2012 Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade

2012 HONDA CBR1000RR FIREBLADE

CBR1000RR, 20 Years of Superbike Domination.
Honda's 2012 Honda CBR1000RR is the essential superbike-the perfect balance of power and handling designed to work together as one complete package. The CBR900RR set the bar for liter-bike performance when it was introduced 20 years ago, and the new 2012 CBR1000RR sets that bar even higher. For 2012, the CBR1000RR boasts even better handling via a patented Balance-Free Rear Shock, Big Piston Fork and new wheels. Add to that a 999.8cc engine pumping out huge midrange horsepower and torque for class-leading real-world muscle, and you have a high-performance package unmatched in its overall balance by the competition. In addition, new aggressive bodywork aids aerodynamic flow and high-speed handling, and new LCD instrumentation including a lap timer, five-level shift indicator and more, redefine the pure essence of liter-class sportbikes.
There’s big news when it comes to the new 2012 Honda CBR1000RR. The CBR1000RR is already the essential Superbike, offering a perfectly integrated combination of power, handling, and overall balance for both the street and the track. But this year we’ve taken this versatile machine and given it some major upgrades. New suspension, new bodywork, new instrumentation, new wheels—and that’s just the start. All that in addition to its famously powerful 999cc liquid-cooled inline-four-cylinder engine and all-aluminum twin-spar chassis.

 Changes to the CBR1000RR for 2012 focus on sharpening what is arguably the most critical component in a motorcycle designed for sporting use: chassis performance. Granted, big-time horsepower always holds its own attractions and the CBR1000RR pours out huge quantities of horsepower and torque right in the midrange where literbike aficionados want it to be-after all, what's the point of having a peaky big-bore bike? However, it's the ultra-responsive middleweight-style handling that truly allows this large-displacement sportbike to shine.

Starting with a tried and proven four-piece Fine Die-Cast twin-spar aluminum frame, Honda's development team focused their efforts on incorporating innovative chassis components, specifically a new-concept rear shock, Big Piston Fork, plus new 12-spoke cast aluminum wheels that provide even more rigidity. In doing so, they were able to markedly expand the CBR1000RR's handling prowess and enhance its braking and traction characteristics. In addition, newly designed bodywork following the layered fairing concept aids aerodynamic flow to create a large still-air pocket around the rider while also helping draw air through the cooling system. An integrated chin spoiler in the nose also reduces aerodynamic lift at speed, thereby improving handling, and the overall package lends a more aggressive appearance.

Newly refined EFI settings make the engine even more manageable, with smoother throttle response specifically at smaller throttle openings. New LCD instrumentation communicates everything from gear position to coolant temperature and speed. The cockpit display now incorporates a digital bar-type linear tachometer that offers four selectable modes for style of readout. Other instrumentation includes gear position indicator, five-level shift indicator adjustable for sequence interval, clock/four-mode lap timer, coolant temperature, speedometer, trip meter/fuel efficiency/fuel consumption, low-fuel warning light and odometer/numerical tachometer. At the bottom of the display are lights for headlight high beam, neutral and turn signal functions. All in all, these changes make the rider/machine interface smoother and more rider friendly.

The main objectives in the further development of the CBR1000RR's suspension setup included: smoother suspension action, improved rider feel, and increased grip and traction. To achieve those goals, the 2012 CBR1000RR rear suspension system still features Honda's acclaimed single-shock Unit Pro-Link® configuration, but now it introduces the first Balance-Free Rear Shock on a production motorcycle, an advancement developed in conjunction with world-leading suspension specialist Showa that has patent protection pending.

