2017 Honda CBR1000RR SP2
Honda’s previous Fireblade
range-topping model was a slightly apologetic attempt at taking the Fireblade
up a level, but this new SP2 is the real deal, and then some. A road legal
homologation special using the new SP as a base, just 500 will be made for race
use.
Carbon pattern insets and gold striping interwoven
into the Tricolour paint mark the Fireblade SP2’s difference over the
stock machine, as do lightweight gold
Marchesini wheels that reduce wheel inertia at the front by 18%, and 9% at the
rear.
But the real differences – and what gives the
Fireblade SP2 ultimate racing potential – lie inside the engine and, in turn,
the parts that can be added from the two HRC race kits that will be available
in Race and Sport packages.
While the 76 mm bore is identical to the SP, the
Fireblade SP2 cylinder head runs 1mm larger 31.5 mm diameter intake valves and
1.5 mm larger 25.5 mm diameter exhaust valves, with 10°/12° included valve
intake/exhaust included valve angles (from 11°/11°). The valve pitches are
identical, maintaining cylinder head width, and it runs the same 13.0:1
compression ratio but uses optimised valve shapes and combustion chambers,
elongated spark plugs and a water jacket tightly wrapped around the combustion
chambers to improve cooling. The pistons also use an exclusive crown design
with heat treatment that strengthens the area around the piston boss, which
itself employs a 2.5 mm shorter (and 8 gr lighter per cylinder) piston pin.
Honda say this is all technology derived directly
from their RC213V. There will also be a race kit available, which is likely to
contain such items as a Race ECU titanium exhaust, cylinder components,
minimised wiring harness and more – but Honda haven't officially confirmed the
details at this stage.
