Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP Review (2020)

"Honda have opened a brilliant new chapter in its Fireblade history. This CBR-1000RR-R SP is an overwhelming success and should make for some interesting head-to-head tests alongside the Ducati Panigale V4S and BMW’s S1000RR. Throw in the R1M and RSV4 1100 Factory too and, despite the lowly sales figures for such machines, we are blessed to be in a golden era of outrageous sports bikes."

Content Highlights: 

• Price & Power
• Video - press launch (Qatar)
• Video - road/track/dyno (UK)
• On Track (CBR1000RR-R vs SP)
• On Dyno
• On Road (CBR1000RR-R vs SP)
• Rivals & Verdict
• Specifications

INTRODUCTION 

Ever since its inception in 1992, Honda’s Fireblade has been the go-to superbike for road riders wanting smooth, refined performance and stereotypical Japanese reliability rather than out-and-out thug-like performance. But that’s all changing for 2020 as Honda is opening a whole new chapter in its Book of Fireblade with an all-new design that offers more horsepower than any of its direct rivals. It’s the first properly new Fireblade since 2008.

The completely redesigned Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade and CBR1000RR-R SP Fireblade – yes those really are their full titles - are the latest headliners to come from the Kumamoto factory in Japan, and they have been heavily influenced by the RC213V-S, the road-going version of the firm’s MotoGP bike, which we rode at the launch back in 2015, as well as HRC – the racing arm of the company.

<< Click here for a look back at the Fireblade’s history >>

Significantly, we’re looking at a massive overhaul with a new chassis, engine, electronics and aerodynamics and some massive power claims as a result. Never has the motorcycling world sat up and paid so much attention to a forthcoming Fireblade as now, particularly since the new Honda adopts the latest fashion accessory for 200bhp+ machines: aerodynamic appendages. Integrated wings make their Honda road bike debut, and look far more stylishly put together than those of rivals as opposed to stuck-on afterthoughts. Their 1000cc engine has been largely untouched since making its debut in 2008 but courtesy of the project team who had previously been responsible for the 2002 RC211V and the aforementioned RC213V-S, the 2020 ‘blade is now completely revised and packed with an abundance of horses, torque and electronics, all sophisticatedly packaged together to chaperone the rider with circuit-blitzing speed.

When I interviewed the bike’s Project Leader, Yuzuru Ishikawa, after the unveil, he admitted winning races is the “number one priority” with the 2020 Fireblade, a competitor in production-based series such as World Superbikes, British Superbikes and the Endurance World Championship which includes the Suzuka 8 hours, an extremely important race to all Japanese manufacturers.

The Honda WSB and BSB riders might be licking their lips but how does a high revving motor like this translate to day-to-day road use? The International Press Launch was held at the Losail Circuit in Qatar, home to the first round of the MotoGP calendar since 2008, with four lengthy sessions on the slick Pirelli tyre-shod SP, under the guidance of 3 x World Champion, Freddie Spencer, and Honda's latest BSB recruit, Glenn Irwin. The UK’s first road test will have to wait…

Above: working the angles

2020 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP Price

On the road, the standard 2020 Fireblade weighs in at £19,999 while the SP model is £3,500 more at £23,499 slotting in between the Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory (£22,399) and the 2020 Ducati Panigale V4S (£24,795).

The same two colour options are available on both models; Grand Prix Red or Pearl Motion Black. The biggest differences between the standard CBR1000RR-R and the SP model are the Ohlins suspension, as opposed to Showa, Brembo brakes on the front rather than Nissin, a lithium-ion battery and quickshifter.

If you’d rather look at monthly payments on a PCP deal for the SP model then an example offer looks like this:

Power and torque

The claimed figures are barely believable from a company that gave us 189bhp from their new headline sports bike just three years ago. Fast forward to 2020 and 214.56bhp (160Kw) @ 14,500rpm represents a huge 13% increase, and what’s more, we’re looking at a 10bhp peak power advantage over any inline four-cylinder rival. Peak torque is 113Nm (83.35lbft) @ 12,500rpm.

