In setting out to develop the 2nd Generation successor to the SP-1, its development team first consulted closely with the racing engineers at HRC. They singled-out all the major points where improvements could be (and had been) made, and then searched for ways to apply these changes to the production machine in a way that would not only improve upon its established sporting potential, but also make such a dramatic leap in performance that the version could be more viably championed in racing events at near-Superbike levels of performance, without draining the bank accounts of those wanting to race it. Also, while calls for 'greater excitement' were carefully considered in the configuration, the team carefully side-stepped the sort of all-out performance that might leave the majority of riders behind with a feeling of it being even harder to enjoy. So improvements to its long-term riding comfort and ease of use were also top priorities. A tall order, to be sure, but if anybody could do it, Honda could, and has.

While the SP's external looks haven't changed that much, its actual feeling of rigidity and responsive control has been radically upgraded. Its most noticeable changes can be seen in its swingarm and the frame's stronger engine hanger forgings, which are all virtually the same as that featured on the Works machines. Not so easily seen, though the results can certainly be felt, is the work that was also concentrated on the SP's fuel injection settings in order to realise smoother, stronger and more responsive power output.

Incorporating detailed refinements based on feedback from the real HRC racers, the SP-2 should probably not be compared with its predecessor, but instead directly compared with HRC's Superbike racers. As always, the main idea behind the SP 1-and SP-2-is to extend the greatest riding enjoyment to the widest possible range of riders. Thus, the SP-2 doesn't require the highest levels of riding skill to take advantage of its excellent balance of performance. Its ride is exciting and aggressive, but not too narrowly focused, so it provides far greater riding satisfaction over the long run. In fact, the SP-2 feels so good on a winding road that it makes up for long hours of city traffic just getting to those roads to enjoy it.

All vehicles are supplied by UK Main dealers - You pay the dealer on delivery of your Superbike