Still have my 2002 CBR954RR that i bought NEW back then. I rode it yesterday in fact...i'm up to 44,500 miles now in 2023. It's my baby and i don't plan on ever getting rid of it.
as an owner of this bike twice, once back in 2003, and the second time before 4 years, your review is the most accurate and complete. i really enjoyed listening to you and watching the front suspension doing its fine job. one thing i have to add is that this bike is one of the most reliable machine's i ever come across, mine is very close to 100k and i commute on it. i have zero worries about if it'll start or not or if im going to be stranded on the side of the road. with proper maintenance and hopefully parts will still be available, i think it can go for another 100k (km)
I have bought a CBR954RR today. What a machine. It's raw which is nice but also made me worried, as I am a car mechanic myself, the metallic noises coming from it are scary at first
I owned one 10 years ago then switched to a Ducati Panigale 899. Crashed that and got a 959. I somehow missed the 954 and got one as a second bike. I must say, it drops into corners better then the Panigale and feels more planted at high speeds (even after softening the suspension of the 959). The chicken strips on the 954 are smaller (gone one the left side even). It's just a confidence inspiring bike. And even when it wiggles its back end you know it's controllable. Only downsides compared to the Panigale are its looks obviously (even though they are pretty good for such an old bike), the slippery saddle (which I will fix) and the steering bars which are less wide then on the Pani. Love this bike and will never get rid of it.
Great review. I passed my test 3 weeks ago and got a CBR600F F4i in red and black and I bloody love it. When I got it I said you’d need your head looking at if you wanted something faster. Yet here I am..... 😂
Have had a few of these bikes, love them, fast enough to scratch any itch, incredibly capable as an A road tool, I'm as happy to ride my 954 as I am riding my V4 Tuono....
I've put 66k on my 929 and thoroughly enjoyed every mile. It's my 3rd929 after a rrv. Great bikes and worth every penny. Just bought a zx9r to see how the others live.
Great review. I’ve got a 929 and can echo everything you’ve said. Really involving rides and the niggles are far outweighed by the plusses. The handling is so intuitive. At the risk of sounding like an old fart it does feel like this period was a “golden era” in terms of the balance between physical and electronic assistance.
I love the fact that the only high tech item on the bike is fuel injection 😜 This ride is not for the timid and yet it’s so forgiving. I raced my buddy on his 2020 aprilla rsv4 and absolutely smoked him! The computer kept him from really opening it up and he couldn’t believe how a 20 year old bike could still compete with the new kids
I'm happy kids today don't know and appreciate these Fireblade's, being more concerned with looking good in their latest new 'Gixxers' with extended swingarms and neon lighting kits with matching accents like colored rearsets, grips, levers, fairing bolts, etc. Hahaha. More collectible bikes for those in the know. :) Also RC51 too, another classic collectible bike that are selling for top dollars now (unfortunately, but fortunate for those who already has one).
I had 4 blades , the two models before this, including a 929 , that I thought was the worst blade they ever made , never got my hands on a 954 , considered by all to be the best of the generations at that point , cheers shane uk 🇬🇧
@@juicy9592 they are not the same , can’t be bothered to point out the differences, abit like some would say the vtr sp1 and sp2 are the same ,,, very similar but not the sane cheers shane uk 🇬🇧
Super bikes became more revvy with less low down oomph from 04. I don't anticipate selling my 954 or 5jj for this reason. This blade benefits from a Gilles gear shaft stabiliser being fitted.
The 954RR is peak Fireblade. It's a toss up between the 900 and 954 as my personal favorite. The Hornet 900/Honda 919 are incredible bikes too. They were released alongside the 954RR with a fuel injected 919RR Fireblade engine. 12 years of ownership and it has been bulletproof for me. The 919's wouldn't look out of place on a modern show floor which says a lot for a Japanese bike designed in the late 90's-early 2000's.
enjoyable video, your description reminds me a lot of my 2005 zx-10r, another compact bike with a short wheelbase. I'd definitely be interested in testing out a 954RR.
I've only had 1 tank slapper and that was many years ago while spanking my kmx125 and I about shat my pants not a fun experience.always liked this fireblade great review 👏
Couldn't agree more i have the 929 and will be adding a power commander and quick shifter just to make it as good as the 954 may even upgrade the suspension too.
I’ve owned the 929, f4i and older f4. After 6 years of riding and dreaming of owning a 954, I’ll pick one up tomorrow morning. Then a quick 13 hour ride home with my new toy. Is this foolish? Yes.
I've ridden a 954, tank slapped it's arse off under hard acceleration, frightened me to death nearly, have never had that happen on any other bike I've ridden!😬😬😬
Only once for me-2 up on a CB550f1 with a Meadspeed cockpit fairing and Eurodesign rear carrier-all of which were de-rigeur in the 70s.but shite for handling implications!
Still have my 2002 CBR954RR that i bought NEW back then. I rode it yesterday in fact...i'm up to 44,500 miles now in 2023. It's my baby and i don't plan on ever getting rid of it.
as an owner of this bike twice, once back in 2003, and the second time before 4 years, your review is the most accurate and complete. i really enjoyed listening to you and watching the front suspension doing its fine job. one thing i have to add is that this bike is one of the most reliable machine's i ever come across, mine is very close to 100k and i commute on it. i have zero worries about if it'll start or not or if im going to be stranded on the side of the road. with proper maintenance and hopefully parts will still be available, i think it can go for another 100k (km)
Have had mine for the last 7 years, ride it nearly everyday. Such a good feeling to ride, does what you want it to do.
as a 954 owner i like these reviews. thanks
This is one of the best reviews of anything on TH-cam.
I pick my yellow and blue 954 this Friday, I can’t bloody wait!!!
How is it?
