Its autumn in Japan and a few lucky motoring journalists have been flown into the land of the rising sun to sample the CBR1000RR, which Honda will shortly make available to Indian buyers via the CBU import route. Rishaad Cooper, AutoCar (Jan. ’09) gives us a first hand report.
The Fireblade is a direct descendant of the RC211V MotoGP low-fying surface-to-surface missile as guided by the likes of Nicky Hayden and Dani Pedrosa. While the past decade has seen Litre-class superbikes striving to get increasingly track-focused, with more peaky power deliveries, radical riding postures, sharpening handling and unforgiving road manners, the CBR1000RR breaks the mould and blunts the blade a bit.
The Fireblade looks less sharp a motorcycle with controversial softer lines and it’s easy to spot Honda’s efforts to keep mass centered and weight, down to a bare minimum with it’s new bike, using lightweight materials for its cycle parts and engine.
The frontal view is dominated by twin headlights peering out of an aggressive, aerodynamic snout. Its front indicators are within its mirrors and instruments are typical of Race Replica superbikes, with a clear tachometer sitting below the low set visor.
The CBR1000RR provides a weight-forward riding stance and its amazing just how compact and petite the Fireblade feels for a litre-class motorcycle once you’re aboard. Much of the 1000RR’s engine and curved radiator sit tucked beneath a distinctive fairing, while the bike’s frame exposes itself just below its voluminous tank.
 A highlight on the CBR is its striking low-set silencer, sitting just ahead of a substantial black swingarm that clamps in the bike’s large 190/50-section rear tyre. Visible above this is the 1000RR’s stepped seat, tail fairing and extended rear mudguard.
The CBR1000RR uses a 999.8cc, in-line, four-cylinder, four-stroke engine with 174bhp on tap at 12000rpm. This engine integrates its lower sump section and cylinder block, with sleeveless cylinders packed closely and bores plated by nickel silicon carbide. Electronic fuel injection is well sorted and experienced via a nicely weighted throttle, and the bike deploys a smooth, cable-pulled clutch and positive shifting six-speed gearbox.
Honda, unfortunately, limited the journalists to a brief six laps aboard the CBR1000RR on a miniature, dew-damp track within their impressive Twin Ring Motegi facility. What was apparent from the brief encounter was an easy, linear flow of power, which translates into ease of riding back in India says Cooper, AutoCar (Jan. ’09).
The CBR1000RR is a violently quick motorcycle, yet is so well engineered as to make riding fast feel effortless. The 1000RR is an easy bike to get used to and uses a state-of-the-art electronic steering damper that makes the bike light to steer when slow and progressively adjusts damping as speeds build up. The whole package is held together by a meaty alloy frame and swingarm. Beefy upside-down front forks and Honda’s Pro-Link rear suspension are employed as are monobloc calipers that chomp on 320mmtwin discs in the front. The RR uses a single 220mm disc at rear. The CBR1000RR’s brakes feel progressive, with a controlled feel at the lever.
While most journalists would agree the Fireblade has been softened to some degree, the upgraded CBR is still as capable of devastatingly fast performance as any fiercer feeling rival signs off Cooper, AutoCar (Jan. ’09). |
| Articles By IndiaBike.com on 9th March 2009 |
|
|
