Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128124
CBR954RR Honda decided that it didn't want to get left behind in the open-class sportbike market this year, and has redesigned its bike substantially. With Yamaha upgrading the RI for 2002, Kawasaki updating the ZX-9R, and Suzuki plenty safe with their 145-horsepower GSX-RIOOOR, it was time. The most obvious change is that the displacement'has increased from 929cc to 954cc, and the compression ratio has been bumped up from 11.3: I to 11.5: I. The displacement increase was achieved by boring the cylinders out an additional 1.0mm. The throttle bodies in the fuel-injection system are now larger, increased from 40mm to 42mm. The injectors now feature 12 laser-drilled jet holes for super-fine fuel spray and better atomization. The bike also features an updated Electronic Control Unit (ECU), which features a much faster computer, with a larger memory. The exhaust system has been updated and is even lighter. The chassis has been put on a diet over the course of the last year, and has lost nine pounds - Honda now clajms the CBR's dry weight to be 370 pounds: The frame has been changed and is now more rigid, due to a revised steering-head design. The swingarm has been completely redesigned and is now larger and beefier, yet weighs less than the previous versions - It looks very similar to the swingarm on Honda's own NSR500 Grand Prix bike. The brakes have been updated in an effort to improve feel and performance. The steel-caliper pistons are coated with Nimuflon, a low-friction coating, and the rollback seals are coated in Teflon to improve feel. The master cylinder now provides 10-percent more pressure to help improve power. The wheels are now lighter, as are many other components, in an effort to improve the power-to-weight ratio. The bodywork has also been revised for '02, and it has taken on a far more aggressive look than the previous generations. The taillights now feature LED bulbs for exceptional brightness. The headlights have also been redesigned to provide better illumination. In addition, the fuel tank has been redesigned to be less obtrusive to the rider by reducing the height by 10mm. The CBR954RR will be available in red/black, and silver/black. ST 1300/ST 1300ABS RCS1 After winning the World Superbike Championship in its first attempt with Colin Edwards a year ago, Honda has applied the lessons learned from their racing experience to the new '02 RC51. The 999cc, 90-degree V-twin receives new, larger-diameter 62mm throttle bodies for 2002. The injectors themselves and the fuel and ignition mapping have been changed to optimize throttle response. The cylinder heads have also been updated to improve performance. The twin, side-mounted radiators now feature electronic fans to improve cooling. The RC51 is another in the Honda sportbike lineup that went on a diet. Eight pounds have been shaved from the bike's dry weight. A significant change to the chassis comes via a lengthening of the wheelbase by almost a half of an inch to help improve rear-wheel traction. That chassis is also more rigid than the previous version. The RC51 has new wheels, redesigned brakes, a taller windscreen and fairings, plus a long list of other modifications to improve the bike for 2002. Another category that's making a resurgence in popularity is the sport-touring segment. Honda's STIIOO was iotroduced in 199.1, and not a lot has changed on the bike since then - until now. Finally, after a 12-year wait, Honda has completely redesigned the bike, and renamed it the STI300/STI300ABS. The name change is due to the significant engine changes, namely a displacement increase to 1261cc. It's still a longitudinally mounted 90-degree V-four, but it's all new. It now features Honda's latest fuel-injection system with 36mm throttle bodies, combined with their new injectors that feature 12 laser-drilled fuel jet holes for an ultra-fine fuel mist. The engine has two gear-driven counterbalancers to eliminate vibration. The crankshaft has been lowered in the crankcase by 20mm to keep the center of gravity lower, for improved handling. The STIIOO's belt-driven cams are trashed in favor of new silent-type chain-driven cams, which allow the engine to be 10mm shorter. The chassis is all-new as well, with an all-new aluminum frame that is 16.5pounds lighter than the frame on the STl1 00. The swingarm is also a new design; it is now made out of aluminum instead of steel, saving 1.9 pounds. Virtually every other component on the bike is brand new, including the entire braking system, which features Honda's Linked Braking System (LBS), and optional ABS. The wheels and brakes are also considerably lighter, which reduces unsprung weight for much better handling. The touring features have not been overlooked on the ST1300 by any means, and it features a nice list of amenities. The first is the adjustable seat, which can be adjusted into three positions, with a 1.2-inch range in seat height, and can also be adjusted horizontally by one inch. The bike features a new motor-driven windscreen that offers 7.4 inches and 13-degrees of adjustability. The all-new detachable and lockable saddlebags hold 35 liters each (enough for a full-face helmet). The bodywork has been updated considerably, which means it no longer looks like a refugee from the late eighties/early nineties. III U C •• n. _ S • OCTOBER 3. 2001 17