Honda have unveiled changes to their CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP including a special edition paint scheme to celebrate the models 30 year anniversary... Press release: Honda.
2022 is an important anniversary for Honda, and its Fireblade, as it marks 30 years of what has proved, over time, a truly seminal sports machine. The CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP 30th Anniversary will be available for in a limited edition, instantly recognisable paint scheme.
A variety of detail updates improve both corner exit acceleration, HSTC management and throttle feel and, to mark three decades of sheer, undiluted performance. The original 92 colours look amazing. Want!
We have to say that we are massive Fireblade fans here at BikeReview, with Ed Jeff a bit of a Blade nutter. He has been lucky enough to have an original Tiger Stripe Blade, a Repsol Blade and ridden lots of special Fireblades from turbocharged ones to racers including Johnny Rea’s Ten Kate WorldSBK and many of the Team Honda Australia factory ASBK bikes. He has also ridden a very trick Fireblade endurance racer at Motegi, Japan, so to say Jeff is a fan of this special edition is an understatement! We have also tested every model Fireblade from 2001 to 2017.
To celebrate the original, groundbreaking Fireblade of 1992, a Limited Edition ‘Tricolour’ paint scheme will be available for 22YM, designed by Mr. Hiroaki Tsukui, who was also responsible for the original 1992 colour design. Instantly recognisable, all the details are present and correct, with the ultramodern feel of the 20YM stripe layout merged with ‘brushstroke’ style elements that pay clear homage to the seminal original. The blue rear seat continues the theme.
Check out our review of the 2020 Fireblade SP here….
Other further details set it apart. On startup, there’s a ‘Ring of Fire’ screen animation as the display loads. The unique serial number for each bike is laser engraved on the top yoke and 30th Anniversary logos – on the fuel tank cover, the Smart Key fob, and laser engraved on the Akrapovič muffler – place a subtle extra special stamp, marking the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP 30th Anniversary’s own place in Honda history.
The 30th anniversary livery is instantly recognisable as it draws inspiration from the original ‘blade.
The Fireblade SP’s inline four -cylinder engine delivers 112Nm@12,500rpm and makes peak power of 160Kw@14,500rpm. Updates for 2022 centre around upping mid corner drive and acceleration. Firstly, the rear sprocket goes from 40 to 43 teeth, improving acceleration through the gears in the midrange while maintaining high rpm output. Both airbox and intake funnels have been reshaped to smooth flow. The intake ports have been adjusted to increase airflow velocity while exhaust flow into the catalyser (and the catalyser itself) has been optimised.
Throttle By Wire (TBW) spring load has been reduced, for improved linearity and response on opening. Using extensive feedback from racers around the world – including Honda’s HRC World SBK team – Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) has been refined to offer the rider the power, grip level and feel they want, and to match the increased drive. As before, three default riding modes cover most conditions with options to fully adjust Power, Engine Brake, Wheelie Control and HSTC. The electronics package also includes adjustable Start Mode and standard fit, newly revised, quick shifter.
“The engine uses a compact, short stroke layout, sharing the bore and stroke of the RC213V…”
The engine uses a compact, short stroke layout – sharing the bore and stroke of the RC213V – and features a semi cam gear train, finger follower rocker arms, titanium conrods, RC213VS internal friction reduction technologies, piston jets with check ball system and a builtin bottom bypass passage for the cylinder water jacket. A ram air duct in the front fairing feeds directly through the headstock. The 421 exhaust downpipes are ovalized and feed a titanium Akrapovič end can.
An aluminium diamond frame uses the rear of the engine as upper shock mount while the swingarm is based on the RC213VS design. The rigidity balance, weight distribution and steering geometry are carefully adjusted to exploit the engine’s output, in terms of front and rear grip levels, and feel for both. A six axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) provides accurate 3D estimation of riding dynamics and provides input to manage all of the electronic systems. It also controls the rod type 3level Honda Electronic Steering Damper (HESD).
“Öhlins Smart Electronic Control (SEC) 43mm NPX forks and TTX36 rear shock offer racequality suspension.”
Öhlins Smart Electronic Control (SEC) 43mm NPX forks and TTX36 rear shock offer racequality suspension, with settings managed by second generation Öhlins Object Based Tuning interface (OBTi). The front discs are worked by Brembo Stylema four piston calipers and Brembo brake lever/master cylinder, while the ABS is adjustable for track riding.
Honda’s RC213V MotoGP machine leant some of its slippery aerodynamics to the Fireblade, including winglets to increase downforce and improve braking stability. The riding position is also very compact. A fully customisable 5inch TFT display offers intuitive control via a fourway switch on the left handlebar. Honda’s Smart Key system adds convenience.
The 22YM CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP will be available in Grand Prix Red and Mat Pearl Morion Black, both now with gold wheels and new HRC logos, and an evocative paint scheme from another era: CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP 30th Anniversary. No price info for Australia as yet.
2022 Honda CBR1000RR-R SP Fireblade Specifications
Price: TBA
Warranty: Two Year Honda Warranty
Colours: Grand Prix Red, Matte Pearl Black & 30th Anniversary
Kerb weight: 201kg
Fuel capacity: 16L
Power: 160kW@14,500rpm
Torque: 112Nm@12,500rpm
Engine: 999cc liquid-cooled four-stroke, 16-valve DOHC inline four-cylinder four-stroke, 76 x 55mm bore x stroke, 13:01 compression, PGM-DSFI fuelling.
Gearbox: Six-speed, quickshifter
Clutch: Wet multi-plate slipper, cable actuation
Frame: Diamond – aluminium twin-spar.
Rake: 24°
Trail: 102mm
Suspension: Öhlins NPX SEC 43mm telescopic fork with preload, compression and rebound adjustments, 125mm stroke, Showa Öhlins TTX36 shock, 143mm travel, Smart-EC semi-active
Brakes: Dual four-piston Brembo Stylema radial calipers, 330mm rotors with cornering ABS, twin-piston Brembo caliper, 220mm rotor with cornering ABS
Wheels & Tyres: 3.50 and 6.00 x 17in; cast aluminium, 120/70 x 17in Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP, 200/55 x 17in Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP.
Dimensions:
Wheelbase: 1455mm
Seat height: 834mm
Ground clearance: 130mm
Electronics: Electronic steering damper, throttle by wire, IMU, cornering ABS, rear wheel lift control, wheelie control, 5-level power selector, 9-level torque control (TC), 3-level engine brake control, pre-set riding modes (3). Instruments: Multi function TFT-LCS
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