New Honda Fireblade for 2027: The CBR1000RR-R has been completely revamped

For Honda fans in the MotoGP and Superbike World Championships, it has been the norm for years that there is little to celebrate, and when there is, it is a rare occasion. Yet the Honda Racing Corporation was once regarded as the most formidable racing division. No World Championship title has been won in Superbike since 2007, and the last race victory came in 2016. After such a long dry spell, hopes were high that things would finally take a turn for the better with the factory team’s return in 2020 and the introduction of the CBR1000RR.

Between the 2025 and 2026 seasons, everything at Honda was turned on its head: new regular riders, a new test rider and a new team manager – yet again. Jake Dixon and Somkiat Chantra struggled through the season with injuries; the Englishman achieved the best result with a sixth place in the second main race at Cremona, whilst in the overall standings the pair finished in 19th and 21st places. Of the 22 regular riders, only the MotoXracing Yamaha riders (Rato, Sofuoglu, Smits) scored fewer points.

Honda pins its hopes on Jonathan Rea

By signing Jonathan Rea as a test and development rider, Honda has secured a leading figure for autumn 2025; no other Superbike ace can boast achievements like those of the six-time world champion and 119-time race winner. The Northern Irishman has tested for HRC for around 25 days this year, but only spent part of that time on the new bike, which we ’ll see in action on 22 and 23 October at the Circuito de Jerez.

Honda is launching a new homologation model of the CBR1000RR-R for 2027; Rea will be riding the machine – which has not yet been publicly unveiled – in camouflage livery. Despite the camouflage, new aero elements were visible at the front and on the sides. Notably, Honda is now using air ducts on the side fairings, modelled on MotoGP, just like Ducati. The front wings have also been redesigned. This first appearance gives an impression of just how intensively HRC is working on the next stage of development. “Most of the parts on the bike are new,” revealed a Honda representative. “Some parts are based on a similar concept, but most are new. You just have to look closely.”

I can see the resources and the commitment; I can sense the ambition.

Jonathan Rea

For Honda, the switch to the new tyre supplier Michelin is accompanied by another fundamental change: the new Brembo carbon brakes, which will be used as standard brakes from 2027. Whilst the competition had at least already been working with Brembo’s steel brakes, Honda was the only manufacturer to use Nissin components in 2026.

“I can see the resources and the commitment; I can sense the ambition,” Jonathan Rea told SPEEDWEEK.com during the past season. “HRC wants to move up the rankings, and for that to happen, the bike’s baseline performance needs to improve. That’s why Honda is now investing so heavily in the development programme. To get to where Ducati is today, we need to catch up. There’s a lot to do, but that’s why I like the project. Perhaps I can make a small contribution and help to chart a course.”