In the 1990s, when motorcycles competed for top speed, Honda released the CBR1100XX Super Blackbird in 1996, which clearly aimed to be the fastest mass-produced motorcycle in history. This motorcycle, created with the aim of achieving a top speed of over 300 km/h, incorporated all of Honda's technology at the time.
- In the 1990s, motorcycles competed for top speed.
- "The fastest mass-produced motorcycle in history" is the essence of this motorcycle
- The newly designed power unit delivers a maximum output of 164 PS
- Frame, suspension, brakes. New technologies are used in all of them.
- The End of the Top Speed Wars
- CBR1100XX Main Specifications (2001, Japanese Model)
In the 1990s, motorcycles competed for top speed.
In the 1990s, motorcycles continued to pursue their performance without being affected by exhaust gas regulations. One way to prove their performance was the top speed, and the flagship models of each manufacturer competed with each other, with Honda's CB750Four and Kawasaki's 900 Super Four (Z1) reaching 200km/h, followed by Suzuki's GSX1100S KATANA at 218km/h and Kawasaki's GPZ900R at 250km/h.
The speedometer of the ZZ-R1100 (ZX-11), released by Kawasaki in 1990, was marked up to 320km/h. Unfortunately, in the actual top speed challenge, it never exceeded 300km/h in stock, but it was the first model to be conscious of 300km/h as a top speed for a motorcycle. At the time, I was riding a C-type ZZ-R1100, and it was a scary bike that could actually reach speeds of around 250km/h quite easily. The ZZ-R evolved from the C model to the D model and maintained its position as the fastest motorcycle in the world.
Kawasaki's "ZZ-R1100", released in 1990, evolved into the D-type in 1993. The meter was marked up to 320km/h, but the actual speed did not reach 300km/h.
In 1996, Honda finally announced a bike that could be called an anti-ZZ-R weapon. The bike, named "CBR1100XX Super Blackbird", was a model that incorporated various technologies that Honda had at the time in order to surpass the 300km/h barrier. The predecessor of this XX, the "CBR1000F", also boasted a top speed of over 250km/h in overseas specifications, but it can be said that the mission of the XX was to exceed the ZZ-R's speed of over 290km/h.
The CBR1100XX Super Blackbird was developed with the aim of being the "fastest mass-produced motorcycle in history," and was a model that also took on new challenges in terms of design.
The XX featured a newly designed engine in a newly designed chassis, and Honda's latest technology was applied to each component. Its top speed exceeded 300km/h.
Of course, Honda wasn't doing nothing, and in 1991 it released the CBR900RR FireBlade, a bike with a dry weight of 185kg and an 893cc engine producing 124PS. This bike could be said to be the originator of today's SS (Super Sports) models.
"The fastest mass-produced motorcycle in history" is the essence of this motorcycle
The CBR1100XX Super Blackbird is a type of bike that is now called a "mega sports tourer," and the body and engine were all newly designed from the previous model, the CBR1000F.
In developing the XX, Honda focused on three axes: "absolute power performance" that can deliver powerful and sufficient power at any speed and engine speed range; "highly maneuverable and sharp handling" that achieves light handling characteristics and high driving stability despite being a large-displacement vehicle; and "excellent roominess" that allows the world's highest performance to be enjoyed in comfort.
In terms of specific development, the following 10 development goals were set to create a bike worthy of being the world's highest performance super sports motorcycle.
1. A design that instantly conveys high aerodynamic and power performance
2. Impressive acceleration
3. Smooth and stable control even during high-speed cruising
4. Sharp and controllable handling characteristics comparable to mid-class machines
5. Adopts an advanced Dual Combined Brake System, providing a braking system that is necessary and easy to control for high-speed driving performance
6. Adopts a newly developed dual shaft balancer, providing a high-quality vibration feeling at all revolutions
7. Exquisite wind control provides outstanding comfort when driving at high speeds
8. The more you use it and ride it, the more you will feel proud and attached to it
9. A lighting system that ensures maximum visibility even when driving at night, providing a high level of security
And the tenth goal was probably the biggest development goal for this bike: "to be the fastest in the history of mass-produced motorcycles."
A rider who is 171 cm tall and weighs 65 kg straddles the bike. The handlebars are lower than you might think, so the upper half of the body can naturally benefit from the cowl.
When you land with both feet, it feels like your heels are floating quite a bit, but if you land with one foot, you land firmly and there is no sense of insecurity.
The headlights are a new dual type called the "pick-a-back" style, and are completely flush with the front cowl.
The air intake at the tip of the cowling takes in air, increases the air pressure, and dramatically improves the engine's intake efficiency - a direct air induction system.
The front mirrors have built-in turn signals, which contribute to reducing air resistance and increasing top speed while also improving visibility.
The cockpit featured an advanced design for its time, with a black tachometer with white lettering placed in the center and large LCDs on either side.
The clutch is hydraulic. The switches are simply arranged, and the Japanese model has a chrome-plated grip end.
The hazard lamp switch is located on the right side of the handlebar. In the case of export models, the headlight switch is installed in this location.
The newly designed power unit delivers a maximum output of 164 PS
The engine installed in the "CBR1100XX Super Blackbird" was newly designed with an integrated upper crankcase/cylinder block design. This 4-stroke DOHC 16-valve in-line 4-cylinder 1137cc engine delivered the world's best performance at the time, with a maximum output of 164 PS/10,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 12.7 kg-m/7,250 rpm.