Here’s a stat; the power-to-weight ratio of the 2020 Fireblade is 79.5% higher than the 1992 CBR900R. On paper, the motor is pure racing but chassis and electronics are more road-oriented. If you need your bike up at 10,000rpm before it feels like it’s working then the Sunday blast or trip to Tesco could be both fearsome and a little law-breaking. It’s not like a V4 nor does it variable valve timing.

Ishikawa was quick to recognise the importance of the HRC (Honda Racing Corporation) association with this project, “The involvement has been very strong especially on the engine technology. So, getting this new power figure from the engine is all thanks to the cooperation with the HRC guys, so that has been a big impact on the development,” he said. Interestingly, despite the power figure dominating all competitors, it wasn’t Honda’s original intention, with the Fireblade boss stating, “We did have a number at the start which is less than the number we ended up with!” 

Compared to a Panigale or S1000RR, the new Honda is right up there. The throttle connection and power delivery is as smooth as a hot knife wrapped in silk through hot butter, and linear too, but it needs to be revved hard and high to get the most from the redeveloped motor. Looking at the dyno graph in the press pack and the 2020 model makes no more power than the 2017 bike below 11,000rpm but above that is where the motor keeps pulling hard until 14,500rpm peak power mark... it feels faster below 11k rpm than the graph suggests, perhaps that's down to the upgraded electronics, aero, suspension, etc. which make the bike seem quicker. Once we get it on the dyno and compare to the 2017 bike, we'll report back.

Engine, gearbox and exhaust

They say: the 1000cc inline four-cylinder engine is completely new and designed with heavy input from the HRC MotoGP development program. The 2020 RR-R model has the same 81mm bore and 48.5mm stroke as the RC213V, an impressive increase over the 76 x 55.1mm of the previous design, and now the largest bore size of any inline four 1000cc motorbike. It also features a semi-cam gear train, finger-follower rocker arms, titanium con-rods, RC213V-S internal friction reduction technologies, piston jets with check ball system and a built-in bottom bypass passage for the cylinder water jacket.

A ram-air duct in the front fairing tip feeds through the headstock directly into the air box, thanks in part to the lack of ignition barrel which in turn is because the ignition is now keyless. The 4-2-1 exhaust downpipes are ovalised and the end-can has been developed in conjunction with Akrapovic. The new compact, lightweight titanium end can features a valve which helps to deliver low-rpm torque which then opens for high rpm power. It even reduces noise when closed.

The valve train is driven by a new (patent pending) semi-cam gear train system. To drive such high-rpm/high-cam lift performance the chain is driven from the timing gear located on the crank shaft via the cam idle gear – this makes it shorter in length.

The smaller dimensions of the new engine, rather than a V4 layout, has allowed Honda to redesign the chassis for high speed steering, stability under braking and acceleration and front end feel/grip. And, for the first time since the late 90s, the rear of the engine block now acts as the upper shock mount.

We say: The most powerfully naturally aspirated, production inline four is a corker but that power figure that hit the headlines back in November 2019 comes way up in the range of its high revving heart – from around 11,000rpm. Don’t get me wrong, there’s plenty of clout to keep your mind bent below that threshold but 11-13k rpm is the optimal place to be, and it sounds mega up there too. The 2017 model was no slouch but the reinvention of the Fireblade has longer gears resulting in the tendency to hold on to the revs for a lot longer and being less fatigued by constant changing. Even on Qatar’s 1km long start/finish straight I didn’t use 6^th gear once during our four sessions yet still achieved 299kph (185mph). Firing out of the final and long, second-geared, mid-pace corner and the beauty was that you’re not fighting to change up while the bike is still getting upright. It’s scaling through the speedo faster than you count, swallowing air through the fist-sized duct in the nose cone with a whistling induction noise that might as well be shouting ‘yeeeeeee-haaaaawwww’. Visually you’ve got lights across the top of the dash to indicate when an upshift is required, the rev counter homing in that optimal 13,000rpm line or audibly with the barky and rather clever Akrapovic exhaust as it gather pace at quite a rate of knots.

