Fireblade SP

[Jazoli]

They do look great, for a Honda, I like the dash.

As we know real men ride Yamaha's

I'm not jealous of all these NEW bikes, much, must work harder............

[Walter Sobchak]

Ho Lee Kau said:

954 is just splendid!
Yes, it has funky response around 3000rpm, but I rode it back-to-back with 2014 RSV4 Factory and the handling was the same!
The only bike I can go on the edge of front tyre with and not break a sweat is 954RR, it's just so friendly and easy.
It looks super, I had people take photos of it while I was sitting at red light. Mine (except for numberplate holder) is stock as well, I actually like the look of the original exhaust.
954RR has amazing light cluster, small parking lights, middle main light, two high beam lights. All symmetric. And it does not look like Ducati either. 330mm front brakes, not Brembo but so powerful it's crazy. 150hp? It's a street bike, I did not feel embarrassed by a couple of 2015 S1000RR when I was riding Swiss Alps.

954RR is the last Baba 900.
New Fireblade is just one in a line.

Are you sure that RSV4 Factory was set up right?, don't get me wrong, I've had a 954, I'd gladly have another, think they're fantastic bikes, but I also have an RSV4 Factory and can comfortably say it outclasses the 954 in the handling department.
I'd also say yes I do think the new RSV4 RF is a great bike, but the new Fireblade looks just as good (I prefer the colour scheme of it to the new Aprilia) it also has electronically adjustable suspension and all the other latest goodies, plus it has a huge thing going for it-its a Honda, it won't be off the road waiting for parts for ages, if I were picking between them I'd be making the same choice as the OP and buying the Fireblade.

[Andybow]

Jazoli said:

They do look great, for a Honda, I like the dash.

As we know real men ride Yamaha's

I'm not jealous of all these NEW bikes, much, must work harder............

Don't forget Jorge rode for Yamaha!

[Ho Lee Kau]

George29 said:

Ho Lee Kau said:

Engine upgraded with higher specification materials = same engine, lighter parts. 11hp extra. Same engine = check.
Chassis - new electronic suspension, thinner frame walls. Same frame = check.

Now, GSXR. NEW engine, NEW frame, NEW suspension, MotoGP technology. 200hp. In the latest comparisons the old GSXR1000 still comes out in top three as the comfortable street bike. GSXR1000R cheaper than SP.

I like Fireblade and had 2 of them, still have one, and two CBR600 as well. Best looking Fireblade to me - 2006-2007 version.
But I am not a fanboy.

Why does it matter if it's all brand new designs or not? The old Fireblade still had the best chassis in its class, and I'd argue even now it still does. It's lighter, more powerful, and faster. What more do you want?

It doesn't. I said Fireblade is great, didn't I? Just chatting waiting for NEW Gixxer to arrive.

[Ho Lee Kau]

Rawwr said:

"I've bought a new bike! Really excited!"
"But it's OLD and all these bikes you could've bought are NEW!"
"Do you get invited to many parties?"
"No "

Who wants to go to parties? I rather ride.

[Ho Lee Kau]

Dog Star said:

Ho Lee Kau said:

I rode R1 - disgusting choppy throttle, average looks, ugly collector. Felt like 600 and I knew I would lose licence, limbs or life on that thing as it was begging me to go faster in sweeping turns.

I've just got a new R1 (it's actually a 2016 model but it was new IYSWIM) and I think it looks the dogs bolleaux - however it is the 60th anniversary jobbie with the yellow paint and speedblocks with Akrapovic pipes. I have to say that the blue and red paintschemes are very subdued and do it no favours.

Throttle response - can't say as I've only been able to ride it three times as it keeps raining. It's really, really hard to ride at legal speeds though, and no matter what speed you do it feels like it's crawling. Could do with the gearing lowering a lot. This is a bit of a pain in the arse as for insurance reasons (I had a bike stolen early April 2014 and banged my car last November) I absolutely cannot afford to get a single point on my licence

As with the new Fireblade - it is tiny, you can really see it when it's parked next to my 2000 R1, however it feels very spacious when you're on it and I'm 6'3".

