Readers Rides - 1993 Honda CBR900RR Fireblade Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.ย. 2024
- It's been a while since I published a "Readers Rides" - this one is very special as for a change it's not the latest and greatest new machine to roll out of a motorcycle factory but a classic machine from 1993 - the game changing CBR900RR Fireblade...and you may just recognise it's owner...
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Big fan of the 90s styles that had the dual headlights.
That headlight design started with GSXR range of models in the late 1980s Jeremy. But the fact remains the CBR900RR out did them in every possible way.
Owned one for four years, lost my licence twice, never crashed it, loved the thing.
What lost your licence twice from that one bike?? Crikey.....
Yup, got to work the gearbox and not rely on torque. In those days you had to really learn how to ride a bike! Always be in the right gear at the right time, as it should be even today. 👍
This man has some decency and dignity because he likes his bikes standard, as they came out of the showroom and how the manufacturers intended! Thanks for the review.
They're worth more in standard trim. They're an appreciating modern classic.
When you say "how the manufacturers intended" what you should be saying is "as good as the bean counters permitted it to be". I'm not a fan of bolt on tat and carbon everywhere, but for everyday use these bikes can be improved with tasteful mods that won't detract from the value e.g. decent rear shock (OEM were really not great) and revalved/resprung forks significantly improve the handling and ride. A MOSFET regulator upgrade fixes the infamously unreliable Honda OEM regulator.
@@ferrumignis Yes, i absolutely agree with you there. So long as it improves the bike, and doesn't make it look like a piece of crap.
@@ewooll I have a few extra mods on mine, but only using either Honda parts from later bikes (e.g. wheels from a 2014 CBR1000RR, 954 forks) and quality aftermarket (Harris/Ohlins steering damper kit, full Akro exhaust system). However mines a '98 so less valuable to start with and I've kept all the original parts safely wrapped up so I could put it back to standard. No cheap anodised tat on it though!
Then again I love the bike so much I'm never planning on getting rid of it.
I bought a 2 year old original Urban Tiger on my 21st birthday, my god I loved that bike 😍
Nice one Nick!
Well, i was just thinking about some decorations in my house.... A 90's bike is An awesome idea! Thanks for the inspiration!
Yes I’m wondering how Mrs Flyer will react when I tell her my Panigale is going to live in the Kitchen from now on.....
@@TheMissendenFlyer Well if she doesn't like the idea you can always put the Panigale in my living room!
TheMissendenFlyer the channel’s shutting down you say...? Well, we had a good run.🖖🏻
eh?
@@TheMissendenFlyer trust me. You stick that in the kitchen, and you're history.
Thanks for the memories TMF.
Bought a Fireblade new in 1996 with leathers made to match it’s paintwork. I px’d the Blade for a Blackbird in 1999. Can still get into the leathers but they don’t really go with the T120!
Bought a low mileage 99 Blade a few months ago for a song. Intended track bike, only problem is it’s so good on road been using it all the time and not been on track yet! Only mod is 17” front wheel off a 96 VFR to give best tyre choice 👌
I remember taking my Fireblade to Silverstone with other Blade owners when the father of the Fireblade, Tadao Baba, came over to the UK.
Me too. It was a great day out and we even got to ride round the track.
Brilliant!
Never seen so many blades in one place.
I love 90’s sportsbikes!,
The era for that sort of bikes.
Yes they are still very good aren't they.....if I had space I'd defo have a few....
When we visited Toro, Lyndon tried to convince my missus that the lounge was the best place to keep a bike. She didn't seem to take him seriously.
It was my track riding years, & I had a GSXR750L & the Fireblade was the next bike to get. It was one of these, a deposit for a house, or a trip around the world for a year. I went around the world for a year, came back for 1 year, & left again for another year around the world backpacking. By the time I got back, the blade was no longer "that bike". I've never owned one. When doing 250kmh down the straight at the race track on the gixxer, it was only the Blades that ever overtook me! Simply brilliant bike. Cheers groovers ;-)
Classic bike parked up in my front room, now that would be amazing but I reckon Mrs Janner wouldn't be so keen. Loved the video thanks for sharing.
Glad you liked it PJ - who wears the trousers round your gaff??
