Rumors abound conserning Honda's next superbike, now that World and AMA Superbike rules allow 1,000cc 4-cyl bikes. Here is the latest I could find on the net.

http://www.honda-fireblades.co.uk/Fireblade_future.htm

Pics follow.

 

And with "center-up" exhaust. Honda MUST include the under-tail pipes!

 

Jeeze, forgot the pics. Here they are.

 

And another.

 

dat crotch-rocket is ill

 

The 2003 CBR600RR also has the same type of centered exhaust as well.

 

Yup. Sure does. And I love it! Bikes look so much better with their exhaust cans under the tail. Besides, placing the exhaust under the tail increases cornering clearance. That's why the Italians have been doing it for years. And not just Ducati. Agusta and Bimota have done it too. Aprilia uses under-tail exhaust in the Futura, but the purpose of that is to make it easy to fit saddle bags on the bike.



So.... is that a good thing or a bad thing?

 

Thats a good thing.

 

So, how come when I'm ill it's a bad thing?

 

Is'nt that the fireblade version of the 600RR.

 

You could think of it that way. Here in the States the 'Blade is called the CBR900RR - CBR954RR. I wish Honda would just call it the Fire Blade here like they do everywhere else. All that alphabet soup gets to be irritating after a while.

Just like the previous Fire Blades, this one will probably offer components that are more sophisticated than those offered on the 600RR. You can see the inverted forks in the pictures, and by the time it reaches production it will probably feature radially mounted brakes.

Honda claims that they left such goodies off the 600 because of cost conserns, and their test riders were clocking good times around the track without them anyway. That was probably a good decision. The 600RR is the more expensive than its competitors, and track tests by magazines show that it more than holds its own. It consistently ranks at or near the top in comparison tests.

The 1000RR, however, will be competing against the R1, GSXR1000 and the big Ducatis and Aprilias. ALL of these bikes now offer inverted forks and radial brakes (exept for the R1, which is due for a redisign for 2004). In THIS category, you HAVE to look good on paper before the technogeeks that ride these bikes will even CONSIDER taking a test ride.

 

Lets not forget that Kawi has the new 636 and 600rr with inverted forks and radial brakes. They will be cheaper also

 

What language is this?

 

Also, Kawasaki will be introducing the ZX10R around the same time Honda introduces the CBR1000RR. And Yamaha will be introducing an all-new R1.

ZX10R. Kind'a looks like she's smiling, huh? :p

 

Possible new R1:

 

It looks like everyone is going with the undertail exhaust. I personally do not like the R1 because they are too narrow. That ZX10 looks hot

 

RotorGeek:

I think underseat exhaust is the way to go. It gives you unlimited cornering clearance (OK, limited by the foot pegs) and better aerodynamics. The only thing I don't like about them is the way a single exhaust tip looks sticking out the back of a bike. Looks kind of like an anus. Or maybe I'm just being juvenile. Ducatis look great with the double tips out back, so I'm hoping the Japanese manufacturers do the same with theirs.

Honda has been doing a lot of those underseat twin exhausts lately. They call it "center-up". The VFR Interceptor and the 919 (Hornet 900 elsewhere) are set up that way.

It's funny that you say you don't like the R1 because it's too narrow. I actually prefer V-twins over I-4s precicely BECAUSE they are more narrow. I've never sat on an R1, but I doubt it would be as narrow as a typical twin.

I agree with you that the Kawi 10R looks hot. I think all the new literbikes look hot, except for the new Gixxer. That Hayabusa beak may be more aerodynamic, but JEEEEEZE, it's ugly!

 

I've ridden a TL1000r and it feels perfect. I have also sat on a RC51, Ducati 998 and they feel great also. There is something about the way Yamaha Packaged the R1 that makes it seem to narrow for me. I completely agree with you on the new Gixxers. They look nasty. I have a I-4 and hope to get either a RC51 or Ducati998 (I do not like the 999). next year.

 

RotorGeek:

Great bikes, to be sure. A little too sharp for everyday use. I'm looking for something that I can ride everyday comfortably, do some light touring once in a while, and still packs lots of performance. I think I'll go with the Suzuki SV1000, which is also a 90 degree V-Twin.

Best thing about V-twins is the sound. SOOOOO sexy!