2016 EICMA: Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade Revealed!
Modified On Nov 8, 2016 12:00 AM By Tushar Kamath
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The supersport’s power-to-weight ratio improves by 14 per cent
October saw the arrival of the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP at INTERMOT. Reason for excitement? You bet, but it also had many wondering where the new entry level blade went. Well, it’s a mystery no longer and Honda has finally revealed the CBR1000RR in its standard guise at EICMA.
Since the SP gave us a good idea about what to expect, it comes as no surprise that the base Fireblade retains the core package of increased power, reduced weight and more advanced electronics. The focus is still squarely on achieving better power-to-weight ratio and, as is the case with the CBR1000RR SP, the CBR1000RR follows a ‘Total Control’ design philosophy with 90 per cent of the main components revised to achieve a 16kg weight reduction. The supersport now tips the scales at 195kg with a 14 per cent improvement in the power-to-weight ratio.
The 998cc in-line four-cylinder engine plates up 190PS of power and drops weight by employing a magnesium ignition cover, revised valve lift and cam timing, a titanium muffler, titanium tank and a redesigned slipper clutch too.
Even in its standard guise, the CBR1000RR Fireblade gets an extensive electronics package, including a five-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU) that works the nine-level traction control system, three preset riding modes, five levels of power delivery and three levels of both wheelie control and engine braking control.
So what’s different vs the SP, you ask? Well, while the SP gets a 43mm Ohlins NIX 30 semi-active front forks and a TTX36 rear shock, the base-blade employs a Showa 43mm BPF fork and Showa Balance Free Rear Cushion (BFRC) shock. The Brembo brakes are also swapped for Tokico four-piston calipers and the CBR1000RR will be available in both standard and ABS versions.
The new CBR1000RR will be available in select markets from April 2017 and, while prices haven’t been announced, it will be available in two colour schemes – a red/white/black combo (non-ABS only) and matte black metallic (ABS as well as non-ABS).
