Nicky Hayden was the last person to win a World Superbike race on a Honda CBR1000RR. That victory on May 15, 2016, in the pouring rain at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia highlighted the late Kentuckian’s smooth riding style as well as the forgivinging nature of the CBR-RR platform. And that latter trait remains true today with the current machine. Is the standard-issue CBR1000RR more powerful or faster than the other Japanese liter-class sportbikes—Kawasaki ZX-10R, Suzuki GSX-R1000, and Yamaha YZF-R1—or its European counterparts, the Aprilia RSV4 RF, BMW S 1000 RR, or Ducati V4? No, but it is velvety-smooth, with a seat plush enough to be considered comfortable, and light-effort handling that makes the Honda one of the easiest repli-racers in the big-bore segment to hustle along a twisty road.
The CBR1000RR, CBR1000RR ABS, and CBR1000RR SP use the same 16-valve engine, aluminum frame, and titanium fuel tank. ABS with rear-lift control adds $300, and the SP replaces the base model’s 43mm Showa Big Piston Fork and Balance Free Rear Cushion shock with semi-active Öhlins Electronic Control suspension. The SP also has Brembo rather than Tokico front brake calipers.
Likes: Sharpest, most advanced CBR1000RR ever; seamless upshifts and downshifts
Dislikes: More low-rpm grunt and top-end punch, please; aggressive TC intervention
Verdict: A beautifully finished open-class sportbike that instills confidence in the rider
Lengthy commutes in the saddle of a clip-on-handlebar-equipped racer-replica? You betcha. "The riding position, seat comfort, and engine smoothness made a two-hour freeway drone perfectly tolerable," Cycle World Editor-in-Chief Mark Hoyer said after riding the then-brand-new 2017 Honda CBR1000RR on both street and track. "My all-day sportbike for sure."
Wings On The Next Honda CBR1000RR
2017 Japanese Literbike Comparison
This category of motorcycles used to be solely defined by the fitment of a full-coverage fairing that gave the various players racy, just-off-the-track appearances. Now, pretty much every manufacturer from Europe to Japan also offers an unfaired alternative—some tuned more for midrange torque, others with full-pop performance—that is worth consideration.
The 2019 Honda CBR1000RR and CBR1000RR ABS are available in Grand Prix Red or Matte Black Metallic, the CBR1000RR SP in Grand Prix Tri-Color. Honda also offers 13 factory accessories, ranging from a power socket ($85.95) and a color-matched seat cowl ($169.95) to a quickshifter ($579.95).
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