Engine braking is controlled by the 6-axis IMU, more on that later, and is interchangeable through its three options of intervention, ‘1’ being the strongest braking and therefore a pre-set for Rain mode. On track and the system works in unison with a superbly accurate gearbox that can be punished without flinching. On the approach to turn one and it’s down three gears as easy as you like with a precise and short throw of the quickshifter. Holding a steady speed through the constant radius, elbow-down, right-hander, the grumbling from the motor and its titanium outlet give an animalistic sense that your steed is ready and set to sling you to the next braking zone. Up the ‘box and the ignition cut is barely noticeable nor is any deviation in the pitch of the bike. It’s just power, power, power. While 214.56bhp is the claimed figure, I won’t be the only one desperate to see how the bike performs on the dyno and what the rear wheel figure will be. Havier Beltran, Team Manager of Honda’s BSB and TT efforts, gave me a wry smile when I asked him. Of course he wasn’t going to give the game away but he looked rather pleased.

Now, none of us here have Marc Marquez’s ability, and that begs the question of its road-based prowess, why so high revving? Well, the outgoing ‘blade was a very capable road bike on the road but, as we’ve already said, Honda are out for race wins and more track use from their customers. They set their stall out with the big power claims but the whole package works so well as a performance bike. Does any of that need to translate to road use? Of course, why would it be a production bike and not a homologation special. Once we get it on the UK roads we’ll find out.

Above: a beautiful looking machine that has the ability to match

2020 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP Economy

The claimed economy figure is 46.2mpg which, according to my maths, equates to a 160-mile range from the 16.1 litre tank. Although that’s hard to test when on track which has plenty of full throttle areas and while trying to a professional BSB rider in my sights.

Handling, Suspension and Weight

2020 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP Brakes

They say: New Brembo Stylema four-piston radial mount brake calipers are operated by a Brembo master cylinder and brake lever. They now grip 10mm larger, 330mm diameter discs; the 5mm disc thickness also dissipates heat more efficiently. The rear brake caliper is the same Brembo unit used by the RC213V-S.

Rear lift control and ABS-managed brake force relative to lean angle were a feature of the previous design. For the CBR1000RR-R the system gains two switchable modes; SPORT mode focuses on road-riding performance, with high brake force and less pitching, while TRACK mode offers performance in braking from much higher circuit speeds.

We say: The Stylema calipers from Brembo can now be found on several latest gen sports bikes and there’s a very good reason for that. The progressive yet powerful performance almost takes any requirement for ABS out of the equation. The Honda engineer responsible for the brakes asked at lunchtime how I felt about the ABS. My reply was simple; despite being a hard braker, I had zero intervention that I could feel, and therefore I congratulated the engineer. Even at the end of the session I felt no fading nor was the lever coming back to the bar. It’s nice to be able to put so much confidence in a system designed to reduce speeds of 300kph to 100kph in little more than 250 metres. Trail braking into several Losail corners is necessary because of the late apexes and this gave me plenty of opportunity to feel comfortable with the stability of the bike both under hard braking in a straight line but also while tipping into a corner. The Track riding mode has a setting of ‘1’ for engine braking meaning it offers the least assistance of engine braking, so with that plus the Ohlins braking assistance, the slowing down of the Fireblade in a controlled manner isn’t a job just left to the pads and discs.

Rider aids and electronics

They say: Throttle-by-wire is optimised for faster response through a range of part throttle applications and improved feel. Three default riding modes plus options to customise Power (x5), Engine Brake (x3) and Wheelie control (x3 plus off). Honda Selectable Torque Control gains slip rate control for smooth torque management over 9 levels, plus off. Start Mode, aka launch control and quickshifter standard fitment.

