BSH debuts three new 2020 flagship bikes

CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP

CRF1100L Africa Twin

GL1800 Gold Wing

Honda motorcycles assembler and distributor Boon Siew Honda (BSH) seized the initiative last weekend when it hosted the first local major motorcycle launch for 2020, bringing forth three new flagship models in the process.

Introduced here were the manic new CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP superbike, followed by the updated GL1800 Gold Wing touring bike, as well as both variants of the recently refreshed CRF1100L Africa Twin – Standard and Adventure Sports.

All three also mark their regional market debut in the process, and here’s what you ought to know about all three…

GL1800 Gold Wing
Starting with the biggest and priciest of the trio, BSH have finally made the current sixth generation version of Honda’s ultimate touring machine officially available in Malaysia. Introduced last weekend was the lightly updated 2020 model year version of the tourer that we first saw at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show prior.

Honda’s flagship tourer is powered by a signature 1,833cc flat-six cylinder heart that outputs 125bhp and 170Nm of twist. Both are managed by another signature hardware, by which we mean a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) and enclosed shaft driveline setup, the former even boasting a reverse gear function.

In this 2020MY guise, the Gold Wing has undergone several small revisions all around. Changes were made with its fuel injection suite, its DCT transmission, its suspension and adaptive damping system, as well as its ergonomics to improve both rider and pillion comfort levels.

Other notable features include four selectable ride modes (Tour, Sport, Econ and Rain), the addition of Apple CarPlay connectivity, followed by the presence of keyless ignition, full-LED lighting, Hill-Start Assist (HSA), and the Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) features amongst many.

In short, Honda’s idea of the ultimate touring machine has been bettered slightly in several ways, ready to give rivals like the BMW K1600 GT/GTL a run for its money.

Available exclusively in Pearl Glare White finish, the new 2020 Honda GL1800 Gold Wing commands a base retail price tag of RM208,800.

CRF1100L Africa Twin
Moving on to the most versatile offering of the lot, BSH also welcomes the recently refreshed CRF1100L Africa Twin model. Available in either Standard or Adventure Sports forms, the new CRF1100L version of the Africa Twin sports plenty of upgrades and revision over its previous CRF1000L predecessor.

Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Standard

Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports

At the heart of which is its larger and more powerful 1,084cc parallel-twin mill, which now boasts 100bhp and 105Nm. The mill also benefits with a variable Exhasut Control Valve (ECV) brimmed in its muffler, whilst its electronics suite has been heightened further with the inclusion of a new Bosch Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU).

Managing the 7-level HSTC suite present on board, the new Bosch IMU also grants the addition of both Cornering ABS and Wheelie Control abilities, the latter featuring three selectable levels. The end result sees the CRF1000L Africa Twin being optimised further for improved off-road performance.

Other notable standard features present in the Standard variant include cruise control, an interactive 6.5-inch TFT digital Multi-Info Display (MID), six selectable ride modes that now includes Off Road and two customisable User profiles, both Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay connectivity functions, as well as LED daytime running lights.

Opt for the up-specced Adventure Sports variant and the Africa Twin gets beefed up further with a larger 24.8-litre fuel tank, an adjustable windscreen, large engine sump guard, aluminium rear carrier, tubeless wheels and tyres, as well as an ACC charging port and heated grips.

Besides that, the Adventure Sports variant also benefits with enhanced Showa EERA electronic suspension suite that offers four modes – Soft, Mid, Hard and Off-Road. There’s also the addition of a three-stage cornering lights system and, crucially, the option for Honda’s DCT transmission as well.

Available in a single red colourway, the 2020 Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Standard variant commands a base retail price tag of RM98,800.

The Adventure Sports variant, on the other hand, which comes dressed exclusively in Honda’s signature Pearl White Glare Tricolour livery, is priced from RM111,888 (MT) and RM117,888 (DCT) instead.

CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP
We’ve saved perhaps the fastest and most extreme offering of the lot for last, and it’s none other than the recently unveiled CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP superbike. This offering stands as Honda’s most extreme and most focused road-going performance machine to date thanks to the tech pioneered by its successful MotoGP efforts.

At the heart of this iteration of the ‘Blade is a screaming 1,000cc four-banger that produces 215bhp at a nicely high-pitched 14,500rpm, as well as 112.7Nm of twist at an equally ear drum-splitting 12,500rpm.

By the way, this package gets sweetened further with the inclusion of an Akrapovič-developed titanium exhaust system.

Besides its light 201kg kerb weight, agility is guaranteed by the things like the second-gen semi-active Öhlins Electronic Control (S-EC) suspension system as seen in the previous CBR1000RR Fireblade SP model, followed by top-shelf Brembo anchors with switchable Sport and Track modes.

In the electronics department, this flagship superbike boasts a launch control (Start Mode) suite, Showa’s new 3-level Honda Electronic Steering Damper (HESD), a six-axis IMU by Bosch, selectable ride modes including options to customise Power, Engine Brake and Wheelie control, as well as a nine-level HSTC suite amongst many.

Other notable features include keyless ignition, interactive 5-inch full-colour TFT dash display, not forgetting its aerodynamic integrated wings present in its fairing design developed through Honda’s MotoGP exploits. In short, this is the sharpest and most extreme form of Honda’s famed Fireblade superbike ever built.

Available exclusively in Grand Prix Red tri-colour livery, the new 2020 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP superbike rightfully commands a base price of RM198,800. It, along with the other two models it debuted alongside over the weekend, will be available exclusively via authorised Honda big bike dealers and Honda Big Wing centres.

Check out more images, as well as full technical spec sheets of all three flagship bikes in the galleries prepared below.