Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

(Left) Anew, on the stiff side but acceptable, nonetheThis process also keeps the overall width curved radiator less. of the cylinder bank the same. New 1 = Is lighter and The CBR900RR is an attention-getter, larger-diameter pistons mean more more compact, especially the Erion Racing-replica ver- , weight, but Honda kept the pistons as yet maintains sion, but the solid red color scheme looks light as possible. In addition, the piston the same just as attractive - if not more - than the compression ring thickness was shaved cooling red, black and white "shred" design of from 1.0 to'O.9=. efficiency as the Erion model. We heard more than one To handle the increase of power, many before. comment that the solid red CBR looks parts of the powertrain have been beefed remarkably similar to Honda's popular up, including the connecting rod's bigVFR750, and we couldn't agree more. end bearings that were increased in diam~ Some even thought it reminded them of eter from 36 to 36.5mm, and the counterweights were redesigned for an increase (Right) Despite power, pretty much like previous modin rigidity and strength. To compensate an increase in els, but the '96 CBR definitely pulls for the added weight of the heavier crank capacity, the stronger than previously, throughout the and rods, the AC generator was replaced inllne, fourpowerband. From a standstill, it takes by a lighter, higher-output, high-tech, cylinder motor some clutch/ throttle work to get the neodynium-ferrite-boron, rare-earth magretains Its bike rolling. It's tough to beat a car off an net type, resulting in the same crankshaft already intersection without being obvious about inertia as before. Plus, :the new compact compact size it; in other words, the CBR likes to be ACG system reduces the width of the thanks to a revved off the line. However, it doesn't engine by 9.5mm. More horsepower also new cylindertake long for the CBR to get going. Once led to the need for a stronger clutch, so an sleevlni on the pipe, the RR accelerates hard but additional plate has been added, for a method. A in a smooth and controllable fashion. total of 10. more compact Our first ride on the bike took place at Speaking of the clutch, the CBR has a ACGsystem Willow Springs Raceway, where we had new "floating" clutch cover that is now also reduces the opportuitity to ride both last year's separated from the crankcase by a thick engine width and the '% CBR900RR back-ta-back. The rubber gasket and rubber inserts around by nearly differences were subtle, but immediately its three mounting bolts to reduce 10mm. apparent. As mentioned, the '96 has a mechanical noise. slightly more robust powerband from top To improve shifting, new all-aluto bottom, as well as offering better rider minum linkages are aligned differently. And on the opposite side of the engine, the exotic NR750. Honda will also offer an oil-level inspection window has been Optimized llass Centralization the CBR900RR with a yellow and purple incorporated into the crankcase cover. Smokin' Joe's-type color scheme. The motor is surrounded by an allPerhaps Honda's biggest achievement new, more aerodynamically amiable and with the new CBR900R is keeping the lighter fairing. The upper cowl and shield price under $10,000. In spite of all of the and lower interior cowl pieces are the changes, the suggested retail price of tJ:!e same, but the middle and lower cowl sec'% CBR900RR went up just $200 to $9799. tions feature larger air ducts. Honda also That's not too bad when you consider completely redesigned the front fender, ·that the Ducati 916 sells for $15,700 and which they claim contributes to reduced the Yamaha YZF7s0 $10,499. weight, improved handling and better air Overall, we enjoyed this motorcycle management. The fender is designed to very much, but that came as no surprise. Cut more cleanly through the air thus We already liked the previous 9OORRs, lowering the total coefficient of drag by but this one clearly takes the cake. It truly "three percent" and reducing front-end offers the agility of a 600 and the power lift, which Honda claims enhances road of an open-class bike, and it's priced feel and lateral control at high speeds. about right. The fender is also designed to d,raw air What else can you ask for? .