A new 6-axis Bosch IMU is the brains behind the calculations of bike behaviour and is responsible for the torque control, wheelie control, cornering and rear-lift reducing ABS (two modes) as well as the electronic steering damper and the Ohlins suspension. The bike is also keyless with its ignition located on the left side of the head stock; push the button to switch her on and twist it to turn cut the ignition.

We say: The very easy-to-read 5” colour TFT screen has excellent resolution and is legible even in bright sunlight and plays host to all those electronic options plus all the usual spread of information and is operated via a 4-way switch on the left bar. It’ll take time to get used to the configurations as well as selecting your favourite from the six style options. Thankfully the riding modes has its own designated button. Oh, and yes, the horn button is still in the wrong place!

We’ve touched on the array of electronics that come packed into the 2020 Fireblade SP and it makes you wonder where all the wires are. It’s such a neat package, even over the handlebars that high praise for the attention to detail must be offered.

Nine setting of torque control may seem a little overbearing especially when alongside so many other electronically controlled options but overall, the full suite is there to offer the rider the very best and safest experience for any riding situation. It’s an incredibly complex and exquisite system made relatively easy to understand and operate via the dash. On track and even with minimum intervention (without turning things off), I still felt brave thanks to its flattery. Pushing a bike harder at lean or under braking has rarely felt this achievable and it will make riders feel a little more daring in their lap time pursuit. Even wheelie control is a hoot – with first gear being so tall and there’s a snappy blast of it around 6,000rpm you can still achieve a nicely controlled floater, although realistically it’s designed to allow for a little lift under full acceleration without affecting drive.

While a USB socket is available as an accessory, the likes of heated grips and cruise control, that are standard on the BMW S1000RR, aren’t here nor are they on the Ducati or Yamaha. Like I said, this is a track bike with lights, indicators and a tail tidy.

2020 Honda CBR1000RR-R - On Track in the UK (CBR1000RR-R vs CBR1000RR-R SP)

The beautifully smooth and wide Grand Prix circuit of Qatar with its immense 1km long straight for the press launch was both a distant memory and a stark contrast to the twist, turns, lumps and bumps of the narrow ribbon of tarmac that cascades through the Lincolnshire hills, also known as Cadwell Park. I employed a local farmer to demonstrate just what this motorcycle has to offer on one of the countries least forgiving and physically demanding tracks. At the time of recording the video, Honda Racing’s Tom Neave was leading the British Superstock championship (though he’d eventually finish 2^nd in the title table once the season finished) and despite confessing to have never ridden any road-going motorcycle before, he turned into the ideal guinea pig for the stock bike vs SP test. With his race experience, circuit knowledge plus complete road bike novice-ness, 25-year old Neave was charged with riding each bike to focus on suspension settings and other electronically-adjustable components.

The riding mode parameters are fairly alien to Neave because, a) his race bike runs kit electronics, and b) he has a man to press laptop buttons if he needs more or less wheelie control, for example. However, after a couple of sessions, the Fireblade SP’s tricky-to-understand switchgear gets a tinkering as he leaves power in ‘1’ – the most powerful setting, obviously. Traction control and wheelie control are both turned off particularly with the infamous Mountain in mind. Engine braking was causing chatter at the rear on track so it was dialled as low as possible. Road bikes have soft suspension as a rule compared to race bikes because they have to deal with road imperfections, so Neave tightened the front compression to maximum, and left the rebound at 50% plus rear compression and rebound in the factory settings of 50%/85%/70% respectively. The quickshifter has two settings too leaving a softer change for the road but a faster and more positive change (with less ignition cut) is meant for the track. All of which takes the SP closer to his race bike.

After a full day on track, Neave said, “The beauty of the SP is the ability to play with the different suspension settings and I noticed a massive difference between them. I set-up the manual pre-set rider modes with the hardest we could make the suspension and then another one with the softest and because you can change them on the fly, it made such a difference. The SP feels so similar to the bike I race - the seating position, handlebar position and the chassis – stick me some SC1’s on and I’d not be too far away (from the lap time)!”

