Fireblade SP gets more grunt and some sexy new clothes for 2022

2022 Honda CBR-1000RR-R Fireblade SP

Many of my long-term readers will know I have somewhat of a fetish for Fireblades.

Trev’s 1993 and 1995 Fireblades in Scotland when he took them to the UK for the Isle of Man TT in 2019. Pictured here outside a Sea King helicopter, the likes of which Trev used to control in the Navy during a previous life. Trev and Ant rode them up the east coast of the UK up into Scotland then across to the Isle of Man for the TT, including some laps of the mountain course!

I own a 1993 first generation, a 1995 and a very tasty 2014 Fireblade SP that won the Australasian FX Superbike Championship in the hands of Wayne Maxwell. I had to have the SP as it looks simply glorious in its very Honda looking red, white and blue livery.

Trev’s 2014 Fireblade SP – The last of the non ride-by-wire generation of Superbikes

While my 1993 is black, the most renowned livery for the first generation model is the white, red, blue seen below.

For the 2022 model year Honda has treated an improved latest 2022 CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP model to a livery that celebrates the 1992 original, a 30th anniversary ode to the roots of the Fireblade.

The famous designer of the original Fireblade, Tadao Baba, was back to reminisce on where the movement began. Featuring alongside three prominent project leaders who followed in his footsteps, looking back at 30 years of Fireblade history.

It looks great, and I am generally a traditionalist in these things, but the black colour scheme is absolutely outstanding.

I am not generally too keen on black bikes, but for this, I will make an exception to that rule…

How good does this black model look!

Trev loves this black livery available for 2022

A look back through the brochures produced to market each generation of Fireblade in their respective eras

Obviously the Fireblade has been more about performance than window dressing, and for 2022 the Fireblade has received performance-focussed improvements centred on mid-corner acceleration and drive: intake ports, airbox, airbox funnels and exhaust mid-section have all been revised to deliver extra mid-range.

The Fireblade SP’s in-line four-cylinder engine delivers 112Nm at 12,500rpm and makes peak power of 160Kw (215 hp) at 14,500rpm.

The final drive sprocket goes up 3 teeth, to 43, for stronger acceleration through each ratio and quick-shifter performance has been upgraded. New for 22YM, for smoother airflow on an opening throttle, the ‘dirty’ side of the air filter has been adjusted to control the direction of intake air separation and vortex generation. On the ‘clean’ side, filtered air now feeds slashcut intake funnels, with #2 and #3 shortened by 15mm. Also, and to match, the inner diameter of the intake ports has been partially narrowed to increase airflow velocity, improving filling efficiency thus performance through the midrange.

The engine uses a compact, short-stroke layout – sharing the bore and stroke of the RC213V – and features a semi-cam gear train, finger-follower rocker arms, titanium conrods, RC213VS internal friction reduction technologies, piston jets with check ball system and a built-in bottom bypass passage for the cylinder water jacket. A ram-air duct in the front fairing feeds directly through the headstock. The 4-2-1 exhaust downpipes are oval and feed a titanium Akrapovič end-can.

In 2020 the CBR1000RRR Fireblade HSTC gained slip rate control (which monitors the rate at which slip is changing based on the ratio of front/rear wheel speeds) to smoothly moderate rapid wheel spin. For 2022 the gap between the intervention timing and slip rate has been changed for much smoother, more intuitive grip. For 20YM The CBR1000RRR Fireblade HSTC gained slip rate control (which monitors the rate at which slip is changing based on the ratio of front/rear wheel speeds) to smoothly moderate rapid wheel spin. For 22YM the gap between the intervention timing and slip rate has been changed for much smoother, intuitive grip management, with software developed with wide-ranging, top-level feedback from around the world, including HRC’s riders.

A six-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) provides accurate 3D estimation of riding dynamics and provides input to manage all of the electronic systems. It also controls the rod-type 3-level Honda Electronic Steering Damper (HESD).

The rest of the chassis – comprising aluminium diamond-style frame, RC213V-S-style swingarm, six-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) and 3-level Honda Electronic Steering Damper (HESD) – is unchanged.

Öhlins Smart Electronic Control (SE-C) 43mm NPX forks and TTX36 rear shock offer race quality suspension, with settings managed by second-generation Öhlins Object Based Tuning interface (OBTi). The front discs are worked by Brembo Stylema four-piston calipers and Brembo brake lever/master cylinder, the ABS is adjustable for track riding.

Top shelf suspension is provided by Öhlins Smart Electronic Control (S-EC) and OBTi user interface, with braking front and rear by Brembo.

Honda’s RC213V MotoGP machine leant some of its slippery aerodynamics to the Fireblade, including winglets to increase downforce and improve braking stability. The riding position is also very compact. Honda claim a ‘best in class’ drag coefficient of 0.270

The bodywork and riding position maintain an uncompromising focus on aerodynamic performance, and the fairing features MotoGP-derived winglets to generate downforce.

A fully customisable 5-inch TFT display offers intuitive control via a four-way switch on the left handlebar. Honda’s Smart Key system adds convenience.

A full-colour TFT screen offers intuitive control of riding modes and adjustment of Power, Engine Brake, HSTC, Wheelie Control, Start Mode and ABS modes.

2022 Honda CBR-1000RR-R Fireblade SP 30th anniversary edition alongside the 1992 original

These new Fireblade models are only made in limited production runs and are expected to arrive in Australia during the second-quarter of 2022. Pricing TBA.

2022 Honda CBR-1000RR-R Fireblade SP Specifications

Engine 1000 cc, four-stroke, 16-valve, DOHC In-line-4
Bore ´ Stroke (mm) 81 mm x 48.5 mm
Compression Ratio 13.4:1 Max.
Power Output 160 kW (215 hp) at 14,500rpm
Max. Torque 112 Nm at 12,500rpm
Carburation PGMFI
Fuel Tank Capacity 16L
Clutch Type Wet, multiplate hydraulic clutch
Transmission Type Manual 6-speed
Final Drive Chain
Aluminium Twin Tube composite twin spar frame
(L x W x H) 2100 x 745 x 1140 mm
Wheelbase 1460 mm
Caster Angle 24-degrees
Trail 102 mm
Seat Height 830 mm
Ground Clearance 115 mm
Kerb Weight 201 kg
Öhlins NPX SEC 43mm telescopic fork with preload, compression and rebound adjustments, 125 mm stroke
Öhlins TTX36 SEC Pro-Link swingarm with preload, compression and rebound damping, 143 mm stroke.
Rim Size Front 17 inch x 3.5 Rim Size Rear 17 inch x 6.0
Tyres – 120/70ZR-17 (F), 200/55ZR17 (R)
Tyres Front 120/70ZR17 M/C (58W)
Front 330 mm disc with radial-mount 4-piston Brembo Stylema calipers
Rear 220 mm disc with 2-piston Brembo caliper
Quick-shifter
Available – Q2 2022
Price – TBA