Honda ratchets up its flagship superbike range with a new racing homologation version that’s the most extreme Blade ever produced
If you thought Honda might have lost interest in the World and British superbike race series after the total domination of Ducati and its V4R of late – think again. Because the big H has given the Fireblade one it its biggest overhauls ever, with a totally new chassis design plus an even stronger engine.
And it’s also built a pure race homologation version, dubbed the HRC World Edition (HRC WE) with extensive race aerodynamics, optional neutral-at-the-bottom gearbox, and radical adjustable frame with variable steering stem collars and swingarm pivot plate inserts to alter the pivot positions.
The WE bike also gets a set of Brembo Hypure Sports racing brake calipers, and swaps the electronic Öhlins suspension on the SP model for premium manual-adjustable track-ready Öhlins kit instead. Massive carbon fibre winglets on the front fairing and rear seat unit, as well as carbon mudguard and single seat unit rounds off the WE upgrades.
But the whole Fireblade range has had a wheels-up refresh, focused around the chassis. There’s a new aluminium main frame design that’s been tweaked with altered rigidity for better handling and feedback. The aluminium swingarm design is all-new too, with the bottom shock mount actually on the crankcases, and there’s sharper chassis geometry that puts more weight over the front wheel.
The wheelbase is 5mm longer at 1,450mm, with revised rake and trail of 24°/ 101mm (previously 24.1°/ 101.9mm) for the SP, and 23.8°/ 99.8mm for the HRC-WE. Weight distribution has also shifted forward to 53.3% front and 46.7% rear (from 52.8%/47.2%), increasing front-end load.
Honda’s also raised the crankshaft centreline by 5.2mm to 432.5mm, and seat height from 831.5mm to 843mm for the SP, 847mm for the HRC-WE – improving rider mobility and machine response during direction changes.
Meanwhile, the aluminium swingarm is 1.2mm shorter at 620.6mm, its pivot shaft diameter is also reduced by 3mm to 17mm, with wall thickness and pivot width optimised to reduce lateral rigidity by 12% while maintaining torsional rigidity to match the new frame.
Small detail changes include a move from a 525 to a 520-drive chain which saves 270g: total reduction in wet weight is 1.3kg, with the new Fireblade SP tipping the scales at 201kg, and the Fireblade HRC Works Edition weighing just 200kg (the base bike is actually the lightest at 199kg)
Brakes on the SP are now Brembo’s Hypure calipers, the latest high-end options (the base bike has Nissin calipers) and there’s a choice of Showa Big Piston/Balance-Free suspension with the base bike, electronic Öhlins kit on the SP, or manual-adjust track Öhlins kit on the HRC WE edition.
The engine’s had a proper going-over too, although it’s still making the same peak power as before, at 160kW or 214bhp. It’s possible that we’re getting close to the limits for a 999cc four-cylinder road-legal emissions compliant motor (though we’ve said this a few times before…) Honda’s instead worked on more ridability from the motor: there’s a new Two-Motor Throttle-By-Wire (TBW) system that’s claimed to deliver precise control of both acceleration and engine braking.
Internally, the 16-valve DOHC water-cooled motor has new cam timing, cam sprocket adjustment options and updates to the valve train. Newly-machined piston crowns and combustion chambers raise compression ratio, while magnesium engine covers, aluminium bolts and lighter crankcases contribute to reduced mass.
The crank centre has also been raised, while revised mainshaft and countershaft spacing broadens transmission ratio possibilities for track use, while first gear is now five per cent taller. As before, a lightweight, compact Akrapovič muffler is fitted as standard, and you get titanium con rods with beryllium copper small end bushes – mad.
Electronic rider aids are mostly as you were, though there is re-calibration for 2027, so you have three default riding modes with full customisation of wheelie control, traction, engine brake and throttle response, all with IMU assistance.
And there’s an option for the WE to have special HRC race kit parts fitted to the transmission to move neutral to the bottom of the shift pattern, with a lockout lever which you need to operate to change into neutral, just like on MotoGP bikes.
The new 2027 CBR1000RR Fireblade range will be available next spring, prices tbc. See the bikes at the NEC Motorcycle Live show at the NEC this month – more info at www.honda.co.uk/motorcycles.
2027 Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade RR SP key highlights
- New aluminium frame features revised rigidity balance and design for improved cornering performance and feel for grip
- New swingarm is lighter and optimised to the frame
- New steering geometry sharper, with more weight on the front wheel and higher centre of gravity; seat height also raised
- Öhlins 43mm S-EC3.0 (SV) NPX USD front forks and TTX36 S-EC3.0 (SV) rear shock
- New 520 chain reduces unsprung weight and inertial mass
- New lightweight wheels reduce unsprung weight and inertial mass
- New Brembo Hypure radial-mount four-piston calipers managed by Cornering ABS through 3 modes – STANDARD/TRACK/RACE
- Showa 3-level Honda Electronic Steering Damper (HESD) controlled by IMU for stability management
- New fairing and front spoiler completely revised – led by MotoGP input – for improved aerodynamics/protection; generates the same downforce as previous design without use of winglets
- New LED headlight features Daytime Running Lights (DRL); lightweight new taillight
- New, exposed titanium fuel tank saves weight
- 5-inch colour TFT screen and four-way left-hand switch offer intuitive control of riding systems
- SMART Key operation
- Short-stroke, inline four-cylinder semi-cam gear train engine produces 160kW @ 14,000rpm with peak torque of 114Nm
- New two-stage Variable Air Funnels maintain top-end while boosting mid-range output
- Two-motor Throttle By Wire (TBW) system delivers smooth control for both acceleration and engine braking
- New cam timing, cam sprocket adjustment options and updated valve train
- New machined piston crowns and combustion chambers deliver higher compression ratio
- New magnesium engine covers and aluminium bolts save just under 1.1kg weight, crankcases also lighter
- New main/counter shaft spacing opens transmission ratio options; first gear 5% taller
- Lightweight, compact Akrapovič muffler
- Six-axis IMU underpins the entire electronics package
- Nine-level Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) optimised for new power output character
- Three default riding modes plus options to customise Power, Engine Brake, HSTC and Wheelie Control parameters
- Four-level Start Mode standard fitment
HRC Works Edition also features:
- Adjustable steering stem collar & adjustable swingarm pivot collar
- Öhlins mechanical suspension
- Brembo Hypure Sports four-piston front calipers
- Bottom neutral shifting structure available via optional HRC Kit parts
- Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) winglet, rear ducts and front mudguard; single seat unit
- Available in HRC WE Ignition Red