One of the more surprising elements of the day was the percentage of the lap spent in first gear. As we’ve already documented, first is particularly tall while sixth is redundant on track, so on the approach down the hill into the left-hander known as Mansfield it’s down to bottom gear and there you should remain through the chicane, mountain, hall bends and old hairpin, probably even Barn corner too. And the bike is more than comfortable in first gear, there’s no hideous snatchy on-throttle action, nor big off-throttle jolt to contend with just smooth yet fast-actioned acceleration and when peeling out of Barn and onto the short start/finish straight you can pin the throttle, fight to breath and feel the barrow-load of adrenaline scorching through your veins. The Fireblade is certainly at home on the circuit.

2020 Honda CBR1000RR-R - Dyno Performance

A peak power outlay of 214.56bhp or 160Kw at 14,500rpm – yep fourteen-and-a-half-thousand rpm (can you imagine what that sounds like in your helmet?) is a massive increase on the outgoing model but, as we’ve already alluded to, 10bhp more than any other inline four. It’s higher than the Ducati Panigale V4 and Aprilia’s RSV4 1100 Factory, both with higher displacements too but how does it perform on a dynamometer. Off to BSD Performance Engineering in Eye, just outside Peterborough, we went. Just with the CBR-1000RR-R though, after all the only difference between it and the SP is suspension, brakes and quick shifter-oriented and none of those will make a difference in outright power.

With 1600-miles on the clock, the Fireblade is nicely run in and loosened up so five or six runs on the dyno will give a nicely balanced average result, according to BSD technician, Andrew Cartledge.

The top speed limiter would kick in in both 6^th and even 5^th gear, so Andrew choses 4^th which also has no problem achieving the 186mph limited top speed but has less of sudden limit as it gets there.

RESULTS

• Max Power: 199.76bhp @ 13,900rpm (claimed: 214.56bhp @ 14,500rpm)
• Max Torque: 78.96 ft-lbs @12,500rpm (claimed: 83.35ft-lbs @ 12,500rpm)

2020 Honda CBR1000RR-R - On Road

The track is where the Fireblade is most comfortable, it’s the environment where it can demonstrate its competency and Honda made no secret of their KPI during the 2020 machine’s development. However, for all the gains Big H has made on the circuit, what about the its road worthiness? Does it comply, do you even need 2^nd – 6^th gears? Is it in anyway comfortable for more 10 miles? I invited seasoned road tester and regular BikeSocial contributor, Adam ‘Chad’ Child, along who’d ridden every incarnation of the Fireblade since it arrived on our shores but neither of these two new versions.

As is the case on track, first gear is just as convenient on road too and the connection is smooth enough to make a big difference to an otherwise unnatural way of riding, there’s no vagueness to the throttle feel, no buckaroo-style embarrassment as you roll-on nor screen head-butting as you roll-off. Who’d have thought after 15-years of riding that first could be so handy.

Away from the super smooth circuits of Asia and Lincolnshire, and our focus had to be with its road performance and suitability, which boil down to two key areas; tractability of that engine and rider comfort, which includes the electronics. Price is subjective, so £23k may seem excessive to some, others may feel as though it represents great value.

The semi-active modes on the SP are simple to flick between even on the fly – convenient for those rides containing alternate road surfaces - and even easier to understand; the smoothest setting offers a lot more travel so on the bumpier road the rear would extend over the bumps but that means it’s still on its way back up as you hit the next bump.  By flicking into the medium setting (Sport), which is a big step in comfort, the bike becomes more composed. It’s very similar to the default setting on the standard bike too. Back on the SP and the next step, into the hardest mode (Track), results in less of a difference but the bike becomes a little nervous when you’re faced with several bumps all in a row, skipping across them. So, best leave that one to the, er, track. The standard model’s all-around Showa suspension is hardly Tesco’s own brand-spec – it remains adjustable, although with actual tools, and fits the sporty nature of the bike offering a crisp ride full of real feel, similar to the ‘Sport’ setting of the SP.

