History
Racing roots
The Honda CBR1000RR was developed by the same team that was behind the MotoGP series.Many of the new technologies introduced in the Honda CBR600RR, a direct descendant of the RC211V, were used in the new CBR1000RR such as a lengthy swingarm, Unit Pro-Link rear suspension, and Dual Stage Fuel Injection System (DSFI).2004-2005
The Honda CBR1000RR was the successor to the CBR954RR. While evolving the CBR954RR design, few parts were carried over to the CBR1000RR. The compact 998 cc (60.9 cu in) in-line four was a completely fresh design, with unique bore and stroke dimensions, race-inspired cassette-type six-speed gearbox, all-new ECU-controlled ram-air system, dual-stage fuel injection, and center-up exhaust featuring a new computer-controlled butterfly valve. The chassis was likewise all new, including an organic-style aluminum frame composed of Gravity Die-Cast main sections and Fine Die-Cast steering head structure, inverted fork, Unit Pro-Link rear suspension, radial-mounted front brakes, and a centrally-located fuel tank hidden under a faux cover. Additionally, the Honda Electronic Steering Damper (HESD) debuted as an industry first system which drastically improved stability and nearly completely eliminated head shake while automatically adjusting for high and low speed steering effort.
A longer swingarm acted as a longer lever arm in the rear suspension for superior traction under acceleration and more progressive suspension action. Substantially longer than the corresponding unit on the CBR954RR (585 mm (23.0 in) compared to 551 mm (21.7 in)) the CBR1000RR's 34 mm (1.3 in) longer swingarm made up 41.6 percent of its total wheelbase. The CBR1000RR's wheelbase also increased, measuring 1,405 mm (55.3 in); a 5 mm (0.20 in) increase over the 954.
Providing room for a longer swingarm required massive changes to the engine architecture, another reason the CBR1000RR power plant shares nothing with the 954. Shortening the engine compared to the 954 meant rejecting the conventional in-line layout. Instead, engineers positioned the CBR1000RR's crankshaft, main shaft and countershaft in a triangulated configuration, with the countershaft located below the main shaft, dramatically shortening the engine front to back, and moving the swingarm pivot closer to the crankshaft. This configuration was first successfully introduced by Yamaha with the Yamaha YZF-R1 model in 1998 and inspired superbike design in the following years to date.
2004 CBR1000RR
The engine was designed specifically with an eye toward handling as well as horsepower and torque. Since the power plant represents a large percentage of a motorcycle's mass, the engine must be configured to assist the handling process, not hinder it. For decades, Honda has championed the concept of mass centralization, that is, concentrating the component masses as close to the motorcycle's center as possible. The CBR1000RR elevated that concept to a higher plane.
Honda engine designers paid special attention to making the CBR1000RR power plant an extremely compact package to enhance mass centralization and reduce the roll polar moment, while yielding other benefits as well. While some engines employ ever-more oversquare dimensions, Honda employed a relatively modest 75 mm bore with a 56.5 mm (2.22 in) stroke to derive a displacement of 998 mm (39.3 in). This choice yields a remarkably narrow engine fit into a commensurately narrower chassis, all the better for increased mass centralization and improved ground clearance as well.
Other measures taken to enhance mass centralization in the CBR1000RR included positioning the starter motor and drive gear on the right side of the engine, which also created a narrower engine profile for added ground clearance. The 1000RR incorporated a balancer shaft to virtually eliminate secondary engine vibration, and with an eye toward mass centralization it too has been positioned close to the engine's center of gravity. Placing other major masses (fuel and rider) closer to the roll axis resulted in a motorcycle that reacted more quickly and smoothly to control inputs at the handlebars. Like the RC211V and the CBR600RR, the CBR1000RR fuel tank shares space under a faux tank cover with a forward-mounted air box, thanks to the Unit Pro-Link rear suspension system.
The Unit Pro-Link design provided a wealth of benefits. The shock is contained entirely within the swingarm and is positioned lower than in a conventional design. Both contribute to mass centralization, in part by giving the centrally mounted fuel tank room to extend downward. Because the shock is contained within the swingarm and does not require a top mount on the frame, the bulk of the 4.8-gallon tank was positioned down low between the frame rails, close to the centerline of the machine. Two other benefits resulted from the RR's fuel placement; the mass of the fuel load has less effect on handling, thereby facilitating quick directional changes; and, because the fuel tank is shorter, the CBR1000RR rider sits closer to the steering head compared to the 954.
