2017 Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade Launched In India

Honda superbike fans it’s time to rejoice! The next-generation of the hallowed CBR1000RR has been launched in the Indian market. The 2017 Honda CBR1000RR has been priced at Rs 17.61 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). Honda has also introduced the Honda CBR1000RR SP variant also but the company hasn’t divulged price figures, but we expect the bike to carry a premium in the range of Rs 2.5 lakh and Rs 3 lakh over the standard Fireblade. Bookings for both the motorcycles have started at Honda’s exclusive Wing World dealerships located in Mumbai & Delhi. Both the bikes have been brought as Completely Built Units (CBUs) in India.

2017 Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade

The standard Honda CBR1000RR was unveiled at the 2016 EICMA motorcycle show. Although, visually, the new bike doesn't seem to be different from the older motorcycle, Honda claims that the 2017 CBR1000RR is almost 90 per cent different from its predecessor. Engineers have worked hard to reduce the kerb weight by a massive 15kg. This has resulted in the power to weight ratio increasing by 14 per cent. Power rating for the new motorcycle now stands at 191PS which is a bump of 11PS and peak torque stands at 115Nm. 

The biggest update on the new motorcycle is the introduction of electronic aids. The 2017 Honda CBR1000RR features a 5-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) that manages the ABS system, 9-level Honda Selectable Torque Control traction control (HSTC), Throttle By Wire (TBW), Rear Lift Control (RLC) and Wheelie Control. And there’s more - three ride modes (Street, Circuit and Mechanic), five levels of power delivery and three levels of engine braking control. As you figured out, Honda made sure that even if they were late to join the electronic wizardry party, they made a banging entry. Moreover, the all-LED treatment to the headlight makes it looks cool. 

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It gets equipped with full-colour TFT display even in the entry-level model. The frame has been made lighter to improve handling dynamics, while it also sports Honda Electronic Steering Damper (HESD). The 2017 Honda CBR1000RR gets equipped with Showa 43mm Big Piston Fork and a monoshock unit does duty at back. Retardation is offered by Tokico radially mounted four-piston brake calipers instead of Brembo units, while the aluminium wheels feature a Y-shape design. The 2017 Honda CBR1000RR will compete against the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R, Yamaha R1, BMW S 1000 RR, Aprilia RS V4 and the Ducati 1299 Panigale. 

2017 Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP

Honda chucked tradition by unveiling the “SP” version of the next-generation CBR 1000RR Fireblade instead of riding in the base version. The bike made its debut at the 2016 INTERMOT motorcycle show in Germany. The 2017 Honda CBR1000RR SP is much lighter than its predecessor and more powerful too. It has a kerb weight of 195kg and power figures remain identical to the stock bike at 191PS at 13,000rpm while it has 1Nm more of torque (116Nm at 11,000rpm) in comparison. 

Honda engineers achieved weight reduction 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. It carries forward all the electronic wizardry as seen on the standard CBR1000RR Fireblade but gets better cycle parts to distinguish itself. The Honda CBR1000RR SP edition also gets top-spec cycle parts like Ohlins semi-active suspension (first for any Honda production bike), Ohlins 43mm NIX30 USD front fork and TTX36 monoshock, Quickshifter (Downshift Assist) and Lithium-Ion battery which weighs half of conventional lead acid batteries. It sports top-spec Brembo brakes while cornering ABS is standard. The 2017 Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP rivals the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR, Yamaha R1M, MV Agusta F4 RR, Aprilia RS V4 RF and the Ducati 1299 Panigale S.