Honda CBR1100XX

The Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird was a Honda motorcycle, part of the CBR series made from 1996 to 2007. The bike was developed to challenge the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-11 as the world's fastest production motorcycle,[9] and Honda succeeded with a top speed of 178.5 mph (287.3 km/h).[2][10] Two years later the title passed to the Suzuki Hayabusa, which reached 194 mph (312 km/h).[9][11][12] The Blackbird is named after the Lockheed SR-71, also a speed record holder.[9][13]

Honda CBR1100XX

Manufacturer	Honda
Also called	Super Blackbird
Production	1996–2007
Predecessor	Honda CBR1000F
Class	Sport touring
Engine	1,137 cc (69.4 cu in) liquid-cooled 4-stroke 16-valve DOHC inline-four
Bore / stroke	79.0 mm × 58.0 mm (3.1 in × 2.3 in)
Compression ratio	11.0:1
Top speed	1997: 170 mph (270 km/h)[1] 1999: 174 mph (280 km/h),[1] 178.5 mph (287.3 km/h),[2][3] 180 mph (290 km/h)[4]
Power	132 hp (98 kW) @ 9,500 rpm[5] 136.7 hp (101.9 kW) @ 9,500 rpm[6] 137 hp (102 kW) @ 9,750 rpm[7]
Torque	78 lbf⋅ft (106 N⋅m) @ 7,500 rpm[5] 80.9 lbf⋅ft (109.7 N⋅m) @ 7,500 rpm[6]
Ignition type	Computer-controlled digital with three-dimensional mapping
Transmission	Close-ratio 6-speed sequential manual Final drive: #530 O-ring sealed chain
Suspension	Front: 43 mm HMAS cartridge-type fork, 120 mm travel Rear: Pro-Link HMAS with gas-charged damper, rebound adjustable 120 mm travel
Brakes	Dual combined braking system Front: Three-piston caliper with dual 310 mm (12.2 in) discs Rear: Three-piston caliper with single 256 mm (10.1 in) disc
Tires	Front: 120/70 ZR17 Rear: 180/55 ZR17
Rake, trail	25°, 99 mm (3.9 in)
Wheelbase	1,490 mm (58.7 in)
Dimensions	L: 2,160 mm (85.0 in) W: 720 mm (28.3 in) H: 1,170 mm (46.1 in)
Seat height	810 mm (31.9 in)
Weight	1997: 492 lb (223 kg) 1999: 496 lb (225 kg)[8] (dry) 1997: 556 lb (252 kg)[6] 1999 563 lb (255 kg)[1] (wet)
Fuel capacity	23.0 L (5.1 imp gal; 6.1 US gal) (including the 4 L reserve)
Fuel consumption	39 mpg‑US (6.0 L/100 km; 47 mpg‑imp)[6]
Related	Honda X11

It has the largest-displacement engine in Honda's CBR range of motorcycles.

Development

In the mid 1990s, Honda was determined to produce the world's fastest production motorcycle and to take over the associated bragging rights and marketing impact, at the time held by Kawasaki's Ninja ZX11.[9] This led to the creation of the CBR1100XX Super Blackbird. The Blackbird name is a nod to the Lockheed SR-71 aircraft, the world's fastest production aircraft.[13]

In the February 1997 issue of Sport Rider magazine, the CBR1100XX was tested at a top speed of 178.5 mph (287.3 km/h),[2] compared with 175 mph (281.6 km/h) for the ZX-11.[14] Its supremacy over the ZX-11 was confirmed in April 2007 by Motorcycle Consumer News, although the speeds achieved were slightly lower and the margin was narrower.[5]

In 1999, the Suzuki Hayabusa overtook the CBR1100XX. It was listed in the 2000 Millennium Edition of Guinness World Records as the world's fastest production bike with a top speed of 194 mph (312 km/h) Hayabusa is the Japanese term for the Peregrine Falcon, a species of raptor which preys on blackbirds.[11]

Production history

Production of the Blackbird began in 1996 and halted in 2007. Imports to North America ended in 2003 but sales continued in Europe until 2007. Major changes to the Blackbird were introduced in 1999, when Honda switched from carburetors to PGM fuel injection. The 2001 Blackbird received an LCD instrument cluster. Since then the exhaust and fuelling systems were changed to meet emission standards and maintain or improve fuel efficiency.

Specific variations to the initial model are: This motorcycle was produced for 10 years, the heart of which it has quite advanced. Here are the details on changes:

1996

• 1997 model World Press presentation.

1997

• No change

1998

• Modification to the thermostat housing. The other changes are minor.

1999

Major update.

