It, or they, has been one of the major talking points over the last year or so. And I’m talking about the new Honda Fireblade, not the US government debacle. After the recent world launch they’ve now arrived on our shores and I was more than eager to get on top of one, or them, to be more precise.
So it was off to the Redstar circuit, which is not my favourite track to say the least, but that was where I lost my ‘virginity’ on the new ‘Blade, or ‘Blades. I keep mentioning two bikes because they’re two derivatives of the new bike, the CBR1000RR costing R240,000 and the rather fetching SP version for around R300,000. Now basically they’re the same thing, same frame, same engine but the SP is stuffed with more attractive bits that I’ll get to shortly.
Honda say the new bike is 90% new but interestingly couldn’t clarify the 10% that isn’t and I’ll probably never know, do you? Either way they’re very attractive motorcycles I’m sure you’ll agree.
So I poured into my very attractive new leather suit and ventured out to get my ‘knee-down’ on the RR option. Honda says this is more for the road rider than the complicated SP version, which I tend to disagree with because of the motor/chassis similarities. If money were no option here the SP would most certainly be sitting alongside my Porsche in the garage, if I had one, the car that is not a garage.
Around this twisty circuit the 2017 Fireblade is exactly what you’d expect from a 190hp,195kg, 1,000cc state-of-the-art superbike. Really fast, handles superbly, brakes are hyper strong and it made me feel tired after a 20 minute session – old git and all that. The next session came shortly after and the SP option was now under my bum and I could feel a difference with its electronic Ohlins suspension and really powerful Brembo WSB brakes, not to mention the best quick-shifter currently available on any bike, which goes up and down the gearbox if you didn’t already know.
Right, that was that then and as I drove home a little sweaty I was thinking that they were both just what I’d expected. Stunning new one-litre track tools that probably need someone with more bravery than myself to get the most out of them, as in younger and not scared to exploit 200hp to the maximum.
That’s it then, all over you ask? Well no, far from it. The next day I collected the SP to ‘play’ with on the road, it is a road bike after all right, with lights, indicators and things. Now I hate, sorry a bit strong that, dislike superbikes on the road. Bent over with a strained neck and invariably too hard suspension always makes me frown, so I tend to avoid them. But knock me over with a flaming sword (get it –Fireblade?); I fell in love with the SP. Obviously choosing the SP over the RR for the road wouldn’t you, it’s so fookin’ gorgeous man!
I mean that. If all the current superbikes were lined up in a row and I could only choose one for looks alone it would certainly be this SP. HRC colour scheme, gold wheels, gold forks and exemplary build quality and finish is above anything else in this class, so there. In fact I even became proud to show it off and say it was mine, sad but true.
Besides its styling virtues a couple of things really stood out. One, that new quick-shifter is so addictive. Unnecessary short shifting became the order of the day just to hear it pop as the ignition cuts, just like a Moto GP bike, slightly childish but so much fun. And second is that brilliant Ohlins electronic suspension. Now I’m not a fan of this on many bikes but the SP is the first one I’ve tried that actually does what it says on the box. Set it into a soft setting, and the damping is like an Adventure bike, no kidney bashing. All of this adds up to a very special road bike to maybe use on a daily basis. Besides the clip-on handle bar position of course, which would bother a more youthful rider less I’m sure. But whizzing around town was actually a pleasure and you can unleash hell, if you like, with 190hp on tap and, probably combine it with a tap on the shoulder from the local cops, if you’re not paying attention.
I did run the bike on the dyno to see how close the claimed 190hp is, which is always way off in the real world of Dynojet dynos. 162hp and 98Nm at the wheel is what you get with a perfectly linear curve confirming the smoothness of Honda’s power delivery, which will be the same for the cheaper RR version as well.
I only rode the RR around the track so I can’t comment on how it felt on the road but I didn’t really care. It’s the SP for me with all its fancy parts and confusing electronics, the handbook is like a bloody phone book man! Either way the new ‘Blade will be on many peoples wish lists once again and deservedly so, it’s one very special piece of kit, especially the SP.
Go to www.honda.co.za for more technical details and to find your closest dealer to book a test ride.
