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ORIGINAL: red08

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ORIGINAL: jgolo

I think the HP number is lower due to a new HP rating scale that changed a few years ago where all motervehicles look lower, because of some "universal" rating where you can actually believe the differences between a Honda and Toyota. I am sure this applies to bikes as well.

The peak horsepower number is low because Honda retarded the timing at around 10,500 rpm for reasons not yet made clear.  The UK bikes that did not get the timing retard make 160 rwhp and no '06 or other 1000RR comes close stock for stock. 

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ORIGINAL: woogie

I'd bet you a dollar that the good 'ol EPA had a little something to do with that. At any rate, a PCIII could fix that, but I've seen a video talking about what a b#$ch it is to install a PCIII on the '08.

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ORIGINAL: RICHS65

I wouldn't get to worked up about it, most of the things that were problems on the CBR08 in the Sport Rider Literbike Shootout, were not problems in the other Literbike Shootouts. They probably got a bike from Honda with a few problems. If 1 out of 8 Shootouts have a few problems with the Honda that none of the others had, it's probably just  isolated problems on that one Bike. Let's see, in future tests, if the Honda has the same suspension and other problems they metioned in Sport Rider Mag, than I would say those problems to be an issue. In real the world and on other Forums, I have not heard these same problems Sport Rider Mag is saying to be an issue.

Horse Power I would not give a Rat's Ass about, The Honda beat all those bikes on the track by a pretty good margin. What would you rather have a Bike with 175rwp that does 1:45.9 or 155rwp that does 1:44.0 on the track.

The Kawasaki always has the most horses, for years that's been true. What's also true is they rarely win any races in World Superbike, AMA Superbike, or MotoGP for that matter.

Real World Again....... I had an 06CBR1000RR and most of the other riders I ride with have Suzuki's(GSXR's, HayaBusa's) and one other guy has an 06 ZX10. None of them can beat me, I also have like 23years experience to their like 2 to 4 years of riding. All of there bikes have more horsepower than mine, doesn't bother me none in the least. Where there power is none of them have the capability of using on the road (top end).

My buddy with the ZX10 let's me ride it when I want to, I will say you can feel a big difference in the power of his motor compared to my 06CBR1000RR. I just can't get it to the ground without feeling like it's going to through me off like a ragdoll, really scary feeling when riding his bike hard to the limits. It gives you no confidence in riding it hard like that. My point is what good is all that power if I can't use it and feel safe while doing it.

Give me the Honda's all day long with their useable horsepower, all of it.

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ORIGINAL: Eminent

I am another very satisfied customer of the 08.. Its unreal in power to weight ratio,, turns better than my 600!!

I think it is "deceptively fast" with a smooth powerband and good mid-range.  The bike is F*(&*ng fast!