2023 Honda CBR1000RR-R FIREBLADE SP

STREET LEGAL. TRACK READY.

Honda’s legendary inline-four sportbikes have always combined power, smoothness, performance, refinement, innovation and versatility. And our 2023 CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP delivers on all those same points, but at a stratospherically higher level. What you see here is a truly track-ready Superbike, but one that’s street legal and as well-rounded as every Honda you’ve ever experienced. To make it even better, we’re continuing our exclusive 30th-anniversary graphics, including individual serialized numbering. We’ll be honest: the performance a high-revving open-class inline four like this delivers isn’t for everyone, and we are only building a few, but if you’re looking for the ultimate machine in its class, the Fireblade SP is it.

PERFORMANCE

RC213V-SPEC BORE AND STROKE

The Fireblade SP’s bore and stroke (81mm x 48.5mm) are the same as our Honda MotoGP Champion RC213V racebike, drawing on our experience with cylinder filling and combustion gathered on the track.

FINGER-FOLLOWER ROCKER ARMS

The CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP uses finger-follower rocker arms. The design reduces the inertia weight of the valve system by approximately seventy-five percent compared to a shim-and-bucket system, and contributes to the Fireblade SP’s higher redline. DLC (diamond-like carbon) coating reduces friction resistance on surfaces sliding against the cam and tappet shim.

INTAKE-PORT SHAPE

The CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP features intake ports with a special shape to help speed charge velocity. The change gives the engine even better midrange performance, a real benefit when exiting corners.

REFINED AIRBOX SHAPE

Along with the intake-port shape, refinements to the Fireblade SP airbox increase the engine’s midrange power.

SEMI-CAM GEAR TRAIN

The CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP cam drive uses a shorter chain than previous designs. A gear on the crank drives an intermediary gear/sprocket, which in turn drives the cam chain, thus shortening the overall chain run.

FORGED ALUMINUM PISTONS

You need a light piston to make high revs. To that end, the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP features pistons forged out of A2618 aluminum, the same material used in the RC213V. Each piston is now lighter by approximately five percent compared to a CBR1000RR piston, even though the bore is bigger.

BUILT-IN BOTTOM BYPASS COOLING

Our unique built-in bottom bypass cooling system sends cooling water differently around the top and the bottom of the cylinder. The top needs more cooling, while the bottom needs less. The technology eliminates the existing hose outside the cylinder block. Cooling water coming out from the radiator flows into areas needing to be cooled more. As a result, the difference in temperature at different locations on cylinder bores becomes smaller, so that bores are less distorted, reducing friction.

DIRECT STARTER LAYOUT

Normally a motorcycle engine is started up by rotating the crankshaft; however, for the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP, the starter acts on the clutch main shaft. In addition to shortening the crankshaft, double use of the primary driven gear to transmit rotation from the starter motor makes an even more compact layout possible.

NARROWER INTAKE-SIDE VALVE ANGLE

The intake valve angle is a super-narrow nine degrees (two degrees narrower than on the CBR1000RR). This improves ventilation efficiency inside the intake port by approximately two percent, contributing to higher power output.

LARGER THROTTLE BODY

The CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP throttle bore diameter measures a huge 52mm. The oval cross-section inside the throttle body streamlines airflow all the way from the throttle butterfly to the twin intake valves in the head to reduce intake air pressure drop.

FINAL-DRIVE GEARING

To better match the engine’s power and give it more midrange punch, we fine-tuned the final-drive gearing. You’ll feel it every time you crack the throttle!