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/1294978
2021 HONDA CBR1000RR-R FIREBLADE SP R I D E R E V I E W P86 When compared back-to-back, you can detect the DNA-link between the two bikes but the 2021 is much more purpose built. I rather like the ride position of the old bike, given that the pegs are a bit lower, the ride position a little more relaxed. The 2021 model's peg-to-seat distance was too short for my 6'1" frame, simply as I have longer legs than in rela- tion to my torso. It's nothing a set of rearsets won't fix. The 2020 bike is, dare I say, quite easy to ride. It also feels lazier, in everything from cornering to acceleration and especially braking. And that, let me tell you, is a good thing. That shows Honda is on the right path with the 2021 machine. We'll start with the motor, and unfor- tunately, there's an issue BMW is well familiar with. The emissions police have sunk their teeth into the new Fireblade, which has dulled the bottom-end power delivery. Coming out of the second-gear left hander at the back of the pits (turn 11) and nailing the throttle at 7000 rpm was met with delinquency, as the motor labored past the 7-8500 rpm flat spot. Once clear, the motor ripped through the remaining 5000 or so rpm like it was child's play. It's a great shame this is the case, and, to be fair, it's not Honda's fault. The emissions police are not just after C02's. Noise is now taking almost as much precedent, especially intake noise (to be fair, both intake and exhaust noise are err, rather loud on the new CBR). However, you can tell the engine has good bones. Once the motor is cleared of all that crap and tuned by some skilled hands, this thing will be an absolute rocket on the racetrack. On the plus side for the street bike, at least, is a beautiful throttle response, at either low or high rpm. You should ride the new CBR like a supersport bike (at least in emissions form), keeping the revs up and the motor spinning hard. Do that, and you've got power to burn with a velvet-glove touch, matched to one of the sweetest, most direct quickshifter gear- shifts I've ever seen on a production motorcycle. Another area the 2021 bike dominates is the chassis. It's simply on another level compared to the 2020 CBR, which in itself was no slouch in the corners. The 2021 will go from upright to full lean in the blink of an eye, and once it's there, the motor- cycle offers vastly better side-of-the-tire feel and feedback. The second generation Ohlins electronic suspension is a big improvement over the first gen stuff on the 2020, although I'll admit to not being that surprised to their abilities given, I've spent some decent time on them with the new Panigale. This suspension, combined with that excellent throttle response and the supreme grip from the Pire- lli Supercorsa SP rubber, allows you to dial in more and more throttle earlier and earlier in the corner, constantly urging you to max out acceleration drive. You get six options of dash with the new Fireblade.