EICMA 2019: 2020 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade Unveiled

Honda has officially joined the 200-plus-PS club 

• The 999.9cc inline-four motor now produces 26PS more than the older model.
• 2020 CBR1000RR-R is lighter than before. 
• It gets a six-axis IMU unit, nine-level traction control, cornering ABS and more!

Honda has unveiled the much-awaited 2020 CBR1000RR-R Fireblade at the ongoing EICMA. With this, Honda becomes the latest bike maker to enter the ‘200PS’ club. The updated Fireblade is available in two variants: Standard and SP. 

Honda has not just given the new CBR1000RR-R Fireblade a mild cosmetic makeover, instead, it’s an all-new motorcycle from the ground up! It gets a new design, which is sharper than before, and the HRC paint scheme on the SP model looks absolutely gorgeous. It also gets a new set of LED headlamps and a new colour TFT screen. 

The 999.9cc, inline-four engine has been heavily revised for one main reason—to pump out as much power as possible and mainly, to get past the 200PS barrier. Result? Well, how does 217.5PS at 14,500rpm and 113Nm of torque at 12,500rpm sound to you? Just to put things into perspective, the updated motor now churns out 25PS more than the previous-gen model. Additionally, the bike now weighs just 201kg (kerb), so riding it around a track will be a hoot! 

It also gets a new frame, which the company claims is 11 per cent less rigid compared to the older models. The swingarm is now an all-new unit and is not longer than before. While the standard model gets Showa Big Piston forks and Big Piston monoshock, the top-spec SP variant comes equipped with Ohlins semi-active suspension setup. Both models are equipped with twin 330mm discs at the front. However, where the base variant gets Nissin monoblocs, the SP variant features Brembo Stylema calipers. 

Keeping this maniac in control are a tonne of electronic rider aids. For instance, it gets a six-axis IMU unit, nine-level traction control, cornering ABS and launch control—all of which can be changed via the new TFT display. 

Now, for the main question: when will it come to India? Well, we don’t know for sure, but expect it to arrive by mid-2020. However, whenever it comes, it is definitely not going to be affordable. The base model could carry a premium of around Rs 1 lakh and the top-spec SP variant could be around Rs 2 lakh more expensive than the older models. Currently, the previous-gen CBR is priced at Rs 16.8 lakh (base) and Rs 19.7 lakh (SP).