We have received information that the CBR1000RR-R, which delivers a maximum output of 218 PS, the highest among 1000cc class supersport models, will undergo a full model change. We would like to provide background information and predict the contents of the new model.
Written: Best Car Editorial Department, CG/SRD
This article was originally published in "Best Car Web" on December 18, 2022.
Born to win races, RR-R is supersport with the most Rs
In August 2022, the Honda CBR1000RR-R won the Suzuka 8 Hours endurance race, held for the first time in three years, with overwhelming speed and solo victory. In the same year, F.C.C. TSR Honda France, running the CBR1000RR-R, also won the title in the World Endurance Road Race Championship (EWC), proving its speed.
This was indeed the first win at the Suzuka 8 Hours in eight years, and the reason for the long absence from victory is that the performance of the base vehicle has a significant impact on the race. Just seven years ago, in 2015, Yamaha launched the all-new YZF-R1, and with 200 PS of power, it stood in front of Honda.
The difference at this time was not only due to the engine performance of the CBR1000RR, which was inferior at 178 PS but also because the YZF-R1 was fully equipped with electronic traction and wheelie control. The rider support system, which links massive power to speed, was a game changer.
Honda spent the next five years developing the new CBR1000, which in 2020 would boast an overwhelming 218 PS of power and be fully equipped with advanced electronic controls. It was the RR-R, the poster child of racing, with four "R "s in its name.
HONDA BR1000RR-R SP. All the basics of the CBR1000RR used for more than 10 years with the SC59 and SC77 were renewed in 2020. At the time, it produced 218 PS, second only to the 221 PS of Ducati's Panigale V4R.
HONDA CB1000RR SP. In 2017, a 192 PS engine and a 16 kg lighter 195 kg chassis, plus electronic control, were introduced to compete with rivals such as Yamaha's YZF-R1
YAMAHA YZF-R1M. Yamaha's 1000cc supersport was released in 2015. It was like a public road version of the YZR-M1 MotoGP machine and boasted specifications of 200 PS/200 kg.
RR-R's Next Target is Superbike Racing Crown
The CBR1000RR-R debuted in 2020 and began competing in the Superbike World Championship in the works. Here, Kawasaki was the dominant force, winning six consecutive championships from 2015 to 2020. Yamaha also stopped Kawasaki's winning streak in 2021.
The CBR1000RR-R has only three podium finishes in races in the three years since 2020, with its best finish coming in third place. Compared to its record in endurance races, where it has won titles, this is a dismal result. Even with an engine power advantage over Kawasaki's ZX-10RR's 204 PS, he could not win.
One wonders if this is due to the rider's ability. Because in 2022, Alvaro Bautista, who moved from Honda to Ducati, won the championship. He switched machines and brought Ducati its first Superbike championship crown in 11 years.
This event has definitely ignited Honda's fire and must have greatly influenced the trend for the CBR1000RR-R to undergo a full model change in 2024. It is said that the chassis is also the reason why the CBR1000RR-R cannot win in the sprint race called Superbike, and everything other than the engine will be thoroughly reviewed.
The CBR1000RR-R finished on the podium in third place at a race in Spain in September 2021. Alvaro Bautista competed for Honda for two years but did not achieve any notable results
Bautista moved to Ducati in 2022. He dominated with his Panigale V4R, winning the championship by 72 points over second place. It was an event that shook Honda's prestige.
DUCATI 2023 Panigale V4R. The R is a V4 998cc race-ready motorcycle. 221 PS to 218 PS for the 2019 model year in accordance with Euro 5 and side by side with Honda.
The new Panigale V4R's rev limit increased from 16000 to 16500 rpm in the circuit setup, and the maximum output increased from 234 to 237 PS when the muffler was also changed.
BMW M1000RR. BMW's supersport delivers 212 PS from the same parallel 4-cylinder engine rival to the CBR1000RR-R.
This is also a spirited machine that extends the M brand to two wheels.
Time Limit Looms for 1000cc Supersport High Performance
Besides the desire to win a Superbike title, there are other reasons why the CBR1000RR-R should undergo a model change at this time. The reason is that emission regulations are set to become stricter from 2025 to 2026.
The currently mandated emission regulations are Euro 5 in Europe and the 2020 regulations in Japan, and the OBD2 version, which is required to be installed in vehicles, is about to be upgraded. OBD refers to an onboard diagnostic monitoring device, and it is necessary to include an additional monitoring requirement: catalyst degradation.
The additional requirements, commonly known as OBD2-2, will become effective in 2024 for new models and in 2025 for continuing models in Euro 5 in Europe, and December 2024 and November 2026 in Japan, respectively. According to information obtained by the Web, the new CBR1000RR-R is expected to go on sale in Japan in January 2024 and may be released in Europe during 2023, ahead of the regulation.
Another consideration is carbon neutrality. Kinji Nomura, Honda's executive in charge of motorcycles, says that the future evolution of internal combustion engines will not be the old-fashioned high performance (high output) with increased CO2 emissions, and we want to see the maximum amount of power before this policy is established in the future.
HONDA 2024 CBR1000RR-R. Editorially produced CG of the forecast. It is unknown whether it will be a new model or a continuation of the previous model. Expect significant evolution, including a more advanced winglet-equipped style.
Kinji Nomura is interviewed at a motorcycle business briefing held on September 13. He has also served as president of HRC and is currently leading the company's efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by the mid-2040s.
