MANILA: After its global launch at the 2019 EICMA motorcycle show in Italy, the 2020 Honda CBR1000RR-R, or simply 2020 Honda Fireblade (which is easier to say and remember) finally made its Asian debut at Sepang International Circuit during the 2019 Races of Malaysia ahead of World Endurance Championship Sepang 8 Hours.

The participation of the 2020 Fireblade in Sepang is in preparation for the World Superbike Championship (WSBK) that is currently being dominated by rival Kawasaki ZX-10RR.

The highly anticipated Honda superbike replaces the current CBR1000RR and takes design cues from the brand’s MotoGP racing motorcycles. Its new and powerful engine co-developed with HRC, Honda’s racing department, is an “ultra-compact” inline-four engine that can produce a maximum of 215 hp of power at 14,500 rpm and 113 Nm of peak torque at 12,500 rpm. In comparison, the previous generation CBR1000RR can only churn 189 hp of power but is torquier by one Nm at 114 Nm.

The base model 2020 Honda Fireblade currently on display at the circuit features chassis and bodywork lifted from the Honda RC213V-S race replica as evident on the longer swingarm.

The aluminum diamond frame makes use of the back end of the engine as the rear monoshock’s upper mount, so Honda was able to let go of the frame cross member and improve the rider’s feel and grip for the bike.

With the new design, vertical rigidity is increased by 18 percent, torso rigidity by 9 percent, and horizontal rigidity by 11 percent. The fuel tank is also lowered by 45 mm for an enhanced riding position.

The new Honda bike on display also features Showa fully adjustable 330 mm front brake discs, gripped by 4-piston radial-mounted Nissin calipers but the SP version will come with Brembo Stylema calipers and Ohlins electronic suspension. Feeding the engine is a centrally located ram-air duct in the fairing, while exhaust goes through an Akrapovic 4-2-1 system that ends in an oval-shaped titanium silencer.

Riding aids abound on the new 2020 Honda Fireblade as it comes in three default riding modes with customizable power, engine braking, wheelie control through the optimized Honda Selectable Torque Control system (HSTC). There is also a new full-color TFT screen and launch control comes standard. The Honda superbike on display rides on a Bridgestone R11 and 200/55-ZR17 rubber at the rear.

Other racing features include titanium connecting rods, forged aluminum pistons, finger-follower rocker arms for valve actuation, throttle-by-wire, Bosch six-axis IMU, a redesigned mudguard to lower drag and winglets on both sides of the fairing as aerodynamic aids.

No words yet from Honda regarding price and release date for the local market. But we are optimistic it will be sooner rather than later.

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