The CBR1000RR is getting a freshening-up this year, and Honda’s just introduced the SP and SP2 versions of this bike at Intermot.
The SP and SP2 versions of Big Red’s new litrebike offer performance upgrades over the base model (which we’re still waiting for details on).
The SP takes Honda in a bold new direction, with many high-spec components outsourced. The most important are the bits from Bosch, which allow Honda to introduce electronics such as a five-axis Inertial Measurement Unit, providing electronic suspension control (including active suspension management), cornering ABS, and rear lift control (keeps rear tire planted when braking). Honda’s added Ohlins S-EC forks (NIX30) and shock (TTX36).
Other electronic wizardry includes throttle-by-wire system, three pre-set power delivery modes, a quickshifter (including downshift assist feature, with auto-blipper, for clutchless downshifting), and wheelie control. A new engine braking system allows the rider to program the level of interference they want on downshifts.
The CBR1000RR SP also has a new TFT display with three modes (Street, Circuit, Mechanic). The Street display shows riding modes, along with average speed, fuel economy, and other relevant information that’s handy on public roads. The Circuit mode gives you several features relating to lap timing. Mechanic mode gives you a tach, gear indicator, and other more technical bits of information.
The engine itself might look the same from outside, but inside, the inline-four has received significant tweaking, including a bump in compression, an assist slipper clutch, and changes to valve lift and cam timing. Honda also went with magnesium covers. The result? It’s 2 kg lighter, revs to 13,000 rpm, and makes another 11 hp, to 189 hp at 12,500 rpm. Peak torque is 81.8 ft-lb (10,500 rpm).
Honda’s engineers managed to shrink the radiator (lighter, and 30 mm narrower).
The chassis has been reworked for weight loss as well. Overall, the SPÂ is 15 kg lighter than the previous CBR1000RR, and some of that poundage came off the frame, which has been tweaked to be stronger where needed, and more flexible where required. The 16-litre fuel tank is titanium, the subframe is stiffer, and the whole bike is more narrow than the previous version.
Wheels (120/70 R17 front, 190/50 R17 rear) have been upgraded for lighter weight; tires are Bridgestone RS10s. Lighting is LED all around. Curb weight is now a claimed 195 kg; supposedly, the new bike offers the best power-to-weight ratio in CBR1000RR’s history.
GALLERY
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[…] base CBR1000RR might not have the pricey accoutrements of the SP or SP2 versions, but it should still prove entertaining, with Showa suspension (Big Piston forks […]