It is now believed
that Honda is readying up an all-new iteration of the CBR1000RR and the
motorcycle will be making its debut sometime next year. Japanese publication
Young Machine also came up with a rendering to show what the 2019 Honda
CBR1000RR will look like, which is rumoured to finally get the much anticipated
V4 powertrain.
Speculations have been rife that the Honda CBR1000RR
will be getting the MotoGP derived litre-class V4 engine from the RC213V to
take on the European bigwigs in the segment. The launch will is said to
coincide with Honda's 70th anniversary, and the bike be a true V4 homologation
special along the lines of the legendary RC30 and RC45 in the Honda stable.
While the rendering should be taken with a pinch of
salt, we do see LED headlamps that integrate in the winglets, but retain their
dual nature. If the production version is anything like this, we surely are
excited. Being a V4 powertrain, the motor is expected to breach the 200 bhp
mark, something that fans of the Fireblade will certainly appreciate.
Previous reports have also talked about a
cast-aluminium semi-monocoque chassis like the one on the Ducati Panigale,
underpinning the new CBR1000RR. The chassis also underpins the Honda RC213S,
but unlike the RC, the unit on the new Fireblade will be revised to keep prices
in check.
Older patents by Honda have also shown new tail
section for reduced aerodynamic drag, while there will be a belly-mounted pipe
and not an RCV-styled underseat exhaust. Honda, afterall, is the reigning
champion of MotoGP and the RC certainly packs the power when it comes to
outright performance. The upcoming 2019 CBR1000RR could bring the MotoGP a lot
closer to the street at a rather reasonably affordable (compared to MotoGP
bikes) price tag as well.
