HONDA'S CBR1000RR-R http://issuu.com/action/page?page=20 FIREBLADE SP

HONDA'S CBR1000RR-R FIREBLADE SP

WORDS: FREDDI LEX IMAGES: DREW RUIZ

AFTER YEARS OF getting decimated on track by the new generation of high-revving big-bore superbikes, Big Red emerges from its decadelong slumber with an all-new CBR1000RR-R. It is designed to go windscreen-to-windscreen with the best of the best in what’s evolved into the ultra-high-performance superbike class. Inheriting the Fireblade moniker, the triple-R spec CBR finally leverages Honda’s advanced MotoGP know-how for riders that live life by the tick of the stopwatch.

Tucked in behind the windscreen, the new CBR is roomier. This reverses Honda’s 2017-generation

CBR which was increasingly more tiny than the already compact (but still aptly proportioned 2008-2016 gen bike). The clip-ons are wider, with a more racy stance, and the fuel tank cover is lower, adding cockpit room.

As RPMs climb, you can tell there’s something special under the hood. The liquid-cooled 999cc inline-four is smaller in size and finally benefits from modern superbike architecture. More radical bore/stroke measurements (5mm larger bore measurement as compared to its predecessor) and low-inertia finger follower valvetrain. This allows for accurate movement at high rpm.

Still responsive at lower revs, the engine has a bigger appetite for rpm with a strong, but smooth spread of top-end pull. The 2020 CBR revs approximately 1,000 rpm higher than before with an explosive and shriek-like sound reminiscent of BMW’s S1000RR. The engine emits a louder and more aggressive bark from the muffler. Honda claims a competitive in class 186 horsepower,

but we expect the triple-R to produce around 170 hp at the rear 200-series Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP in OE trim.

An overhauled and more effective electronics package complements the RR-R’s powertrain and chassis providing superior integration versus the more rudimentary setup on the last CBR. Adjustable engine power modes, wheelie control, HSTC (Honda speak for traction control) and engine brake control are all standard, as is a bi-direction electronic quickshifter.

The ride-by-wire throttle response is more naturalfeeling than the original 2017-spec setup, but it would have been nice if Honda offered independent throttle response adjustment. Instead, it is integrated into the five-levels of power adjustment. Handlebar-mounted switch gear permits changes on the fly and a five-inch color TFT display keeps tabs on everything. Aggressive launch control mapping allows for hard, but more consistent race starts versus what you could do

without electronic help.

Although the wheelbase has lengthened considerably, in typical Honda form the CBR remains as nimble as ever. It also offers a high degree of stability at speed and at lean — features that Honda’s CBR has historically boasted. Semi-active gas-charged suspension from Ohlins provides excellent control with responsive programming that can take into account extreme camber and elevation changes and performs better than other manufactures' auto-damping setups. This affords a high degree of control no matter what type of road surface you’re rolling over.

The previous CBR1000RR’s front brakes were atrocious, especially on ABS models. Honda did its homework and the braking package is more consistent-feeling with the right amount of power and feel at the lever. We also appreciate the Brembo-sourced radial-mount master cylinder and the adjustable engine brake control which helps

slow the bike, electronically, if desired.

Aesthetically, the CBR looks meaner than past renditions. It has a more edgy shape with more angular body panels. Clean-looking winglets have been neatly integrated into the side fairings— adding downforce on the front end at speed. Yet, in typical Honda fashion, its plastic clothing is the most slippery in the class, says Honda after extensive wind tunnel testing.

With the release of the RR-R Fireblade SP, Big Red finally has a legitimate player in the liter-andabove superbike class. Yet this isn’t any ordinary superbike. It’s a $28,500 Honda. That means the Fireblade includes careful attention to details and a bespoke finish that other manufacturers in the segment can’t duplicate. Only time will tell if the new CBR is a true contender for World Superbike podiums but Honda riders can rest assured that the giant has awoken.

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THE PRESS ROOM GRID NEWS

VALENTINO ROSSI ANNOUNCES HIS

TEAM FOR THE 2021 MOTOGP SEASON It's official. After several weeks of speculations, Rossi has earned seven world titles, 89 race Valentino "The Doctor" Rossi officially confirmed wins, 199 podiums,55 pole positions and has his agreement with the Malaysian Petronas set the record for fastest laps 76 times. He is

Yamaha Sepang Racing Team. The agreement the only rider in history to win 125cc, 250cc, secures his 2021 GP seat alongside his new 500cc, and MotoGP World Championships. teammate, Franco Morbidelli. 2021 will be Rossi's ninth season in the GP

Rossi has been synonymous with the sport class, as begins his new journey as part of of MotoGP since he rolled onto the grid in Petronas Yamaha SRT, competing aboard a 2000. Over his illustrious 20 years, thus far, Yamaha YZR-M1.

