2008 Honda CBR® 1000RR Review

2008 Honda CBR® 1000RR Technical Specifications:

• Engine:
  Engine Type : Horizontal In-line
  Cylinders : 4
  Engine Stroke : 4-Stroke
  Cooling : Liquid
  Valves : 16
  Valves Per Cylinder : 4
  Valve Configuration : DOHC
  Bore (mm/in) : 76 / 2.99
  Stroke (mm/in) : 55.1 / 2.17
  Displacement (cc/ci) : 999 / 61
  Compression Ratio : 12.3:1
  Starter : Electric
  Emissions Standards : Standard Emissions
  Ram Air Induction : Yes
  Fuel Type : Gas
  Carburetion Brand : Denso
  Fuel Injector : Yes
  Fuel Injector Size (mm) : 46
  Carburetor : No
  Carburetion Type : Fuel Injected
• Transmission:
  Transmission Type : Manual
  Number Of Speeds : 6
  Primary Drive (Rear Wheel) : Chain
  Reverse : No
• Wheels & Tires:
  Wheels Composition : Aluminum
  Tube / Tubeless : Tubeless
  Front Wheel Width (in) : 3.5
  Rear Wheel Width (in) : 6
  Chromed : No
  Front Tire Width : 120
  Front Tire Aspect Ratio : 70
  Front Tire Speed Rating : Z
  Front Wheel Diameter : 17
  Rear Tire Width : 190
  Rear Tire Aspect Ratio : 50
  Rear Tire Speed Rating : Z
  Rear Wheel Diameter : 17
  Front Tire (Full Spec) : 120/70 ZR17
  Rear Tire (Full Spec) : 190/50 ZR17
• Brakes:
  Front Brake Type : Dual Disc
  Front Brake Diameter (in/mm) : 12.6 / 320
  Front Caliper Pistons : 4
  Rear Brake Type : Disc
  Rear Brake Diameter (in/mm) : 8.7 / 220
  Rear Caliper Pistons : 1
• Suspension:
  Front Suspension Type : Inverted Fork
  Front Suspension Size (in/mm) : 1.7 / 43
  Front Travel (in/mm) : 4.7 / 119.4
  Front Adjustable Fork Pre-Load : Yes
  Front Adjustable Rebound Damping : Yes
  Front Central Suspension Strut : No
  Steering Damper : Yes
  Rear Suspension Type : Twin Sided Swing Arm
  Rear Travel (in/mm) : 5.4 / 137.2
  Rear Adjustable Shock / Spring Pre-Load : Yes
  Rear Adjustable Rebound Damping : Yes
  Number Rear Shock Absorbers : 1
  Rear Suspension Brand Name : Unit Pro Link™
  Rear Suspension Material : Aluminum
  Air Adjustable : No
• Steering:
  Steering Control : Handlebar
• Technical Specifications:
  Wheelbase (in/mm) : 55.4 / 1407.2
  Rake (degrees) : 23.3
  Trail (in/mm) : 3.8 / 96.2
  Weight : Standard
  Fuel Capacity (gal/l) : 4.7 / 17.8
  Fuel Capacity Reserve (gal/l) : 1.06 / 4
  Performance : Standard
• Seats:
  Seat Type : Two-Piece
  Adjustable : No
  Seat Material : Vinyl
  Seat Location : Driver and Passenger
  Folding : No
  Seat Height (in/mm) : 32.3 / 820.4
  Number Of Seats : 2
  Grab Rail or Strap : Standard
• Exterior:
  Frame : Aluminum
  Body Material : Plastic
  Hand Grip Material : Rubber
  Foot Peg Location : Driver and Passenger
  Drive Shaft Guard : No
  Fork Guards : Yes
  Saddle Bag Guard : No
  Belt Guard : No
  Hand Guards : No
  Brush Guard : No
  Light Guard : No
  Fuel Tank Cover : Yes
  Front Fender Material : Plastic
  Rear Fender Material : Plastic
  Top Crown : Standard
  Stand Type : Kick
  Lower Fairing : Standard
  Spoiler : Standard
  Handlebars : Standard
  Upper Fairing : Standard
  License Plate : Standard
• Instrumentation:
  Digital Instrumentation : Standard
  Clock : Standard
  Tachometer : Standard
  Trip Odometer : Standard
  Trip Computer : Standard
  Speedometer : Standard
  Temperature Warning Type : Gauge
  Fuel Level Warning Type : Gauge
• Pricing:
  Warranty (Condition) : Limited
  Zero Price Schema : 0
• Identification:g>
  Generic Type (Primary) : Sport
  Manufacturer Country : Japan
  Introduction Year : 2004
  MIC Model Segment : ON-HWY Sport Bike Over 750cc
• Mounts:
  Windshield Mounts : Standard
• Paint & Finish:
  Paint : Standard
• Glass:
  Folding : Yes
  Windshield Lowers : No
  Height Adjustable : No
  Tinted : Yes
  Height : Low
• Storage:
  Underseat Storage : Standard
• Lights:
  Headlight Mounts : Standard
  Halogen Headlight (s) : Standard
• Convenience:
  Handlebar Lock : Standard

