2019 HONDA CBR1000RR SP
R I D E R E V I E W
P70
Springs is rough as guts
anyway, and this magnified
the Ohlins' shortcomings.
The ride was harsh, with the
rebound in auto especially
abrupt on the fork.
At the back, the CBR's
suspension performed bet-
ter, but it was far from the
smooth ride I remembered
at Portimao.
With the suspension
damping reduced and the
ride softer in auto mode 2,
the CBR was quite a nice
bike to ride. It would still
wallow and protest if you
hit big bumps hard, but if
you got out of the seat and
let the chassis soak up the
bumps more, the ride was
altogether pretty good.
During my time on the
CBR, I averaged about 32
miles per gallon, which
was a touch more mile-
age than I got out of the
GSX-R at 30 mpg. That
would get me from home
to work and back on a
single tank, although I'd
be searching for a gas
station when I got close to
home.
With Honda bringing
out the animal that is
the 2020 CBR1000RR
Fireblade SP to give it its full
and correct title, this CBR
will represent some pretty
astute buying in the coming
months as dealers try to rid
themselves of old, but still
very fast, stock.
The overall impression
I had of the CBR was of a
good bike, but one that had
some unnecessary corners
cut. Stuff like the brake
lines are an easy fix, but the
wheelie control and lack of
cruise control are not.
Regardless, the CBR is a
fine send off to the bike that
started life in 2008 (yes,
this and that model are very
closely related). The 2020
CBR will be a rager, but
this 2019 edition could be a
bargain if found at the right
dealer over the next few
months. CN
ENGINE: ..........Liquid cooled, 4-stroke,
16- valve, DOHC in-line 4
DISPLACEMENT: ..........................999cc
BORE X STROKE: ................76 x 55mm
HORSEPOWER: ......189 hp @ 13,00rpm
(claimed)
TORQUE: ............. 84 lb-ft @ 11,000rpm
(claimed)
COMPRESSION RATIO: ................. 13.0:1
FUEL SYSTEM: ...........EFI, five variable
S P E C I F I C A T I O N S 2019
The CBR's
superbly
smooth throttle
connection
is very
welcomed in
Buttonwillow's
chicanes.
