CBR Stories
Super Sports Model Realizing World-Class Performance
The CBR1000F, launched in 1987, won the hearts of a wide range of users, from sport riding to long-distance touring. Its superiority in this rapidly evolving class, however, was declining.
In response, development of the next-generation model liter bike began.
Initially, a lighter CBR1000F with a design refresh was considered. This was feasible, applying weight reduction know-how cultivated with the CBR900RR.
The development team, however, after technical considerations and careful market research, created a true large super sports model that would not only meet the needs of users and the times, but become a flagship model.
Development pivoted from a CBR1000F refresh to a new model.
The team set the development theme as “The Greatest Super Sport,” with “Feature 10” development goals to realize this theme.
These included, a design that instantly conveys high aerodynamic and dynamic performance, exhilarating acceleration, smooth and solid controllability even at high speed cruising, and the fastest production motorcycle.
These development team’s extensive R&D to reach its own high standards led to the launch of the CBR1100XX Super Blackbird, a super sports model with the world’s highest level of performance.
After its July 4, 1996 world premiere press conference held in Germany, followed by a test-ride event for the press held at the Circuit Paul Ricard in France in late July, many journalists were amazed at its excellent stability at high speeds.
Mass production of the CBR1100XX Super Blackbird began at the Hamamatsu Factory in June 1996, and was launched as the 1997 model, mainly in Europe. The initial sales plan was 7,500 units per year. However, after the test-ride event for the press in Europe led to favorable articles being published in numerous magazines, a large number of orders poured in. Sales of the 1997 model, the first year of production, reached approximately 18,000 units.
This model was released in North America and Japan as the CBR1100XX. Sales in the U.S. began with the 1997 model, similar to Europe. In Japan, sales began in March 2001. The CBR1100XX was well received by sports fans around the world.