So I picked up my Fireblade a couple of weeks ago, and thought I'd write up my first impressions.
The bike is a 2009 reg (I have a feeling it's actually a 2008 colour scheme), with 3500 miles on the clock, and no modifications save for a Datatool System 4. Coming from a Honda CB1300, I was seriously looking forward to getting back on a Fireblade, having owned a 2003 CBR954RR for several years before the CB1300.
It’ll come as no surprise that, coming from the CB1300, I think the engine is immense! Builds up speed in a very linear fashion, typical of most Hondas, but by God does it shift. The red line is much higher on the 1K than the 954, but tbh, I doubt I’d notice a difference in the top end on the Queen’s Highway. Need to get a track day book! Above 4k RPM, a flapper valve within the exhaust is actuated, producing a lovely deep sound. It’s no replacement for a decent aftermarket can, but nicer than the 954 stock exhaust was. The Honda spiel is this helps produce power throughout the rev range. However, the cynic in me thinks this is just to get though various noise/emission regulations? The instrument display can show your current mpg, which at a constant 60 mph was around 55 -60 mpg. Not sure how accurate this is? The 954 had an mpl indicator, and at 60 mph I think it used to get 13-14 mpl, converting to gallons that’s what, around 60 mpg? I doubt there is much in it really, but who buys one of these thinking about mpg?
Still beats my “economical” Ford Focus by huge margin.
The handling is sublime. This is where the bike really shines. My ride back home from the dealer after picking her up was during that awful wet weather we’ve just had, and despite being on a new litre sports bike, I had so much confidence after the first few miles. Riding over a mixture of A and B roads, the tyres (BT-015s ) coped fine with the wet roads and the bike soaked up the bumps with ease. The brakes, like any sports bike are fantastic. Subsequent rides out in the dry have only served to highlight just how flickable the bike is. However, I suspect if I’d got on any litre sports bike I’d have said the same, coming from a CB1300 which felt like a tank in comparison. The steering at sub 15 mph feels more natural than my 954 did. I’m not sure if it was a tyre issue, or a characteristic of the 954, but below 15 mph it felt horrible to manoeuvre, like it was going to fall over.
There is a storage space under the pillion seat. On the 954 this space was big enough to stick in some trainers, a book, etc. Not so with the 1k. The space houses the alarm and the tool kit, but other than that, you won’t be getting anything else in there. Not a major problem though.
I’m looking forward to really getting to know the bike over the coming months. I’ve a trip planned in July to the Alps, so that should be a blast. Hoping to get up to Scotland at some point this summer too, and ride around the highlands.
EDIT: Here are some Pics
The bike is a 2009 reg (I have a feeling it's actually a 2008 colour scheme), with 3500 miles on the clock, and no modifications save for a Datatool System 4. Coming from a Honda CB1300, I was seriously looking forward to getting back on a Fireblade, having owned a 2003 CBR954RR for several years before the CB1300.
It’ll come as no surprise that, coming from the CB1300, I think the engine is immense! Builds up speed in a very linear fashion, typical of most Hondas, but by God does it shift. The red line is much higher on the 1K than the 954, but tbh, I doubt I’d notice a difference in the top end on the Queen’s Highway. Need to get a track day book! Above 4k RPM, a flapper valve within the exhaust is actuated, producing a lovely deep sound. It’s no replacement for a decent aftermarket can, but nicer than the 954 stock exhaust was. The Honda spiel is this helps produce power throughout the rev range. However, the cynic in me thinks this is just to get though various noise/emission regulations? The instrument display can show your current mpg, which at a constant 60 mph was around 55 -60 mpg. Not sure how accurate this is? The 954 had an mpl indicator, and at 60 mph I think it used to get 13-14 mpl, converting to gallons that’s what, around 60 mpg? I doubt there is much in it really, but who buys one of these thinking about mpg?
Still beats my “economical” Ford Focus by huge margin.The handling is sublime. This is where the bike really shines. My ride back home from the dealer after picking her up was during that awful wet weather we’ve just had, and despite being on a new litre sports bike, I had so much confidence after the first few miles. Riding over a mixture of A and B roads, the tyres (BT-015s ) coped fine with the wet roads and the bike soaked up the bumps with ease. The brakes, like any sports bike are fantastic. Subsequent rides out in the dry have only served to highlight just how flickable the bike is. However, I suspect if I’d got on any litre sports bike I’d have said the same, coming from a CB1300 which felt like a tank in comparison. The steering at sub 15 mph feels more natural than my 954 did. I’m not sure if it was a tyre issue, or a characteristic of the 954, but below 15 mph it felt horrible to manoeuvre, like it was going to fall over.
There is a storage space under the pillion seat. On the 954 this space was big enough to stick in some trainers, a book, etc. Not so with the 1k. The space houses the alarm and the tool kit, but other than that, you won’t be getting anything else in there. Not a major problem though.
I’m looking forward to really getting to know the bike over the coming months. I’ve a trip planned in July to the Alps, so that should be a blast. Hoping to get up to Scotland at some point this summer too, and ride around the highlands.
EDIT: Here are some Pics
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