Honda CBR1000RR
Encyclopedia
The CBR1000RR, also known as the Fireblade, is a 998 cc liquid-cooled inline four-cylinder sport bike
that was introduced by Honda
in 2004 to replace the CBR954RR.
, 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).
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 in-line four was a new design, with different 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 aimed to improve stability and help eliminate 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. Longer than the corresponding unit on the CBR954RR (585 mm (23 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 1405 mm (55.3 in); a 5 mm (0.196850393700787 in) increase over the 954.
Accommodating the longer swingarm was another reason the CBR1000RR power plant shared 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 YZF-R1
model in 1998 and inspired superbike design in the following years.
Positioning this compact engine farther forward in the chassis also increased front-end weight bias, an effective method of making high-powered liter bikes less wheelie prone under hard acceleration. This approach, however, also provided very little space between the engine and front wheel for a large radiator. Engineers solved this problem by giving the RR a modest cylinder incline of 28 degrees, and moving the oil filter from its frontal placement on the 954 to the right side of the 1000RR engine. This allowed the RR's center-up exhaust system to tuck closely to the engine.
The 2006 CBR1000RR offered incremental advancements over the earlier model with more power, better handling and less weight. Changes for 2006 include:
The 2006 model carried over to the 2007 model year mostly unchanged except for color options.
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 claimed allowed 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
was added, with a center-cam-assist mechanism. The Honda Electronic Steering Damper was revised as well. Another significant change was the exhaust system which was no longer a center-up underseat design. The new exhaust was a side slung design in order to increase mass centralization and compactness while mimicking a MotoGP-style.
On September 5, 2008, Honda announced the 2009 model. The bike remained much the same, in terms of engine, styling, and performance. The only significant addition was the introduction of the optional factory fitted Combined ABS (C-ABS) system originally showcased on the CBR600RR Combined ABS prototype. New, lightweight turn signals were also added.
On September 4, 2009, Honda announced the 2010 model. Honda increased the diameter of the flywheel for more inertia. This improved low-rpm torque and smoother running just off idle. The license plate assembly was redesigned for quicker removal when preparing the motorcycle for track use. The muffler cover was also redesigned for improved appearance.
The 2009 CBR1000RR won the Best Sportbike of the Year Award in Motorcycle USA Best of 2009 Awards, having also won the over 750 cc open sportbike class in 2008.
and the Dutch Ten Kate Racing
team placed the bike fourth 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 2004–2005 and Scottish motorcycle racer Stuart Easton achieving the same, in 2008–2009.
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 Honda's success at the circuit. Since 2006, the HM Plant team and Padgett's UK Honda team utilising the CBR1000RR have achieved eight victories at the event ranging from the Superbike, Superstock and the blue riband Senior TT races. 2009 was an 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 Honda's 50th racing year at the event.
Sport bike
A sport bike, also written as sportbike, is a motorcycle optimized for speed, acceleration, braking, and cornering on paved roads, typically at the expense of comfort and fuel economy in comparison to less specialized motorcycles...
that was introduced by Honda
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
in 2004 to replace the CBR954RR.
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 CBR600RRHonda CBR600RR
The Honda CBR600RR is a sport motorcycle that was introduced by Honda in 2003 as a race replica version of Honda's CBRFx series motorcycles. It won every Supersport World Championship title from 2002 to 2008.- Racing roots :...
, 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
Engine control unit
An engine control unit is a type of electronic control unit that determines the amount of fuel, ignition timing and other parameters an internal combustion engine needs to keep running...
-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
Steering damper
A steering damper, steering stabiliser or sprint damper is a damping device designed to inhibit an undesirable, uncontrolled movement or oscillation of a vehicle steering mechanism, a phenomenon known in motorcycling as wobble, or in extreme cases, a tank-slapper...
(HESD) debuted as an industry first system which aimed to improve stability and help eliminate 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. Longer than the corresponding unit on the CBR954RR (585 mm (23 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 1405 mm (55.3 in); a 5 mm (0.196850393700787 in) increase over the 954.