It's also really nicely built and I can tell it's a "keeper" (I'm 49 and this will be my last sportsbike purchase, I won't get rid of it). I never got that feeling with the MV F4 it replaces.

Speed bump yellow is the best color for R1, right choice, congratulations!
Yes, I am also over 6 feet and R1 was spacious enough, but very sporty riding position and felt tall, I could understand why it's such a good track bike, it really lives for the corners.

Edited by Ho Lee Kau on Tuesday 21st March 21:42

[Ho Lee Kau]

Jazoli said:

I've never read so much crap in my life, it is a new fking bike, by saying it isn't just makes you look a bit of a fool.

Really? Well, you know, that's just like your opinion, man.

[Ho Lee Kau]

Mr OCD said:

George29 said:

Why does it matter if it's all brand new designs or not? The old Fireblade still had the best chassis in its class, and I'd argue even now it still does. It's lighter, more powerful, and faster. What more do you want?

Sounds like people are reading too many magazine / internet reviews.

I've ridden a 954 FireBlade. It was st.

HTH.

Well, you know, it's like your minority opinion, man. Obviously you can't ride for st.

[Ho Lee Kau]

Fleegle said:

It's still a Honda

Is that a derogatory remark?
In my book Honda = good.

[Ho Lee Kau]

Rawwr said:

bogie said:

that you need to shop for a smaller slip on exhaust and tail tidy as well ?

I haven't changed either of those on my last 4 bikes, probably not likely to start now

Why change, new Fireblade's exhaust actually looks quite decent (compared to the dustbin of the NEW GSXR, my lord).

[spareparts]

Ho Lee Kau said:

Mr OCD said:

George29 said:

Why does it matter if it's all brand new designs or not? The old Fireblade still had the best chassis in its class, and I'd argue even now it still does. It's lighter, more powerful, and faster. What more do you want?

Sounds like people are reading too many magazine / internet reviews.

I've ridden a 954 FireBlade. It was st.

HTH.

Well, you know, it's like your minority opinion, man. Obviously you can't ride for st.

Considering you were asking just 1 month ago on how to improve your riding, you've got a lot to say about other riders' ability and the pros/cons of bikes given you've only been riding for 3 years... http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Ho Lee Kau said:

Hi everyone

I am based in Switzerland.
I ride (purely 600/1000 supersports) since 3 years and took some local courses (like a leaning course), and I ride lots of Swiss Alps.
I've heard a lot about CSS (I have The book, of course) so I have checked the one in UK.
I want to come to UK for a little holiday together with my gf and I thought of taking some levels at CSS.

[Ho Lee Kau]

bogie said:

Rawwr said:

Well there is that.

I just don't see the point, really. Noisy exhausts annoy people and the only condition I'd see my tail tidy whilst riding is if I'm crashing, which would probably be least of my concerns at that precise moment.

All very logical although I usually just change lots of stuff anyway, just cant stop tinkering I guess

Each to their own and all that; I met someone last week who was changing the chain on his new R1M because the colour didn't match...we all have our new bike "rituals" but thats a new one on me ...

It's important to have gold chain. I have gold chains on my Hondas.

[Birky_41]

I just wanna know does it have power bands and if so what colour...

[Ho Lee Kau]

Walter Sobchak said:

Ho Lee Kau said:

954 is just splendid!
Yes, it has funky response around 3000rpm, but I rode it back-to-back with 2014 RSV4 Factory and the handling was the same!
The only bike I can go on the edge of front tyre with and not break a sweat is 954RR, it's just so friendly and easy.
It looks super, I had people take photos of it while I was sitting at red light. Mine (except for numberplate holder) is stock as well, I actually like the look of the original exhaust.
954RR has amazing light cluster, small parking lights, middle main light, two high beam lights. All symmetric. And it does not look like Ducati either. 330mm front brakes, not Brembo but so powerful it's crazy. 150hp? It's a street bike, I did not feel embarrassed by a couple of 2015 S1000RR when I was riding Swiss Alps.

954RR is the last Baba 900.
New Fireblade is just one in a line.

