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Development Concept

The CBR1000RR Fireblade is well established as the leading sports motorcycle available on the market today, offering the highest levels of outright performance and ride-ability - both on the racetrack and the road.

Lighter than the competition with searing speed and inspirational agility, the Fireblade is the touchstone of high-adrenalin motorcycling.

For 2009 the Honda engineers were charged with further extending the Fireblade's reach by adding increased safety to already sky-high levels of dynamic ability - without losing any of the Fireblade's razor-sharp edge.

The addition of Honda's all-new electronically-controlled Combined Anti-lock Brake System (e-CABS) achieves this formidable goal.

Make no mistake; the engineers didn't underestimate the difficulty of this task. A e-CABS system capable of matching the performance demands of a bike such as the Fireblade was always going to be a huge challenge. But it has been met, with no loss to the Fireblade's ultimate sporting philosophy and with a minimal weight penalty.

While the e-CABS is not designed as a performance aid in the most extreme conditions of ultra-fast track riding, such is the sophistication of the system that even expert riders are likely to outperform it only after several attempts. And the confidence benefits delivered by e-CABS in emergency situations or unexpectedly slippery conditions are undisputed.

For the first time, then, a Super Sport machine is capable of delivering the highest levels of speed and performance, while also benefiting from the confidence and peace of mind provided by e-CABS. Total Control. You'd better believe it.

Styling

The 2009 Fireblade's styling reflects the purposeful and minimalist concept of the bike. No fuss, no drama, with nothing present that isn't utterly essential as part of a pared-down sports-focused machine. The machine's appearance is short and compact with the whole seeming to be drawn towards the centre of the bike in the pursuit of optimum mass centralisation.

The front cowl clings closely to the headstock, protruding as little as possible over the front of the bike in order to minimise inertia and maximise aerodynamic efficiency.

Sleek bodywork provides the minimum resistance to the wind at high speeds, while incorporating the rider into an efficient part of the aerodynamic package.

Line beam headlights and dual ram-air intakes complete the ultra-aggressive look at the front.At the rear, the seat unit also offers an example of minimalist design, using only as much material as is needed to securely support rider and pillion. This, along with the underslung exhaust silencer nestling below the engine, further contributes to the machine's compact mass centralisation ethos.

Sleek wing-mirror mounted indicators complement the Fireblade's clutter-free design, and for 2009 the rear indicators come in a new oval shape and feature a clear lens with an orange bulb, all integrated into the compact licence plate holder.

Rounding off the elegant look are the classic Honda Wing emblems on either side of the fuel tank which ooze style, class and traditional Japanese craftsmanship.

The compact engine now wears an intense matt black colour, enhanced with a new shape-hugging black engine cover, and features new black brake callipers (standard version only). The e-CABS version's engine is also black, with new Sherry Topaz Brown Metallic brake callipers.

The e-CABS model also integrates additional bodywork features to neatly cover the systems components. The independent front power unit near the engine is housed by a sleek continuation of the front fairing. Similarly at the rear, an attractive, black underseat cowl covers the ECU unit.

Brakes

Although the Fireblade is impressively light, it still requires a braking system capable of delivering ultimate levels of deceleration and control. To this end, radially-mounted four-piston callipers in a lightweight monoblock configuration are combined with six-point floating rotors to provide the rider with huge braking power whilst minimising unsprung weight.

Electronically-Controlled Combined Anti-lock Brake System (e-CABS)

In 2009, for the first time, a top-of-the-range superbike will be available with e-CABS. The Fireblade is once again pushing back the boundaries of motorcycle performance.

The demands of a braking system for a Super Sport machine are different and more exacting than those of a more conventional road-going motorcycle.

The particular characteristics of Super Sports bikes, such as short wheelbase, need to be considered.The system also needs to operate without interference to sports riding, and with an emphasis on maintaining full rider control.

Braking on a road-going machine usually demands a moderate level of intensity, with maximum braking reserved for emergency situations or perhaps very occasional fast rides. In these circumstances e-CABS only needs to deal with extreme braking as an emergency, rather than as a regular occurrence.

Therefore, e-CABS for a road-based machine can be relatively intrusive to the rider - because in theory they will only use it in an emergency situation and will not mind. However, on a Super Sports machine, extreme braking can be considered as a regular performance requirement. Super Sports e-CABS must allow the rider to brake very close to the limit before activating, and when it does, the reduction in braking force must be very smooth in order not to unsettle the machine, or rider.

In addition the extreme pitching forward of weight under braking, which enhances the braking ability of the front wheel while reducing traction from the rear, calls for a very subtle and advanced system in order to provide an acceptable level of performance from a Super Sport braking system.Honda's new electronically-controlled Combined Anti-lock Brake System provides just this level of performance. All the basic e-CABS and CBS functions are provided, including the prevention of wheel lock, improved balance and easy operation. This is achieved without any compromise to stability during e-CABS operation. Pitching is minimised so that the bike keeps its normal position. Overall, sport riding performance is uninterrupted - cornering feel remains the same and controllability is enhanced.

Does it work?

