It’s the battle of the 600’s! Both the Honda CB600-RR and the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R are high-revving engineering marvels. But who’s the best out of these two wheelie monsters?
The CBR1000RR (also known as the Fireblade) is a 999 cc (60.9 cu in) liquid-cooled inline four-cylinder Honda sport bike that was introduced in 2004 to replace the CBR954RR.
Racing roots
The Honda CBR1000RR was developed by the same team that was behind the Honda RC211V race bike for the MotoGP series. Many of the new technologies introduced in the Honda CBR600RR, a direct descendant of the RC211V, were used in the new CBR1000RR such as a lengthy swingarm, Unit Pro-Link rear suspension, and Dual Stage Fuel Injection System (DSFI).
2004
The Honda CBR1000RR was the successor to the CBR954RR. While evolving the CBR954RR design, few parts were carried over to the CBR1000RR. The compact 998 cc (60.9 cu in) in-line four was a completely fresh design, with unique bore and stroke dimensions, race-inspired cassette-type six-speed gearbox, all-new ECU-controlled ram-air system, dual-stage fuel injection, and center-up exhaust featuring a new computer-controlled butterfly valve. The chassis was likewise all new, including an organic-style aluminum frame composed of Gravity Die-Cast main sections and Fine Die-Cast steering head structure, inverted fork, Unit Pro-Link rear suspension, radial-mounted front brakes, and a centrally-located fuel tank hidden under a faux cover. Additionally, the Honda Electronic Steering Damper (HESD) debuted as an industry first system which drastically improved stability and nearly completely eliminated head shake while automatically adjusting for high and low speed steering effort.
KTM’s RC8 spent so many years being a concept - a V4 and then a V2 - that no one knew whether this crazy orange design would ever see the light of day. I for one am glad to see it in its first evolved state after the 2008 world launch at Ascari. KTM must be a huge fan of Ducati as everything KTM has done with the RC8 from the L-twin (V75-V90) configuration, Ascari launch and then Portimao launch is all in the footsteps of the red giant from Bologna, Italy. But was it a wise move? Isn’t V4 the future now?
Those are questions yet to be answered, but one question I do know the answer to is whether the 1198 RC8R is a Ducati killer or not. It definitely isn’t yet, so today I’m comparing it to the liter fours and the latest and best 600cc in-line fours instead.
And it wouldn’t stand a chance there either I hear you whisper? Well, it’s not quite as clear cut as that. While cornering on the brand new Bridgestone BT-003RS tires the RC8R leans with great willingness and turning from an extreme left lean to an extreme right is the easiest thing in the world. Only the 2009 Kawasaki ZX-6R felt better in this area on Almeria.
The Brembo monoblocks worked very precisely on the RC8R with a fantastic initial bite. The 43mm WP USD fork felt fine, but not with the same feedback as the Ninja. The new fully adjustable WP mono shock must have helped a lot at the rear because the RC8R could be fired very hard out of the corners without much of a rear wheel slide. The RC8R was also of the best bikes along with the 600s for a circuit that can be ridden in second gear between the two straights. Plenty of low-end, traction-friendly V-twin torque.
BMW took the official wraps off its new literbike contender, the S1000RR, at the legendary Monza Racing Circuit last weekend in conjunction with an Italian round of the World Superbike Championship.
Although we already teased you with some details that have trickled out about the bike in our A Closer Look article, we now have been given full details about BMW’s new Superbike contender.
The pertinent numbers are a claimed 193 horsepower (at the crankshaft) and a 403.5-lb claimed dry weight. In a ready-to-ride form including fuel, BMW says to expect 450 lbs of weight. DTC Dynamic Traction Control is an appealing option, as is the Race ABS that adds just 5.3 lbs to the bike’s weight. Also innovative is the RR’s variable-length intake tracts that work in harmony with a 14,200-rpm redline, the highest among its rivals.
Kawasaki’s engineers were given a clean slate to produce the best ever supersports Ninja for the 600cc class. They strived tirelessly to meet their goal… Great video.
The 25th Anniversary of the Buell Motorcycle Company coincides with a new chapter in the history of America’s largest manufacturer of sporting motorcycles: A liquid cooled 72-degree 1125cc motor powering its all new 2008 Buell 1125R.
