We give the entry-level 2020 Fireblade CBR1000RR-R a thorough workout on UK roads to find out if it's worth saving the cash over the race-bred SP. Watch our review:
Few recent launches have generated as much interest and excitement as that of the 2020 Fireblade CBR1000RR-R, the machine that Honda is pinning its hopes on to re-establish it as the king of sportsbikes.
As far as motorcycles go in this modern age, arguably none have such an impressive and well-known lineage as the Honda CBR1000RR-R, which is why there has been such a buzz around the seventh-generation model that is available now.
Anyone who visits Visordown regularly will know the 2020 Fireblade CBR1000RR-R SP is already one of our favourite sports bikes on the market based on our first ride back in January when we were invited to the official international launch held at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar.
On that occasion we rode the ‘bells and whistles’ top of the range SP version, laden with electronics and clever tuning to make it a proper weapon on the Losail circuit’s fast sweeping turns and silky-smooth surface.
But is it worth saving some cash and opting for the standard model?
While the SP variant comes in at a cool £25,000, the ‘standard’ CBR1000RR-R Honda Fireblade – priced at £20,000 – will be a choice of machine for many… which is why we have been keen to get hold of this model to give it a thorough workout on the UK’s more rutted, twisting back roads to find out if you’d be better off pocketing those £5,000 and still get a cracking motorcycle.
We say ‘standard’ because with 214bhp at 14,500rpm, there is nothing particularly standard about the CBR1000RR-R but you will save £3,500 over the flagship SP model.
As such, we’ve spent a good couple of weeks riding the ‘blade across the UK and even to the Isle of Wight to sample the route of the upcoming 2021 Diamond Races, where the machine is likely to star as one of the major entries.
2020 Fireblade CBR1000RR-R specs
ENGINE | |
Type | Liquid-cooled 4-stroke 16-valve DOHC Inline-4 |
Engine Displacement (cm³) | 999.9cc |
No. of Valves per Cylinder | 4 |
Bore × Stroke (mm) | 81mm x 48.5mm |
Compression Ratio | 13.0 x 1 |
Max. Power Output | 160kW @ 14,500 |
Max. Torque | 113Nm @ 12,500 |
Oil Capacity | 4.0L |
FUEL SYSTEM | |
Carburation | PGM-DSFI |
Fuel Tank Capacity | 16.1L |
Fuel Consumption | 16.0km/litre |
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |
Starter | Electric |
Battery Capacity | 12-6 YTZ7S |
DRIVETRAIN | |
Clutch Type | Wet, multiplate hydraulic clutch with assist slipper |
Transmission Type | 6-speed |
Final Drive | Chain |
FRAME | |
Type | Aluminium composite twin spar |
CHASSIS | |
Dimensions (L x W x H) | 2100 x 745 x 1140mm |
Wheelbase | 1455mm |
Caster Angle | 24o |
Trail | 102mm |
Seat Height | 830mm |
Ground Clearance | 115mm |
Kerb Weight | 201kg |
SUSPENSION | |
Type Front | Showa Telescopic inverted fork with an inner tube diameter of 43 mm, and a Big Piston Front Fork with preload, compression and rebound adjustment, 120mm stroke
SP: Telescopic inverted fork with inner diameter of 43mm and Ohlins NPX Smart- EC with preload, compression and rebound adjustments. 125mm stroke. |
Type Rear | Unit Pro-Link with gas-charged HMAS damper featuring 10-step preload and stepless compression and rebound damping adjustment, 137mm stroke. Showa Balance-Free Rear Cushion with preload, compression and rebound adjustment.
SP: Pro-Link with gas-charged Ohlins TTX36 Smart-EC damper featuring preload, compression and rebound damping. 143mm stroke. |
WHEELS | |
Rim Size Front | 17 inch x 3.5 |
Rim Size Rear | 17 inch x 6.0 |
Tyres Front | 120/70-ZR17 Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP Bridgestone RS11 |
Tyres Rear | 200/55-ZR17 Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP Bridgestone RS11 |
BRAKES | |
ABS System Type | 2 Channel |
Front | 330mm disc with radial-mount 4-piston Nissin caliper
SP: 4-piston Brembo Stylema 330mm disc |
Rear | 220mm disc with 2-piston Brembo caliper |
INSTRUMENTS & ELECTRICS | |
Instruments | TFT-LCD |
Security System | HISS |
Headlight | LED |
Taillight | LED |
