Intermot show: Honda CBR1000RR SP and CBR1000RR SP2
Twenty five years after the very first Fireblade, Honda unveils its best yetLess weight and more power define the define Honda’s 2017 CBR1000RR, which was unveiled at Intermot in Cologne, Germany overnight. Two versions of the Fireblade were revealed, the CBR1000RR SP and the limited edition (read, homologation special) SP2 version of which only 500 units will be produced.'
Honda has chosen evolution over revolution for its new superbike, with the engine and chassis remaining largely unchanged from the current ’Blade. It’s a slight increase in power (up 11hp to 189), a considerable weight reduction (a loss of 14kg down to 197, kerb) and a swathe of electronics which has elevated the new bike to compete with its well-equipped contemporaries.
What is the 25th anniversary model of the Fireblade boasts a five-axis Inertial Measurement Unit controlling the full suite of electronic rider aids, including the Öhlins S-EC semi-active suspension package, a first for the superbike segment.
Rear lift control, wheelie control and cornering ABS are all new to the ’Blade also, with the latter accounting for almost 10kg of wright loss over the firm’s now-dated C-ABS of the current machine.
Other areas of weight loss are the frame and subframe’s wall thickness, the now-lighter wheels while the fuel tank, engine cases and muffler now produced from lightweight titanium.
The compression ratio is up slightly to 13:1, there’s an electronic quickshifter with downshift assist and auto blipper and the throttle-by-wire setup sees the addition of three rider modes: 1, 2 or 3, as well as a fully customisable User mode.
The instruments are by way of a full-colour TFT liquid crystal dash which boasts three display modes: street, circuit or mechanic.
The limited-edition SP2 gets forged aluminium Marchesini wheels to reduced unsprung weight while internally, its different valves, pistons, combustion chamber and cooling capabilities which, according to Honda, is derived from its RC213V.
Owners of the up-spec SP2 variant will also get the option of a HRC Race Kit (80 kits parts including minimised wiring harness, better brakes, swingarm and exhaust among others) or a HRC Sport Kit (camshaft, valve springs, race ECU, exhaust system, etc) neither of which are suitable for road use.
If history’s anything to go by, the Fireblade’s SP naming convention suggests there’s a yet-to-be revealed base model slated for the lineup. Watch this space.
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