Some more 90's bikes please!
Stay tuned for more readers rides soon!
Reminds me of my first Blade an RRW in Black, Titanium and moonstone silver.
Oh Lord, just last night I was googling these, they look so good. Couldn't wait to hear what you say, now let's watch it
these bikes are great even in today's times, 900rr first and second-gen, rf 900 are great old beasts too, the CBR 1000f is awesome, the ZZR 600 or 1100, and more... a lot of big sport or sport-touring bikes that can +/- keep up with the present ones in terms of performance only loosing in of course the little technological advantages, but they're a lot cheaper to buy and maintain has in the old days motorcycles were more build to last
Just bought one, absolutely fantastic to ride, 29 years old and you would not think it, beautiful handling, no slouch with a sub 11 second quarter mile, and those looks 🙂
This takes me back to May’93 and my first Fireblade in the same colours. Stepped off a GSXR1100L onto one of these and the handling was a revelation. They were touted as having litre bike straightline performance which I don’t feel they quite had, certainly it felt gutless compared to the 1127cc GSXR mill so you had to rev it hard but in the twisties is was streets ahead. It got written off in late ‘94 by a myopic old codger pulling out on me but went straight out and bought a new ‘95 foxeye model in the Urban Street Tiger colours. Bought a RRV model in ‘97 by which time it had grown to 918cc and a bit heavier but still a great sportsbike until the R1 re wrote the rule book in ‘98. Reliability was benchmark Honda, run forever on routine maintenance. Thrashed all 3 models I had and never even changed a light bulb on any of them
Had a '96 and a '98. Best mod was a 17 in front wheel from a F2 600. Made it much less squirrelly. Great bikes!!
My brothers got one, well sorted bike. Just needs a 17" front wheel to give you more tyre choice.
I have a 97 bandit 1200s that I ride just about every day. The bikes in the 90's were great!
Lovely, Ive had a 98 blade for about 6 months, use it for commuting to work. You would never guess it was 21 years old. Starts first time and rides great, enough power for the roads too.
Stunning bike and amazing camera work!
Thank you Sam!
At last you're riding bikes we can afford , the newest bike I ever owned was 2005..my current 1150rt is 2003..you can get a cracking machine with 20 thousand miles for 2 to 3 grand ..i always do and they are good sturdy safe machines..you can do all your own servicing with the help of a Haynes manual and a friendly dealer if your a bit out of depth (no shame ) ..i love the old bikes and so does my wallet/wife!! Good job buddy please bring us more oldies 👍🏻☮❤
More oldies coming soon (and I’m not just talking about Lyndon!!)....
@@TheMissendenFlyer
Bless you!! Thanks for the fantastic videos 👍🏻☮❤
Thanks for watching them!
Bought one two years ago, mint condition 40, 000 km Orange and purple fell in love with it after the test ride. Just get some decent brake pads in and they are phenomenal!!!!!! 💚💚💚
Beautiful piece, I bought one new in 1994 as my first street bike.
I’ve recently bought and restored two older bikes, a ‘79 Honda 1000 CBX & a ‘85 Kawasaki GPz 1100. They are such a pleasure to ride.
Nice one Marc...!
Good review TMF, shows how well built those early Fireblades were. Bought back memories of my ZXR 750 (Hoover tube!) back in the day....! Cheers, Steve
My cousin had an original '84 VF1000R he bought new until a few months ago until he gave it to his grandson to restore and get running again. It was the second one in the USA and the first on the west coast (CA). He road it one time from California to Florida and back to visit my sister back in the 80's.
Now that is quite a ride!
That was a blast from the past, I know how cliche. After seeing his bikes in the house, gonna have to buy a new one so as I can too. The Ms will surely understand. 👍🏼 👏👏👏 😎
Just purchased a '99 Hornet 600. Love the bikes from the 90's/ this is a stunning bike for 30 years old. :)
Couldn't agree more!
I knew you would like it, been waiting for this review, i have a 95 urban tiger, love it
Up until very recently, my ride was a 1998 Kawi ZX-600e. I rebuilt it from parts from with my Dad while I was in college. Rode it for 8 years. It was as much bike as you'd ever need. Loved that bike. Fuel injection and ABS really are game changers though.
