Honda CBR 1100 XX Super Blackbird 2006 — Specifications

Who remembers the 300 km/h war? In the late 1990s, Honda fired the opening salvo with a machine that would redefine the concept of radical sport-touring. The CBR 1100 XX Super Blackbird, borrowing its name from the famous SR-71 spy plane, had a clear ambition: to become the fastest production motorcycle in the world. Mission accomplished — at least for a while.

Beneath its streamlined fairing, whose drag coefficient would put some pure sportbikes to shame, lies an inline four-cylinder displacing 1137 cc that produces 164 horsepower at 9,500 rpm and 119 Nm of torque at 7,250 rpm. Impressive numbers, but they don't tell the whole story. The real talent of this engine is its refinement. The powerplant spins with an almost disconcerting smoothness for a machine in this class. No parasitic vibrations, no jerkiness through the six-speed transmission. Some will see this as a flaw, a lack of raw character. Others will appreciate this Swiss-watch mechanical precision that devours miles without ever tiring its rider. The 11:1 compression ratio and ram-air forced induction, introduced in 1999 alongside electronic fuel injection, contribute to this constant engine availability across the entire rev range.

The chassis follows the same philosophy. The aluminum twin-spar frame, 43 mm cartridge-type telescopic fork, and Pro-Link mono-shock offer a surprising compromise between highway stability and agility through sweeping bends. At 255 kg wet, the Blackbird is no featherweight, but it disappears beneath you from the very first switchbacks. The CBS linked braking system, with its dual front discs, inspires immediate confidence. The 1,490 mm wheelbase guarantees bullet-train stability in a straight line, while the 130 mm ground clearance allows respectable lean angles without scraping the footpegs at the first roundabout.

Of course, nothing is perfect. The seat perched at 810 mm and a slightly sporty riding position suit medium to tall riders best. The pillion passenger, meanwhile, won't exactly be living the dream on long hauls. And the wind protection, despite the streamlined profile, shows its limits above 200 km/h — paradoxical for a machine built for top speed. The 23-litre tank partially compensates for these shortcomings by offering comfortable highway range.

Against the Suzuki Hayabusa 1300 and the Kawasaki ZX-12R, which arrived a few years later with even greater power outputs, the Honda lost its outright speed crown. But it retains a major advantage that its rivals never truly matched: all-round excellence. The Blackbird remains an accessible, predictable motorcycle, capable of crossing Europe in the morning and carving through tight bends in the afternoon without demanding the arms of a seasoned rider. At 13,600 euros in this 2006 version, it was aimed at motorcyclists who wanted to do everything with a single machine, with no compromise on Honda's legendary reliability. A grand tourer disguised as a rocket — or the other way around. Take your pick.