To achieve quicker handling, Honda engineers also lightened as many pieces as possible that are far from the center of mass. That gave rise to the RR's compact Line-Beam headlights, with their high-illumination three-piece reflectors; slim-line LED taillight; single-piston rear brake system that's lighter than that of the 954; an analog/digital fully electronic instrument panel that's one of the lightest and slimmest ever mounted on a street bike; plus a host of other changes.
The 2004 model carried over to the 2005 model year with only color scheme changes.
2006-2007
2007 Honda CBR1000RR
- New intake and exhaust porting (higher flow, reduced chamber volume)
- Higher compression ratio (from 11.9:1 to 12.2:1)
- Revised cam timing
- More intake valve lift (from 8.9mm to 9.1mm)
- Double springs for the intake valves
- Higher redline (from 11,650 rpm to 12,200 rpm)
- Larger rear sprocket (from 41 to 42 teeth)
- New exhaust system
- New chassis geometry
- Larger 320 mm (13 in) front brake discs but thinner at 4.5 mm (0.18 in)
- Revised front suspension
- Revised rear suspension with new linkage ratios
- New lighter swingarm
- Revised front fairing design
2008-2010
An all new CBR1000RR was introduced at the Paris International Motorcycle Show on September 28, 2007 for the 2008 model year. The CBR1000RR is powered by an all new 999 cc (61.0 cu in) inline-four engine with a redline of 13,000 rpm. It features titanium valves and an enlarged bore with a corresponding reduced stroke. The engine has a completely new cylinder block, head configuration, and crankcase with lighter pistons. A new ECU delivers two separate revised maps sending the fuel and air mixture to be squeezed tight by the 12.3:1 compression ratio. Ram air is fed to an enlarged air box through two revised front scoops located under the headlamps. Honda claims power output to be at least 178 hp (133 kW) beginning at 12,000 rpm.Honda made a very focused effort to reduce and centralize overall weight. A lighter, narrower die cast frame was formed using a new technique which Honda claims allows for very thin wall construction and only four castings to be welded together. Almost every part of the new bike was reengineered to reduce weight including the sidestand, front brake hoses, brake rotors, battery, and wheels.
In order to improve stability under deceleration, a slipper clutch is now available with a unique center-cam-assist mechanism. The Honda Electronic Steering Damper (HESD) has been revised this year as well. Another significant change is the exhaust system which is no longer a center-up underseat design. The CBR1000RR now features a side slung exhaust in order to increase mass centralization and compactness while mimicking a Moto GP style.
On September 5, 2008, Honda announced the 2009 model. The bike remained the same, in terms of engine, styling, and performance. The only new addition was the introduction of the optional factory fitted Combined ABS (C-ABS) system originally showcased on the CBR600RR Combined ABS prototype. In addition to the new color schemes offered on the 2009 model, Honda reintroduced a Repsol limited edition color scheme. The Repsol paint edition in the US originally was offered without C-ABS. European versions had C-ABS available.
2010 Honda CBR1000RR at the 2009 Seattle International Motorcycle Show
Awards
The CBR1000RR was awarded Cycle World's International Bike of the Year for 2008-09 by the world's moto-journal communities as well as journalists The 2009 CBR1000RR won the Best Sportbike of the Year Award in Motorcycle USA Best of 2009 Awards , having also won the over 750cc open sportbike class in 2008Racing
The CBR1000RR has been used extensively in the international racing scene since its inception in 2004. Chris Vermeulen and the Dutch Ten Kate team placed the bike 4th in the standings in its debut year in the World Superbike class. The following year, the bike and team secured runner-up honours. In 2007, the Hannspree Ten Kate team was able to secure the first World Superbike Championship with the CBR1000RR with Briton James Toseland. Also, Ryuichi Kiyonari was able to win back to back titles in the British Superbike Championship in 2006-07 using the CBR1000RR with the HM Plant Honda team.The CBR1000RR has also been used heavily in the road racing scene, most notably at the famous Macau Grand Prix. Since its debut in 2004, it has recorded 4 victories with Michael Rutter having taken back to back victories in 2004-05 and Scottish motorcycle racer Stuart Easton achieving the same, in 2008-09. Arguably, the most famous of all road races has been the annual Isle of Man TT races which the CBR has been used to continue Hondas success at the circuit. Since 2006, the HM Plant team and Padgetts UK Honda team utilising the CBR1000RR have achieved 8 victories at the event ranging from the Superbike, Superstock and the blue riband Senior TT races. 2009 was especially dominant year for the Fireblade, having achieved the top 5 positions in the Superbike TT final standings, as well as another CBR1000RR whitewash in the Superstock TT where they occupied the top 5 again. Steve Plater also won the blue riband Senior TT race to secure Honda the manufacturers crown, fittingly as it was Hondas 50th racing year at the event.
