There is growing speculation that Honda is developing a new supersport motorcycle to replace the CBR600RR, with a 900cc V3-powered model potentially taking its place. If the reports prove accurate, the motorcycle would use the same V3 engine platform planned for Honda’s upcoming V3R 900 E-Compressor naked motorcycle.
Unlike the naked version, however, the proposed supersport is expected to use a naturally aspirated version of the V3 engine. This would mean retaining the same basic powerplant while removing the E-Compressor system.
Power figures for the potential 900cc supersport have also begun to emerge, with speculation suggesting an output of between 120 and 130hp, or approximately 118 to 128bhp. If those figures materialise, the motorcycle would enter the same performance bracket as some of the current middleweight supersport machines.
One of its key rivals would be the Yamaha R9, which produces a claimed 87.5kW, equivalent to 117.3bhp, at 10,000rpm. The Ducati Panigale V2 is another major competitor, producing 118.3bhp at 10,750rpm.
The potential Honda would also arrive at an important point for the company’s presence in the supersport category. The CBR600RR currently competes against the Yamaha R9 and Ducati Panigale V2 in the World Supersport Championship, but it is no longer regarded as one of the strongest motorcycles on the grid.
A new V3-powered 900cc model could therefore take over from the CBR600RR as Honda’s dedicated race machine in the supersport category. The motorcycle is expected to be called the V3R 900RR, although Honda has yet to confirm the model or its specifications.
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The development comes as Honda prepares to launch the V3R 900 E-Compressor, which was first shown alongside a range of new and updated models at EICMA 2025. With the naked motorcycle unveiled last November, Honda could potentially use this year’s EICMA show to reveal the rumoured V3R 900RR as well.
