Honda CBR1000RR-R SP – What makes it ‘sp’ecial Over The Regular CBR1000RR-R

Honda might be late to the party of power-packed segment of more premium liter class super sport motorcycles. But they say, better late than never, as Honda has gone all guns ablaze with the new CBR1000RR-R SP.

The Honda CBR1000RR-R SP is the more premium variant of the regular version and follows the suite of all the other modern day liter class super sport motorcycles, by having a more performance focused version. Following are the aspects which explain what makes the ‘SP’ version one of the most desirable liter class machines out there:

Design: Not much different over the regular, but packs the punch

The Honda CBR1000RR-R SP might not look too different from the regular CBR1000RR-R. However, the overall changes which it has gone over the erstwhile generation of the motorcycle do deserve a special mention. This new version definitely looks the raciest and sharpest Fireblade ever, with a design which closely resembles that of the Moto GP-spec RC213-V. The motorcycle also gets LED illumination all around, full TFT colored instrument console and integrated winglets.

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Engine: The most advanced mill a Fireblade has got ever

Apart from the overall design, the Honda CBR1000RR-R SP seeks inspiration from the RC213-V in its powertrain as well. The four-stroke, liquid cooled, inline four, 1000cc engine of the motorcycle employs the same bore and stroke ratio (81mm x 48.5mm) of the RC213-V.

Apart from this, the engine uses finger-follower rocker arms, DLC (diamond like carbon) coating and improved crankshaft and intake valve angles, all of which are introduced on the lines of RC213-V. This makes this engine one of the most light-weighted and powerful engines a Fireblade has ever got, with maximum power and torque outputs rated at 218 bhp and 113 Nm respectively. The 6-speed gearbox too is a new unit as well.

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Weight Saving Measures: To make it more agile and responsive in feel

The Honda CBR1000RR-R SP sits on a completely revised frame made up of aluminium, which has thicker wall sections than before, but is more light-weighted in comparison. The frame has increased vertical and torsional rigidity which makes it even stronger than before and aids in better performance at higher speeds and cornering.

A few weight saving measures have been carried out in the engine as well, with lighter titanium connecting rods, lighted aluminium forged pistons and lighter rod bolts. All these changes aid in better responsiveness of the engine.

Mechanical Hardware: Gets Ohlins and Brembos on board

Compared to the Show sourced front and rear suspension of the regular CBR1000RR-R, the Honda CBR1000RR-R SP gets more premium hardware from Ohlins, which are one of the best in the business. The motorcycle gets 43mm inverted hydraulic forks from Ohlins with preload, compound and rebound adjustment at the front and pro-link with gas-charged Ohlins TTX36 smart-EC damper featuring preload, compression and rebound damping at the rear. It also gets more effective front braking setup with Brembo calipers for the dual 330mm disc brakes.

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Electronics: It gets a lot of them

The Honda CBR1000RR-R SP is easily the most advanced motorcycle in the Fireblade lineage till date not only on the basis of looks, but also the electronics it packs in. The motorcycle gets dual channel ABS, Anti-slip regulator, five different power modes, ten different torque control modes, three engine braking levels and three selectable levels of wheelie control. A majority of these features have made their way to the Fireblade for the first time ever.

Pricing and Competition – Belongs to an altogether different league

At Rs. 34 lakh (ex-showroom, India), the Honda CBR1000RR-R SP has gained a huge jump in the asking price when compared to the erstwhile version of the Fireblade available in India. The extensive involvement of Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) in the overall development of the Honda CBR1000RR-R SP has turned out to be fruitful. However, the asking price might seem to be too steep.

This high asking price of the latest version of the Fireblade has put it in a league of super premium liter class super sport motorcycles like BMW M1000RR, Ducati Panigale V4 S and Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory.

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