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All-new model planned as Honda seek top spot in the power stakes

After years of playground taunting, Honda are finally squaring off to the two biggest bullies in the schoolyard: the Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa and Kawasaki's ZX-12R.
Word on the streets of Japan is that the latest Blackbird will be an all-new bike, hardly surprising after remaining unchanged since 1998.
With the top-speed/penis-size competition scuppered by last year's 186mph limit, Honda are concentrating on out-tricking the competition. The new 1200cc inline four cylinder will allegedly be equipped with the latest version of Honda's Hyper-VTEC. This should switch the bike between being a torquey 8-valve four and a screaming 16-valve powerhouse somewhere around the 7000rpm mark. And did we mention that it could make as much as 155bhp at the back wheel?
Sources at top Japanese magazine Auto-By reckon the new 1200 (up from 1137cc on the previous version) will get an increase of at least 20bhp. Bearing in mind the current bike makes around 130bhp on the BSD
dyno, that gives us standard Hayabusa power. What remains to be seen is whether the all-singing VTEC system can beat the plain and simple pull of the larger capacity Busa.
But it's not just the engine that's getting replaced. A new frame will be used, along with totally new, but still right-way-up forks (contrary to the computer-generated image above). The 'all-new' theme will also extend to the styling, and particularly the ram-air snouts.
At the moment it remains unclear how the nose-mounted scoops connect to the airbox. "We are still waiting for vital information from our sources," explains Masanari
Mitsumoto, crack Japanese bike-hunter. "It's not clear whether the system feeds through the frame rail sides or through the headstock like the new RCB1000 will and the SP2 does."
It's also been rumoured the bike could feature Unit Pro Link suspension as developed on the RCV four-stroke GP bike and used on the new production CBR600RR. Although this seems a bit sensational for what is essentially a very fast touring bike.
And talking of the sensible touring-type things, we were very disappointed to learn that the CBS (Combined Braking System) hasn't just been kept, those Honda boffins have actually tweaked it up, doubtless securing its future and ensuring more controversy for several more years.
"The new XX will get a new Dual CBS system, " explains Masanari. "With an advanced control device, like an ECU but for the brakes. It will monitor the system and operate delay valves to effectively manage the front/rear ratio." Hmm...
If you want to be scared senseless on a 186mph super-tourer with, er, interesting brakes, you'll have to wait 'til next spring. Expect to see it in shows by September though.

(с) Perfomance Bikes. June 2003.