DUCATI OFFICIAL ANNOUNCES THE CONFIRMED RIDERS FOR ITS FACTORY AND SATELLITE PREMIER CLASS TEAMS.

JACK MILLER

FRANCESCO BAGNAIA

The stage is set for Ducati's MotoGP 2021 World Championship efforts. The official riders for the factory team as well as the satellite Pramac team have been announced. Former Moto2 World Champion Francesco Bagnaia and Australian Jack Miller will take the reigns at the official team while the former Moto2 World Champion, Frenchman Johann Zarco and former Moto3 World Champion, Spaniard, Jorge Martín will compose the Pramac Racing Team. of our Desmosedici GP bike and have earned this opportunity. Their transition to the official team from the Pramac Racing Team, where they both grew up, is proof of the efficient collaboration that binds us to the team of Paolo Campinoti, which I would like to thank. I am sure that next year his team will be able to make the most of the talent of the two new riders Johann Zarco and Jorge Martín." - Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati Motor Holding.

"Jack Miller and Pecco Bagnaia have shown this year that they can take advantage of the potential For 2021, all four riders will ride the same spec Desmosedici GP bikes.

JORGE MARTIN

JOHANN ZARCO

YAMAHA R3 BLU CRU EUROPEAN CUP: A NEW SERIES FOR YOUNG RIDERS TO BE INTRODUCED TO WORLDSBK

As part of the "Road to WorldSBK" project, Yamaha Motor Europe, FIM Europe and Dorna WSBK Organization have introduced a new series designed to introduce young riders to road racing on the world stage, the Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European Cup.

The Cup is open to riders between 12 and 20 years old, with a maximum of 36 riders on the grid, all competing on the Yamaha YZF-R3.

The Cup was originally scheduled for the 2020 season but was circumvented due to COVID-19. It will finally launch in 2021 and take place alongside six rounds of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, with two races per event for a total of 12 race events.

RUN IT BACK: JEREZ PART 2

MOTOGP WITH B.T. WORDS: B.T. IMAGES: COURTESY OF MOTOGP.COM

LET’S FACE IT, most men secretly want to be These were sporting events you felt deep in Sports Stars. We constantly watch a sporting your soul. "Hell Hot" was one description of event and quietly say to ourselves, “I can do Jerez. One look at Tetsuta Nagashima being that!” Or the famous, “I still got it!” However, helped off his bike and virtually collapsing in rarely do we feel the agony that these a chair in his garage after the Moto2 race gladiators go through. Three sporting events let me know what these two-wheeled warriors come to mind where I felt that agony. were dealing with.

1. Ali versus Frazier 3, "The Thrilla in Manila." Track temperatures reached a scorching 149 degrees Fahrenheit! That’s fry an egg on 2. The 1999 Stanley Cup Triple Overtime a sidewalk hot, with literal hot cakes! This Thriller. would be a war of attrition between man and machine. The Andalucia GP, or Jerez II, had 3. MotoGP, July 26, 2020, at Jerez, Spain. many similarities to race one, with Fabio and

MAVERICK VINALES

FABIO QUARTARARO VALENTINO ROSSI

MAVERICK VINALES

Vinales on Pole. Newcomer Pecco Bagnaia A mechanical failure always spells doom. But would occupy the spot of Marc Marquez I’m getting ahead of myself. as the Alien of all Aliens decided to let his injured broken arm heal before deciding At the start of the race, it was the Yamaha to race again. But this race wasn’t without holeshot device working better than anything its walking wounded. The injury report for on this Earth at this moment in time. All three MotoGP sounds like a week nine NFL report. Yammies got off to a terrific start with Fabio Alex Rins, fractured shoulder. Cal Crutchlow, getting the holeshot and checking out like broken scaphoid. Andreas Dovizioso, broken a bad marriage. He was never seriously collarbone. And of course, the aforementioned threatened after this, which left Rossi, Vinales, Marquez. These are the humans on the scrap and a slew of oncomers to challenge for the heap. The machines would be next and podium. ultimately the dagger in a racers dream finish. Overcoming an injury and riding is one-thing. It’s apropos that Valentino Rossi had a helmet

BRAD BINDER

featuring the car from the film, “The Blues Brothers” on the side because it felt like he was on a mission from God! All comers were either dispatched by mechanical or faults of their own volition.

Franko Morbidelli looked set to catch the Doctor when engine troubles failed him. It was Pecco Bagnaia whose fate seemed the cruelest. With an almost certain second place in the bag and six laps from the finish, Bagnaia’s Ducati spewed more smoke than a barbeque in Alabama. He was done. This left Vinales and Rossi to fight for second and third with a distant but close enough Takaaki Nakagami to pick up the pieces if it went wrong for one of the two.

