The flame that burns brightest is the will to challenge, and from that burning passion we created something quite extraordinary in 1992. Something that not only created a new sport bike category, but it also changed sports motorcycles forever. Now, in its 30th Anniversary year, the very name ‘FIREBLADE’ still sets hearts racing.
The first CBR900RR was launched in 1992. It was developed based on the advanced development model that had been developed to win against RVF750 at Suzuka 8 hours. The first 750cc inline four-cylinder engine was evolved up to 893cc and tuned up to have accelerating performance to compete with other brand’s flagship models back then. By combining this excellent power, 185kg of dry weight, 1,405mm of wheelbase with the vehicle body that is almost equivalent to the advanced development model, the unprecedented level of supersports motorcycle, which every motorcycle rider can enjoy, has been developed. By creating the lightest and the most compact supersports motorcycle which everyone could drive easily, the first CBR900RR has changed the status of supersports motorcycle.
2 years after the launch of the first CBR900RR, the new CBR900RR was launched as an upgraded version. The new model was equipped with fully adjustable front fork, which had superior road following capability and higher-efficiency engine. The 1994 CBR900RR was the premier supersports motorcycle that ”Everybody can ride as you wish” The weight was lighter than the first model, and upper faring stay was evolevd from iron to aluminum and cylinder head cover was changed from aluminum to magnesium. The exterior view was also upgraded including individual two-lamp system head lamps which were changed to multi-reflector called “Tiger Eyes” and faring was flush surfaced.
The CBR900RR 1996 was made of twin-spar frame and seems like two previous models. However, this model was lighter than two previous models and the stiffness was optimized. Tank shaped body was changed to improve controllability and to revise the position of riding, and the exterior design of rear fairing was changed to improve aerodynamic character. Displacement was increased from 893cc to 918cc while bore/stroke was changed to 71mm×58mm by enlarging the bore size 1mm wider. Drivability was improved by increasing the highest power output 4PS more (128PS) while adding throttle position sensor to carburetor. The weight was 1kg lighter (183kg) than the 1994 model by creating stainless exhaust pipe, changing the shape of fuel tank and eliminating fuel pump.
We had been sticking to “Weight Saving” from the previous models. 80% of the parts of this model developed in 1998 was newly designed based on the models of 1996 and 1997. As a consequence, the dry weight was successfully decreased up to 180g while reviewing and examining each bolt. The stability of high-speed performance was established by revising the stiffness of the area around pivot, attaching light and stiff tapered shape swing arm and designing the area around head pipe properly that was changed the dimension while improving motion performance. By revising the setting, the engine of the the 1998 CBR900RR was able to be reached up to 130PS power output, which was 2PS higher than the previous model. The high performance of this motorcycle was impressed and appreciated by many many motorcycle riders.
Basic design of CBR900RR’s engine, which had been inheriting from precedent developed vehicles, was upgraded completely for the first time. Fuel injection system (PGM-FI) was applied to the engine for the first time which enabled to increase engine displacement up to 929cc and improve the highest power output drastically up to 148PS. As for the vehicle body, semi-pivotless frame was applied to support pivot at U-shaped separate plate after having reviewed the structure of frame and body. This mechanism enabled to provide a sense of stability while bowing rear section properly for cornering and offer both smooth handling as a supersports motorcycle and high cornering stability while the stiffness of the frame was not strengthened more than necessary. The 2000 model improved the degree of perfection as a supersports motorcycle which everyone can enjoy. “Weight saving”, which is one of the identities of CBR-RR, was evolved further when applying titanium for exhaust pipe and a part of the silencer, and the 2000 model weighed 170kg, which was 15kg lighter than the first model.
This 2002 CBR900RR was the last model released in the name of CBR900RR, which improved engine capacity up to 954cc and the highest power output up to 150.9PS (for European version). Bore was expanded from 74mm and 75mm and significant reduction of the weights of piston and piston pin enabled to exclude the vibration and excess stress when the engine displacement was increased. Crankshaft and crankcase were changed, and the performance and response of the motorcycle were able to maximize while reducing the friction of the whole engine and the weight. The dry weight was 168kg, which was 2kg lighter than the model of 2000. This model followed the basic concept, which were souped-up by engine displacement and “The lightest supersports motorcycle which everyone can enjoy driving”, and received positive review that it had comfortable handling and compact vehicle body and carried a reputation as “It is fabulous CBR-RR that reminds us the moment when we rode the first model”.
