Honda has announced the release of the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP, a brand-new motorcycle built with a dedicated focus on circuit riding, with unprecedented levels of performance and control.

Since its original 1992 introduction, Honda’s iconic Fireblade has evolved into an incredible 1000 cc sports motorcycle, now the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP has been introduced, with heavy involvement from Honda Racing Corporation, to carry the legend forward. Leaning heavily on the engine and chassis technology of the RC213V-S ‘street-legal MotoGP machine’, with aerodynamics drawn from the RC213V MotoGP bike, the new Fireblade has been designed from the ground up – in terms of engine, handling and aerodynamics.

Its short-stroke inline four-cylinder engine draws heavily on the RC213V-S’s combustion efficiency, and low-friction technologies – while also sharing its bore and stroke. The RR-R engine also shares the same ‘over square’ 81 mm bore and 48.5 mm stroke as the RC213V – a radical change from the 76 x 55.1 mm of the previous design, and the largest bore size among inline four-cylinder 1000 cc machines. The engine features titanium connecting rods and forged aluminum pistons reduce inertial weight. The engine has a compact design thanks to a semi-cam gear train and starter motor driving through the clutch main shaft. 

An aluminum diamond frame features a longer RCV213V-S-style swingarm, with a six-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), 3-level Honda Electronic Steering Damper (HESD) and second-generation Öhlins Smart Electronically Controlled (Smart-EC) suspension and user interface. New Brembo Stylema brake calipers bite 330 mm discs through 2-level ABS. Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) has been optimized and adjustable Start Mode added to Power, Engine Brake and Wheelie Control, and quickshifter is standard on the bike. There are three default riding modes, with options to change engine output and character. Power (P) operates through levels 1-5 with 1 giving ultimate outright power. Engine Brake (EB) manages performance on a closed throttle through levels 1-3, with 1 being the strongest engine braking and Wheelie (W) through levels 1-3 (plus off) with 1 giving the weakest intervention. Honda’s Smart Key System has also been added to the CBR1000RR-R. The ignition now operates without having to insert a key, as does handlebar lock. 

The CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP will offer two switchable modes, SPORT mode focuses on road-riding performance, with high brake force and less pitching, while TRACK mode offers performance in braking from much higher circuit speeds. The CBR1000RR-R is dressed with an aerodynamic fairing, windscreen and mudguard to help reduce drag, along with inner fairing winglets to help reduce wheelies and increase braking stability. The net result of the fairing and various aerodynamic design innovations, the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP in stock race trim, is a best-in-class drag coefficient value of 0.270.

Honda Canada has not yet announced the price or when we can expect to see the CBR1000RR-R but we speculate that the bike will become available in Spring of 2020.