Paris Show '07: 2008 Honda CBR1000RR FireBlade official launch news and images
By Dan Thornton -
29 September 2007 14:16
Honda has unveiled the 2008 Honda CBR1000RR FireBlade in a private press conference on the first day of the 2007 Paris Motorcycle Show.
The 2008 Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade is a radically different looking motorcycle from previous incarnations, with a more compact, snub-nosed fairing, and an overall design which is more compact and aerodynamic.
The new fairing limits drag and inertia when changing direction, and is positioned closer to the steering head. There are two air intake ports, and the indicators are now mirror-mounted. The entire motorcycle is now smaller and slimmer, with a lightweight, compqct engine. In addition, the chassis is now almost 2.5kg lighter.
The 2008 Honda CBR1000RR's 2.5kg lighter motor has a new separate cylinder block with lighter sleeveless cylinders, lighter, larger bore forged pistons, and a slipper clutch. The underslung titanium exhaust exits alongside the lighter-weight gull-wing hybrid aluminium swingarm. And there is a new, smaller and lighter; second-generation Honda steering damper.
Even the battery is lighter and more compact, easing the job of the new monoblock radial-mounted front disc brake calipers and six-point mount floating rotors. The suspension has had few changes, with the 43mm inverted front forks, and the rear Unit Pro-Link suspension pioneered in MotoGP. The wheels are 550g lighter in tandem, and Bridgestone BT015 or Dunlop Sportmax Qualifiers are recommended.
The result is a kerb weight of 199kg (105kg front, 94kg rear). Colours are Graphite Black (with red), Pearl Sunbeam White (with black), Winning Red (with black), or plqin Graphite Black.
In addition to the 2008 Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade, Honda also launched the 2008 Honda CBF600 and CBF600S, plus the XL700V Transalp.
To see a full round-up of the 2008 motorcycle launches, news, videos and highlights from the 2007 Paris Motorcycle Show, click here. And for a full analysis of the 2008 motorcycle ranges, see MCN, out Wednesday, October 3, 2007.
For MCN Honda motorcycle reviews, click here.
For Honda motorcycles for sale, click here.