Fantastic bike I would have another as a project. Same frame as my Beastie
Yes amazing ride given it’s age (which is what Mrs TMF says about me coincidentally)....
Brilliant stuff TMF. Been waiting ages for you to test an iconic 90s Japanese sportsbike. Pity there's no room on your fleet for one (or is there?!)
I am guessing if TMF gets as big as Jay Leno they'll be a massive "TMF garage" filled with a hundred bikes.
TMF is that a reasonable guess?
I think the chances of me getting anywhere near as big as Jay Leno (in any sense of the word!) are slim....
@@TheMissendenFlyer in some cases that's a good thing :)
The old Honda's are great bikes, I've got a 1988 cbr400rr nc23 and a 1990 cbr1000f. One smoother than the other but both incredible bikes.
I remember these bikes, I was riding a Suzuki GSX-R 1100 at that time, it also had the two round headlights...
Cool looking aren’t they...
Absolutely love my 95’ Fireblade, so many change the front wheel to a 17” but I’ve kept mine to the 16 just so I can do right angled turns 😂. Amazing to tour on and the ride is a very comfortable position. It definitely is a bike you have to ride and ride the gearbox and I love the fact of no abs or tc it makes you know that you are in control and responsible for any errors made. Can see room in your garage to squeeze one in. The one thing I wish it had was a fuel gauge instead of relying on the odometer. 👌🏻👍🏻
Sadly my garage is pretty much full now otherwise I’d definitely have a classic like this lurking in there...
I like how he keeps it in the house 🏡 for safe keeping
Excellent bike looks epic
Always had a thing for these bikes. Back in the day if i remember right, they were nicknamed "widowmakers". Any bike with a moniker like that deserves respect.
Too right...
we thrashed a 900RR around race tracks back in the day as our endurance machine; 6hr........the 16" front wheel was hard to find good tyres for but other than that excellent machine. per comment below, gotta use that gearbox and drop a gear or 2 :)
A couple of years ago I looked for one to restore. I wanted one that had been treated well but hardly ridden. Anything I found was totally trashed. I gave up and bought a new bike. The one featured here is a rare beauty.
...yeah it was a nice bit of kit to ride too....
Also got a 1993 only in Black, love it!!
I got a 1996 sc33 as my first bike, love it alot still fast and handles great (although tankslappers seem like a build in feature at times)
The 1995 fireblade was the first bike over 250 that I ever rode, back in 95. I had heard all the stories about what a beast they were. So was quite nervous getting on it as it was a mates new pride and joy. It was amazing how easy it was to ride even compared to my 250. I think the most scary part was that it was so effortless and smoothly fast.
.....and still feels that way today if Lyndon’s is anything to go by!
Great bikes, owned a 94, 2000, 2002, and a 2004, sadly my aging body won't fit the controls on them anymore, lovely video, and what a great road.
Thank you Peter!
I can't believe it was that long ago and yes the Fireblade was the game changer! Nice review TMF
PS. Then along came the R1 in 1998
One of the major advances in bikes. One of my friends had one of these - exactly the same time-frame and raced it all over the country. He’s now given up riding but is being tempted by my return; I’ll show him this vid and tempt him further!! By the way what a top man Lyndon is by letting you out on his clear pride and joy. How long were you on it in the end on those great roads? Great series Andy. Yours aye, Alan
Yes Lyndon is a top fella and great fun to be around - very kind of him to let me ride the bike...
Cool review. Lucky old Lyndon. These were a real leap forward at the time & radically changed the direction of superbikes evolution forever.
A superb machine which heralded a great era of 90’s Superbikes, but of course not the best FireBlade ever made. That proud accolade goes to the last true FireBlade ever made namely the 2002/3 CBR 954 RR.
Joeski that is the bikke i own!
Ronny Stormo
Funnily enough, so do I, a white and blue 2002 model.
Mine is a Black red 2003 mod.
Had a 99 RRX, from brand new, colours were Red and turquoise looked like a Liverpool supporters track suit. Used it on track days all over this country, Nogarro in France and Catalunya. Crashed it so many times (only on track) sold it after eight years, wish I still had it.