Only Michael Jordan and the 1986 Chicago Bears have played better defense than what Valentino Rossi did on this blistery day in Spain. He held off Maverick and showed the world there is still plenty of fight left in this 41-year-old. Then, through a mistake of his own doing, Rossi allowed Vinales to pass with one lap left and claimed his first podium in well over a year.

Even though I have written about the need for Rossi to retire, he alluded to the politics in the garage and how the balance of the bike is not suited to his liking. Reading between the lines, Yamaha has set the bike up for Vinales and Quartararo. But being the veteran that he is, Rossi found a way to make the bike work for him this afternoon. It will be interesting to see how Yamaha moves forward.

This race was one of the few races where I felt the heat and I damn sure witnessed the carnage. This race destroyed more men than the Kardashian’s during an NBA All-Star

FABIO QUARTARARO

Weekend. Brad Bender decimating the KTMs with an opening lap crash with teammate Miguel Oliveira and then later doing his best Marc Marquez impression by high-siding and then being run over by his own bike.

The Ducatis sent six bikes into battle and finished with only three. This race was brutal, in every sense of the word. Seeing that look of utter exhaustion by the riders after the race only further drove home the point. This is why the ride by Rossi proves that he’s not lost the will to win. In sweltering conditions, the 41-yearold looked every bit as poised as any rider on the grid, maybe even more. I thought the heat would do him in but I was wrong.

What's next? The Brno Circuit in the Czech Republic. Hopefully, it will be cooler than the Hellish conditions in Jerez. It will be the return of the Champ, down "fiddy" points to Quartararo. You’re going to have a desperate Marquez. There will be a Yamaha that’s great off the line but its engine has about as much reliability as a truthful Lance Armstrong deposition. And last but not least, you have the cool, calm, serial killer approach of Andreas Dovizioso, who didn’t hemorrhage as much from a track that he’s never performed particularly well.

This series is heating up more than a 3 pm race at the Jerez Angel Nieto Circuit in July. With only 11 more races to go, every point and position is crucial. We can only hope that we are spared the cruelty of another Jerez bloodbath. To put it bluntly, that race was Hell. But a 9 times World Champion, by the name of Valentino Rossi, proved that on this particular Sunday afternoon, as AC/DC once sang, Hell ain’t a bad place to be!

THE INSIDE LINE WORDS: DEVONNE DUERBAUM IMAGES: COURTESY OF EJ

Making the most of it

WHEN COVID-19 STARTED at the beginning of this year, most of us never thought it would still be going on in October. People are still in quarantine, out of jobs, working harder than ever and some are taking advantage of the situation. If you are one of those people who now have a bit more time than usual, depending on the situation, you are blessed.

Back in April, I thought to myself how great it would be to take a road trip across the country, but never got to it and wasn't really sure if I was willing to do it on my own. EJ however, was. She started considering riding solo crosscountry during her two-year recovery from a terrible motorcycle accident in 2017. Although she has healed significantly, she has sustained permanent paralysis in her right arm and hand due to brachial plexus.

During her recovery, which lasted from 2017 to 2020, she learned how to walk and most importantly, ride again. She had to adjust to being left-handed, and take time to not only heal physically but mentally, promising herself that she would not continue to put off her cross-country trip and really "live."

In the Spring of 2020, she made a list of routes she's always wanted to take and decided to string them all together. Most people who plan road trips tend to bring company along. However, EJ

did not care to, as she is an introvert and being able to be in her own head, with just her bike and the open roads is invigorating.

Prior to her trip, she took a small road trip, which she called a "test run" and spent two weeks riding in North Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina. After that trip, she knew she was ready, however, she needed a new rear tire, chain, sprockets, and an oil change.

On July 16, she started her trip on her 2013 Honda CB500X from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. 765 miles later, she made it to Chattanooga, Tennessee, that same day. Once she arrived, she started to plan her next route, waking up before sunrise and concluding her day at sundown. She rode a total of 11,291 miles in 31 days, visiting 24 states and 16 national parks. Temperatures ranged from 31-118 degrees. Luckily, there was very little rain.

During her ride in Sedona, Arizona, she nearly hit two deer but managed to handle the situation. There was another incident where she had her wallet stolen in Mount Hood, Oregon. There were much better times than the occasional irritants. Along the way, she stayed in Airbnb's, motels and a wagon, which led her to meet incredible people. She was able to have a flexible schedule and take advantage of other activities, such as wing walking on a 1943 biplane, zip-lining through the redwoods of California and flying her first glider.

Although she was happy a majority of the time, EJ felt at her happiest in Desolate, Utah. There were no cell towers and not a person in sight for miles. That is when she realized that being on her bike brings her the most joy in life. She asked herself many times if she was excited to get back home, but then realized that it doesn't matter where in the world she is. "If I am on my motorcycle, I'm already home."

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