp steering geometry - means that during very heavy braking the entire weight of the machine can be pitched forward onto the front wheel. In extreme circumstances, if the braking force is then increased further, the rear wheel can lift off the ground into a 'stoppie'. Combined ABS reduces this effect to a minimum, although the need to achieve total weight transfer onto the front wheel for maximum braking means it has not been removed completely.

Both the 1000 (pictured in Repsol livery) and the 600 (also pictured) have come in for a major rework for the 2009 model year.