Honda CBR 1000RR - 2008 CBR1000RR

Well, we have our answer from Honda as to why the U.S. 2008 1000RR is down on peak power as compared to the U.K. model. The power difference between U.S. and U.K. 2008 CBR1000RRs is due to EPA noise regulations. It seems that engine noise is measured at a RPM that is 1/2 of max power. Honda limited power in the higher RPMs to lower the RPM at which the test is conducted on the 2008 1000RR in order to meet the dB requirement. They did this rather than re-design the exhaust or add additional muffler components in order to maintain light weight and handling.

There is some issue that has arisen with the 2008 1000RR for US models. Several of these have been put on dynos and their horse power has been somewhere in the 155HP range. Keep in mind every dyno and every bike will read differently, but when several have been in this same range you can pretty much bet that's going to be what you're going to see. Now the odd thing is that the 2008 1000RR UK models are showing 162 to 166 HP. What about those UK 1000RRs is different from the US model that affords them a 10HP advantage above 10,000 RPM? This issue is being researched by several members over on 1000RR.net and you can follow along here.

One of the members there who works quite a bit with these bikes and dynos them frequently, was kind enough to send me some dyno run files from some of the runs. I reviewed these in the Dynojet software to make sure things looked the same from an SAE correction standpoint, as well as run conditions such as temperature and humidity. As you can see, the UK model produced considerably more horsepower above 10,000 RPM. Calls have been placed to Honda's techline and they claim this is news to them and that there should be no difference in UK and US models. Some folks who have connections within Honda have been told this is a US emissions requirement, yet this hasn't affected the GSXR1000, ZX10, or R1.

I decided to add in the dyno of my 2005 1000RR with Arata Slip On, BMC Race Filters, and PCIII USB with a custom map as well as a 2007 model stock 1000RR just to see how they looked compared to these two 2008 1000RR examples.

I'm a member of the Honda Rider's club. It's a pretty good deal and for the $40 yearly membership fee you get some goodies at racing events, autograph signings, free road side assistance, free route mapping, and a year's subscription to RedRider magazine among other things. You get a free year membership when you purchase a new Honda motorcycle or ATV so be sure to sign up. Back when I had a flat tire, I took advantage of the free road side assistance which got me a tow on a flat bed trailer free of charge. The cost for that single use of my member benefits was more than double the $40 membership fee. Check it out at www.hrca.com.

In the latest issue of RedRider magazine, they did a full writeup on the newly designed for 2008 CBR1000RR just to give you an idea of what the magazine content is like, here's that article on the new bike.

2.15MB

Here are the main updates for 2008 that I've been able to glean from this article:

2008 engine configuration 999.8cc up from 998.0cc on the 2007 model
Compression bumped to 12.3:1 vs. 12.2:1 of the 2007
Bore and Stroke: 76mm x 55.1mm vs. 75mm and 56.5mm on the 2007
Sleeveless cylinders
Separate cylinder block rather than an integrated cylinder block/crankcase
About 10 pounds lighter (based on items directly discussed in the article) than the 2007 model
                    5 pounds shaved off the engine
                    2 pounds shaved off the battery
                    2 pounds shaved off the wheels
                    1 pounds shaved from the brake calipers
4 piece die cast frame vs. 9 piece of 2007
                    Lateral rigidity up 13%
                    Torsional rigidity up 40%
                    Vertical rigidity up 30%
                    1.2" slimmer
New swing arm which is 12mm longer than 2007 model but the wheel base only grew by 5mm to 1405mm
New exhaust which is under engine mounted for better handling - incorporates TWO exhaust valves that open above 6K RPMs
55.4" wheel base vs. 55.2" on the 2007 model
Rake 23.3° vs. 23.45° on the 2007 model
Trail 96.2mm vs. 100.0mm on the 2007 model

Here's the 2008 1000RR specs:

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