Honda's most powerful production motorcycle of all time

The blackbird places Honda at the height of high-speed racing in the mid-1990s. Officially called the Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird, the model aimed solely at dethroning the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-11 as the fastest motorcycle in the world, and succeeded in doing so, reaching a record-breaking 285 km/h. Around the same time, Honda developed another CBR designed for both track and everyday road use, which would later dominate top-level racetracks and street arenas while delighting enthusiasts with a reliable, everyday superbike that was smooth, fast and easy to handle.

The original CBR900RR of 1992 revolutionized the superbike scene and was the beginning of the Fireblade family of motorcycles. The four-cylinder engine, lightweight design and distinctive, sharp, howling exhaust note are standout features of the bike, which remains among the elite of superbikes. Honda even developed special race-legal “SP” variants that offer the ultimate in street-legal performance. The latest version of the Fireblade produces a whopping 215 hp, making it Honda's most powerful production motorcycle to date.

The history of the Honda Fireblade

A powerhouse in the liter class with the agility of a super sports car

The Fireblade was originally planned as a 750cc bike, but Honda was concerned about sabotaging its sport and sport-touring models of the same displacement. The same concern applied to converting it to a 1-litre bike, which could affect sales of the CBR1000F. Honda then decided to increase the displacement and adapted the chassis components of the 750 to fit an 893cc engine.

This new bike emphasized mass centralization, making every component as light as possible and placing heavier parts near the bike's center of gravity. The result was a sleek, lightweight motorcycle weighing just over 400 pounds and producing around 120 horsepower. This combination made the 1992 CBR900RR as light and nimble as a 600cc supersport, but with the growl and acceleration of a 1-liter class sport bike.

MotoGP successes led to trickle-down technology for the road

As is usual with model developments, the original CBR900RR underwent many changes over the years, but it wasn't until 2004 that an all-new CBR1000RR was launched. This model was important as it adopted design cues and chassis developments from Honda's all-conquering RC211V MotoGP machine. A new 998cc engine with 170bhp was fitted into a GP-derived frame. At the same time, technologies such as an electronic steering damper and other things were introduced along with the iconic under-seat muffler.

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2017 Honda CBR1000RR SP2 Homologation Special: The Birth of a New Era

189 HP, 430 LBS, semi-active suspension

The 2017 Fireblade model was getting closer to the 200+ horsepower mark. The bike was completely redesigned and available in three versions – the base RR, the SP and the homologation special SP2. The engines of the RR and SP were essentially the same, but the SP2 was lighter and featured semi-active Öhlins suspension, Brembo brake calipers and a titanium fuel tank.

A comprehensive electronics package was also introduced, which included a five-axis IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit). This offered a range of features such as nine-level Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC), Bosch ABS with wheelie control and tail lift control. The motorcycle also featured three riding modes, five levels of power delivery, three levels of wheelie control and three levels of engine braking, which was a significant technological advancement.

Significant model development for the CBR Fireblade over the years

(Specifications taken from Motorcycle Specs)

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2020 Honda CBR1000RR-R SP: The most powerful version yet

Peak power: 215 hp at 14,500 rpm

2020 saw the launch of the most powerful and technically advanced Blade to date. Not only did this model get an extra R in its name, but it was also available in a special homologation version, the SP, which featured sophisticated electronic suspension from Ohlins. The new Honda CBR1000RR-R offered more power, 215 hp, and reached a whopping 14,500 rpm. To put it in perspective, that's almost 100 hp more than the 1992 CBR900RR, with just over 100 cc more displacement, demonstrating Honda's engineering prowess and the resulting success in motorsport. The bikes brought many other innovations with this model year.

Throttle-by-wire for two engines

This unique technology uses two separate motors for each pair of cylinders, enabling smoother throttle response and engine braking – a first for a Honda production motorcycle.

Winglets

To improve aerodynamic efficiency, the CBR1000RR-R SP uses fairing-mounted winglets to increase front downforce and improve high-speed agility.

6-axis IMU

The heart of the electronics package is the IMU, which adds three-stage ABS control with race setting as well as Honda's electronic steering damper control.

Racing-based aluminum swingarm

The rear engine mount comes from the RC213V MotoGP bike and also acts as the upper shock absorber mount for better rear tire grip, while the aluminum swingarm provides stability.

Akrapovic silencer

The CBR1000RR-R SP comes standard with a titanium silencer with controlled sound output, which gives the bike its unique inline-four howl.

TFT dashboard

A 5-inch full-color TFT instrumentation has been added to control various functions, including adjustment of the Ohlins semi-active electronic suspension.

Racing package

This gives the SP special sporty details, including a 3-stage quickshifter, sprocket guard, frame protectors, tank pad and Alcantara seat with matching red or black seat cover. An oil cap, rim strips and a higher tinted windscreen complete the finishing kit.

2020 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP Engine Specifications

Since the last update, the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade and SP have remained largely unchanged. A new model is due in 2024 and is expected to debut as a 2025 model. Until then, this 215 hp CBR monster proudly wears the winged badge as Honda's most powerful production motorcycle ever.

Sources: Honda official websites and press room