There’s a Lot to Love
Honda decided to reveal several new bikes at EICMA this year. The headliner for the Honda reveal is definitely the 2020 CBR1000RR-R Fireblade. However, the company also revealed several new models, including the CB1000R, an updated Rebel 500 and new SH125i and SH125i scooters. Here’s a closer look at all of these bikes.
Honda Rebel
The new Honda Rebel 500 gets some notable cosmetic changes, making it look a whole not more sinister and aggressive. It’s a handsome bike now. It was good-looking before, but now it really stands out as a serious-looking entry-level cruiser.
In addition to the cosmetic changes, Honda made some good equipment updates. These include LED lighting, a new round headlight, revised suspension, new gear position indicator, slipper clutch, Euro5 compliant exhaust, and a new seat. The Rebel S Edition gets Matte Axis Grey Metallic paint and a fancy headlight cowl as well as some blacked-out accents and a diamond-stitched saddle.
SH125i and SH150i
The SH125i and SH150i scooters were ready for an update, and Honda did right by the machines. The company added Euro 5 compliant engines. The scooters get Honda Selectable Torque Control and Idling Stop. This will help them become even more user-friendly and efficient.
The scooters also come with some minor frame redesigns. This adds a little more storage space under the seat. Honda also added a USB charger and Honda Smart Key. You can get a new smart top box that works with the key, too.
CB1000R
The CB1000R’s updates are cosmetics. The bike has some blacked-out components a Metallic Matte Ballistic Black headlight surround, a silver racing stripe on the tank, color changes to the front brake discs and to the springs in the rear of the motorcycle. Honda didn’t say what the colors for the brake and springs will be. The motorcycle still features the same mechanical parts and should have essentially the same performance.
CBR1000RR-R
The big news for the company’s EICMA show reveal is the CBR1000RR-R. As you might imagine, the bike is an impressive machine. Honda did go with the weird triple R naming scheme that we reported on a while back, unfortunately. However, it also added the well-known Fireblade moniker to the end.
The bike is built to race. It makes 214 hp at 14,500 rpm and 83 lb-ft of torque at 12,500 rpm. The bike weighs only 443 pounds, too. It will be a fast machine. The bike also gets a new aerodynamics package that comes from the RC123V racing motorcycle.
Honda also has an SP version of the bike. This version will get Öhlins suspension up from and in the rear, Brembo Stylema brakes up front, and Brembo monoblock in the rear. These come from the RC213V-S racing bike.
No matter what version of the motorcycle you get, the bike will have Bosch six-axis IMU, a titanium Akrapovic exhaust, and your choice of Grand Prix Red or Matte Pearl Black. Honda didn’t release pricing for the bike yet. More details will come later.