We give the entry-level 2020 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade a thorough work out on the UK roads to find out if it's worth saving the cash over the race-bred SP
Few recent launches have generated as much interest and excitement as the latest in the long line of Honda Fireblade models, a machine the manufacturer is pinning hopes on re-establishing it as the king of sportsbikes.
Endowed with more power, more tech and more ‘Rs’, the 2020 Honda CBR1000RR-R left a significant impression on us when we tested the top of the range ‘SP’ version at its world launch at the top of the year in Qatar.
Now on sale in the UK, while the SP will certainly be the model for the true enthusiasts spending as much time on track as they will on the road, for many it is this the standard Honda CBR1000RR-R that will be the model of choice for them.
We say ‘standard’ because with 214bhp at 14,500rpm, there is nothing particularly standard about the CBR1000RR-R but you will save £3,500 over the flagship SP model.
Which is why we have taken delivery of this variant, complete with a stealthy looking matte black finish to discover how it copes with the rigours of the UK’s twisty, more rutted roads.
Honda CBR1000RR-R Specifications
ENGINE | |
Type | Liquid-cooled 4-stroke 16-valve DOHC Inline-4 |
Engine Displacement (cm³) | 999.9cc |
No. of Valves per Cylinder | 4 |
Bore × Stroke (mm) | 81mm x 48.5mm |
Compression Ratio | 13.0 x 1 |
Max. Power Output | 160kW @ 14,500 |
Max. Torque | 113Nm @ 12,500 |
Oil Capacity | 4.0L |
FUEL SYSTEM | |
Carburation | PGM-DSFI |
Fuel Tank Capacity | 16.1L |
Fuel Consumption | 16.0km/litre |
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |
Starter | Electric |
Battery Capacity | 12-6 YTZ7S |
DRIVETRAIN | |
Clutch Type | Wet, multiplate hydraulic clutch with assist slipper |
Transmission Type | 6-speed |
Final Drive | Chain |
FRAME | |
Type | Aluminium composite twin spar |
CHASSIS | |
Dimensions (L x W x H) | 2100 x 745 x 1140mm |
Wheelbase | 1455mm |
Caster Angle | 24o |
Trail | 102mm |
Seat Height | 830mm |
Ground Clearance | 115mm |
Kerb Weight | 201kg |
SUSPENSION | |
Type Front | Showa Telescopic inverted fork with an inner tube diameter of 43 mm, and a Big Piston Front Fork with preload, compression and rebound adjustment, 120mm stroke
SP: Telescopic inverted fork with inner diameter of 43mm and Ohlins NPX Smart- EC with preload, compression and rebound adjustments. 125mm stroke. |
Type Rear | Unit Pro-Link with gas-charged HMAS damper featuring 10-step preload and stepless compression and rebound damping adjustment, 137mm stroke. Showa Balance-Free Rear Cushion with preload, compression and rebound adjustment.
SP: Pro-Link with gas-charged Ohlins TTX36 Smart-EC damper featuring preload, compression and rebound damping. 143mm stroke. |
WHEELS | |
Rim Size Front | 17 inch x 3.5 |
Rim Size Rear | 17 inch x 6.0 |
Tyres Front | 120/70-ZR17 Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP Bridgestone RS11 |
Tyres Rear | 200/55-ZR17 Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP Bridgestone RS11 |
BRAKES | |
ABS System Type | 2 Channel |
Front | 330mm disc with radial-mount 4-piston Nissin caliper
SP: 4-piston Brembo Stylema 330mm disc |
Rear | 220mm disc with 2-piston Brembo caliper |
INSTRUMENTS & ELECTRICS | |
Instruments | TFT-LCD |
Security System | HISS |
Headlight | LED |
Taillight | LED |
