It is popularly believed that the ‘RR’ in CBR1000RR stands for Race Replica. Honda has been using this suffix since 1992, when the company’s first proper Superbike, CBR900RR, was unleashed on public roads. The motorcycle that redefined Superbikes and evolved sportbikes into an all-new performance form.

More than 25 years later, CBR1000RR Fireblade has established into one of the most admired and trusted motorcycles in the world. As edgy as Superbikes have become, a Fireblade is still the go to Superbike for its rider-friendliness. And while Honda didn’t succumb to the 200 HP race, many felt that they should, especially looking at their dismal WSBK performances.

So when Honda added a third R to one of its most celebrated sportbikes, you get the feeling that this time things are really different. And so Honda gives us the all-new CBR1000RR-R for 2021. The first Fireblade to breach the 200 hp mark. Not only that, at 214.5 BHP (217.5 PS) @14,500 RPM, the new Fireblade is more powerful than some of its competitors.

New engine, electronics, suspension and chassis... new everything

There are two variants of the new Fireblade - the standard CBR1000RR-R and the CBR1000RR-R SP. They both share the engine and chassis, but the SP gets Ohlins electronic suspension as well as Brembo Stylema brakes at the front.

This time, the new inline-4 engine is closest to the RC213V, Fireblade’s MotoGP cousin, as it shares the same bore and stroke at 81.0 mm X 48.5 mm, this is drastically different from current Fireblade's configuration of 76.0 mm X 55.0 mm. The gains are shorter engine and more free revving nature. Current Fireblade makes its maximum power at 13,000 RPM compared to new RR-R’s 14,500 RPM. That’s a significant bump. The torque output is 113 NM @12,500 RPM. The motorcycle weighs 201 kg ready-to-ride.

The new Fireblade also gets MotoGP inspired winglets on both sides of the front fairing for better aerodynamics and to help keep the front end down during hard acceleration. As far as suspension is concerned, the standard variant gets Showa Big Piston Forks at the front and a Showa Balance Free Rear Cushion Light (BFRC-L) at the back. Both variants also get a Bosch six-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) assisting various electronics for better traction, braking and overall riding dynamics.

We are more than excited to see Honda finally making the Fireblade a force to be reckoned with, especially on race tracks. It would be interesting to see the new CBR does in the 2020 WSBK season with Alvaro Bautista riding it.

On the road, though, will the new CBR1000RR-R remain a friendly Superbike?