THIS week’s big news story is the reintroduction of the Honda CBR600RR to the supersport motorcycle segment. The bike’s a legend in the class, claiming eight out of twelve titles since its introduction in 2003 and ten manufacturers crowns since 2003.
Honda CBR1000RR-R SP review
The machine even has three entries in the World SuperSport Championship, despite being dropped Honda’s line-up in many markets in 2017. Since then Yamaha has been hoovering up the trophies, more than likely prompting Honda to push the bike back into the limelight.
But with no official details of the bike, they get announced 21st August, what does the new machine entail? It is obviously tricky to say for sure, but with these new images of the bike from Honda Japan and the teaser video released this week, we can build a fairly good idea.
For one thing, the styling is very close to the new 2020 Honda CBR1000RR-R that we rode at the beginning of the year. That would have been a fairly easy decision for Honda, given the machine already had the centrally mounted air-intake to feed that screaming 599cc engine. The bike also features wings, although not to the same extent as the new ‘Blade. These wings are smaller, un-shrouded, and protrude further.
It’s not clear if they are absolute aerodynamic solutions, given the bikes low power compared to its bigger sibling, although if they can homologate those for the WorldSSP, they could give the machine the edge it needs.
Another inclusion is what looks like the same electronics suite as the latest generation Fireblade. The teaser video clearly shows a high-res TFT with multiple riding modes. The bike will also feature power modes, Honda Selectable Torque Control (traction control), wheelie control and engine braking control.
From there, the bike looks mechanically much like the last generation CBR600RR, frame swing-arm, suspension brakes are all looking likely to be the same as the old machine. Even the pegs and heel plates look identical. There is one change, possibly to do with getting the bike through Euro5, and it’s the fuel tank. The new bike looks like it has a tank cover, just like the CBR1000RR-R, that could be down to increasing the airbox to help prevent unnecessary emissions. For confirmation of that and much more though, we’ll have to wait until the 21st.
It’s a bit like Christmas!