Accommodating the longer swingarm was another reason the CBR1000RR power plant shared 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
Yamaha Motor Company
, is a Japanese motorized vehicle-producing company. Yamaha Motor is part of Yamaha Corporation and its headquarter is located in Iwata, Shizuoka. Along with expanding Yamaha Corporation into the world's biggest piano maker, then Yamaha CEO Genichi Kawakami took Yamaha into the field of motorized...
with the YZF-R1
Yamaha YZF-R1
The Yamaha YZF-R1 is an open class sport bike, or superbike, motorcycle manufactured by Yamaha Motor Company since 1998.-1998–1999:Yamaha launched the YZF-R1 after redesigning the Genesis engine to offset the crankshaft, gearbox input, and output shafts. This "compacting" of the engine made the...
model in 1998 and inspired superbike design in the following years.
Positioning this compact engine farther forward in the chassis also increased front-end weight bias, an effective method of making high-powered liter bikes less wheelie prone under hard acceleration. This approach, however, also provided very little space between the engine and front wheel for a large radiator. Engineers solved this problem by giving the RR a modest cylinder incline of 28 degrees, and moving the oil filter from its frontal placement on the 954 to the right side of the 1000RR engine. This allowed the RR's center-up exhaust system to tuck closely to the engine.
2006–2007
- 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 8.9 mm to 9.1 mm)
- 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 (12.6 in) front brake discs but thinner at 4.5 mm (0.177165354330709 in)
- Revised front suspension
- Revised rear suspension with new linkage ratios
- New lighter swingarm
- Revised front fairing design
The 2006 model carried over to the 2007 model year mostly unchanged except for color options.
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 was powered by an all new 999 cc inline-four engine with a redline of 13,000 rpm. It had titanium valves and an enlarged bore with a corresponding reduced stroke. The engine had a completely new cylinder block, head configuration, and crankcase with lighter pistons. A new ECU had two separate revised maps sending the fuel and air mixture to be squeezed tight by the 12.3:1 compression ratio. Ram air was fed to an enlarged air box through two revised front scoops located under the headlamps. Honda claimed power output to be at least 178 hp 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 claimed allowed 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
Slipper clutch
A slipper clutch is a specialized clutch developed for performance oriented motorcycles to mitigate the effects of engine braking when riders decelerate as they enter corners....
was added, with a center-cam-assist mechanism. The Honda Electronic Steering Damper was revised as well. Another significant change was the exhaust system which was no longer a center-up underseat design. The new exhaust was a side slung design in order to increase mass centralization and compactness while mimicking a MotoGP-style.
On September 5, 2008, Honda announced the 2009 model. The bike remained much the same, in terms of engine, styling, and performance. The only significant addition was the introduction of the optional factory fitted Combined ABS (C-ABS) system originally showcased on the CBR600RR Combined ABS prototype. New, lightweight turn signals were also added.
On September 4, 2009, Honda announced the 2010 model. Honda increased the diameter of the flywheel for more inertia. This improved low-rpm torque and smoother running just off idle. The license plate assembly was redesigned for quicker removal when preparing the motorcycle for track use. The muffler cover was also redesigned for improved appearance.
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 750 cc open sportbike class in 2008.
Racing
The CBR1000RR has been used extensively in the international racing scene since its inception in 2004. Chris VermeulenChris Vermeulen
Chris Vermeulen is a motorcycle racer, currently competing in the World Superbike Championship for the works Kawasaki team. He originally raced in this class in 2004 and 2005 for the Ten Kate Honda team, finishing as series runner-up in 2005...
and the Dutch Ten Kate Racing
Ten Kate Racing
Ten Kate Racing is a motorbike racing team, currently competing in the Superbike World Championship and the Supersport World Championship under the name Hannspree Ten Kate Honda.- Foundation :...
team placed the bike fourth 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
James Toseland
James Michael Toseland is a former English motorcycle racer. Toseland was the World Superbike Champion on a Ten Kate Honda, who also won the Superbike World Championship on a Ducati. He is one of only two men, the other being Troy Corser, to have won the Superbike World Championship for two...
