Honda CBR900RR
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
Please see the discussion on the talk page. |
| Honda CBR900RR | |
| Also called: | Fireblade |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Honda |
| Production: | 1992-1996 |
| Class: | Sport bike |
| Engine: | 893cc liquid-cooled inline four-cylinder |
| Transmission: | close-ratio six-speed |
| Related: | Honda CBR600RR Honda CBR1000RR Honda CB900F |
| Similar: | Suzuki GSXR1000 Yamaha YZF-R1 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R Ducati 916 |
The Honda CBR 900RR, known in most markets as the "Fireblade", is a large displacement sports motorcycle range, first released in 1992.
The CBR 900 RR was reputedly introduced with the hope of reigniting bikers' enthusiasm for large capacity sports machines at a time when big bikes were losing ground to smaller displacement counterparts because of lackluster handling and power delivery problems.
The CBR 900 was fitted with an 893cc 4 cylinder inline engine. Its handling capabilities were considered superior for a liter bike at the time, and stemmed from its relatively low weight of 185 kg, good braking and good steering design.
The Fireblade eventually evolved beyond its original engine capacity. Tadeo Baba, the CBR's designer, worked relentlessly to improve his brainchild. In 1995 he released a new engine design bearing in at 918 cc, and also updated the bike's suspension. This model had a reputation of civility toward the driver. It would remain largely unchanged for 5 years, bearing only minor refinements until 2000. Yamaha's introduction of the radical R1 sporting machine caused serious competition for the CBR in the couple of years leading up to 2000.
In 2000 the 'Blade was released with a 929 cc engine, all new USD (upside-down) shock absorbers, fuel injection, and weight trimmed down to 170 kg. This proved to be insufficient to counter the popular R1, and 2 years later an even more refined 954 Fireblade was released. The bodywork and fairings were reworked for a sleeker, more aerodynamic feel, and the 954 cc powerplant with its EFI injectors produced much improved torque and power. Frame strengthening improved the CBR's handling, with a more rigid swingarm holding up the rear. Another weight reduction brought its dry mass down to 168 kg.
The 2003 model was basically identical to the 2002, distinguished only by being the last year Honda produced a 9xx cc Fireblade. In 2004 Honda produced its first CBR1000RR 998 cc Fireblade, bringing the engine capacity of its sportsbike flagship model up to match that of its major competitors.
