2009 Honda CBR1000RR/ABS Review

Introduction

The 2009 Honda CBR 1000RR ABS, an extension of the Fireblade, becomes an even greater and safer performer on the track thanks to the Combined ABS system that is also found on the 2009 Honda CBR 600RR ABS. Being electronically controlled, the ABS system manages to distribute the braking power in the most efficient way without locking the wheels.

Honda claims that the anti-lock braking system, which was especially created for being best valued on the racing track, significantly improves lap times compared to the ABS-free model. This is the result of tests that have undergone with professional riders on racing circuits. Apparently, the racing riders needed more than a few laps on the simple version in order to match the performance of the ABS-equipped model around the corners. So it is expected to see a notable difference when getting a feel of the new model.

2009 Honda CBR1000RR ABS

But you haven’t heard the best of it yet. The C-ABS system doesn’t remove the braking task from the rider’s shoulders as it allows the brakes to be powerfully applied before intervening and making that small, but crucial difference. And when it does that, the bike’s stability isn’t affected so no worries about keeping a strong hand on that clutch lever.

While the engine and chassis remain unchanged for 2009, the fairing was slightly modified on the ABS model in order to mask the indeed small and compact system. An extension of the fairing covers the source of power situated next to the engine while a black cap underneath the seat covers the electronic unit.

Honda CBR1000RR History

Competition

Open-class supersport bikes care nothing about the long pages of history written by Honda and they mean serious business when claiming their fair share of the market from the CBR1000RR.

2009 Yamaha YZF-R1

Starting with the Japanese crowd, Yamaha is out with the entirely new 2009 YZF-R1, a machine that shouldn’t be allowed to ride the streets, but it is. The secret behind next year’s model is the MotoGP derived crossplane crankshaft, the heart of that already highly performing fuel-injected 998cc, liquid-cooled four-stroke DOHC 16 titanium valves engine developing 180 hp at 12,500 rpm. It stands for awesome torque (115.5 Nm at 10,000 rpm) and smooth power at all rpm levels, something that places the R1 in our preferences list. The suggested retail price varies from $12,390 to $12,490 depending on the color you choose.

Suzuki has also revised the GSX-R1000 for 2009 and they’ve aimed at high engine and chassis performance as well as lightweight. The motor is a fuel-injected 999cc, four-stroke, four-cylinder, liquid-cooled, DOHC unit and the overall curb weight is only 448 lbs (203 kg). How’s that for an alternative to the Honda and Yamaha. Performance figures haven’t been made public yet, but the MSRP is only $12,199.

2009 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R

A cheaper Japanese alternative (MSRP from $11,790 to $11,999) is the 2009 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R. Though not as good looking as the previously mentioned bikes and the ones that follow (I would fire the entire design crowd if I was an important Mister Miagy at Kawasaki), this bike is saved by the fuel-injected 998cc, four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, four-valves per cylinder inline-four engine. This develops 181 hp at 11,500 rpm and 83.2 lb-ft at 8,700 rpm.

The Aprilia RSV4 is good to go in 2009 with its 999cc, 65° longitudinal V-four, liquid cooled, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder engine implementing multi-mapping ride-by-wire technology and the variable geometry aluminum frame and swingarm. The motor is capable of 180 hp at 12,500 rpm and 115 Nm at 10,000 rpm so there are plenty of reasons to mention the RSV4 at this heading. Though the MSRP hasn’t been announced yet, we reckon Aprilia will situate it around $20,000.

2009 BMW S1000RR

More of a competitor for Aprilia rather than Honda, the BMW S1000RR is expected to be quite a big hit in the liter class next year as the German manufacturer has prepared a four-stroke inline-four-cylinder engine, twin-spar frame, standard swingarm and conventional forks for this model. The full specs haven’t been made public yet and the price is also expected to go sky high (around $25,000).

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