Our brief relationship with the CBR1000RR has come to an end, much to the dismay of everybody in the office who spent time in the cockpit. It proved to be a house favorite and the key was in high demand, particularly after the upgrades were installed. The original plan was to add as much power as possible, strictly using bolt-on mods. With each part installed the bike improved significantly in both looks and performance, proving the CBR is a great platform to base a build on.
We kicked off the upgrade parade with a pipe, but after poor results from a slip-on, a full system from Leo Vince was installed. Surprisingly, no aftermarket fueling was required yet the pipe made good power and trimmed off some poundage. We’d already installed a Power Commander in anticipation of the full exhaust, and since it was already in place, a quickshifter was added (the quickshifter is an add-on to the PC).
The Leo Vince full exhaust...
The Leo Vince full exhaust didn’t require any fuel adjustments yet produced improved power throughout for a very impressive and cost-effective upgrade.
The exhaust tone and quickshifter combo worked hand in hand to make the CBR feel like a true racebike. Tapping off gears at wide-open throttle while the unburnt fuel backfires is pure magic on the road, and it makes otherwise boring rides suddenly more exciting.
Takai Racing’s coil sticks produced the biggest surprise of all the mods, however. A straight swap of the stock coil sticks for the aftermarket resulted in an instant power increase across the entire rev range. It might not be a massive gain, but three-plus horsepower is more than some aftermarket exhausts can produce.
Part of the to-do list involved sharpening the upper fairing’s appearance with strategically placed graphics for a more pleasing aesthetic appeal. But the motivation was thwarted after a glance at the new 2012 model—its redesigned bodywork and sharp angular headlights are much better looking than what a graphics kit is capable of. That brought us to the conclusion that the 2012 has everything this bike does, plus better suspension, nicer wheels and drastically improved lines.
A Hotbodies windscreen added...
A Hotbodies windscreen added a much-needed splash of color.
Try a quickshifter once and...
Try a quickshifter once and you’ll never want to ride without one again.
Over three horsepower was...
Over three horsepower was gained by a simple coil stick upgrade.
Despite the latest CBR1000RR’s advantages, our 2011 required very little in the way of aftermarket upgrades to make it one of the best streetbikes we’ve had in a long time. It’ll wheelie like mad, has great midrange power for city riding and feels as light as a 600—what more could you ask for?
Swingarm extensions and a lowering link would instantly transform the CBR into a quarter-mile killer and a unique boulevard cruiser. With a lowered stance it would look significantly more aggressive while also allowing for hard starts off the line. Plus, it’s rare to see a CBR1000RR stretched and slammed so its cool factor would be through the roof.
Roaring Toyz Swingarm extensions $299.99