2017 HONDA CBR1000RR AND CBR1000RR SP
FIRST TEST
P68
It's 2.9 miles of racetrack that
is never flat and only straight for
about five seconds on a CBR—
Portimao is a supreme test of
braking ability, front end compli-
ance, acceleration performance
and, crucially, electronics.
Before we start, I will let you
know, dear reader, that this CBR
article cannot be expressed as
just a ride and tech presenta-
tion. The electronics govern this
bike to such a degree they will
have their own section, because
it's much more than just an
electronic steering damper and
traction control. Even the lingo
has changed. It requires extra
consideration.
Okay, we good? First up, a
good ol' ride impression.
We had two bikes to play with—
the base-model CBR fitted with
Bridgestone S21 sport track tires,
and the SP fitted with Bridges-
tone V02 slicks. Normally the SP
will receive Bridgestone RS10s
but Honda chose to throw slicks
on for our track day to try and
explore the outer limits of the Oh-
lins Smart EC Suspension that's
exclusive the SP and SP2.
I was first out on the base
model CBR and the initial feel
was like meeting a buddy for
the first time in a few years who
has spent almost every waking
second at the gym. The CBR still
retained the same compact feel
but dimensionally it was far slim-
mer across the front of the fairing,
tank and seat, although the pegs
are still a touch too high and my
knees were a bit cramped. It's
still a small bike, regardless of
that 1000cc badge on the fairing.
The CBR felt like the old bike,
just better. The rake and trail fig-
ures are unchanged at 23°/3.8
inches, and the Showa Big Piston
Fork was carried over from the
2016 model and provided excel-
lent feel under braking and initial
cornering on track. Portimao
isn't the bumpiest of places so
it's hard to comment as to the
damping characteristics for street
riding, but at a reasonable track
pace the fork has a predictable
performance that should suit a
wide variety of riders. Go racing,
however, and you'll want to stiffen
it up, pronto.
The CBR turns beautifully and
with a far reduced effort from the
rider. The frame and swingarm
itself is marginally lighter but
overall, the lack of weight overall
hits you in the face like the smell
of old fish and you can throw the
CBR from side to side like the
600cc bike bearing the same
name. You can change lines
midcorner much faster and easier
than the old bike and the CBR
still retains that forgiving nature,
the same stability that made the
old bike a contender way past its
The all new dash is
very easy to read and
understand. This is the
SP, as highlighted by the
M2 (meaning Mode 2,
Manual suspension) on
the bottom left.
cont. on page 70
