Honda's 2027 Fireblade: softer frame and a WSBK special
Honda redesigned about 75% of the CBR1000RR-R at EICMA. The frame is 20% less stiff sideways, and there is a new HRC Works Edition for WSBK.
3 min readItalyBy PitPin Desk
Three versions
Honda unveiled the 2027 CBR1000RR-R Fireblade at EICMA in Milan, where the press days run on 3 and 4 November. About 75% of the components are new, Honda says, and its line for the bike is "Total Control for the Track".
The standard Fireblade keeps the Showa Big Piston Fork and BFRC-lite shock. The Fireblade SP keeps electronically controlled Öhlins Smart-EC3.0 suspension and gets new Brembo Hypure brakes. The new HRC Works Edition is a homologation model for the World Superbike Championship.
A frame that bends more sideways
The new aluminium twin-tube frame is 20% less stiff laterally than the old one. Torsional rigidity stays the same. Honda did some of this by bolting the engine hangers on with separate brackets. On the previous frame they were cast as one piece. It says the change improves cornering, tyre contact feel and stability under acceleration.
The frame is made by thin-wall gravity die casting, with walls as thin as 2 mm, and weighs 440 g less. The swingarm pivot shaft shrinks from 20 mm to 17 mm and its lateral rigidity drops by 12%, again with torsional rigidity unchanged. Honda says this gives better rear tyre feel in corners.
Honda Motor Europe adds revised geometry and a new rider triangle, new wheels, and chassis work for corner entry stability and front-end feel.
Variable intake funnels
The 999 cc inline four gets a two-stage variable-length intake funnel, the first on a mass-produced Honda motorcycle. The funnel is in two parts. From 11,750 rpm the upper part slides up and separates from the lower one, so the intake changes length and diameter. Honda says there is more power low down and in the mid-range, and the top end holds.
The two-motor throttle-by-wire has finer control of the throttle valves, which Honda says improves response on the throttle, engine braking and the change from braking to drive.
Titanium tank without a cover
The fuel tank is now titanium. The 2017 CBR1000RR SP and SP2 also had titanium tanks, but they needed a plastic cover. Better pressing and painting removed it here. On the SP the cylinder head cover and other parts are magnesium, which takes more than 200 g off the bike.
The HRC Works Edition
The Works Edition is a single-seater. The front winglets, front mudguard and rear duct fairing are carbon fibre. The forks are mechanically adjustable Öhlins NPX units with a TTX36 shock, and the brakes are Brembo Hypure Sports. It is road-legal where local rules allow.
Honda offers an HRC Racing Kit for it, including the injection and ignition unit, a bottom-neutral shift system and collars for the head pipe and the swingarm pivot. Fitting the kit voids the warranty.
Honda's announcement does not give power, weight or price figures.