EICMA 2016: 2017 Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade showcased

We have been waiting for the new generation Honda Fireblade since Obama started his presidency and the second term is nearly over! We finally have the 2017 Fireblade and it does pack the punch we expected out of it, albeit a soft one. 90 per cent of the parts on the 2017 ‘Blade are new and it also gets the much-needed electronics.

It gets a five-axis IMU with a 9-level adjustable traction control called Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC). The latest Bosch ABS unit also comes embedded with rear lift control and wheelie control. The throttle-by-wire system also helps with the three riding modes – Track, Winding and Street – which offer different permutations and combinations of HSTC, power and engine braking. While the electronics are state-of-the-art, they still fall short of the market leaders like Yamaha YZF-R1M which gets a six-axis IMU.

In terms of mechanicals, the new CBR 1000RR weighs 15kg less and offers better handling owing to the lowered moment of inertia. The power is also up to 189bhp at 13000rpm improving the power-to-weight ratio by 14 per cent. It does not get the semi-active suspension and Brembo brakes as seen in the SPs but the Showa 43mm springs in the front as well as the back are fully adjustable.

Again, for the geeks, it gets all-LED headlamps but if it gets the cornering function hasn’t been confirmed yet. The instrument console is a TFT liquid crystal screen that automatically adjusts to ambient light. The console can also be run in three different modes – Street, Circuit and Mechanic.

As of now we have only seen the red/black with white paint scheme which looks fabulous but we will keep our fingers crossed for the trademark Repsol and HRC liveries. The CBR 1000RR Fireblade should continue to be one of the easiest to ride among the litre-class super sport bikes especially with its famous smooth power delivery and now the much bigger safety cushion of electronics.