Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP evolves for 2024

The 2024 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP sports a new look, new wings, and specification changes in the biggest evolution of this model since the 2020 generation change.

The Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade caused a not insignificant stir in 2019 when the 2020 version was announced, complete with aerodynamic sidepod wings, loads of power, and a name to invite all the pirate jokes you could wish for.

By now, we're used to the RR-R, but it remains true that this generation of Honda Fireblade has not achieved everything it was intended to. Looking back to 2019, it was the beginning of a new era for the supersports class the Ducati Panigale V4 revolutionised the category as the Bologna manufacturer decided that cost should not matter when designing a sports bike. 

The 2020 Fireblade was supposed to be a response to the Panigale, a bike that could beat the Italians on-track. While that might be the case at the Suzuka 8 Hours, which the factory HRC team has won on the last two occasions, it has not been the case almost anywhere else, and especially in WorldSBK, where the current generation of Fireblade has made four consecutive winless seasons. Although we're talking about road bikes, on-track performance is undoubtedly a factor in marketing these models, and nothing has performed better on the closed circuits than the Panigale in recent times.

The 2024 bike is a mid-life refresh rather than a new generation, but it still features new chassis components, a revised engine, and new wings.

We’ll start with those wings, because it will be a quick discussion. If you look back to photos of Marc Marquez in 2018, when he won the MotoGP World Championship for the fifth time, you'll see that the wings on his Honda RC213V of that year bare a strong resemblance to those on the 2024 Fireblade. Honda says the new aero pieces maintain the downforce level of the previous iteration, but with 10 per cent less “yaw moment in cornering." 

The 2024 Fireblade also sports an engine with a revised tune to both increase top end power and mid-range acceleration. This has been done via revisions to the cylinder head, compression ratio, valve timing and springs, new and lighter conrods and crankshaft also contribute, and the ratios are shortened all the way through the gearbox. Despite the changes, the outputs remain the same at 215bhp and 83lb ft of torque. 

Elsewhere, there's now a two-motor throttle-by-wire system, and revisions to the aluminium frame to make it more pliant, improving “steering accuracy and traction,” Honda says.

In addition, the swingarm is now taken from the Honda RC213V-S, and the suspension is race-derived in the form of a 43mm Öhlins NPX (SV) fork with Smart Electronic Control (S-EC03), Spool Valves and OBTi user interface at the front, and a TTX36 S-EC3.0 (SV) rear shock. Braking is done by Brembo’s Stylema R callipers on dual 330mm front discs, and there is also a three-stage Honda Electronic Steering Damper (HESD) working in conjunction with the 6D IMU.

Also revised for 2024 is the riding position, while a colour TFT gives access to the selection of of settings for engine power, engine brake, Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC), start mode, and wheelie control, with all of those settings having been revised for this year to match the new engine tune. The Cornering ABS is also updated for 2024, with a new ‘Race’ setting. 

Fuel capacity is also increased for 2024, to 16.5 litres, and there are also three accessory packs available: ‘HRC Race Kit’, ‘Racing’, and ‘Comfort’.

The HRC Race Kit, which is also available on the 2024 Honda CBR600RR, is for track use only, and includes ECU, wiring harness, cylinder head gasket, intake funnels, clutch, quick release rear axle and racing exhaust.

The ‘Racing’ pack, on the other hand, can also be used on the road, and adds frame guards, a tank pad, an alcantara seat, a seat cowl in red or black, an oil filler cap, sprocket protector, wheel stripes, and a high smoked screen.

Finally, the ‘Comfort’ pack features a USB-C socket, a tank bag, and a rear seat bag.

For 2024, only the SP variant of the Fireblade will be sold in the UK, but there will also be a ‘Carbon Edition’ of that. This carbon version features a ‘Mat Pearl Morion Black’ paint job, and, of course, numerous carbon pieces. These include the front mudguard, under cowl, middle cowl, winglets, front shelter, and mudguard cover. All of that carbon saves one whole kilogram in the overall weight of the bike.

Only 300 units of the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP Carbon Edition will be built.  Pricing and availability information is not yet available for that model nor the the standard Fireblade SP, which will be available only in the ‘Grand Prix Red Tricolour’ option. 

2024 Honda CBR1000RR-R specifications