Honda CBR 954 RR - Peoples thoughts and experiences please

[TallPaul]

Yoda. said:

Recalls are: Front fork lowers (where the forks go into the black bottom bits that the brake calipers are mounted to). I thought there was another recall for something else, but can't find anything

When the 954 first came out, some of the press complained the steering was way too quick, so Honda decided to offer a service campaign to exchange the upgraded tapered roller bearings in the 954 for older tech ball bearings. It wasnt an actual recall and some dealers did it for free, some charged for it.

[dern]

Yoda. said:

^^^

The 929 recalls were different. The other one I'd forgotten about was steering bearings...they needed to be checked for replacement by a dealer, or something. IIRC it was as the factory had fitted the wrong type on some & a punch mark was given to the ones that were correct...sorry can't remember more than this, though a forum would tell you I'm sure.
The 954 was lighter than the 929 & [i[may[/i] have had a few geometry alterations making the front more flighty. In fairness when I first started thinking about a 'Blade this was the era of the 929, and I don't think steering dampers were talked about other than perhaps for a bit of extra bling

Ah, apologies for the 929 specific stuff then.

In fairness to my bike if I'd have chosen to upgrade it after 7 years instead of having to go through the 8th I'd probably have replaced it with a 954. Having said that the first 7 years were so good I completely stopped buying bike mags let alone had thoughts about replacing it. I bought a 748sp as a play thing for my commuter blade but sold it again pretty quickly as the blade was more fun.

[Walter Sobchak]

i had a 954 a few years ago and its probably the best bike i owned(even though i crashed it ) its really samll for a litre bike or it definatly was in 2004 when i had one, the handling is great it really gives you confidence and is well built and plenty quick enough, my next bike after it was a 2004 R1 which i didnt get on with at all, engine was fine i just didnt like how it handled for some reason, i then progressed to a 2006 model Fireblade which was again a great bike but in honesty i dont think it felt leaps and bounds ahead of a 954, would i have another one?, yes definatly its a brilliant bike and you cant go wrong with one, get one in the blue/black best colour in my opinion, i couldnt find one when i was looking for mine.

[Rob13]

Stunning bikes, one of the few bikes which doesnt appear to have aged and is arguably better looking than its current incarnation.

The only questionable cosmetic seems to be the colour scheme, typically Honda they dont age terribly well. Has anyone got any photos of a 954 with a custom finish?

How comfortable are they? Are they a bit of a handful to handle or fairly easy to ride?

[Andy OH]

Cheers chaps. The Fireblade I have bought is a 2003 model in red & black and has only 4,450 miles on it, and it is absolutely immaculate. I'll get some pics this weekend a post them.. It's got an Akrapovic can, Sprint steering damper, Harris exhaust hanger, single seat cowl, I have fitted an Hid headlight conversion (I used one of units from my previous R1 as that had two), I am going to fit a R&G tail tidy and crash bungs and that's about it. I may at some point (when funds allow) have a PCIII fitted and have a bespoke map.

I have only ridden into work today (70 mile round trip) and the bike seemed incredibly easy to ride and just took it in it's stride. At first I was having doubts about changing to a 954, however, I am very pleased so far.

Yoda thanks for your reply, very interesting.

Andy

Edited by Andy OH on Monday 28th September 22:46

[Yoda.]

..I meant to add:
I've the standard suspension which now is getting a little tired at 22k, however a few clicks here and there have firmed things up.
I decided against buying ohlins forks & rear shock off the guy who sold me the PCIII/Akro...I couldn't (and nor can I) justify the price, although without doubt sometimes I kick myself for not having done so!
Front forks are soft as standard & re-valving would be a good idea if needed/can be arsed. If you completely compress the forks under braking, when they 'spring' back you may feel a clicking...this is normal, but an indication of the fact that the forks were a weak point (relatively) on the original spec machine.

I think that is about it now

[Andy OH]

Chaps, I need some help! When accelerating normally I can feel a bit of a knock, it is also evident changing from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd.....I know the chain isn't loose if anything it is a bit tight. The bike has only done 4,800 miles in 6 1/2 years. Could it also be wheel bearings or maybe the cush drive rubbers??

I am going to loosen off the chain this evening and see if that helps.

Any thoughts would be welcomed.

Thanks,

Andy

[dern]

My 929 knocked for a bit at low speeds due to a tight spot in the chain. A new chain fixed it. I changed the rear wheel bearings and cush drives at a lot higher mileage than that and they weren't that bad so it's unlikely to be them.

Establish whether the knocking is wheel, chain, engine speed related first.

[y2blade]

Andy OH said:

I am going to loosen off the chain this evening and see if that helps.

Any thoughts would be welcomed.

Thanks,

Andy

have a look in the owners handbook....they need to have a bit more chain slack than most other sports bikes

and remember if the chain has a tight spot then adj the slack on the tight point..then order a new chain

more info needed..so difficult trying to suss out a mech issue on the internet without seeing/hearing/touching the thing in question

what sort of knocking noise? is it reative to engine speed? or wheel speed?
is it hppening when braking?
is it happening when changing gear?

i know the RRY-4s make bit of a solid sounding "clunk" when going into first and also when changing between 1st and 2nd

Edited by y2blade on Wednesday 7th October 12:32

[Andy OH]

Just got back from the tyre shop I use and they seem to think the cush drive rubbers have a little more movement in them than the mileage suggets and suggested to replace them. The front & rear wheel bearings and sprocket carrier bearings are fine.

The knocking only happens once you've changed gear, released the clutch and back on the throttle; it doesn't happen at any other time. One of the guys from the shop rode the bike and he said it wasn't really that evident, he said he could feel a little movement but said that was normal drive train movement.

I'll replace the cush drive rubbers and see what happens, maybe I'm just being rather particular and it's all in my mind

[3doorPete]

Andy OH said:

Just got back from the tyre shop I use and they seem to think the cush drive rubbers have a little more movement in them than the mileage suggets and suggested to replace them. The front & rear wheel bearings and sprocket carrier bearings are fine.

The knocking only happens once you've changed gear, released the clutch and back on the throttle; it doesn't happen at any other time. One of the guys from the shop rode the bike and he said it wasn't really that evident, he said he could feel a little movement but said that was normal drive train movement.

I'll replace the cush drive rubbers and see what happens, maybe I'm just being rather particular and it's all in my mind

Honda gearboxes in my experience, can clonk a bit sometimes anyway.

Cush drive rubbers are quite easy to test for being knackered. Just put the bike in neutral, with the rear wheel on the ground (so on the side stand), then grab the chain firmly at the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions on the rear sprocket with each hand. Then try to firmly rotate the sprocket with your hands back and forward anti clockwise and clockwise. If there is anything but the tinyest bit of play, your cush drive rubbers are knackered.