IMAGES: HRC
We absolutely loved Honda’s new CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP when it arrived on the scene last year, thanks to its incredible skills and track. And even though the whole Covid thing did a bit of a number on the development of the new bike last year in its racing guise, it still showed itself to be a serious contender across the globe; whether that was winning races in BSB on its first appearance, or moving up the order as HRC finally found a solid development path in World Superbike. And that, ladies and gents, brings us to this absolute weapon: Leon Haslam’s factory HRC Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP. The World Superbike rules allow these production bikes to be crafted into something incredibly track, making well over 220 horsepower and weighing in at around 170kg, with a small amount of internal engine modifications allowed. They’re then gifted a full-fat electronics suite, Superbike-spec Öhlins on both front and rear, and a whole host of aftermarket parts, from the swingarm to the fuel tank, and the subframe to the dash, all to make it as fast as possible. Expect it to be up there from the very beginning, when the 2021 season begins…