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The rear is Honda's very own MotoGP-derived, Unit Pro-Link. This rear suspension design eliminates the top frame mount for the shock with a linkage system that compresses the shock from below. This helps reconfigure the space made available for better weight distribution. I bumped the rear a tad on compression, but otherwise left it alone because it worked. One thing that became immediately apparent was the sensitivity of the stock suspension - very good. This always helps because if you can make small adjustments you can invariably dial a bike in quicker, rather than experiencing wild swings of wacky handling traits. Consequently I soon had the bike behaving perfectly - job done. |
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Well sort of. Next up was a couple of sets of Bridgestone's DOT race tire the BT-001. The suspension settings were put back to stock. I added a tad of compression damping again, to compensate for my 180lbs of rippling physique and a little rebound just to make the HRC tech in attendance think I was at least consistent. The tires, my confidence and more specifically the bike now ripped. My times dropped dramatically and I was able to push the bike to my own familiar and somewhat preconceived limits. The bike responded very well to GP rubber, naturally, with no instability and no handling complaints. |
A first glance at the spec sheet might indicate that the Honda might be a bit of a porker at 396lbs. Rest assured it's not, the bike is substantial, sure, but in a way to provide that race track stability and as a platform for its focused objective - to win races and championships. Need proof? Go peek at that rear swinger, it's both long and heavy, but it's beefy, no sign of flexing my knee dragging two-wheel friends.
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Whilst you're looking, have a goosey goose at the radiator, the thing is as tall as it is wide. Heat is a power sapper, and being 40% bigger than the 954's, this radiator offers a cool hand, under racing duress. Take a look too, at the side-by-side view of the CBR and the RC211V those aren't distance cousins, they are blood related and all this for just under $11K. |
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All the latest lessons learnt with that RC211V is etched into the design traits of this bike. The engineers specifically analyzed the weight distribution of the 211V and in order to create a balanced rider friendly package they shifted one or three things around to accommodate the geometry target for the CBR1. Honda's focus this year was on "roll polar." Funny enough, this was nothing to do with mugging a snowy white bear, but more to do with mass centralization. The fact is, the CBR has every major part as close to its roll axis as possible. This creates a bike that is tippy, yet stable. What's not close to the center of gravity has been lightened so not to have any detrimental effect on directional changes. |
