Honda Mean Mower V2: Now with CBR1000RR SP Engine- Motorcycle News

7/4/2018

Honda Mean Mower V2: Now with CBR1000RR SP Engine- Motorcycle News

Motorcycle News - Honda Mean Mower V2: Now with CBR1000RR SP Engine

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Four years ago, Honda UK came up with the crazy idea to set a new speed record for a riding lawnmower, building a rig around a 996cc VTR engine. Well, it’s 2018 and the Brits are at it again, building the Mean Mower V2, this time powered by the CBR1000RR SP‘s inline-Four.

The original Honda Mean Mower set a Guinness World Record in 2014, with driver Piers Ward averaging a speed of 116.57 mph (it was measured at 117.54 mph on the first pass and 115.603 on the return run). That record stood for about a year and a half before it was broken by Norwegian Per-Kristian Lundefaret on a modified Viking T6 mower, averaging a speed of 133.57 mph.

Honda UK and its British Touring Car Championship partner Team Dynamics, which built the original Mean Mower, will try to regain their record with a new machine, this time with the CBR1000RR SP’s 999cc engine. Claiming more than 190 hp, the CBR’s engine is about 75% more powerful than the VTR’s engine. The CBR’s clutch, ECU and six-speed transmission are also carried over, with Honda adding a paddle shifting system to the steering wheel. Honda’s goal is to obliterate Lundefaret’s record by reaching a top speed of more than 150 mph.

The chassis was specially designed,made from T45 steel instead of chromoly for better durability and flexibility (important considering the Mean Mower lacks any suspension). The CBR1000RR SP’s airbox couldn’t fit so Honda and Team Dynamics 3d printed a bespoke airbox just for the Mean Mower.

The Mean Mower V2 runs on four ten-inch ATV wheels. The front wheels are equipped with four-piston calipers while the rear wheels use six-piston brakes.

Of course, to qualify for the record, the Mean Mower V2 still needs to be able to cut grass. The Mean Mower V2 uses the cutter deck from a Honda HF2622 lawn tractor. The cowling is also designed to resemble the HF2622.

To set the record, Honda will call upon kart racer Jess Hawkins. The 23-year-old also races cars and performs as a stunt driver for the touring Fast & Furious Live show.

“The original Mean Mower was a great challenge for us and the result was an amazing machine,” says Dave Hodgetts, Managing Director, Honda (UK). “This time we have moved the game on considerably to build an incredible piece of real engineering, using advanced design and production techniques and calling upon some very clever thinking to bring the performance and power but still retain the look of the production mower. We’re in testing phase now and everything is looking good, with a top speed of more than 150mph very much in our sights.”

Honda Mean Mower V2 Specifications
Engine	Honda Fireblade SP in-line four-cylinder (stock)
Size	999cc
Power	189+ bhp at 13000 rpm (claimed)
0-60	Sub 3 seconds
MPG	35 mpg (UK)/29.1 mpg (US)
Optimum RPM	13000
PTW ratio	1000bhp/tonne (est.)
Torque	85.6 lb-ft. at 11000 rpm
Body	Honda HF2622 Lawn Tractor
Chassis	T45 steel (custom-made)
Weight	306 pounds
Length	109.1 inches
Wheelbase	54.3 inches
Width	53.7 inches
Front Tires	Goldspeed DWT Red Label 10” x 6” Hoosier R25B Slick
Rear Tires	Goldspeed DWT Red Label 10” x 8” Hoosier R25B Slick
Pressure	1.4 Bar cold / 2.0 Bar hot
Cutter deck	Original HF2622
Motors	12v electric
Blades	2 x 6” composite plastic
Front Brakes	– Kelgate 4-piston callipers with drilled titanium coated pistons
Rear Brakes	Kelgate 6 piston-callipers with drilled titanium coated pistons
Steering	Kelgate steering rack with bespoke Sparco steering wheel
Gears	6-speed with steering wheel mounted magnetic carbon paddles & TransLogic PSR power shifter
Exhaust system	Scorpion custom headers, exhaust & silencer in titanium
Instrumentation	Honda Fireblade SP
Seat	Cobra (custom-made)