2016 INTERMOT - 2017 Honda CBR1000RR SP Breaks Cover

While the 2016 INTERMOT motorcycle show witnessed many new launches, most of the two-wheeler enthusiasts were waiting with baited breath for one particular bike - the 2017 Honda CBR1000RR. Leaked pictures of the motorcycle undergoing testing just a month ahead of the official debut meant that there was lot of curiosity surrounding the legendary litre-class flagship from Honda. And, now that it's unveiled, it’s kind of a mixed emotion with the new motorcycle. As rumoured before, the 2017 Honda CBR1000RR is much lighter than its predecessor and more powerful too. Putting that in numbers, the CBR1000RR SP which was showcased is 15kg lighter (197kg kerb weight) and almost 12PS more powerful, with the power figures now standing at 190PS at 12,5000rpm and 111Nm of torque at 10,500rpm.

This results in an impressive 14 per cent increase in the power-to-weight ratio compared to its predecessor. The weight reduction was made possible by employing magnesium engine covers and titanium for the muffler and fuel tank. The chassis, though, is the same as the old bike but it has been tweaked for better performance while the swingarm has been stiffened up. The Honda CBR1000RR SP edition also gets top-spec cycle parts like Ohlins semi-active suspension and Brembo brakes. 

The biggest chink in the armour of the CBR1000RR was that compared to the sophisticated and comprehensive electronic aids offered by its European and Japanese rivals the Honda had started to seem distinctly old. However, that has changed with the arrival of the SP! It gets loaded with multi-level traction control system, five-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU), engine brake conrol,Ride by Wire, and three ride modes. The new Fireblade also gets Rear Lift Control (RLC) to help keep the rear end under control when braking hard, similar to the MV Agusta F4R, and cornering ABS is standard. Other goodies include standard quickshifter for clutchless upshifts and there’s also Downshift Assist – and auto-blipper – for clutchless downshifts.

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The styling of the bike, though, isn’t too different from the last generation bike, although it is visually sharper and sportier-looking. The twin-headlamp design has been retained but it now gets LED lamps while the exhaust muffler is a traditional unit as opposed to the underbelly one, to make the bike Euro 4 emission norm compliant. The 2017 Honda CBR1000RR SP also sports a TFT dash that automatically adjusts to ambient light. It displays information like riding modes, power settings, HSTC (Honda Selectable Torque Control), traction control and more. There is also circuit mode which adds a lap timer, number of laps and difference from the best lap, while Mechanic mode displays the digital tacho, gear position, grip angle, coolant temperature and battery voltage.

Honda also unveiled the limited edition CBR1000RR SP2 which is more suited for track racing. The new motorcycle features larger valves and lighter Marchesini wheels that are made from forged aluminium as differentiating factors to the standard SP variant. Honda hasn’t announced pricing for the 2017 CBR1000RR SP and the SP2 but we can expect them to be out by early 2017 when deliveries will begin. An entry-level spec similar to the Yamaha R1S is also expected to join the new Fireblade family next year. We can expect the Japanese two-wheeler giant to bring the 2017 CBR1000RR SP by mid-2017 in India via the CBU route.