That there will be a new Honda CBR1000RR superbike for the 2020 model year is perhaps the worst-kept secret in the industry right now.
The news of this machine is so out in the open, that even the WorldSBK.com website is talking about it in terms of next year’s racing news.
Much has been said about this bike, and long has it been rumored, but now we are closing in on the new CBR1000RR’s actual unveiling deadline.
To help whet our appetite, our Bothan spies have sent us a handful of spy photos of the 2020 Honda CBR1000RR, along with a video of it on track. Booyah!
Examining the photos provides some interesting points. The twin-spar aluminum frame looks very similar to the outgoing model, but there are also some obvious changes that can be seen, like an extra mounting hole on the left-hand side.
We can also see that the bodywork is obviously very different in shape (though the intake looks familiar *cough* CBR600RR), and we can clearly see the active aerodynamics winglet pod near the top of the side fairings, which were tipped in patent filings by Honda.
The swingarm is noticeably different as well, and looks to take inspiration from what has been developed for the WorldSBK series.
It appears that Showa SFF-BP forks are being used for suspension up front (a would expect a Showa shock in the rear too), but what is confusing is the use of Brembo GP series brake calipers.
Either this machine caught by the spy photographer is a race bike being tested, or there will be a very high-spec version of the Honda CBR1000RR available to customers, as these calipers run $3000 a pop.
What is most promising though are the subtle notes that the engine is a completely different unit from the past-generation, which has of course been the weak link in the CBR1000RR platform design.
Take for instance the gear shifter linkage on the left-hand side of the motorcycle, which seems to use a different pivot system than the 2019 bike.
The engine coverings are different as well, including the plastic shrouds around the stator, and under the shifting arm.
From the video, we can hear a meaty inline-four engine, which shouldn’t surprise anyone that has been following the rumors about this bike, though that will disappoint those who wanted to see Honda switch to a V4 format.
With the debut of the 2020 Honda CBR1000RR said to be just around the corner, we have what seems like only a matter of days or several weeks to wait and see what the final result looks like, sans camouflage. Stay tuned!
Source: Bothan Spies
Be sure to follow all of our 2019 EICMA show coverage this over the coming days, for the latest news and releases for the 2020 motorcycle model year.
Our EICMA show coverage is made possible by our A&R Pro members. If you like reading this unique race coverage on Asphalt & Rubber, you should consider supporting this content by signing up for A&R Pro.
Comments