Semi-active suspension

Fully adjustable, semi-active, and track ready, the new Öhlins Smart EC suspension system is a huge upgrade from what you’d normally find on a streetbike. Here’s how it works: The Suspension Control Unit receives roll rate, yaw rate and lean angle information from the Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) gyro, while also gathering wheel speed, engine rpm, brake input and throttle angle from other sensors. Using the Riding Mode Select System, you can choose from three automatic modes that calculate the ideal front and rear compression and rebound damping settings based on the input data, or use the three manual modes to set damping rates yourself to perfectly suit the conditions and your riding style.

Advanced ABS

The CBR1000RR SP’s gyro-assisted ABS takes anti-lock braking technology to an even higher level. Using lean-angle data from the IMU and both front- and rear-wheel speed sensors, the system allows hard trail braking into corners and limits rear-wheel lift—preventing the rear of the machine from elevating or “backing in” around the front. Brembo four-piston monobloc radial-mount front brake calipers use newly developed brake pads with a high coefficient of friction that perform better at the elevated temperatures created during aggressive riding.

Even better handling

The lightweight hollow die-cast twin-spar aluminum frame’s rigidity balance delivers precise handling with outstanding steering response, feel and stability. The Unit Pro-Link swingarm has also had the thickness of each section adjusted to save on weight, while maintaining transverse rigidity and increasing torsional rigidity.

Steering control

Most steering dampers only sense handlebar-deflection speed. The Honda Electronic Steering Damper (HESD) is way more sophisticated. It also detects vehicle speed, and adjusts damping proportionally. This helps maintain low-speed maneuverability while providing predictable high-speed handling.

Lightweight wheels

The lightweight Y-shape aluminum wheels offer aerodynamic stability and strength with an attractive supersport design.

Wind-cutting shape

The CBR’s sleek, lightweight bodywork wraps around the chassis and engine tightly, adding to the bike’s compact proportions and aerodynamic efficiency. The narrow upper fairing and the surface angle of the headlights in conjunction with the contouring of the side slits all help support enhanced stability at high speed. In a racing crouch the rider is tucked well out of the airstream, and in normal riding situations air pressure is evenly distributed on the rider’s shoulders, back and sides.

Bright LED lighting

All lighting is crisp LED, with the twin front headlights offering high/low beam on both sides. The brilliantly bright headlights also further improve the CBR1000RR SP's mass centralization due to their lightweight versus traditional headlight systems.

Lightweight lithium-ion battery

The lithium-ion battery is half the weight of the lead-acid battery found in the previous generation. Service life is even better, and the central mounting location helps to improve mass centralization.