Once the dust had settled from the speed wars of the 90s, Japanese manufacturers shifted their attention to track performance throughout the 00s. This led to the development of a host of 600cc and 1000cc class sports bikes. For sports bike enthusiasts, this really was the golden age, and we can still see a few remnants from this era on the market today.
With consumer demands shifting, and racing becoming less of a priority, the demand for overpowered sports bikes waned over the past decade or so. Japanese manufacturers in particular shifted their attention to other segments, allowing European brands to usurp them out on track. But, one seemingly outdated Japanese superbike certainly sticks out, largely because of how light it is.
The Honda CBR1000RR Nails The Balance Between Lightweight Agility And Big-Bike
MSRP: $17,299
The CBR1000RR is the previous generation Fireblade, a halo model from 2017. The latest Fireblade is a step-up in every way, but we can see why Honda isn’t letting go of this model just yet. It still has a lot to offer, and compares favorably to the other, more expensive Japanese superbikes.
It is pretty easy to see why Yamaha was all set to kill off the R1. While there is still a big fan base for this model, it is now priced in such a way that it locks horns with some of the more sophisticated European bikes. It got a minor update last year that kept it in the hunt, and this year you can have it in the retro livery pictured above. While stunning, it demands a $500 premium over the regular Team Yamaha Blue model.
Kawasaki has updated the Ninja ZX-10R for 2026, but has not released the pricing. If we were to use the previous model as a gauge, it would most likely be cheaper than the Yamaha, but not by much. It is a far more sophisticated motorcycle than the Honda, but it is also far more track-focused. Suzuki has also updated the GSX-R1000 for the first time since 2017, with most of the updates centered around the engine and getting it through Euro5+ emissions testing. Unfortunately, it will only come out as a 2027 model.
The Honda That Feels Lightweight, Lively, And Surprisingly Powerful
This Honda superbike weighs under 435 pounds and produces 190 horsepower to promise a kick in the pants like no one else
The CBR1000RR Has A Beast Of An Inline-Four
Power: 189 Horsepower
When compared to the other modern superbikes currently available, the CBR1000RR would lose pretty much every spec-sheet battle. But specs can only tell you so much about a motorcycle. 189 horsepower might make it one of the least powerful modern liter-bikes, but that is still more power than anyone would ever need in the real world. Like most Honda products, it has also proven to be robust and reliable over the years. Any issues have also long since been rectified. After being in production for almost a decade, it is very much the finished article.
Reliable To A Fault
This powertrain’s biggest asset is metronomic reliability. If there is any criticism that can be leveled at this engine, it is the fact that it makes the bike feel almost appliance-like. Like so many Japanese vehicles, it has been designed to fulfill a specific task, and it is able to perform that task over and over again with ruthless efficiency.
For a motorcycle that is supposed to just be basic transport, that is all good and well, but this is a superbike, and a superbike should have soul. Unfortunately, that is the one thing this model lacks. For those who don’t care about such things, this is an ideal powertrain, but for others, there are certainly several alternatives that offer a more emotional experience.
This Old Honda CBR Still Slaps Harder Than Most New Bikes
This Honda CBR was the top speed record holder for two years before the ‘Busa surpassed it.
The CBR1000RR Is Still One Of The Lightest Liter-Bikes
To offer a little perspective on just how light the CBR1000RR actually is, you need only look within Honda’s own sports bike lineup for some comparison. The latest fire-breathing Fireblade is 11 pounds heavier. The modern middleweight CBR650R E-Clutch-equipped is a whopping 32 pounds heavier.
With a wet weight of 434 pounds, this is an astonishingly light liter bike. To achieve this, Honda hasn’t added all sorts of fancy carbon fiber bits; it simply reduced everything to its absolute minimum. Everything that is included doesn’t add much in the way of weight. Even this ABS-equipped model only weighs two pounds more than the base model.
Everything You Need, Nothing You Don’t
We are calling out the ABS model in particular because this is a superbike that can actually be ridden in the real world. All the other modern liter bikes are incredible, but are almost exclusively designed for the track. While you can ride them out on public roads, that is most certainly not where they are most at home. On a decent stretch of canyon road, the Honda’s lightweight chassis will come into its own.
Upon each corner exit, it will never leave you in want of more power. Its steering damper makes sure that if you happen to hit any bumps mid-corner, the chassis doesn’t get unsettled. Once you get into a more congested area, its less aggressive ergos make it a fair bit more comfortable than any of the direct competition. ABS and traction control serve to keep things in check when an errant driver doesn’t see you coming.
There are very few modern bikes that offer a superior balance between value, power, and agility. Even so, it won’t be for everyone. It does everything you would want a superbike to do tremendously well, but just lacks the theater some of the modern bikes can offer. Then again, those bikes all cost more than $20k…
Chassis, Suspension, And Weight Specifications
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Chassis |
Twin-spar aluminum |
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Front Suspension |
43mm Showa big piston fork (4.7-in travel) |
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Rear Suspension |
Unit Pro-Link HMAS single shock (5.4-in travel) |
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Weight |
434 lbs |