VOLUME 57 ISSUE 40 OCTOBER 6, 2020 P85
BODYWORK
We're almost there, I promise.
Any manufacturer worth its salt in racing these
days needs wings, but it's not simply a case of
grafting them on the bike and going racing. You
need to homologate them, hence Ducati with its
wing setup and, well, almost everyone else.
Honda has now followed suit and delivered
bodywork with said wings, which deliver the same
downforce as Marc Marquez's 2018 racer but with
a smaller area (the Marquez 2018 RCV had long,
wide wings, almost like a handlebar moustache.
The CBR's wings are much neater).
As mentioned earlier, the gas tank cover is 1.8
inches lower than in 2020, plus there's a flatter
screen angle which is great for short riders, not
so great for taller riders.
Oh, and there's fancy new HRC-style colors, in
case you hadn't noticed those.
Right. Got all that? Let's go for a ride.
RIDING IMPRESSION
That's an absolute boatload of information to take
in with regards to a new motorcycle, but in prac-
tice, it all combines for a much more dynamic and,
let's face it, racier riding experience than in 2020
when we tested the new steed at Thunderhill in
Northern California.
The first thing you notice when climbing on
board the 2021 is the ergonomics. With that
lowered tank height and the peg position, you're
immediately put into that crouch-rocket stance that
feels almost awkward if you're not really going for it
with the throttle pinned.
The handlebar position is flatter and wider,
allowing for more leverage when cornering and
making it a little easier to tuck your torso under the
screen than the old bike.
Interestingly, Honda gave us the opportunity to
ride the 2020 CBR1000RR SP at the 2021 launch,
which is something manufacturers—let alone
Honda—never do. So, thanks, Honda. That was
nice of you.
P85
Love that new Brembo master-cylinder.
