Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade unveiled at EICMA 2021

Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade design

The 2022 Fireblade has come a long way from a bug-eyed superbike of the 90s. Compared to the original, the Fireblade has gotten much more aggressive in its look. Design elements from Honda’s RC213V MotoGP machine have tricked down to the Fireblade, with winglets in the fairing present to increase downforce and improve braking stability. The Fireblade also gets three wings arranged in a vertical line inside both the left and right fairing ducts to improve the aero. The bike will be available in a Grand Prix Red color scheme which was first featured in 2020, now with a white number board at the front. The Fireblade also gets a higher-spec SP variant, and apart from some additional kit, the SP will also be offered in a limited-edition 30th Anniversary edition model. The Anniversary edition can be visually differentiated by its Tricolor HRC color scheme that harks back to the original, 30th anniversary edition logos on the fuel tank cover, a blue rear seat, a smart key fob and a unique serial number laser-engraved on the top yikes

Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade engine and chassis

Powering the road-rocket that is the Honda Fireblade is a 1000cc inline four which features plenty of inputs from the HRC MotoGP program. The engine produces a peak power of 215bhp at 14,500rpm and the peak torque is 112Nm, coming in at 12,500rpm. To ensure the engine now breathes better, the slash-cut air intake between the headlamps has been reworked with shorter funnels for the #2 and #3 cylinders. This engine is mated to a six-speed transmission with a quickshifter being optional. One of the criticisms of the older Fireblade, the overly-tall gearing, have been addressed in the 2022 edition, with the rear sprocket growing in size by three more teeth to 43 teeth. This has shortened the gearing and will likely improve the real-world performance and acceleration. The engine and gearbox continue to be packaged in an aluminum diamond-style main frame as before, with the wheelbase of the Fireblade going up by 5mm to 1460mm. The superbike is equipped with Showa’s 43mm Big Piston Fork (BPF) at the front, along with a Showa Balance Free Rear Cushion Lite (BFRC-L). You also have a 330mm disc up front with a 4-piston Nissin caliper for braking duties, while a 220mm disc with a 2-piston Brembo caliper is present at the rear.This is for the standard Fireblade however, with the higher-spec SP variant getting semi-active Ohlins suspension along with Brembo Stylema brakes.