Honda Europe is voluntarily recalling some 2021-model CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP sportbikes.
The recall is related to connecting rod failures experienced at sustained high rpm operation during internal testing, according to American Honda Motorcycle Press Relations On-Road Media Coordinator Colin Miller. No problems have been reported by private owners of the motorcycles.
Miller says approximately 300 units are being recalled for an inspection to determine if the connecting rods need to be replaced.
No CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP units in America have been affected because there are no units in America yet.
Miller said originally American Honda was expecting to begin delivery of units in July, but now, due to disruptions in the parts supply chain due to COVID-19, it is more likely that the 2021 CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP will not arrive in America until September.
The 2021 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP is a limited production model built specifically to be Honda’s Superbike racing platform. It shares essentially no significant parts with the previous CBR1000RR models.
Highlights of the new street-legal machine include:
An all-new, more powerful, more compact inline four-cylinder engine featuring a new finger-follower valvetrain and lighter internals
New IMU-based engine electronics with 5 power modes, 3 engine braking modes, 9 traction control settings, 3 wheelie control settings, SPORT and TRACK ABS modes, and an electronic quickshifter
A titanium Akrapovic exhaust muffler
A new frame with optimized rigidity
A new, longer, MotoGP-style swingarm
A tubular aluminum subframe
New chassis geometry with more rake, more trail, and a longer wheelbase
New placement of the inline four-cylinder engine
MotoGP-inspired aerodynamic winglets for reduced front-end lift and increased braking stability while offering a low coefficient of drag
Öhlins NPS front forks with Öhlins Smart EC tuning
Brembo Stylema front brake calipers
Brembo front brake master cylinder
330mm (13.0 inches) front brake discs
Rear brake caliper from the Honda RC213V-S
New TFT instrument display
Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of the 2021 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP is $28,500 in America.