Cutting edge motorcycle technology including unit pro-link and center-up exhaust system were applied to this model. Light and compact 998cc engine was developed with an eye to various global racings including world superbike championship. It had “Electronic Fuel Injection Controller (PGM-DSFI)” of which the second injector generated high output power when the throttle position is higher than ¼ and rotating speed is higher than 3000rpm, and “Direct Air Induction System”, which enabled to perform excellent output characteristic and fast throttle response in medium and high-speed area with utilizing air resistance, was applied for the first time. This model was a kind of pioneer of supersports motorcycle which could be available both on racing circuit and public road.
Intake port was straightened and the size of exhaust port was expanded based on the design of the engine in 2004. Combustion efficiency and admission/emission efficiency were improved by changing the shape of bulb and reviewing the bulb timing, which enabled to evolve the engine that was able to generate more power in medium and low speed. The diameter of disc brake of front brake was widened from 310mm to 320mm, and the thickness was reduced from 5mm to 4.5mm to reduce the weight of the previous model of 2004. Also, compact and light new caliper was applied to rear brake to improve braking performance and weight saving.
The 2008 CBR1000RR was developed based on the concept “All the Best in Supersports”, which means the most comfortable, well-designed and powerful motorcycle. In addition to back-torque limiter that had been already applied to RC212V, assisted super clutch, which could decrease the clutch lever load, was newly applied to this 2008 model. Also, CBR-RR’s basic concept, “East to ride” was drastically evolved. Weight saving and downsizing was improved further while applying light wheel and monoblock brake caliper and each part was centralized by applying short muffler. Whole design was integrated while the dimension of the part of upper faring away from gravity point was gotten smaller and tail fairing was downsized.
“CBR1000RR<ABS>” equipped with the world’s first “Electric controlled combined ABS” was launched. This system applied “Brake-by-wire” system which changed solution pressure generated from hand lever and foot pedal into signal and stepped on the brake by power unit through wire. Vehicle characteristic (strong pitching motion during acceleration/deceleration due to light weight, short wheelbase and high gravity point), which could be the issue when setting ABS for supersports motorcycle as the efficiency of the front and back brake and detailed operation of ABS were controlled by computer, could be corresponded. Load under the spring was also decreased and each part was centralized while allocating the system at the center of the vehicle body. This layout enabled to create the system that did not disturb the high motion performance of this supersports motorcycle.
Every detail was reviewed based on 2009 model to develop the upgraded model that everyone could enjoy sports riding much further. Large-diameter ABC flywheel was equipped to reduce torque fluctulations during racing and stiffness of a part of crankshaft attached to flywheel was improved, which enabled to increase 6.87 % of moment of inertia of crankshaft and its related parts, and improve control for throttle operation. On the other hand, radiator fan motor and pipe sleeve of exhausting pipe were downsized as well as the aluminizing of sealing bolt of engine head to avoid the gain of weight. These refinement could improve the perfection of the whole machine.
After 20 years from the launch of the first model, this 2012 CBR1000RR (2012) was a kind of milestone model and the main subject for the development was “Easy to ride”, which was an essential element for enjoying supersports motorcycle. For front and back suspensions, which influenced controllability, were equipped with new mechanism. For rear suspension, “Balance Free Reaction” was equipped to generate damping force while piston without bulb slid in cylinder to exhaust oil, and it passed through the part allocated separately where damping force is generated. For front suspension, big piston front fork was applied to increase piston’s pressure receiving area and generate damping force smoothly. Control of the start-up of the engine was improved by reviewing the setting of fuel injection, which enabled to develop high power engine without giving any stress to riders.
The development concept of this new model is “Total control to the Next Stage – Advanced fun riding”, and a number of electric control technologies have been loaded to support fun riding. CBR1000RR SP is a sportier model and equipped with electric control suspension which controls damping force depending on running condition as well as BREMBO’s front brake caliper. Lithium-ion battery, and titanium fuel tank which is adopted for the first time for production vehicle for public road, are equipped to make the vehicle weight lighter while centralizing the weight.*
*1 Source: Honda (March 2017)
CBR1000RR-R FIREBLADE was developed to hit its stride on the racetrack based on the concept “Total Control for the Track – Machine hitting its stride on the racetrack” . This model has been evolved further from the first model while inheriting the idea of the first CBR900RR launched in 1992, “Total Control – Maximize the joy of driving” and the improved features are able to perform at its full potential on the racetrack. It is equipped with cutting-edge electronic control technology including power unit which has high output and controllability combined with body packaging seeking out maneuverability to maximize the joy of driving sports motorcycle.
CBR1000RR-R FIREBLADE SP was developed based on the equipping of CBR1000RR-R FIREBLADE such as electric control suspension, ÖHLINS Smart EC and BREMBO’s front brake caliper. Exclusive specifications are equipped to fully enjoy riding the sports motorcycle including lithium- ion battery which makes the vehicle weight lighter and quickshifter that is able to change gears quickly as standard.
