Honda CB1000R

This is the 12th generation of the CBR1000RR and carries much the same styling introduced in the 2008 version. It is that same friendly face in the front with the twin multi-reflector headlight setup flanking the high clear windshield. The side panels are clean with no unnecessary vents and slashes. Curves dominate the side view that make the bike look comfortable. The stubby flat exhaust gives the bike some clean undisturbed lines. This restrained approach to styling is characteristically Honda and gives it a race replica feel that is not too overly aggressive. Whether you appreciate it or not is another matter. The new design is a more aggressive looking machine that makes the old bike look outdated. The bike is also very compact with dimensions of 2077 mm (L) X 685 mm (W) X 1135 mm (H) and a wheelbase of 1407 mm. 130 mm of ground clearance give it some practicality. The bike rides on 17” 12 spoke cast aluminum wheels with 120/70 front and 190/50n rear tires. Instrumentation uses a highly customizable multi-functional LCD digital display that shows everything from trip meter and lap timer to coolant temperature and shift and gear position indicators. Honda provides it in three different color choices- Pearl Sunbeam White, Victory Red and Graphite Black.

The front gets a 43 mm Showa inverted front fork with preload, compression and rebound adjustment and 120 mm stroke length. The rear gets a Unit Pro-Link with gas-charged HMAS damper featuring 10-step preload and stepless compression and rebound damping adjustment with 138.2 mm stroke. Additionally it uses a balance free rear cushion with preload, compression and rebound adjustment and 62 mm stroke length. The chassis is a four piece twin spar aluminum frame that centralizes the bike’s 211 kg mass for better handling. The gull wing swingarm is longer improved traction and better feedback. Make no mistake the bike is indeed a very good track weapon. It is the closest thing to a race replica of the RC212V for the road. Without the electronic wizardry it is also probably the last refuge for anyone who wants a rawer experience on the track. The 820 mm high seat makes for some tiptoeing but the riding position with lowered clip on handlebars is extremely race focused. The second generation Honda Electronic Steering Damper (HESD) enhances stability at every speed by optimizing the steering angle changes.

A decent 131 kW of peak power is produced by the bike’s 16 valve DOHC inline four engine at 12000 rpm. The torque figure is equally encouraging at 112 Nm produced at 8500 rpm. The engine is liquid cooled and uses a Programmed Dual Sequential Fuel Injection system for smoother fuel delivery. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a 6-speed transmission and a wet multi-plate clutch. It also comes equipped with the same slipper clutch as in the RC212V Moto GP racer. Apart from ensuring smooth gear shifting and a light lever feel, this also reduces engine back-torque transmitted to the rear wheel when down shifting along with increasing chassis stability under deceleration and upon entering corners. As expected the engine is refined with no vibrations. The bike also comes with a large 17.7 L fuel tank and delivers up to 18 km/L of fuel economy. All this might sound very encouraging but then the bike lacks a lot in terms of techno wizardry that has come to be expected at this price and performance range. There are no power modes, quick shifter or traction control.

The front gets dual 320 mm dual discs with 4 piston calipers while the rear gets a single 220 mm disc with a single piston caliper. However the cake is taken by the combined ABS system that continuously optimizes and distributes the brake force between the front and rear for best braking performance at any speeds.

The Honda CBR1000RR is a very capable superbike that comes with a track focused attitude and not much else. It looks outdated and is lacking in technology. This however could work in favor of purists that do not like the interference of electronic nannies. The rest of us would have to wait for the new CBR1000RR to make it into Malaysia.