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'Sanrio Characters x Honda Kumamoto Racing,' a collaboration between Honda and Sanrio, entered the Suzuka 8 Hours endurance race, which held its final on July 5. The No. 43 machine is a CBR1000RR-R Fireblade finished in a Kuromi livery, tuned to 8 Hours specification.
Don't write this off as a gimmick just because it's a Sanrio collab. A CBR1000RR-R built out in 8 Hours spec is the real deal. In the pits, whatever character graphics are on the bodywork, there's zero room to compromise on the maintenance and strategy needed to survive eight hours. More teams like this popping up alongside the factories' fight for a fifth straight win adds real depth to endurance racing.
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Had no idea Sanrio was collabing with bike racing. Kuromi's like the edgy villain-type character, right?
Speaking of Sanrio collabs, reminds me of the old Keroppi bike. Character collabs really have staying power.
The merch is definitely gonna be pricey. If they drop a Kuromi-pattern replica helmet, my wallet's done for.
The CBR1000RR-R already puts out 217hp stock, so the 8 Hours spec must be an absolute monster.
In the same SST class, Yamaha's YZF-R1 crowd has felt faster lately. Wonder how much ground Honda can make up.
The Kuromi-colored #43 machine, the gap between its cute looks and being a genuinely tuned 8 Hours spec is just great.
The cute factor is nice, but did Kumamoto Racing actually have any endurance racing results? Honestly that's what worries me.
