My mechanic is fixing a hole in my CBR1000RR 2004 tank. I asked him what it's made of, he said it's steel. I was quite surprised as I thought most of the bike's components that can be aluminium, are aluminium. Are there any CBR1000RR models where the tank is not steel? Are there reasonably priced aftermarket (like race) tanks that are not steel? And is there much of a weight difference? There's about a 20kg difference in total vehicle mass between the 2004 model and the latest models. What's making up most of that difference?
Fair enough. But in Britain and European Union ABS has been mandatory since 2016 (vehicles over 125cc) so we don't have new 'non-ABS models. Even putting aside ABS, so much of a motorcycle is governed by electronics now, so much of that paraphernalia would surely add to the weight, despite most manufacturers claiming to have saved weight here and there! Interestingly, my 1971 CB750 K1 (1971) weighed 218 kilos (dry) My present 2011 Blade (non-ABS) weighs 179 kilo (less a few grams for no pillion footpegs) . The main savings between these two is the use of plastics (no steel mudguards etc) and alloys for frames, wheels and other stressed componentry. Sadly for you, your bike will weigh more after the tank is welded!
