Last year Honda revealed to the world news of an all-new replacement for its flagship sportbike, the CBR1000RR. We didn't know much about it at the time, but now we're going to get up close and personal with this bike, and find out how good it really is in the demanding environment—and home of the USGP—of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California.
The new bike is loaded with high-tech, power and style. There's an all-new 999cc motor that promises big power, a slipper clutch and a sophisticated Ignition Interruption Control to manage power delivery. How well does it all work? We're sending ace Road Test Editor Don Canet armed with the latest in wireless communication technology to find out. He'll post updates with text, photos and video as the opportunities present themselves.
We'll post notes and photos from Laguna Seca as we get them in, and you can discuss the bike and post your queries to Don. Be sure to check in frequently; you never know what will happen!
Check out the live coverage of the 2008 Honda CBR1000RR in our Cycle World forums!
One-piece brake calipers feature chrome-plated bores.
Giant swingarm has MotoGP influence.
This view shows tight packaging and extreme mass centralization efforts.
This publicity action shot shows what looks like a tiny, compact bike.
Black/ Metallic Silver.
Pearl Yellow/Black
Candy Dark Red/Metallic Silver
Some color choices. This is Red/Black
Dash is compact and classy.
Design sketch for the bike.
Cutouts on top triple-clamp hint at lengths Honda?s engineers went to in reducing weight.
Combo mirror/turnsignal unit should make track-day prep easier.
No ugly steel under the plastic; this subframe is lightweight cast aluminum.
Fine-diecast aluminum frame is a lightweight, four-piece unit.
Press kit action shot of the new CBR1000RR.
Stubby underslung muffler has that MotoGP look and keeps mass close to the center of gravity.
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