Description
Click here for an CycleVIN Motorcycle History Report on this 1996 Honda CBR900RR. Additional photos are available here for your perusal.
Thanks to the introduction of machines like the Ducati 916 and the Yamaha R1, the 90s were a glorious decade for sportbikes. But the start of what we consider modern sportbikes came out of Honda when they introduced the CBR900RR in 1993, and it’s primarily due to Tadao Baba. Baba started at Honda in 1962 out of high school, and he steadily worked his way up through R&D.
The CBR900RR was his first solo project with Big Red, and the goal was to create a sportbike that was easy to ride. In an interview with Cycle World, Tadao noted, “I told people at the time this new bike would change the thinking for sportbike design, that it would be fun both in corners and a straight line. Originally we started with a CBR750RR but we already had the VFR, so perhaps make it a 1000? No. We also had CBR1000F. Instead we saw that if we took the dimensions of a 750, use the base motor but keep same bore and increase stroke it came to 893cc, so a new class was born, the 900 class.”
You can probably guess what Baba focused on, and the results were staggering. The CBR900RR was just 4 pounds heavier more than the CBR600F2, and it was a whopping 76 pounds lighter than its lightest literbike competition! Simply put, it was a revelation.
1996 marked the debuted of the third generation of Honda’s legendary CBR900RR – Honda tweaked the suspension and chassis for more torsional rigidity, changed the position of the clipons and the size of the shape for a more comfortable riding position, and bored out the motor an additional 1mm, increasing displacement to 918cc. Power went up by 8 horsepower and 3 lb-ft of torque at the crank (130 hp, 68 lb-ft), and the dry weight dropped by over 6 pounds to 401.
This example is VIN: JH2SC3301TM001952.
The odometer shows 10,891 miles.
Maintenance:
Last season the bike was given a full fluid flush, new oil filter, and four new NGK spark plugs.
It also has new front and rear EBC double H sintered pads, RK 525 chain, Vortex 43T rear sprocket, and Super Sprox 16T front sprocket.
Modifications:
Yoshimura slip on exhaust with DB killer and jetted carbs.
K Tech fork springs, Nitron shock.
Fender eliminator kit.
Adjustable rear sets.
Tank protector.
Tinted windscreen, aftermarket turn signals, steel braided brake lines front and rear.
The sale includes the original parts and some extras.
Cosmetic Blemishes:
It is riding on Metzeler tires with date codes of 2016 and 3517.
The sale includes one key and the owner’s manual.
Currently located in Fontana, California, this Honda is offered on a clean California title with registration current through June 2022.
Have any Honda CBR900RR stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