• PGM FI fuel injection system is introduced.
• Ram-air system is introduced. It provides engine with more air at high speeds (above 200 km/h or 120 mph) using aerodynamic pressure
• Revised linked brakes with altered proportioning between front and rear.
• Fuel tank capacity is increased from 22-to-24 L (4.8-to-5.3 imp gal; 5.8-to-6.3 US gal)
• The choke lever is removed from the left side switch assembly as it is no longer necessary.
• To accommodate the ram air tubes, the oil cooler becomes lower and wider.
• The inner and outer fork bushings are wider, changing the fork lowers and sliders.
• The sidestand warning light on the instrument cluster becomes the FI warning light.
• The wide part of the front axle (left side) becomes 10 mm longer, which makes the left-front axle space 10 mm shorter.
• The two bulbs in the tail light are vertically aligned, in previous years they were side by side.
• Front wheel hub is enlarged, the brake rotors are changed.
• The ignition switch is changed, and the keys are longer.
• The number of clutch plates is reduced from nine to seven.
• The rear inner fender changes shape to accommodate additional electronics.

2000

• No changes

2001

• New dashboard now has a digital speedometer and other indicators, except tachometer, which is now in center of dashboard.
• Significant evolutions
• Dashboard with digital display.
• Longer fairing (about 3.5cm)
• New charging regulator with larger fins.
• More powerful battery 11Ah YTZ12S instead of YTX12-BS 10Ah.
• New fuel pressure regulator rated at 50 psi instead of 43psi.
• New spark plugs type IMR9C-9H (NGK) iridium (formerly CR9EHVX-9 (NGK)).
• Emergence of to the lambda probe (NTK) in addition to the exhaust manifold which is now stainless steel made.

2002

• New EFI mapping to comply with emission standards and eliminate abrupt throttle response at low speeds.
• As from September 2001. Turning to European standards of pollution with:
• New engine mapping to erase rough engine at low speeds and reduce the level of pollution.
• Introduction of the catalysts build in muffler.

2003

• Headlight switch removed (OFF / pilot light / road light) on the right handlebar. Now ignition of the headlight is automatic as soon as you turn the ignition key ON. (New European standard).

2004

• No change

2005

• Honda factory manual states fuel tank capacity is 23 L (5.1 imp gal; 6.1 US gal). The tachometer graduations become blue.

2006

• No technical change. Last year of production.

2007

• Selling stocks until exhaustion.

References

1. "Performance Index '10" (PDF), Motorcycle Consumer News, Bowtie Magazines, 2010, archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-02-15, retrieved 2011-02-14
2. "Motorcycle Performance Numbers: Honda". Sport Rider. February 1997. ISSN 1065-7649. Archived from the original on February 12, 2008.
3. Smith, Don. "Honda CBR1100XX 1997-2003: speed king at one time, the biggest CBR drew fans for other reasons." Sport Rider Aug. 2010: 63+. General OneFile. Web. 14 June 2012.
4. Brown, Roland (2006), The Ultimate History of Fast Motorcycles, Bath, UK: Parragon, pp. 214–215, ISBN 1-4054-7303-7
5. Coonan, Big Joe (April 1997). "Honda CBR1100XX vs. Kawasaki ZX-11". Motorcycle Consumer News. ISSN 1073-9408.
6. "Hard Numbers." Motorcyclist July 2000: 136. General OneFile. Web. 14 June 2012.
7. Carrithers, Tim. "1997-2004 Honda CBR1100XX." Motorcyclist Dec. 2008: 98. General OneFile. Web. 14 June 2012.
8. Coombs, Matthew (2007), Honda CBR1100xx Super Blackbird Service and Repair Manual, Sparkford, UK: Haynes, p. 0.10, ISBN 978-1-84425-752-2
9. Brown, Roland (2005), The Ultimate History of Fast Motorcycles, Bath, UK: Parragon, pp. 216–217, 242–243, ISBN 1-4054-5466-0
10. Terri, Sievert (2002), The World's Fastest Superbikes; Built for speed, Capstone Press, ISBN 9780736810609
11. Guinness World Records 2000 Millennium Edition. Guinness World Records Ltd. 1999. p. 179. ISBN 0-85112-098-9.
12. Hoyer, Mark (June 2007), "'Busas, Baby! Looking Back at Suzuki's Steamroller of Speed", Cycle World, Newport Beach, California: Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S., ISSN 0011-4286, archived from the original on 2007-08-22
13. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-06-07. Retrieved 2008-05-25.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
14. "Motorcycle Performance Numbers:Kawasaki". Sport Rider. February 1997. ISSN 1065-7649. Archived from the original on February 12, 2008.