Are you sure that RSV4 Factory was set up right?, don't get me wrong, I've had a 954, I'd gladly have another, think they're fantastic bikes, but I also have an RSV4 Factory and can comfortably say it outclasses the 954 in the handling department.
I'd also say yes I do think the new RSV4 RF is a great bike, but the new Fireblade looks just as good (I prefer the colour scheme of it to the new Aprilia) it also has electronically adjustable suspension and all the other latest goodies, plus it has a huge thing going for it-its a Honda, it won't be off the road waiting for parts for ages, if I were picking between them I'd be making the same choice as the OP and buying the Fireblade.

Who knows if it was set up right or not, it felt great, willing in turns like Daytona 675. I was impressed. I kept the Daytona as I like variation and too many 1000cc bikes in the garage is not what I consider variation.
As far as 954RR is concerned, it has iffy throttle response around 3000rpm (old school direct injection, though 2009 CBR600RR is jerky as well, and 2014 Fireblade I tried was not Daytona/Suzuki-smooth either), the rear brake sucks (too grippy), the fork upgrade is still outstanding (spring too soft for my weight and my liking), but despite all that I jell with this bike like with no other.
I like the RSV4RF looks more, except for the exhaust can, Honda has nicer looking stock exhaust.
If I were choosing between these two bikes I would most likely go for SP as well (I do not like black frame and swingarm on standard Fireblade, and I am sucker for golden wheels), in my head, because it is Honda, it will be good at everything. But my heart would choose RSV4RF, I've been resisting this urge for a couple of years now, but don't know if I will be able to resist much longer. I do look forward to test riding the Gixxer though.

[Ho Lee Kau]

spareparts said:

Ho Lee Kau said:

Mr OCD said:

George29 said:

Why does it matter if it's all brand new designs or not? The old Fireblade still had the best chassis in its class, and I'd argue even now it still does. It's lighter, more powerful, and faster. What more do you want?

Sounds like people are reading too many magazine / internet reviews.

I've ridden a 954 FireBlade. It was st.

HTH.

Well, you know, it's like your minority opinion, man. Obviously you can't ride for st.

Considering you were asking just 1 month ago on how to improve your riding, you've got a lot to say about other riders' ability and the pros/cons of bikes given you've only been riding for 30 years... http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Ho Lee Kau said:

Hi everyone

I am based in Switzerland.
I ride (purely 600/1000 supersports) since 30 years and took some local courses (like a leaning course), and I ride lots of Swiss Alps.
I've heard a lot about CSS (I have The book, of course) so I have checked the one in UK.
I want to come to UK for a little holiday together with my gf and I thought of taking some levels at CSS.

You found my comment. And?
Everyone of us could improve our riding, even the MotoGP boys.
Grow a sense of humor.

Edited by Ho Lee Kau on Tuesday 21st March 22:39

[Rawwr]

You know those people you meet in life who have no self-awareness...

[Ho Lee Kau]

Rawwr said:

You know those people you meet in life who have no self-awareness...

I hear you, there are so many around...
But what can you do, that's humans, not everyone can be self-aware like you and I.

[Steve Bass]

OP...
Congrats on the new bike.. Fantastic choice. I have a sneaky feeling the Blade may be the pick of the bunch of the current Superbike crop.
I'm really trying to like the R1 but the combination of the gopping face and the rubbish brakes kind of ruins it for me.
Mr. Kau.... Stop being a chop...

[Loyly]

It's an exciting time for the class. Honda seem to have produced a Fireblade that is exceptional, instead of just being predictably really good. Suzuki seem to have a renewed vigour and have done the same as Honda, really pushing to make the new GSXR 1000 a superb bike. Yamaha's R1 is lauded as an electronic marvel (I like the looks too).

Which is to say nothing of the ZX10R and the S1000RR.

[StuB]

Loyly said:

Which is to say nothing of the ZX10R and the S1000RR.

The Ninja RR seems to be a bit more than a 'decal' from what I've seen too.

Got to say, the first group test on U.K. Roads for the class of '17 will be snapped up & soon.

All of this will mean nothing when Ducati release their V4 next year.

Enjoy the SP OP.