The best motocykles in the World cbr 900 Fireblade ouuuuujeeeaaahhhhh 💪💪💪💪💪👍👍👍
You can just hear Lyndon thinking, "Go on then!"
Great entertainment, you should do more of these in my humble opinion.....
Thank you bib - I shall see what I can do!
The early bikes were carburetted so accelerating will feel more gradual if you are used to modern fuel injected bikes with instant twist and go. 🙂
Yes defo lacking the gut wrenching accel of modern Sportsbikes, but none the less of a bike for it....
Not sure about "gradual". Smoothe certainly, but ballistic. Obviously not the top end of newer bikes, but they killed quite a lot of riders. Honda had to tame-down the later models. "Power is nothing without control" they said.
Great video TMF. Nice to see old bikes still going well.
Great retrospective on a classic bike. Lyndon is a lucky man to have found one so clean. Thanks for sharing!
Peace!
Thanks for watching as ever!
Oh man, the old fireblade is really an iconic machine. One of the best looking sport bikes, period.
...and still rides great as you saw...
@@TheMissendenFlyer If you're ever near my neck of the woods, I just picked up an 02 Triumph 955i sprint RS (first big bike) and while not nearly as impressive, it's certainly fun
That view from the helmet made me first believe the bike had a trailer pulling ... then I watched it several times and I realised it is the helmet spoiler which is 'fixed' because of the camera mounted on top of the helmet and the silver 'moving thing' is no trailer, but the top box.
Correct!
Awesome! LOVE the bike and the fact that he keeps it in the house is !!!!! Killer!!!
One of the advantages of not being married!! Green with envy!!
Hi tmf nice review on the reader's rides great bit of kit that Honda an by the looks of it a very nice day in Spain
Now we need readers rides rgv250
I have a 954 and my only plans for the future are to find another 954 in anticipation of the day I wear out my first one
Delightful video. Cheers to Lyndon for loaning such a wonderful moto.
Thank you Morgan, glad you liked it...
I had a US import 93 CBR 900RR, great handling bike and a nice predictable engine
Lovely bike and a beautiful road to ride it on.
When I think back to the "game changer" bikes the one that really invented the sports bike category was the '85 GSXR750. When it came out the reviews were raving. The magazines all called it a race bike for the street. I never owned one but it was the bike I always wanted. It might be fun to find one someday, if there are any still alive that haven't been abused to death.
I remember at ExCel one year in the centre were Fireblades from start to present gen. inspired me to buy an SP1. Great vid! 👍
One of the best bikes I ever rode, prices are on the rise. If you're going to get one buy it now.
He keeps his bikes in the living room!? Crickey! What a wife! ;)
Well no wife in this case....makes you think doesn’t it!
Well, I am healed (not financially) since > 12 months. ;) :P
My teenage dream! There was just one sportsbike looking better by that time - the 916!
Great video as always TMF, but am I the only one that is curious as to what Lyndon was dragging around behind his bike??
It looked like a square silver baking tray was chasing him up the road 😂😂😂
The 125BHP limit on the bikes back then was because of a European agreement to make that the max.
think it's the back of the bike, Lyndon has the camera on top of his helmet. The white part isn't the backside of the motorcycle, but his helmet.
Think it’s a metal top box 👍🏻
Thanks for the responses guys. Makes sense now I watch the video more closely for the 2nd time.
I still prefer the being chased down the road by a silver baking tray lol 😂
I have a 93 I'm currently riding and going to restore soon
Back in the day this bike was not for the faint hearted, and just like the 1st generations
r1,s your either loose you licence or your life .
darren ashby I got one as my first motorcycle and while I know it’s imprudent for a beginner, it’s probably the best liter bike to start on. I’m still alive two years later. It is insane tho
That bike! that road! Would do for me
Motorcycle went through a step change during the mid 90's, bikes like the GSXR 750, YZF750 and CBR900 changed motorcycles into modern feeling bikes. Even 20 (nearly 30) something years later they still look, feel and ride good (assuming the they are kept in good condition)
I've got one of these. Had it since new but needs some TLC as it doesn't get out much.
A great bike.
Same experience. As soon as I rode it, I had to have it.
Why did i watch this vid, im missing my old cbr900rr soo much more now! 😘 cool to watch.
