Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

Honda CBR900RR and 5T11 00 By Mark Hoyer elcome to the late show, folks, where things are a little more cutting edge and bigger risks are often taken. But risks are what you have to take to stay ahead - especially when you're talking about sportbikes. Yes, when the Red Giant changes things, it's usually for the better. 50 we couldn't help but be a bit excited when Honda's press kit first arrived earlier this year missing a pair of very important models. The absence of the CBR900RR and ST1100 meant change, and for knee draggers and sport tourers everywhere this seemed to be good news. We did perhaps get a little overanxious at the absence of the STUOO, as revisions there were somewhat less dramatic (and limited'mostly to the more expensive ABS II model) than with. the substantially revised 900. 50 here you have it, folks, a pair of late releases from Honda. The CBR900 made quite a splash when in was introduced in 1993 with its combination of open-class power, light weight and outstanding chassis that made for back-road bliss everywhere. More horsepower is always welcome, and with that in mind the the liquidcooled, in-line four-eylinder powerplant has been revised in a number of ways. The biggest news is that displacement has been increased from 893cc to 91&c by enlarging the bore lmm to 71mm. The stroke remains unchanged at 58mm. To better deal with the internal stress levels created by the larger cylinder volume, at the very core of the powerplant is a newly designed, more ridgid crankshaft with larger-Piameter big-end bearings. Feeding the larger bores are the same 38mm, CV-type carburetors, but with revised jetting, no doubt to deal with the increase in displacement. And lighting it all off is a new "high-accuracy" map-type programmed ignition. Spent gasses now exit through a stainless exhaust system with a larger-volume six-liter muffler canister that is both longer and wider than the one it replaces, and the net result of these updates is a claimed three percent increase in power. Rounding out the powertrain alterations are a completely redesigned gearbox and a smaller, gold-eolored chain. As good as the orginal chassis was, Honda started with a clean sheet when coming up with the 1996 version, and rigidity was the overriding theme. While rake and trail are unchanged at 24° /90mm, the overall stiffness of the twin-spar aluminum unit is said to have been increased:. The bridged swingarm is also all-new with modified spar' thickness and largerdiameter box-section cross-brace to minimize flex. A different linkage ratio and new remote-reservoir shock work together to increase rear-suspension travel to 4.9 inches, and the damping unit and spring preload are fuliy adjustable. At the front, the fork been revised, internally for 4nproved damping characteristics and tracking response. The compression and rebound adjustable cartridge-type unit offers 4.7 inches of travel on preload-adjustable springs. Cosmetically, most of the fairing pieces have been altered slightly (no little holes in the lower cowI anymore) and, capitalizing on their success (okay, out- W 24 right dominance) in AMA Superbike and 600 Supersport, Honda will offer 'the CBR900 with a Smokin' Joe's color. scheme somewhat reminiscent of the 6OOF3's yellow and blue livery. Two other ,color options are offered, one a Erion Racing-style black and red affair with a dash of white thrown in (pictured), the other a very nice-looking solid red in the same color family as Honda's handsome VFR750. Some of the other detail changes include lighter turn signals and a' new front fender designed to reduce drag and high-speed lift. Big news in the ergonomic department. While last year's ridin'g position was great for Sunday morning bombing runs, it left a little to be desired in terms of all-around comfort. To address t!iis, the handlebars have been both raised lOmm and rotated toward the rider by five degress, and the top surface of the fuel tank has been lowered as well as having had the curve down to the seat made more gradual. In addition, the knee cutouts have been made deeper. Fuel capacity remains 4.8 gallons despite the alterations. TIle CBR900RR is expected to be available in January of 1996. Honda chose a less drastic route with their popular ST1100 ABS II model The foremost. change comes in the addition of Honda's Linked Braking System (as used on the CBR1000). Coupled with Honda's Traction Control system and an updated ABS package (smoother operation), and you have a formidable saftey margin no matter the road conditions. Brake discs at the front have been decreased in size to 296mm a nd are squeezed by newly designed, more compact three-piston calipers that are lighter, both working to reduce unsprung weight. To cope with the potentially higher braking forces, the fork diameter has been increased 2mm to 43mm. The only change that the base STUOO shares with its more complicated sibling is to the electrical system and comes in the form of a higher-output AC generator that permits the use of more electrical accesories. The STU 00 models will be introduced through Honda' dealers in December. fN (1190011 Ust Price WA DisplacemenI 918cc Engine tp 1.lquilkooIed, !ouf-slIOke, DOHC. in-line1Qur.qllnc/er ee.ex stroke ' ; 71 x58nm CoIllpcIsslan I8liO t 1.0:1 CIrbuAlIion.......••..•.••.•..•.•••••..••••••.••..••.....•....•••••. (4) 3llnIn ll8kllIde CN 19niIon CoInpldeI'iX1Uliolled .1nlnsisb .iz8d. elecbonlc IdvaIlce Traneml8sIon speeds 6 Starting system EIecIric Fuel capacily 4.8 gal. Wheelbase ~ 55.3111. RakeIlraH ~ , '" 24°/9Omm S981 height " ••.••••••.•..••... 31.9 in. Front lire _ 13lW71l ZR16 Rear lire 180f55 ZR17 SUsI elISION Front . 45mm stepIess preload, compIe5Sion and I8bound ae4ustab1e carlridge-type folk • 4.7 inches \rIrIe1 Rear ..... Pro-Unk with 7 _ preload, stepless Illboundand compression adjustable· 4.9 inches travel Front brakes Twin 296mm diScs, four piston C8IlpeIs Rear brakes...................................•............ 220mm disc, slngIe piston caliper Final drive Chain Claimed dry weight : 407.91bs. 511100 (ABS II model in bIQeIs where different) SpecfaIions Us! Price.................•....•......•.........•.........• ; NlA Displacement 1ll84cc Engine type , Liquid-cooled, Iour-stroke. DOHC, V-4 Bore xstroke. . . . . . . . . . .. . .................•....•.......................... 73 x64.8mm Compression ratio , 10.0:1 Carburetion (4) 34.5nun CV Ignition .... Computer-controlled digital transistorized - electronic advance (and Traction Control System) Transmission speeds ...............•..•.....•...•.......................•........•.... 5 Starting system Eleclric Fuel capacity .....•....•.... _•...•....•.•....•........•..•••.•....•.•......•.•.• 7.4 gal. Wheelbase 61.2 in. Rakeltrail NlA Seat height. _ 31.5 in. Front tire 120170 A18 Rear tire 160170 17 SusPeNsIoN Front, , 41mm (43mm) air-assisted wlth TRAC - 5.9 inches travel Rear Single-side conventional damper, adjustable preload and rebound - 4.7 inches travel Front brakes. Twin 316mm discs, dua~piston calipers (296mm discs, linked three-piston calipers wi ASS) Rear brakes 316mm disc, duel-piston caliper (296mm disc, linked three piston caliper wi ASS) Final drive , Shaft Claimed dry weight .......•....................... , . ., , . 634.9Ibs. (659.2Ibs.)

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