Additional Features:

1. New ergonomic triangle lets rider sit 10mm farther forward and 10mm lower than previous-generation CBR1000RR.
2. Handlebars are 6.5mm higher and 2mm forward.
3. High-capacity 400-watt AC generator.
4. High-tech instrument display features tachometer, plus LCD readouts for speedometer, coolant temperature, odometer, two tripmeters and a clock, mpg and average fuel consumption.
5. A low-fuel LED light and shift-indicator light are located above the LCD.
6. Line-beam headlight features two-piece reflector design utilizing two H7 bulbs for optimum light distribution and unique compact design.
7. LED taillights for lighter weight and improved appearance.
8. Plastic tank shell cover protects tank and airbox.
9. Convenient ignition switch/fork lock for added security.
10. Folding aerodynamic mirrors. Convenient push-to-cancel turn-signal switch.
11. New maintenance-free battery is 2.2 pounds lighter.
12. Transferable one-year, unlimited-mileage limited warranty; extended coverage available with a Honda Protection Plan.
13. Purchase of a new, previously unregistered Honda USA-certified unit by an individual retail user in the United States qualifies the owner for a one-year complimentary membership in the Honda Rider’s Club of America (HRCA).

Unique Features :

1. Exclusive, MotoGP-derived Unit Pro-Linkr Rear Suspension (see Technology Section).
2. Mid-muffler exhaust system design. Specially designed slipper clutch. Dual Stage Fuel Injection (DSFI) system features two injectors per cylinder (see Technology Section).
3. Centrally located fuel tank increases mass centralization and allows more compact frame design.
4. Line-beam headlights feature two-piece reflector design.

Engine :

Engine Type : 999cc liquid-cooled inline four-cylinder

Bore & Stroke : 76mm x 55.1mm

Comp Ratio : 12.3:1

Valve : DOHC 4 valve per cylinder

Induction : DSFI

Ignition : Computer-controlled digital transistorized w/ 3-D mapping

Transmission : Close ratio 6-speed

Final Drive : 530 O-ring chain .

Suspension :

Front : 43mm inverted HMAS cartridge fork with spring preload, rebound and compression damping adjustability; 4.7 inches travel

Rear : Unit Pro-Link HMAS single shock with spring pre-load, rebound and compression damping adjustability; 5.4 inches travel

2008 Honda CBR 1000RR Highlights:

1. All-new 999cc inline four-cylinder engine.
2. Lightweight titanium intake valves.
3. New thinner high-strength pistons featuring molybdenum coating.
4. New removable cylinder block with Nikasil-coated cylinders.
5. Idle-air control valve (IACV) and Ignition Interrupt Control for idle stability and smoother on/off throttle response.
6. Unique slipper clutch features cam mechanism to reduce clutch lever pull.
7. New mid-muffler exhaust system design incorporates exhaust valve and catalyst.
8. New-generation Honda Electronic Steering Damper (HESD) (see Technology Section).
9. New lighter-weight front brake hoses with lighter front brake rotors.
10. New monoblock front brake calipers with chromium-plated aluminum pistons.
11. Lightweight aluminum sidestand.
12. New four-piece Hollow Fine Die-Cast Frame (see Technology Section).
13. New aluminum swingarm design.
14. New twin-tunnel ram-air induction.
15. New line-beam headlights.
16. Front turn signals integrated into mirrors.
17. New compact instrumentation.
18. New lighter-weight wheels.
19. New lightweight compact battery.
20. New improved ergonomics.
21. Iconic new Honda Wing tank badge.
22. Exciting new colors include Red/Black, Black/Metallic Silver, Pearl Yellow/Black, Candy Dark Red/Metallic Silver. Black/Metallic Grey (2008 special color*).

MotorcycleUSA was graciously invited out to the sprawling 100-acre Honda HQ in Torrance, California for a long-awaited first hand look during a touchy-feely session with the West’

s finest scribes and the all-new 999cc CBR.

There has been much speculation into what the new CBR1000RR was going to be about. Will it be a V-4 a V-5 a mind-bending In-Line? Well, it’s still an In-Line Four and despite early summer rumors of a bike looking like an RCV211 MotoGP replica – as you can see, that isn’t the case at all. This bike has an identity all its own.