The bore and stroke of this engine are 79 x 58 mm, and the cylinder section uses open deck cylinder block integral casting technology. The cylinder sleeve and bore pitch are minimized to make it lightweight and compact. The weight of the engine alone is approximately 10 kg lighter than the CBR1000F, and it was the first super sports model to use a dual shaft balancer.
The engine was compact, using an integrated upper crankcase/cylinder block design, which was cutting edge at the time.
The early models used a 42mm inclined flat slide CV carburetor and a 3D map type ignition system. The 2nd generation, released in 1999, used a direct air induction system and an electronically controlled fuel injection system (PGM-Fi). The maximum output remained the same at 164PS, but the engine speed was slightly reduced to 9500rpm.
The 3rd generation, which appeared in 2001, was released in compliance with Euro 2 emissions regulations, and the maximum output was reduced to 152PS, and a domestic model with a 100PS limit was also available. The model I photographed this time was the domestic version of the 3rd generation, and the name of the motorcycle was "CBR1100XX" without a pet name.
The export version had a maximum output of 164 PS/10,000 rpm, but the domestic version introduced in 2001 was detuned to 100 PS/8,500 rpm in accordance with voluntary regulations.
The design of the fuel tank has not changed, but the capacity has increased from 22L to 24L since the second model, which was converted to fuel injection.
The seat is firm and has a step between the front and rear, but the design gives a smooth impression. It has the right hardness and thickness for long-distance riding.
The distinctively designed taillights are called "dual element" taillights, and feature two bulbs arranged above and below, just like the headlights.
The exhaust pipe is a 4-2-1-2 collector type made of stainless steel, and the surface is beautifully finished with a buffed finish.
Frame, suspension, brakes. New technologies are used in all of them.
The frame is a newly designed diamond-shaped aluminum twin-tube frame that balances light weight and high rigidity, incorporating the know-how gained from the CBR900RR. The combination of the compact engine and this frame achieves mass centralization and handling characteristics comparable to mid-class machines, and the body has excellent response at all speeds combined with high-speed stability, resulting in a vehicle with excellent controllability. The dry weight is also 223 kg, 26 kg lighter than the CBR1000F.
The front suspension is a conventional upright type front fork, but by adopting H.M.A.S. (Honda Multi Action Suspension), which always provides optimal damping force according to road conditions without adjustment, handling with a sense of security worthy of the world's highest performance is realized. The rear suspension combines an H.M.A.S. rear damper with stepless adjustment of compression damping force and a newly designed swingarm that uses an extruded aluminum tube with a cross-section.
The front forks were 43mm diameter upright forks, and H.M.A.S. was used, which always provided optimal damping force depending on the road conditions.
The front forks are 43mm diameter upright front forks, and H.M.A.S. is used, which always provides optimal damping force according to road conditions.
The braking system is a Dual Combined Brake System that simultaneously applies the front and rear brakes by operating the brake lever or pedal. It has been finished with performance and flavor that matches the performance of the world's highest performance super sports model. Three sets of three-piston calipers are used in total, front and rear, and these calipers are controlled by two independent hydraulic systems. The two outer pistons of the front caliper are controlled by a lever, the two rear pistons are controlled by the action of a secondary master cylinder with a servo mechanism, and the front/rear center pistons are operated via a foot pedal. The brake rotors that are combined are a 310mm diameter floating disc rotor in the front and a 256mm diameter solid type in the rear.
The brakes use a Dual Combined Brake System that applies the front and rear brakes simultaneously, with the front brake being a double disc.
The rear brake is a single type combined with a solid disc./The rear centre piston is actuated via a foot pedal.
The End of the Top Speed Wars
The CBR1100XX Super Blackbird, which could be said to be the culmination of Honda's determination, was recorded to exceed 300km/h in stock condition, and successfully seized the title of "world's fastest". However, in 1999, Suzuki released the GSX1300R Hayabusa, which had an even higher top speed, and Kawasaki's ZX-12R, released in 2000, also exceeded the XX's top speed. This overheated top speed war came to an end when European top speed regulations required the installation of a 300km/h limiter and a speedometer that could only display up to 299km/h. As a result, the XX had no successor model and was discontinued in 2008, but if the top speed war had continued, would Honda have released a mega sports tourer that could exceed 300km/h?
The Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa, released in 1999, took the XX's title of "world's fastest," and regulations brought an end to the top speed wars.
CBR1100XX Main Specifications (2001, Japanese Model)
・Overall Length x Width x Height: 2160 x 720 x 1200mm
・Wheelbase: 1490mm
・Seat Height: 810mm
・Dry Weight: 225kg
・Engine: Water-cooled 4-stroke DOHC 4-valve in-line 4-cylinder 1137cc
・Maximum Output: 74kW (100PS)/8500rpm
・Maximum Torque: 98Nm (9.99kgm)/6500rpm
・Gearbox: 6-speed return
・Fuel Tank Capacity: 24L
・Brakes: F = disc, R = disc
・Tire: F=120/70-17, R=180/55-17
・Price: PHP420035.88（Price excluding Tax）
