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/1498309
RIDE REVIEW I 2023 HONDA CBR1000RR-R SP FIREBLADE 30TH ANNIVERSARY P104 On the racetrack, you've got to keep the revs above the 8000-rpm range to achieve maximum performance, which, given the short-stroke nature of the motor, is not that hard. This engine loves seeing the redline and lives above 12,000 rpm levels. You've got an exceptionally nice up-and-down quickshifter at your disposal, par for the course, really, with a bike as expensive as this, and it makes getting the gearchanges done and out of the way before corner entry a pleasure as the auto-blipper takes care of everything. There are no heated grips or cruise control on the CBR, which is a shame for road riders but two fewer things the racers will have to take off when the mods come. Normally I'd bitch on about that, but I go back to the point I made at the beginning that this is the most racer-with- lights bike coming out of Europe, and Honda's WorldSBK riders Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge ain't worried about cruise control. I give the CBR back to American Honda feeling a little perplexed. This is, without doubt, the sharpest Fireblade yet made (they were called "Fireblade" from day one in 1992 everywhere except North America until 2021), but it's absolutely lost some of its street manners in the process. Some riders will think this is a good thing— if you want a street sports bike, Honda still makes and sells the old 2017-2020 edition badged as a 2023 CBR1000RR for almost half the price—so the Big H hasn't totally left traffic light warriors in a lurch. I think the SP is by far the prettiest of all the current 1000s you can buy, save for perhaps the BMW M 1000 RR and that alone is worth the purchase consideration. If racing is your jam, the CBR is one of the finest bikes out there. It's short, tight and nimble, and with a motor redline riders will ab - solutely love. However, as a sports motorcycle for the street, the SP is just too sharp for my liking. Man, I feel old just writing that. CN 2023 HONDA CBR1000RR-R FIREBLADE SP ($28,900) ENGINE: Inline-4-cylinder 4-stroke COOLING: Liquid FUELING: EFI DISPLACEMENT: 999cc BORE X STROKE: 81 x 48.5mm POWER (CLAIMED): 186 hp @ 12,000 rpm TORQUE (CLAIMED): 83 lb-ft @ 11,000 pm TRANSMISSION: 6-speed CLUTCH: Wet multi-disc CHASSIS: Twin-spar aluminum FRONT SUSPENSION: Ohlins NPX 43mm telescopic fork w/ Electronic Control (S-EC) REAR SUSPENSION: Pro-Link system; single Ohlins shock w/ Electronic Control (S-EC) FRONT-WHEEL TRAVEL: 4.9 in. REAR-WHEEL TRAVEL: 5.6 in. FRONT BRAKE: Dual 330mm discs, Brembo Stylema 4-piston radial-mount hydraulic calipers; ABS REAR BRAKE: Single 220mm disc, Brembo hydraulic calipers; ABS FRONT TIRE: 120/70 ZR17 in. REAR TIRE: 200/55 ZR17 in. SEAT HEIGHT: 32.6 in. WHEELBASE: 57.3 in. RAKE: 24° TRAIL: 4.0 in. FUEL CAPACITY: 4.3 gal. WEIGHT (CURB, CLAIMED): 443 lbs. S P E C I F I C AT I O N S