Sorry!
Every biker should at least test or own a 90's CBR 600 or Fireblade, they're so good.
I owned 2 93 900rrs back then..AMAZING
That thing is gorgeous 👍
Isn’t it? What model is yours?
TheMissendenFlyer RRX which makes it 1999, it's done 70,000 miles and still feels new. Lyndon is right when he said they are bulletproof. 99 was the last of the carb models so that's why it feels a bit sluggish compared to injection but if you get them revving they are still fast enough👍
Looks good, agree with the balance point you made, it looked fantastically smooth all around.
Can really see that Honda DNA in my Hornet 900 too.
Nice work MDF.
MDF indeed!!
Another great vid, My understanding, is that back in 90s the manufacturers had an unwritten rule that they would limit the bhp to 125, that is until Triumph brought out the Daytona , with I think about 147 bhp.
Yes some others have said similar so think you’re right....thanks for watching!
Lyndon is right.
I had a 1999 Blade and I do regret selling it 😭
But it was the bike or my license as there is something about the Fireblade that encourages you to go faster 🏍️
Hi Andy great video. I was pretty impressed by the bike when I was at Lyndon’s place in April.
4:14 seamless hand change.
Love the early Fireblades. I had the Urban Tiger version for a couple of years - fell for the colour scheme when they came out. Sold it to buy one of the first R1s which was also pretty special. Wish I'd kept them both. Always something you thought would be a lot better coming along in those days - and test rides weren't quite so available... Riding them again these days you realise things have moved on but not by quite as much as you'd think.
Thank you i really enjoyed the vid. I had a 1992 blade in those colours for 8 years and loved every minute of it, it never missed a beat. I only changed it to try life on the Cagiva V-Raptor V twin which was a great bike but thirsty. Im currently enjoying highway debauchery on an MT10 😂. Love the channel great work 👍🏻.
Great review, as always. However, I think the “Proper fuel gauge” is the Temp gauge. Early blades didn’t have a fuel gauge and relied on a reserve tap. I had my Urban Tiger Blade for 8 years and still miss it.
Hehe whoops!! - what a larf! Great bike though eh?! I can see why they were regarded as a game changer, still rides beautifully today....
And what better place to test her out 😎
Indeed, fabulous roads around there...
Beautiful bike, great scenery and great video as usual!
Sitting alongside my 18 plate Vulcan S is a 1990 CBR 600FL in Benneton colours. Stunning bike to ride even at nearly 30 years old, definitely a keeper. Sadly on SORN as this year I just haven't had time to ride it.
It can be unSORNed at anytime though of course! Good on ya!
They were quite the beasty in their day! :-)
Still is!
It was praised for its quick turn in but that came at the price of insensitivity at the limit. I swapped mine for a '99 R1 which had much more predictability on the limit. Still have the R1 - easily the best bike I ever owned.
Amazing bike for its age, I had a Laverda 668, it handled better than some modern bikes, just let down by the electric's and engine. most reluctant sale. But that showed me a while back i did not need a brand new bike to have fun.. i never used all the power of bigger bikes on road or track, and now im loving the lower power bikes and enjoying the ride.
I’m completely with you Rupe!
Nice ride ! Wow 16" front wheel that brings back memories, they handled great but tended to get swallowed in pot holes ;-)
Tank slappers were the main issue with these.
Great video. Thanks so much for sharing 👍😎
Thank you for watching Andrew!
The new TFT colour dashes, in my mind, are the first new modern dashes that come close to the old analog - they just might convince me they too are proper instruments. Maybe. :)
Hmm, I’m still a bit old school and like a steam driven gauge....
@@TheMissendenFlyer On our first trip to Hawaii in 2000 I got a tour of the 747 cockpit. It was an older model, very soon to be retired, and it was all steam gauges. Glorious!
They where the first big sports bike I ever rode, had just passed my test and a guy up the road give me a run on a blade. Was really surprised how easy it was to handle coming from a nsr125, loved it. but my insurance company didn't :-(
Once you got use to them dropping into the corner which was a tad disconcerting they were great. My 95 model was fantastic.
Now if you rode Itchy Boots Himalayan I would have been impressed!