2008 Honda CBR1000RR 'Fireblade' as Secondhand Motorcycle
If you look into the brochure of the latest motorcycles you sometimes forget that previous models are also worth considering. As example the 2008 Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade is still a very competitive motorcycle compared to what Honda big wing dealers are now selling.The 2008 Honda CBR1000RR is powered by a 999.8cc LC 16 valve, DOHC, inline-four, with PGM-DIFI (duel-injector Honda PGM-FI model) and four 46mm Keihin throttle bodies. The engine is heavily revised from the previous models, with new linerless bores and a clever elector-deposited coating inside the cylinders. Inlet valves are titanium, and the bore went up 1mm, and stroke down 1.5mm compared to the 2007 Honda CBR1000RR. The pistons used by Honda for the 2008 up to present CBR1000RR are lighter than ever before, yet much stronger. Basically the 2.5kg lighter engine used in the 2008 Honda CBR1000RR is the same as Honda is using for the 2013 CBR1000RR.
The 2008 Honda CBR1000RR is also the first model that featured the new underslung exhaust system replacing the underseat exhaust on the 2007 CBR1000RR. Complex piping and resonance chambers together with no less than two ECU-controlled flapper valves optimize the performance all the way through the rev range.
For the 2008 CBR1000RR used a 30mm narrower and very light frame, and designed it much more rigid. The 2008 CBR1000RR frame is actual lighter and more rigid than the 2013 Honda CBR1000RR frame.
The Tokico calipers are actual the same as they are mounted on the latest model, and the one-piece aluminum monoblock chrome plated, with four pistons using two brake pads per disc are difficult to improve on. Still the discs are mounted with the modern 6 point mounts instead of the old 10-point mounts.
Honda's Assisted Slipper Clutch uses a system of ramps and undercut dogs to both release the clutch under back-torque conditions when downshifting, as well as forcing the clutch pack together under acceleration. This allows lighter clutch springs and a lighter lever feel. It also means that the 2008 Honda CBR1000RR uses the modern cable operated clutch system.
The only major difference between the current Honda CBR1000RR and the 2008 is the front and rear suspension, while the 2008 CBR1000RR used a 43mm inverted HMAS cartridge forks, the 2013 use 43mm inverted Big Piston Forks – both systems are fully adjustable. For the rear suspension the 2008 CBR1000RR use a Pro-Link HMAS single shock, while the 2013 CBR use a Pro-Link Balance-Free rear shock unit.
