Introduction
The heart and soul of this motorcycle remains the same 999cc liquid-cooled inline four-cylinder engine with DOHC; four valves per cylinder valve train, a very powerful and compact powerplant fed through Honda’s advanced Dual Stage Fuel Injection system. On the 2010 model year, the flywheel is larger for increased engine inertia. The gearbox remains the same close-ratio six-speed unit and the fact is that apart from the new flywheel, you get (mechanically) the same machine that raised liter bike standards in 2009, when it was launched as a completely reinvented model.
Both suspension and braking systems remain the same, so there’s also a 2010 Honda CBR1000RR C-ABS available. While the base model weighs in at 439 pounds, the one with anti-lock brakes has a 461.7 curb weight, but the just over 20 pounds extra weight is well worth given the infinite benefit of an ABS-equipped two-wheeled rocket.
Apart from the larger flywheel and new color schemes (we’ll get to those pretty soon) the 2010 model year also features a redesigned license plate stay, which can easily be removed when you take this already light blast to the track, and a redesigned muffler cover for an even more appealing look.
History
With the first Fireblade model launched in the early 1990s and having continuously evolved ever since, Honda has come a very long way with what originally started as a large displacement CBR for the masses.
Competition
Yamaha also came up with a brand new R1 in 2009, a model featuring the notorious crossplane crankshaft that brings this liter bike even closer to Valentino Rossi’s and Jorge Lorenzo’s racing marvels. In fact, there’s even a 2010 YZF-R1 Rossi Replica, which although not essentially upgraded, shows how street bikes diminish the gap between them and their racing siblings with each year that passes. Also, the 2010 Yamaha R1 is CBR’s closest competitor.
Suzuki and Kawasaki haven’t yet presented their 2010 liter bikes, the GSX-R1000 and the Ninja ZX-10R models, but the bikes will most likely carry on unchanged, just like the CBR and R1 do.
The most interesting 2010 addition to this segment is the BMW S1000RR, while the 2009 Aprilia RSV4 is a V-Twin blast like no other, but not if we also take in consideration the Ducati 1098R and the corresponsive Bayliss limited edition model.
Exterior
With the introduction of the all-new CBR1000RR last year, Honda didn’t just delivered a smaller, lighter and faster Fireblade, but gave the liter bike class a whole new look that other manufacturers are having troubles imitating. Despite being as compact and aerodynamic as it could possibly get, riders are still offered a forgiving riding position on a machine that can truly be considered an extension of their bodies.
Sharp lines – although still present in small measure on the 2010 model year – aren’t that attractive like, for instance, the bike’s front nose, fairing and windscreen. These parts of the bike look like being modeled by the air tunnel wind and they actually are given the fact that no supersport model enters production before test engineers are satisfied with the bike’s low drag coefficient.
As earlier mentioned, the muffler cover is new. This looks even more aggressive and copes with the overall refined look of this performance motorcycle. But nothing can make CBR’s exterior lines stand out better than the 2010 Pearl Orange/Light Metallic Silver and Red/Black color schemes. The ABS model is entirely Black. European riders get even nicer paint jobs.
Conclusion
Heavily upgraded as a 2009 model year, we we’re expecting Honda’s CBR1000RR to carry on with few changes as well as new colors and graphics, but the last thing that we want from this dream motorcycle provider is to become permanently predictable. In the motorcycle industry, that’s like being permanently disabled, but this is definitely not the case. Just wait for the next generation model to convince yourself if doubt ever crossed your mind.
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SPECIFICATIONS
Model: CBR1000RR / CBR1000RR C-ABS
Engine and Transmission
Engine Type: 999cc liquid-cooled inline four-cylinder
Bore and Stroke: 76mm x 55.1mm
Compression ratio: 12.3:1
Valve Train: DOHC; four valves per cylinder
Induction: Dual Stage Fuel Injection (DSFI)
Ignition: Computer-controlled digital transistorized with 3-D mapping
Transmission: Close-ratio six-speed
Final Drive: #530 O-ring–sealed chain
Chassis and Dimensions
Suspension
Front: 43mm inverted HMAS cartridge fork with spring preload, rebound and compression damping adjustability; 4.3 inches travel
Rear: Unit Pro-Link HMAS single shock with spring preload, rebound and compression damping adjustability; 5.4 inches travel
Brakes
Front: Dual radial-mounted four-piston calipers with full-floating 320mm discs
Rear: Single 220mm disc; Honda Electronic Combined ABS
Tires
Front: 120/70ZR-17 radial
Rear: 190/50ZR-17 radial
Wheelbase: 55.4 inches
Rake: 23.3°
Trail: 96.2mm (3.8 inches)
Seat Height: 32.3 inches
Fuel Capacity: 4.7 gallons, including 1.06-gallon reserve
Curb Weight: 439 pounds (CBR1000RR) / 461.7 pounds (CBR1000RR C-ABS)
Other
Colors:
CBR1000RR: Pearl Orange/Light Metallic Silver, Red/Black
CBR1000RR C-ABS: Black
Features & Benefits
2010 Honda CBR1000RR for Europe
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