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Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP Recalled for Hot Exhaust

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The latest recall from the NHTSA concerns the 2021 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP motorcycle – and no, it’s not what you think – Big Red’s superbike isn’t getting recalled for its absurdly long name.

Instead, the Fireblade SP is being recalled because the exhaust pipe may overheat, which could lead to the oil cooler pipe melting and possibly rupturing.

This might increase the chance of a crash, injury, or fire, which necessitates today’s recall notice to the affected 311 owners of the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP in the USA.

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Bikes

The Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP 30th Anniversary Models Looks So Good in Its Retro Livery

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Of course, when we see updates coming to the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade for next year, we can expect a similar treatment of the 2022 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP (say that three times fast).

Like its sibling, the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP sees its inline-four engine massaged for better mid-range grunt, while maintaining its 214hp (160 kW) peak power figure.

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Bikes

Up-Close with the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP

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When we first got to get up-close with the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP, it was a hastened affair. Honda Motor Europe invited the world’s press to see the model at its EICMA debut, and then hired security guards to keep us away from it. Bizzare.

Now, almost a year later, we finally get to a proper face-to-face with this new Fireblade, thanks to American Honda’s ride debut at Thunderhill Raceway (read our full review here).

With only the top trim level coming to the United States, Honda creates an interesting situation with the Fireblade SP – one that we will explore in the next day or two with our A&R Pro readers, but both bikes share the same core features.

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Reviews

Riding the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP, A Review

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When you talk about the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP, the conversation starts with several predictable openers.

First, there is the name, which is like some sort of crazy Gilbert & Sullivan routine about majors who are generals or some other thing. The term “Triple R” was floated at our launch, and I hope it catches on – I’m starting to get a TMJ disorder from saying the full name from Honda.

Then, there is the incredible duration of time that has passed since Honda last debuted a truly new sport bike model (the year was 2008, for those keeping count). For comparison, it took J. K. Rowling less time to make the entire Harry Potter movie franchise than Honda could come out with a proper new Fireblade.

Throw in a quick repartee about the addition of winglets on modern superbikes, and you have your basic bike night bro-dude conversation about the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP all figured out.

The conversation should turn around a different narrative though – one that focuses on how Honda has come back to the superbike market with an absolute beast of an offering.

If you don’t mind, I would like to have that conversation about the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP with you now, as this machine is not only a landmark for the Japanese brand, but also now the new reference point in the superbike segment.

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Reviews

Gone Riding: Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP

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As if waiting for the debut of a new superbike from Honda wasn’t a marathon event in itself, the arrival of the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP onto US soil took its time in its own right, thanks in part to the coronavirus outbreak.

But, the new Fireblade is finally here in the United States, and Asphalt & Rubber is among the first to ride this new superbike.

Our ride test takes us to smokey California, at the Thunderhill Raceway Park in Willows, CA. With fires smoldering not too far away, we consider ourselves lucky to ride this popular Californian track, and the new Fireblade should feel right at home on this undulating circuit.

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Recall

Honda CBR1000RR-R Being Recalled in Europe for Con-Rod Failures

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If you are a European reader, expecting the soon arrival of your brand new Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade, you might have to wait a little longer, as certain markets in the EU will be issuing a recall on the new superbike.

The recall comes from concerns from the Honda factory over the connecting rods found in the CBR1000RR-R’s four-cylinder engine, which may have a metallurgical defect and fail during use.

Honda tells us that in total about 300 units are affected by the pending recall, which is roughly a tenth of the total bikes expected to ship to European countries.

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WSBK

Photos of the Honda CBR1000RR-R All Kitted Out for WorldSBK Duty

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There are many tragedies to the disruptions coming from the worldwide coronavirus outbreak, the loss of motorcycle being one of them (though certainly at a much lesser scale of importance to many of the losses we are suffering right now).

But for the purposes of being a daily motorcycle publication, not being able to see the new Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP on the WorldSBK stage is certainly a disappointment for us though.

This is because theHonda CBR1000RR-R represents HRC’s great inline-four hope for a production-class world championship title, most notably because the Japanese racing outfit has finally built an all-new racing platform for the superbike market.

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Bikes

360° Video: Marc Marquez Riding the Honda CBR1000RR-R

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We take a break from today’s chicanery to bring you a quick distraction: Marc Marquez riding the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP around the Catalunya track, in a 360° video format.

The video comes from Honda’s initial photo and video shoot for the unveiling of the new CBR1000RR-R, but that doesn’t make it any less cool.

For the maximum experience, watch the video on your phone. The IMU on your smartphone should pick up your movements, and change your field of view as you “look” around the bike as its on track. 

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Podcast

Brap Talk Podcast #29 – Shiver Me Timbers

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Episode 29 of the Brap Talk podcast is now out for your two-wheeled audio pleasure, and as always, it is packed with some interesting motorcycle discussions.

This show has a bit of racing commentary, as we discuss the 2020 Dakar Rally, which was still taking place at the time of recording, as well as the ongoing saga with Andrea Iannone’s doping problems.

We also give some discussion to the pricing for the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP, which we now know will cost $28,500 in the United States.

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WSBK

The WorldSBK-Spec Honda CBR1000RR-R with No Clothes

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The 2020 WorldSBK Championship has the promises to be one of the best in recent history, as there are more than a few contenders for the throne lining up on the grid this season.

Of course, there is five-time champion Jonathan Rea, who has been a juggernaut onboard the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR.

Rea will have the target on his back for 2020, that much is for certain, and the Kawasaki Racing Team has shown that they are well-honed operation, and certainly capable of adding metal to Rea’s trophy room.

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