At the heart of the 1125R is the Helicon V-Twin powerplant, claimed to produce 146 horsepower at the crank, developed in conjunction with BRP-Rotax specifically for Buell and the 1125R. Buell fans can rest assured that the bike is true to the Buell heritage of being rider friendly and decidedly different than the competition. The fuel-in-the-frame technology is retained, although capacity has been raised to 5.6 gallons. It’s still-stubby 54.5-inch wheelbase is 2.5-inches longer than the current Firebolt design and should still be plenty agile. The next generation of the Zero Torsion Load single-disc front braking system, ZTL2, features an 8-piston caliper derived from the XBRR racing platform and should provide plenty of power to haul this beast down from speed.
After years of riding and enjoying Buell motorcycles, the primary complaint from this company and the majority of the motorcycle media was a decided lack of power compared to the competition. Buell appears to have addressed this issue and with the track introduction of this new bike just weeks away, the answer to some of the questions on the minds of consumers everywhere will soon be answered.
Will the bike be as powerful as Buell claims? Will it still have that razor-sharp handling of its predecessors? Will the chassis be stable enough to handle the additional speed facilitated by the new motor? How will this version perform on the race track? How will it stack up to the other V-Twin liter bikes? We should have answers to all of these except the last question by the end of August.
BMW Motorrad is a brand used by German company BMW for its motorcycles, which have been manufactured since 1923. BMW Motorrad is a business unit within Corporate and Brand Development division of BMW. BMW Motorrad revenues for 2007 were €1,228 million. Its general director is Hendrik von Kuenheim.
Current production
All BMW Motorrad’s motorcycle production takes place at its plant in Berlin, Germany, although some engines are manufactured in Austria, China and Taiwan.
BMW Motorrad achieved sales of 101,685 motorcycles in 2008, with the most popular model being the R1200GS. In 2008, the company introduced the DOHC Boxer HP2 Sport. In 2008, BMW entered the serious off-road competition motorcycle market with the release of the BMW G450X motorcycle.
The Aprilia RSV4’s 65° V4 motor produces a claimed 180bhp@12,500rpm and 85ftlb@10,000rpm. It has a single block crankcase with integrated cylinder liners, titanium inlet valves and balance shaft. The six-speed cassette gearbox is removable, handy for racing and a slipper clutch comes as standard. Being a V4, the engine is incredibly small and has allowed Aprilia to make a tiny bike around it, but the power delivery is the best part. It’s so smooth and wide the motor doesn’t actually feel that powerful and you don’t realise how fast you’re going, until you look down at the speedo! The engine note is similar to the deep, metallic boom of the RSV twin and the spread of power is actually very reminiscent of the new ‘long bang’ Yamaha R1.
Ride and Handling
We can’t give the RSV4 a perfect score for handling as we only rode it in rain conditions, albeit on racing wets. What is impressive is that the Ohlins forks and shock have the adjustment in them to make the Aprilia soft and plush to suit the conditions, giving masses of feel and confidence to the rider. Monobloc Brembo brakes are powerful, but unlike a Ducati easy to use and not too brutal. Being so compact, the RSV4 is a bit of a squeeze for riders over six-foot.
Harley-Davidson Motor Company is an American manufacturer of motorcycles based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The company sells heavyweight (over 750 cc) motorcycles designed for cruising on the highway. Harley-Davidson motorcycles (popularly known as “Harleys”) have a distinctive design and exhaust note. They are especially noted for the tradition of heavy customization that gave rise to the chopper-style of motorcycle.
Harley-Davidson attracts a loyal brand community, with licensing of the Harley-Davidson logo accounting for almost 5% of the company’s net revenue ($41 million in 2004). Harley-Davidson supplies many American police forces with their motorcycle fleets.
In 2003, the Buell Motorcycle Company became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Harley-Davidson, the same year that Harley-Davidson celebrated its 100th birthday. In August 2008, Harley-Davidson purchased the Italian motorcycle manufacturer MV Agusta.
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Yamaha’s YZF-R6 has been a major player in the middleweight sportbike wars ever since it debuted in 1999. Combining light weight with razor-sharp handling and a wailing top-end punch, Yammie’s 600cc screamer has been a potent tool that perennially competes for top honors in its class.
Then in 2006, the R6 received a ground-up overhaul that resulted in a package that many judged to be the tastiest eye-candy in the segment. That (plus an optimistic 17,500-rpm tachometer) garnered plenty of attention among consumers and the media alike. This flash and controversy somewhat overshadowed a stellar chassis and the bike’s less-streetable character from its racy ergos and the engine’s top-heavy powerband.
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