In early September a sideshot of the new machine found its way online and it really got people riled up. Some were critical of the new styling, while others seemed to be fond of the sleek new flat-nosed shaped machine.

Honda is always trying to find the right balance between outright track performance and real world street-ability. It’s worked on occasion in the past and Honda faithful are hoping this new 1000RR will provide that delicate balance after coming oh so close with the previous generation machine. At the heart of the CBR is an all-new 999cc engine, up one tiny cc from the ’07 model. Honda has reverted to a more oversquare bore/stroke combo with the new engine now utilizing 76mm x 55.1mm bore/stroke versus last year’s 75mm x 56.5mm arrangement. It sports eight new lightweight 30.5mm titanium intake valves and a slightly higher 12.3:1 compression.

A slightly bigger bore and a shorter stroke motor, has the potential to be a ripper on paper. What everyone is hoping for is some serious wheel-in-the-sky performance that makes the open class bikes so much fun. Unfortunately, this was look only, no playing at this point. In the past the knock on the CBR was that it didn’t have the bite to back up the bark. Then a funny thing happened, the competition sacrificed a bit of streetability for a top-end heavy, track-focused approach and suddenly the Honda had closed the gap.

I guess the 2007 CBR1000RR just aged well. Now the question is: Has Honda followed the top-end biased trend or its own recipe for success that delivered us the ‘do-it-all good’ approach of the 2007 CBR600RR? In three months, we’ll all know.

A new dual stage fuel injection system (DSFI) incorporates 46mm throttle bodies featuring a pair of 12-hole Denso injectors per cylinder. Powering the new FI system is a smaller ECU that provides two separate fuel injection and ignition maps for each of the four cylinders. Dispersing the unexploded fuel/air remnants is a new MotoGP styled mid-muffler exhaust system that is tucked low and away which help keep mass centralized down low.

It appears the writing is on the wall for the underseat exhaust in this class now that Honda has abandoned that theory for this peculiar-looking set-up.
The new liter-class Honda also has an all-new twin-spar aluminum frame that utilizes hollow fine die-cast manufacturing process. The unique manufacturing method has been employed by Honda since 2003 and the art was refined over the years, culminating in a reduction in overall frame parts on the 2007 CBR600RR. That experience has led to a similar fate for the 2008 CBR1000RR. With wall thicknesses measuring to as thin as a scant 2.5mm, Honda engineers have designed frame members to attain specific rigidities in particular pieces.

As a result, the ’08 frame has been reduced to just four castings compared to the ’07 frame which utilized 11 welded sections. This all equates to a stronger, lighter frame which, if Honda got it right, might put his bike on par with its supersport sibling.
Rake & Trail

07 600RR: 23.7 x 96.3mm

08 1000RR: 23.3 x 96.2mm

07 1000RR: 23.45 x 100mm

Braking components received a bit of an upgrade in the form of a new monoblock-style radial mount four-piston front brake calipers and highly-perforated dual 320mm floating discs. The 43mm HMAS inverted fork makes a return vidit as well as the Unit Pro-Link rear suspension. This year the swingarm looks quite different as it accommodates the new Moto-GP-inspired exhaust.

Hopping aboard the new bike reveals a much more compact, slimmer feeling CBR. Seat height seemed to be lower even though the specs still say 32.3 inches. Whether it’s a narrow seat/tank junction or what facilitates this exactly, but it felt like more like the rider is a part of the machine somehow. The new bike feels slimmer between the legs and when rocked from side-to-side, it felt as if the weight has been lowered too. Reach to the bars seemed to be a little closer than last year’s model and bar height seemed to be a little bit higher-which is a may be a happy medium for track and street use.

Fit and finish seemed to be typical Honda with all of the pieces fitting together making the bike look virtually seamless as if it was carved from one solid piece. The 2008 CBR1000RR will be offered in four colors: Red/Black, Black/Metallic Silver, Pearl Yellow/Black, Candy Dark Red/Metallic Silver and one stunning, limited edition Black/Metallic Grey version in which only 500 units will be available for sale. Weight and performance figures are all hush-hush right now but we should have our hands on the machine in late January next year so we’ll be able to provide you will all the figures at that time.

Honda 1000 definitely looks like it will get you everywhere fast!

The new CBR1000RR will find its way into your local dealer by late-March 2008 and will have a price of $11,599 – yes, that’s just $100 more than this year’s model. For all of the racers who have been interested in racing Red, your wish has come true.

A full line of genuine HRC components including cams, transmission kit, wiring harness, exhaust system, throttle kit, suspension, air intake kit, and oversized radiator will all be av

ailable for purchase circa spring 2008.