If you were expecting a revolution from Honda, you might have to think again.
The highly anticipated new Honda V4 for the 2012 Superbike rumours seem unfounded when looking at these pics of the 2012 Honda CBR1000RR restyling.
Asphalt&Rubber say these are the new Fireblade pics and if so, we get merely a “cosmetically different” bike and not a return to the RC badge as hoped by many.
The changes to the 2012 Fireblade look to include a freshly angular front end, new colours (including this HRC livery), and will probably reveal some mechanical upgrades, including Showa big piston front forks.
Otherwise, we don’t know what other changes might be brewing under the very familiar fairing.
Other minor details on the CBR1000RR updates look to be slightly more aggressive headlights, upgraded aerodynamics and air intakes and new multi-spoke wheels in the place of the traditional three-spoke design.
Mechanical details are scarce right now but we wouldn’t exclude a double-disc clutch, more evolved quickshift electronics with new traction control and sport ABS.
We’re guessing that as a bike on the market, Honda is sticking to keeping the CBR1000RR the sporty road goer it’s famous for, while studying how to get back to being Superbike competitive.
In the meantime, A&R suspects these pics are for a market-specific model so we can’t be sure whether the new CBR1000RR will be the same worldwide.
Also, we could expect a European launch at the 2011 EICMA show if Honda has been preparing for it, leaks or not, but more should come from the company itself after these first pics are clarified.