(.~ up from under the' fender through a pair of ducts located in front of the fork tubes. While Cycle News believes the foregoing test reliThese jets of air are then directed up by able, it is the apinian at the reviewer anty and the fender's integrated fork guards, along Smder,~ ............ should rwt be relied upon in determining the perfarthe lengths of the upper fork tubes, and . - U radIIIor ..... only) manee ar safety at the vehicle. The reader should into the cockpit area. Honda claims this L--=-=-_~-'--_-1 make his ar her awn investigatian. creates a high-pressure' zone behind the _ --' -windscreen that helps deflect the ol).com-- -- mobih1y:-These were the most noticeable ing wind aWay.from-the upper' dtest and differences.' . head area when the rider is seated 'in the The suspension on the '96 CBR900RR normal riding position. These ducts also felt a little soft at first, until Honda techniplaya role in improving the bike's highcians stiffened things up by bumping up speed "ground feel," and eliminate the the shock's preload from the number-two EngIIII • _ four 16-vahe, DOHC lnlIne lour need for the air holes in the lower sections to five position, and increasing both comCoalIIiIg...•......••.•. _.. - ••...•• 1..iquik:ooIed of the fairing, providing a smoother surpression and rebound damping by half a BoIex r 71 x58mm face finish and further reducing the coef- ' turn, front and back. The fork preload D1ep11c lt 919cC ficient of drag. was also increased by one mark, or line. Cui. IDII ndIo .. , 11.1:1 Other changes include new upper These settings. greatly improved the RR's C8rtIurIIan ; 38mm sIanIIld lIBl-lIIid&CV-{ype, four cowl stays, slimmer and more compact stability through the comers on the high19nIIIoII compuIer«llllrolled dIgilaI trni&IDIlZBcI wleIecln:lllic D. and lI1Rle-dIrnenll mapping tum indicators, a smaller and lighter #520 speed Willow Springs track. SIBrter ' EIllcIric (formerly #530) gold-eolored drive chain, The ability to get in and out of the T 1Sian _._ '" Slx-speed and tires. New Battlax BT56F (front) and turns quickly is one of the,bike's greatest FInII drIvI #S25 Q-ring BT56R (rear) radial tires were designed assets. It takes hardly any effort at all to WheeII lJ..section six-spoke akI11lrllm cas! by Bridgestone specifically for the get the bike leaned over, and it takes even TItes CBR9OORR. less coercing to make small corrections. Ftont 130t70ZR-168al11llx BT56F Riding the '96 RR for the first time The RR is very sensitive to rider input but RIIr 180155ZR-17 8alIIllx BT56R immediately revealed an improvement in not to the point where it feels twitchy or Sulpetllion comfort. Despite the seemingly trivial nervous. Ftont 45mm wladj. col1lplession and rebound damping position changes of the handlebars, seat The CBR's brakes are incredibly powRIIr Pro-Unk wIadj. seven-stage peIoad, rebound and cortlP.lISllicl damping and footpegs, the new CBR900RR feels erful, which we .were thankful for going Ftont wheel traYeI ..................................•...................... 4.7 inches roomier, and the new, slimmer gas tank into Willow's Turn One following the AeIF wheellnMII , 4.9 inches improves rider mobility significantly. long, front straight. BniMI Dropping the transmission into gear We also spent some time cruising the Ftont ..........•............ 296mm dual disC wnour-plston calipers and sinteRlcI mellll pads from neutral still produces a "clunk," but city streets and fre,eways on the RIIr 220mm singIe-piston ~ disC wIsinleI8d mellll pads shifting through the gears under heavy CBR900RR and were quite impressed by WtieeIbIIe 55.1 In. acceleration is smooth and precise, its slower-pace, everyday road manners. 8eIl1lllgllt , , 31.9 In. though some clunking noise can be heard Despite its fairly aggressive stance, the Fuel ClIP8CIlY , 4.8 gal. deep within the cases with each gear RR was surprisingly comfortable and tolDry wel8IIl (claimed) .. • •• • :.: , 403.41ls. change. erable for long commutes. The suspen.........................................................................$9799 The new RR is overflowing with sion - still set up for the track - was a little = -= 1996 Honda CBR90DRR

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