In exhaustive testing, both on the road and racetrack, development riders have found that the system exceeds their demands and out-performs the rider's ability to brake on most occasions. An average ('non-expert') rider using a conventional braking system needs several braking attempts to attain braking performance approaching that of the e-CABS. An expert rider using a conventional system will need fewer attempts to reach a similar level. For example, only in a racetrack situation where an expert rider repeatedly brakes into the same corner was it found that the tester could outperform the e-CABS.

An additional benefit of e-CABS is that the rear wheel lifting which can accompany extremely heavy braking is reduced significantly. The nature of a Super Sport machine - with short wheelbase and sharp steering geometry - means that during very heavy braking the entire weight of the machine can be pitched forward onto the front wheel. In extreme circumstances, if the braking force is then increased further, the rear wheel can lift off the ground into a ?stoppie". The e-CABS reduces this effect to a minimum, although the need to achieve total weight transfer onto the front wheel for maximum braking means it has not been removed completely.

The overall benefits of e-CABS are significant for riders of all skill levels. The feeling of confidence that goes with it hugely enhances the ride experience and encourages the development of skills. This is yet another hugely significant advance by Honda into the future of two-wheel enjoyment.

Exhaust

The Fireblade's low-slung exhaust system is true to the mass centralisation ethos of the machine, while also providing maximum ground clearance in extreme track riding conditions. Within the muffler are two exhaust valves which constantly tailor the resonance of the exhaust system to achieve maximum drive and smoothness at all revs. Through the midrange the valves help to maintain an excellent delivery of progressive torque, while also aiding the Fireblade's immense levels of power at full throttle. Emissions are kept well within regulated limits by Honda's proven HECS3 oxygen-sensing catalyser system which constantly monitors harmful emissions within the exhaust gases and tailors fuelling in order to achieve the most efficient combustion mixture.

Engine

Improved power-to-weight ratio is always the focus of the ultimate sports bike and the Fireblade's power plant delivers an astonishing top-end rush coupled with superb torque through-the-revs drive. This has been achieved by a dedicated focus on the mechanical efficiency of every single component, and the result speaks for itself. The Fireblade engine is renowned for providing seamless surge and eye-watering top end performance, all from an incredibly light and compact package.Sleeveless cylinders save weight and allow for a wide-bore, short stroke configuration essential for making high-revving power. Pistons, cams, valves and cranks are all pared down to the bare minimum weight, while retaining Honda's incontestable reputation for durability.

To further enhance the smooth, seamless delivery from the engine, Honda's innovative Assist Slipper Clutch helps maintain composure while rapidly changing down through the gears. With the bike pitched forward on its nose under heavy braking, this system almost entirely eliminates hopping from the rear wheel as the clutch is released. In addition, Honda's clever 'assist' mechanism assures both quicker and more assured clutch reengagement and much lighter and more comfortable clutch actuation in virtually all riding and racing conditions.

Frame

The Fireblade's aluminium frame combines the essentials of superbike chassis: strength, rigidity and lightness. Constructed from just four pieces of aluminium, the elegant design was crucial for Honda's engineers to achieve the targets of agile and secure handling while accommodating the improved mass centralisation brought about by fuel tank location, the underslung exhaust system and optimum engine position.

High-quality suspension components are used to give the Fireblade the ideal balance between comfort and taut road-holding. The front wheel is held by a high-spec, fully adjustable 43mm inverted HMAS cartridge-type front fork. At the rear, a handsome gull-wing shape hybrid aluminium swing arm provides the platform for delivering the Fireblade's awesome drive to the road. The unit is relatively long to give maximum machine stability under power and reduce the tendency to wheelie, while ensuring the Fireblade's legendary agility.

The rear shock e-CABSorber is housed using Honda's pioneering Unit Pro-Link suspension system - as developed in the high-speed laboratory of Honda's MotoGP racing campaign and used on the RC212V ridden by Nicky Hayden and Dani Pedrosa.

The Fireblade's lightweight aluminium three-spoke wheels help to minimise the extremely low unsprung mass of the machine, guaranteeing maximum responsiveness and light handling.

In addition to the Fireblade's superb levels of natural stability, the machine features Honda's innovative second-generation HESD Steering Damper. Mounted under the fuel tank cover, the system achieves the dual goals of enhancing high-speed stability while allowing light and easy steering at slower speeds. This is achieved by automatically varying the resistance provided by the damper according to the road speed of the bike.

Colouring Concept

This year Honda Racing is celebrating 50 years of Racing, and 50 years of victories. From the Isle of Man TT to Formula One Grand Prix to Le Mans, World Superbike and MotoGP championships, victory lanes around the world are almost unimaginable without Honda models in them.

Is there a better illustration of the heights of achievement which 50 years of experience can bring, than the all-conquering CBR1000RR Fireblade? With close ties to the RC212V and a lineage reaching back to the RC30 and beyond, it is possibly Honda's most highly developed expression of both cutting edge technology and the spirit of winning.

And is there a better way to celebrate this achievement than the release of the Fireblade's 2009 evolution in the head-turning commemorative Repsol colour?

The standard (non e-CABS) is offered in full Honda Repsol racing livery that proudly shows the Fireblade's ties to the MotoGP-dominating RC211V and accentuates its race-bred technology and heritage.

It's also adorned with a special commemorative '50 Years of Racing Special Edition' badge and is now available as a limited edition model.