I just recently picked up a brand new 2017 CBR 1000rr. The bike is pinging under load off the showroom floor. I’ve seen two other bikes in the same area also pinging like mad. I’ve taken the bike back to Honda and they don’t want to help. I’m relatively close with the shop guys who hint at fueling—which Honda couldn’t legally adjust due to emissions. I’m speculating a lean condition due to these emissions req, and considering picking up a PCV. My gas is premium, ethanol free, and I’ve also run Amsoil (alcohol free) octane boost to to see if I could silence it. It generally becomes noticeable once the engine is warm. Any input, advice or experience you can share would be greatly appreciated. I also own a 2011, so this isn’t my first rodeo, but it is certainly my first experience with stock bike ping.

This video clearly captures the ping/spark knock just past 2:30. I have always been a Honda man, but Guy May have been absolutely right with the Jonah label.

The bike does lope a but at idle. I’ve read that the pinging can be fixed by visiting a tuner and adjusting ignition timing. I believe Honda made these lean and super advanced the timing to meet emissions. Unfortunately, my bike seems to be bleeding gas into my oil. About a quart every 400 miles. Needless to say, the bike is going back to the dealer-again. I advise you to keep a close eye on the oil level. Prolly an injector problem—as there has already been a fuel system recall. Best of luck with the new blade, I’ll keep you posted.

I talked to Honda corporate who said a PCV would not void the warranty, unfortunately the PCV for the 17 blade will not adjust ignition timing, only fueling. This basically means you are forced to work with something like woolich racing software. I haven’t asked them specifically about how an ecu flash would affect warranty. I have thoroughly researched woolich, and it truly seems legit. The tuner that I have spoken with tuned a 17 earlier this year for a showroom bike at the dealer....so one might assume it wouldn’t void. I would just call Honda corporate and ask. I think it may be worth it even if it does void the warranty. You could be cautious and just wait until your warranty expires—making sure never to load the engine :) :). An engine that pings is certainly incurring some level of damage. The only 17 blades that I have seen not ping are in countries with looser emissions standards. Check out emre600rr on YouTube- his bike doesn’t ping at all. Honda corporate knows fully what is going on here. Every country gets its own ignition time and fueling map- adjusted for emissions. Seems like it would be a great bike if you get those two things dialed in. I had already decided to go with woolich until I identified my fuel/oil issue. All that will be postponed now.

Confirmed- fuel getting into oil. It looks like a throttle body replacement is prescribed. This will be the second 17 cbr that my dealer has had to replace the throttle bodies. I will let you know if the ping resolves after replacement. The loping idle you speak of is most likely a throttle body/injector issue, based on the frequency of throttle body issues with this model. The hard part is getting Honda to do anything about it.