. Also, Ryuichi Kiyonari
Ryuichi Kiyonari
is a professional motorcycle road racer. He is the 2006, 2007 and 2010 British Superbike champion, and he currently rides for HM Plant Honda in the British Superbike Championship. He also won the 2008 Suzuka 8-Hour race, teamed with his former WSBK team-mate Carlos Checa...
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 2004–2005 and Scottish motorcycle racer Stuart Easton achieving the same, in 2008–2009.
Arguably, the most famous of all road races has been the annual Isle of Man TT
Isle of Man TT
The International Isle of Man TT Race is a motorcycle racing event held on the Isle of Man and was for many years the most prestigious motorcycle race in the world...
races which the CBR has been used to continue Honda's success at the circuit. Since 2006, the HM Plant team and Padgett's UK Honda team utilising the CBR1000RR have achieved eight victories at the event ranging from the Superbike, Superstock and the blue riband Senior TT races. 2009 was an 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 Honda's 50th racing year at the event.
Specifications
All specifications are manufacturer claimed.| 2004/2005 | 2006/2007 | 2008/2009/2010 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | |||
| Engine Type | 998 cc liquid-cooled inline four-cylinder | 999 cc liquid-cooled inline four-cylinder | |
| Bore/Stroke | 75 by 56.5 mm (3 by 2.2 ) | 76 by 55.1 mm (3 by 2.2 ) | |
| Compression Ratio | 11.9:1 | 12.2:1 | 12.3:1 |
| Valve Train | DOHC; four valves per cylinder | ||
| Carburetion | Dual Stage Fuel Injection (DSFI) | ||
| Ignition | Computer-controlled digital transistorized with three-dimensional mapping | ||
| Drivetrain | |||
| Transmission | Cassette-type, close-ratio six-speed | Close-ratio six-speed | |
| Final Drive | #530 O-ring sealed chain | ||
| Chassis/Suspension/Brakes | |||
| Front Suspension | 43 mm (1.7 in) inverted HMAS cartridge fork with spring-preload, rebound and compression-damping adjustability; 4.7 in (119.4 mm) travel | ||
| Rear Suspension | HMAS Pro-Link single shock with spring-preload, rebound and compression-damping adjustability; 5.3 in (134.6 mm) travel | Unit Pro-Link HMAS single shock with spring pre-load, rebound and compression damping adjustability; 5.4 in (137.2 mm) travel | |
| Front Brakes | Dual full-floating 310 mm (12.2 in) discs with four-piston radial-mounted calipers | Dual full-floating 320 mm (12.6 in) discs with four-piston radial-mounted calipers | |
| Rear Brakes | Single 220 mm (8.7 in) disc with single-piston caliper | ||
| Front Tire | 120/70ZR-17 radial | ||
| Rear Tire | 190/50ZR-17 radial | ||
| Dimensions | |||
| Rake | 23.75 deg | 23.45 deg | 23.3 deg |
| Trail | 102 mm (4 in) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 96.2 mm (3.8 in) |
| Wheelbase | 55.6 in (1,412.2 mm) | 55.2 in (1,402.1 mm) | 55.4 in (1,407.2 mm) |
| Seat Height | 32.5 in (825.5 mm) | 32.3 in (820.4 mm) | |
| Dry Weight | 396 lb (179.6 kg) | 388 lb (176 kg) | 385 lb (174.6 kg) |
| Wet Weight | 466 lb (211.4 kg) | 451 lb (204.6 kg) | 439 lb (199.1 kg) |
| Fuel Capacity | 4.8 US gal (18.2 l), including 1.06 US gal (4 l) reserve | 4.7 US gal (17.8 l), including 1.06 US gal (4 l) reserve | |
| Performance | |||
| Power Output | 148.6 hp @ 10,750 rpm | 158.8 hp @ 11,500 rpm | 178 hp @ 12,000 rpm |
| Torque | 76.4 lbf.ft @ 8,500 rpm | 79.6 lbf.ft @ 8,750 rpm | 82.6 lbf.ft @ 8,500 rpm |
External links
- 2008 Honda CBR1000RR official U.S. site