Honda CBR 1000 RR Factory TEN KATE SUPERBIKE 2011 — Specifications

Who remembers the green and red Castrol livery on a Honda Superbike? Those who thrilled to Kocinski's rides on the RC 45 in 1997 or Colin Edwards' world titles on the VTR SP in 2000 and 2002 certainly haven't forgotten. Three SBK world championships were born from this alliance between the Japanese manufacturer and the British lubricant company. For the 2011 season, the Ten Kate team rekindles that flame by swapping the HannSpree colors for the Castrol livery on its CBR 1000 RR Factory. The fairing once again sports that deep green that evokes the racetrack and past glory. A return to roots that stretches back, if you follow the thread, to Honda's involvement at the Tourist Trophy on the Isle of Man in 1959.

The rider lineup assembled for this campaign is far from short on credentials. Jonathan Rea, a pure talent whose SBK career is only gaining momentum, shares the garage with Ruben Xaus, an experienced rider known for his spectacular riding style. Ten Kate, the Dutch outfit renowned for its expertise in Honda preparation, extracts no less than 215 horsepower from the 999 cc inline four-cylinder engine. The powerplant, with its 76 mm bore and short 55.1 mm stroke, breathes sportiness. The six-speed HRC kit gearbox, the aluminum Diamond-type twin-spar frame, and the 22-liter fuel tank form a package built for the long-haul battle. The announced top speed of 300 km/h confirms that this race-spec Fireblade plays in the big leagues.

One sore point remains, however. The CBR 1000 RR, despite its undeniable dynamic qualities, is showing its age against the competition. The Aprilia RSV4, newer and equipped with its 65-degree V4, draws all eyes on the starting grids. The Ducati 1198 and BMW S 1000 RR are not far behind either. The Fireblade's technical foundation did receive a serious boost with the switch to Öhlins suspension in mid-2009, the 43 mm FGR000 inverted fork and TTX36 rear shock offering a remarkable level of precision and control. The braking, with its two radially-mounted 320 mm front discs, remains up to Superbike standards. But the chassis and engine are crying out for an overhaul that Honda has been slow to deliver.

Therein lies the paradox of this machine. In the expert hands of Ten Kate, with Castrol's financial backing and a few HRC parts slipped into the shipments, the CBR 1000 RR Factory remains capable of impressive performances. The work on the rolling chassis transforms an aging platform into a formidable weapon on certain circuit configurations. But against more recently designed rivals, rider talent and engineer ingenuity cannot compensate for everything. At 100,000 euros per machine, we're talking about a pure competition object, out of reach for the average motorcyclist, destined exclusively for the paddocks of the World Championship.

This 2011 Honda CBR 1000 RR Ten Kate Castrol embodies a transition. That of a motorcycle that has won it all but feels the need for fresh blood. Rea and Xaus will have the tools to spring surprises at certain rounds, that much is certain. The question is how long Honda can hold out against the wave of technical renewal sweeping through the Superbike field. Castrol green nostalgia alone doesn't win races. But it serves as a reminder that this team knows the meaning of the word victory.