In place of the conventional single-tube shock configuration, the Balance-Free Rear Shock design incorporates a double-tube design featuring a damper case plus an internal cylinder. The damper piston does not feature any valves; instead, the damping force is generated as displaced oil passes through a separate damping component. In conventional rear shocks the damping force is generated in two places, the main and sub damping valves. In the Balance-Free Rear Shock, however, this action is handled in one circuit, allowing pressure changes to be controlled more smoothly by a larger body of oil. The net result is more responsive damping and a smoother, better-controlled damping action, particularly during the transition from compression to rebound. As a result, the Balance-Free Rear Shock delivers more consistent damping over the duration of a ride, track session or race, improved shock absorption and greater traction since contact is more consistently maintained between the rear tire and the road or track surface. In addition, the adjusters for compression and rebound damping settings are placed prominently on the top of the shock body for quick and easy access.

To complement the Balance-Free Rear Shock, the front suspension system now features an inverted 43mm telescopic fork incorporating Showa's Big Piston Fork technology. This new fork uses a unique construction with a larger damping volume to effectively reduce the hydraulic pressure generated as the fork legs compress and extend. The result is more precise action during the initial stroke and smoother damping action, which the rider perceives as improved handling, enhanced front-end feedback and a more solid feel during hard braking.

As before, CBR1000RR owners can also opt for Honda's advanced electronically controlled Combined ABS braking system, which offers the confidence of antilock braking while remaining so unobtrusive that it satisfies even the most committed sport riders. Updates to this system result in a modified front-brake effect better suited to sport riding: now when the rear brake pedal is actuated, there's less initial braking application from the front brake compared to the previous-generation setup, followed by more-progressive front-brake application as brake pedal pressure increases.


Model: CBR1000RR
Engine Type: 999cc liquid-cooled inline four-cylinder
Bore and Stroke: 76mm x 55.1mm
Compression ratio: 12.3:1
Valve Train: DOHC; four valves per cylinder
Induction: Dual Stage Fuel Injection (DSFI)
Ignition: Computer-controlled digital transistorized with 3-D mapping
Transmission: Close-ratio six-speed
Final Drive: #530 O-ring-sealed chain
Suspension
Front: 43mm inverted Big Piston Fork with spring preload, rebound and compression damping adjustability
Rear: Unit Pro-Link Balance-Free Rear Shock with spring preload, rebound and compression damping adjustability
Brakes
Front: Dual radial-mounted four-piston calipers with full-floating 320mm discs
Rear: Single 220mm disc;
Tires
Front: 120/70ZR-17 radial
Rear: 190/50ZR-17 radial
Wheelbase: 55.5 inches
Rake (Caster Angle): 23° 3'
Trail: 96.0mm (3.8 inches)
Seat Height: 32.3 inches
Fuel Capacity: 4.7 gallons, including 1.06-gallon reserve
Estimated Fuel Economy: TBD
Colors:
CBR1000RR: Red, Black, Pearl White/Blue/Red
Curb Weight*: 441 pounds (CBR1000RR)

New for 2012
- Unit Pro-Link® rear suspension features a new, patented Balance-Free Rear Shock from Showa that incorporates a unique double-tube design featuring a damper case plus an internal cylinder for more responsive damping and a smoother, better-controlled damping action.
- The new 43mm fork incorporates Showa's latest Big Piston Fork technology with a larger damping volume to effectively reduce the hydraulic pressure generated as the fork legs compress and extend. The result is more precise action during the initial stroke and smoother damping action, for improved handling, enhanced front-end feedback and a more solid feel during hard braking.
- New 12-spoke cast aluminum wheels provide more consistent rigidity. Together with the new suspension, these wheels offer improved feedback for the rider.
- New layered fairing design creates a large pocket of calm air around the rider to improve comfort while also helping draw air through the cooling system. An integrated chin spoiler in the nose also reduces aerodynamic lift to improve handling.
- Multi-function LCD instruments communicate all important information plus the option of four readout modes for tachometer display, lap timer, five-level shift indicator, gear position indicator and more.
- New revised fuel injection settings give the CBR1000RR a more linear response, particularly at smaller throttle openings.
- Revisions to the optional electronic Combined ABS create a new bias toward sporting/track riding conditions during rear brake application.
- New Red and Pearl White/Blue/Red colors join Black. (C-ABS model available in Red only.)