After a few years in the doldrums, it looks like Honda are back and better than ever, with a brand spanking new superbike contender. Yep, fear not folks, as it’s not just the bodywork that’s changed – the big H have gone to town with the help of HRC to create what they tell us has an ‘unwavering focus on circuit riding’. Oh yeah.
So, what’s so new, I hear you ask? Well for starters, Honda have been busy at work crafting the ’Blade to be as lean, mean and effective as possible; just look at that bodywork! They say that the CBR1000RR-R in stock race trim, is a best-in-class drag coefficient value of 0.270. They’ve also given it a set of wings that generate the same downforce as their 2018 MotoGP machine, which they say not only reduces wheelies, but increases stability under braking, and through corner entry. Nice.
The new inline-four powerplant has been crafted in a compact, short-stroke layout. It’s nicked the bore and stroke from their MotoGP machine, and features a semi-cam gear train, finger-follower rocker arms, titanium con-rods, RC213V-S internal friction reduction technologies, piston jets with check ball system, and a built-in bottom bypass passage for the cylinder water jacket – creating a whopping 215 claimed horses, and 113Nm of torque.