2010 Honda CBR1000RR / C-ABS Review

Introduction

The heart and soul of this motorcycle remains the same 999cc liquid-cooled inline four-cylinder engine with DOHC; four valves per cylinder valve train, a very powerful and compact powerplant fed through Honda’s advanced Dual Stage Fuel Injection system. On the 2010 model year, the flywheel is larger for increased engine inertia. The gearbox remains the same close-ratio six-speed unit and the fact is that apart from the new flywheel, you get (mechanically) the same machine that raised liter bike standards in 2009, when it was launched as a completely reinvented model.

2010 Honda CBR1000RR

Both suspension and braking systems remain the same, so there’s also the 2010 Honda CBR1000RR C-ABS available. While the base model weighs in at 439 pounds, the one with anti-lock brakes has a 461.7 curb weight, but the just over 20 pounds extra weight is well worth given the infinite benefit of an ABS-equipped two-wheeled rocket.

Apart from the larger flywheel and new color schemes (we’ll get to those pretty soon) the 2010 model year also features a redesigned license plate holder (which can easily be removed when you take this already light blast to the track) and a redesigned muffler cover for an even more appealing look.

History

With the first Fireblade model launched in the early 1990s and having continuously evolved ever since, Honda has come a very long way with what originally started as a large displacement CBR for the masses. Click here to read the bike’s entire history path.

Competition

Yamaha also came up with a brand new R1 in 2009, a model featuring the notorious crossplane crankshaft that brings this liter bike even closer to Valentino Rossi’s and Jorge Lorenzo’s racing marvels. In fact, there’s even a 2010 YZF-R1 Rossi Replica, which although not essentially upgraded, shows how street bikes diminish the gap between them and their racing siblings with every year that passes. Also, the 2010 Yamaha R1 is CBR’s closest competitor.

Suzuki and Kawasaki have also presented their 2010 liter bikes, the GSX-R1000 and the Ninja ZX-10R models, but the bikes carry on unchanged, just like the CBR and R1 do.

The most interesting 2010 addition to this segment is the BMW S1000RR while the 2009 Aprilia RSV4 is a V-Twin blast like no other, but not if we also take in consideration the Ducati 1098R and the corresponsive Bayliss limited edition model.

Exterior

2010 Honda CBR1000RR

With the introduction of the all-new CBR1000RR last year, Honda didn’t just delivered a smaller, lighter and faster Fireblade, but gave the liter bike class a whole new look that other manufacturers are having troubles imitating. Despite being as compact and aerodynamic as it could possibly be, riders are still offered a forgiving riding position on a machine that can truly be considered an extension of their bodies.

Sharp lines – although still present in small measure on the 2010 model year – aren’t that attractive like, for instance, the bike’s front nose, fairing and windscreen. These parts of the bike look like being modeled by the air tunnel wind and they actually are given the fact that no supersport model enters production before test engineers are satisfied with the bike’s low drag coefficient.

As earlier mentioned, the muffler cover is new. This looks even more aggressive and copes with the overall refined look of this performance motorcycle. But nothing can make CBR’s exterior lines stand out better than the 2010 Pearl Orange/Light Metallic Silver and Red/Black color schemes. The ABS model is entirely Black. European riders get even nicer paint jobs.

Press Reviews

2010 Honda CBR1000RR European model

"It might not make the ultimate power of its 1000cc rivals, but the magic of the Honda Fireblade is its grunt and searing acceleration. The Honda’s gem-like 163bhp in-line-four-cylinder 999.8cc motor is capable of powering the Blade to the naughty side of 180mph..." – MCN

"Checking to ensure there were no vehicles behind me, I braked as quickly and as hard as I could-and the CBR executed a perfect, pulsation-free panic stop. Wow! Other than a slight numbness noticeable at the brake lever, the Honda had me convinced that I had been completely unassisted." – ultimatemotorcycling

“Daily use as a commuter or canyon carver is where this version of the CBR truly excels. Weighing 435 pounds without fuel puts the bike on par with its class peers. Handling is light and neutral, yet extremely surefooted. The Honda Electronic Steering Damper eliminates the inherent compromise of conventional adjustable dampers…” – cycleworld

"The 1000 bends into corners easily and adopts a steady cornering stance, undisturbed by bumps on the track, until you move it back upright and pour on the power - all in a relaxed, gradual evolution. And what a thrill it is to see the speedometer claw its way past 260 and on to 270 (Once for me), with no SUVs or County Mounties to worry about." – moto123

“It [Honda] felt so planted and confidence-inspiring that I crashed it,” said a red-faced Gardiner. “That’s a compliment to the brilliant handling; lesser bikes send you a warning as you reach the limits of the tire’s adhesion, but the CBR1000RR was completely composed, ready to do much more on demand.” – motorcycle

Price

The lighter, standard model comes with an MSRP of $13,399 and it is the recommended one for those willing to spend more time on the track rather than on the street, while the C-ABS model starts at $14,399 and it addresses mostly to those willing to spend more time on legal roads, especially canyons and twisties.

Conclusion

Heavily upgraded as a 2009 model year, we we’re expecting Honda’s CBR1000RR to carry on with few changes as well as new colors and graphics, but the last thing that we want from this dream motorcycle provider is to become permanently predictable. In the motorcycle industry, that’s like being permanently disabled, but this is definitely not the case. Just wait for the next generation model to convince yourself if doubt ever crossed your mind.

SPECIFICATIONS

2010 Honda CBR1000RR European model

Model: CBR1000RR / CBR1000RR C-ABS

Engine and Transmission

• 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

Chassis and Dimensions

• Front suspension: 43mm inverted HMAS cartridge fork with spring preload, rebound and compression damping adjustability; 4.3 inches travel
• Rear suspension: Unit Pro-Link HMAS single shock with spring preload, rebound and compression damping adjustability; 5.4 inches travel
• Front brake: Dual radial-mounted four-piston calipers with full-floating 320mm discs
• Rear brake: Single 220mm disc; Honda Electronic Combined ABS
• Front tire: 120/70ZR-17 radial
• Rear tire: 190/50ZR-17 radial
• Wheelbase: 55.4 inches
• Rake: 23.3°
• Trail: 96.2mm (3.8 inches)
• Seat Height: 32.3 inches
• Fuel Capacity: 4.7 gallons, including 1.06-gallon reserve
• Curb Weight*: 439 pounds (CBR1000RR) / 461.7 pounds (CBR1000RR C-ABS)

Other

Colors:

• CBR1000RR: Pearl Orange/Light Metallic Silver, Red/Black
• CBR1000RR C-ABS: Black

Features & Benefits

New for 2010

• Increased-diameter flywheel for more inertia and improved performance.
• Redesigned license plate stay for easier removal on track days.
• New muffler cover for enhanced appearance.
• Exciting new colors: Pearl Orange/Light Metallic Silver and Red/Black. C-ABS model available in Black only.