The chassis and particularly front-end feel is the finest of any modern-day production bike. The confidence in its predictability and ease of turn exudes courtesy of the combined suspension, geometry, riding position, tyres, wheels and even aerodynamics package, it’s unbeatable… even when riding dressed in more ‘relaxed’ gear than one should perhaps be wearing with 200+bhp on tap.

Yes, you don’t need that much power on the road. That much is obvious and well documented, but manufacturers still compete for road supremacy as well as on the track – that’s where sales are made and the battle for top trumps-style victory reigns. When the previous Fireblade incarnation came to market at the beginning of 2017, the headlines were almost dedicated to its lack of outright horsepower despite the fact 189bhp was more than a realistic amount.

The Jekyll and Hyde-like character of the 2020 ‘blade, is all about low down vs high up in the revs. Smoothly applicated and driveable power by the bucket load but only after a little pause between seeking permission for the power and the power being granted, so it feels a little odd to have to knock down a gear to get all the Fireblade’s go. But once the Euro regulated first 5,000rpm are adhered too, its boom time. The ferocious exhaust noise once its valve is open and the induction sound as the bike fills its lungs before exhaling and sling-shotting you towards the red line. It’s certainly lively, and unquestionably aurally addictive.

Equally, when you arrive at the next village you slow it down, click up a gear to knock the revs down and the locals won’t be put off their tea and scones. Ideally for making friends with the neighbours and townsfolk.

As expected with Honda, the bike is well put together. The neat and tidy appearance is just as relevant to the cockpit where cables are tucked away, as it is with the subtlety of the aerodynamic wings.

For many years, the Fireblade has been the more sensible sportsbike of the pack but the 2020 version with its split personality still has a degree of sensibility but that’s now offset with a fabulous amount of crazy to boost its personality, effervescence and soul. Just like the V4’s and the crossplane R1, the Honda now has character and the performance to boot.

Rivals

Despite a scary drop in sales volumes over the last decade, manufacturers are still putting plenty of effort into their flagship sports stars. Each year the bhp figures edge higher and higher which in turn means the electronics guys and girls are forced to increase the sophistication in the components they are responsible for to keep everything on the ground, or at least under control.  Claimed figures are one consideration, certainly when it comes to headlines, but weight, price, comfort, performance, servicing, reliability and just how complex and refined those electronics are all have a part to play. Group test will offer a steer in terms of lap times or comfort over distance but ultimately, the decision is with those in charge of the wallet. Here’s a little taster of the main specification battles:

2020 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP Verdict

An achingly good, highly sophisticated, power-laden bike that every track-day rider should try. With dimensions akin to a 600 alongside an astonishing and rev-hungry engine plus a top-quality chassis, Honda have struck gold and the mantelpiece had better be clear for plenty of race winning trophies.

So suited to the track, the beautiful blend of smooth yet ruthless power, a slick gearbox, induction noise, growly exhaust, top-class brakes, suspension and chassis mixed with the electronic reins suitable for all riders makes for a hearty concoction. Add in some stylish aero and the 2020 Fireblade is a dream to ride… on the circuit. A slightly cramped peg-to-seat position, a screen that is ideal for your average sized 10-year old and long gearing won’t be ideal for the larger rider, back road partying or those keen on putting in some big road miles. Then again, there are some crazy dudes out there who might just call my bluff!

Nevertheless, Honda have opened a brilliant new chapter in its Fireblade history. This CBR-1000RR-R SP is an overwhelming success and should make for some interesting head-to-head tests alongside the Ducati Panigale V4S and BMW’s S1000RR. Throw in the R1M and RSV4 1100 Factory too and, despite the lowly sales figures for such machines, we are blessed to be in a golden era of outrageous sports bikes.

2020 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP – Technical Specification

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