This year the CBR1000RR super sports bike, popular for its high performance and stylish design, has undergone a full model change, featuring the latest in advanced technologies honed in Honda’s MotoGP (FIM* Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix) machines. The engine and frame construction have been changed along with the fairing design for weight reduction and greater concentration of mass.
This super sports model features a water-cooled, high-output 4-stroke, in-line 4-cylinder 1,000cc engine. For the new 2008 model, the number of components has been reduced to make the bike more compact, and the new lightweight, die-cast aluminum frame provides a smooth ride with just the right amount of rigidity. These and other modifications succeed in reducing overall vehicle weight by 6kg compared to the previous model. The rear swingarm has also been lengthened for improved road holding and increased rigidity, and a gull arm design adopted to secure greater freedom for muffler layout. The exhaust system is positioned under the pillion step to bring it closer to the bike’s center of gravity, with a short muffler that further contributes to the concentration of mass. This painstaking attention is to detail results in a highly sophisticated design. Other features that add to the bike appeal the motorcycle include the newly developed assist slipper clutch for easier clutch operation and an enhanced feeling of rider security thanks to the mitigation of abrupt engine braking during downshifting. The new model’s styling features compact front and rear fairing designed to present an image of extreme compactness, combined with mirrors with built-in turn signals to achieve a cool, aggressive look. Manufactured at Honda’s Hamamatsu Factory in Japan, it will be released successively in European markets.