Best review of the 954 on TH-cam :)
I have bought a CBR954RR today. What a machine. It's raw which is nice but also made me worried, as I am a car mechanic myself, the metallic noises coming from it are scary at first
Great review coming from a fellow 954 owner. Been out on mine today. Best bike I’ve ever owned 👍
I owned one 10 years ago then switched to a Ducati Panigale 899. Crashed that and got a 959. I somehow missed the 954 and got one as a second bike. I must say, it drops into corners better then the Panigale and feels more planted at high speeds (even after softening the suspension of the 959). The chicken strips on the 954 are smaller (gone one the left side even). It's just a confidence inspiring bike. And even when it wiggles its back end you know it's controllable. Only downsides compared to the Panigale are its looks obviously (even though they are pretty good for such an old bike), the slippery saddle (which I will fix) and the steering bars which are less wide then on the Pani. Love this bike and will never get rid of it.
Great review. I passed my test 3 weeks ago and got a CBR600F F4i in red and black and I bloody love it. When I got it I said you’d need your head looking at if you wanted something faster. Yet here I am..... 😂
Ha! Here I am again after buying a 954! 😎 bloody love it though!
Excellent video just bought one 2002 model with a bar conversation to help the wrists as Iam 60 with arthritis
This video started very politely. I feel very calm :D
Have had a few of these bikes, love them, fast enough to scratch any itch, incredibly capable as an A road tool, I'm as happy to ride my 954 as I am riding my V4 Tuono....
Superbly eloquent presentation, with the added temptation of harking back to the era. Bravo sir 👍👌
I've put 66k on my 929 and thoroughly enjoyed every mile. It's my 3rd929 after a rrv. Great bikes and worth every penny. Just bought a zx9r to see how the others live.
Great review. I’ve got a 929 and can echo everything you’ve said. Really involving rides and the niggles are far outweighed by the plusses. The handling is so intuitive. At the risk of sounding like an old fart it does feel like this period was a “golden era” in terms of the balance between physical and electronic assistance.
I love the fact that the only high tech item on the bike is fuel injection 😜
This ride is not for the timid and yet it’s so forgiving. I raced my buddy on his 2020 aprilla rsv4 and absolutely smoked him! The computer kept him from really opening it up and he couldn’t believe how a 20 year old bike could still compete with the new kids
Did he have it on rain mode or something 🤨
I'm happy kids today don't know and appreciate these Fireblade's, being more concerned with looking good in their latest new 'Gixxers' with extended swingarms and neon lighting kits with matching accents like colored rearsets, grips, levers, fairing bolts, etc. Hahaha. More collectible bikes for those in the know. :) Also RC51 too, another classic collectible bike that are selling for top dollars now (unfortunately, but fortunate for those who already has one).
I had 4 blades , the two models before this, including a 929 , that I thought was the worst blade they ever made , never got my hands on a 954 , considered by all to be the best of the generations at that point , cheers shane uk 🇬🇧
Well the 929rr and the 954 are 95 oercent the same. Also in riding
@@juicy9592 they are not the same , can’t be bothered to point out the differences, abit like some would say the vtr sp1 and sp2 are the same ,,, very similar but not the sane cheers shane uk 🇬🇧
Super bikes became more revvy with less low down oomph from 04. I don't anticipate selling my 954 or 5jj for this reason. This blade benefits from a Gilles gear shaft stabiliser being fitted.
I too have fitted a double bubble and would recommend this as well as the Gilles.
The 954RR is peak Fireblade. It's a toss up between the 900 and 954 as my personal favorite.
The Hornet 900/Honda 919 are incredible bikes too. They were released alongside the 954RR with a fuel injected 919RR Fireblade engine. 12 years of ownership and it has been bulletproof for me. The 919's wouldn't look out of place on a modern show floor which says a lot for a Japanese bike designed in the late 90's-early 2000's.
enjoyable video, your description reminds me a lot of my 2005 zx-10r, another compact bike with a short wheelbase. I'd definitely be interested in testing out a 954RR.
I've only had 1 tank slapper and that was many years ago while spanking my kmx125 and I about shat my pants not a fun experience.always liked this fireblade great review 👏
Awesome review I love Honda 954 💯👍🏾
WELL DONE! Would love to hear your review of a RVT1000R RC51 SP1.
Couldn't agree more i have the 929 and will be adding a power commander and quick shifter just to make it as good as the 954 may even upgrade the suspension too.
I’ve owned the 929, f4i and older f4. After 6 years of riding and dreaming of owning a 954, I’ll pick one up tomorrow morning. Then a quick 13 hour ride home with my new toy. Is this foolish? Yes.
Awesome, nice review 😊
Brilliant review thanks 👍
Great review
Great review, makes me want one 🤸
Very good post, thanks
I had 2 tank slappers on old blades at 140 plus , one with a pillion , brown line material, l o l cheers shane uk 🇬🇧
I've ridden a 954, tank slapped it's arse off under hard acceleration, frightened me to death nearly, have never had that happen on any other bike I've ridden!😬😬😬
Only once for me-2 up on a CB550f1 with a Meadspeed cockpit fairing and Eurodesign rear carrier-all of which were de-rigeur in the 70s.but shite for handling implications!
Das my Bike!
I have a Black/Red ‘03 954RR
And I love it
Best power to weight ratio
Very accurate review
Thank you :)
Proper lean angle on that rear Tyre! -
I'm looking at getting one... Any Tips
Beautiful Gorgeous Bike
Fantastic ❤
I'll take my 08 Fireblade. 151 hp on Dyno
My 929rr with pc and full akro did 139 hahahaha. At the wheel
Any competant rider on a 954 will absolutely smoke a 08 blade, and that’s facts.
Throw a 1100 blackbird shifter on it. Its way better. And gp shift
sc50 is so comfortable.