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/1433357
FEATURE I 2021 EICMA MILAN MOTORCYCLE SHOW P64 HONDA CBR1000RR-R FIREBLADE SP 30TH ANNIVERSARY Honda has just unveiled a stunning tribute to its most famous motorcycle, with the 2022 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP also coming in a limited-edition 30th Anniversary color scheme. Draped in the beautiful brushstroke tri-color of the original 1992 missile that redefined the su- perbike sector, the 30th Anniversary version isn't any different, mechanically speaking, to the 2022 CBR but, who cares when it looks this good? At this stage, we must stress that this is a European-spec model, and no word yet has come from American Honda on whether it'll make it here (but we can always dream). Like the base Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP, the 30th Anniversary will get updates to the traction control and ride-by-wire throttle, as well as a reduction in the final drive by going up a sizeable three teeth on the rear sprocket to help the Blade leap out of corners faster. There are also changes to the intake ports, airbox and fun- nels, and a new exhaust. The brakes get a new surface finish on the Nissin caliper pistons to improve braking perfor- mance and consistency in race conditions, and there's a new quickshifter. There's been a bit of a retro theme going on of late, with Kawasaki giving Jonathan Rea a ZXR750 replica paint job for Argentina this year and now this Blade from Honda. What's next? Hypercolor T-shirts? 2022 KAWASAKI NINJA H2 SX SE The big news is the H2 SX SE is the first Japa- nese machine to come with radar technology. In a similar vein to what we saw on the Ducati Multistrada V4 S and BMW R 18 Transcontinen- tal, the H2 SX SE gets Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Blind Spot Detection (BSD) as part of the new Advanced Rider Assist System (ARAS). Also new is a massive 6.5-inch TFT with a new smartphone infotainment app called SPIN that allows you to download third-party applica- tions (like Spotify) and mirror them on the dash. Other electronic upgrades include a new tire-pressure-monitoring system, Ve- hicle Hold Assist (VHA), USB power outlet, grip heaters, remote key fob, settings for the Kawasaki Electronic Control Suspension (KECS) and a new Bosch 10.3ME ABS IMU. As for the guts of the bike, the motor re- ceives new cam timing, it has a new exhaust muffler, the second-gear cog has had the number of teeth reduced to help with meshing, and the hydraulic-clutch-fluid volume has been changed to give improved feel at the lever and improve the release. The styling has also come in for a once-over, with a new top fairing and side cowls, LED headlight with cornering lights, mirrors, and the trick Kawasaki supercharged emblems, all costing $27,500 MSRP.