We are almost at the time when Honda celebrates its 70th Anniversary since the incorporation – 24 September 1948 -, and there’s no better way to celebrate the occasion than to release a revamped line-up of models for 2019. One of those new models might be the next-gen of the CBR1000RR Fireblade.
According to rumors, Honda has plans to introduce a completely revamped Fireblade in the market, a bike that will get a new chassis, but more important, a brand new inline-four-cylinder engine able to develop 215 hp!
Honda will make use of a central air-duct to direct air to the airbox in a more direct way, creating more pressure, obtaining more power. The front cowl design will also need to be completely redesigned, with the headlights getting a hollowed-out style, much in the same way some of its rivals use, like the Ducati Panigale.
As much as many fans wanted, Honda isn’t going to change the engine into a V4 configuration, that engine is likely being developed to a special new model, the RVF1000R, but the new inline-four-cylinder is likely going to get a displacement bump to cope with the added power.
We expect Honda to make a 1100 cc engine, similar to what Ducati has done with its V4, or like Aprilia is developing for the next generation of the RSV4, but there are rumors of the engine reaching 1200 cc.
As for different versions, Honda will maintain the names we know: standard, SP1 and SP2.
If standard and SP1 will be similar in terms of equipment to the current versions we can buy on Honda dealerships, the new SP2 special homologation version will be much more exotic. Honda will likely use better components in terms of chassis, and fairings should be completely made in carbon fiber.
We expect Honda to show the new CBR1000RR Fireblade during EICMA, in November, with sources linked to the project saying that the development of the bike is almost done, and the engine and chassis are now on their final stages of testing.