Appreciate the feedback, especially as it's positive! We try our best and not everyone likes it - neither do we, sometimes! - but we're always trying to get better.
Lovely looking machine, can't wait to have a go on one myself - great video chaps, thanks for posting and letting us Northerners see what you get up too down there....can't wait to see the new studio (complete with roof). All the best from a damp Blighty - TMF
Hey, TMF. I was watching one of your videos the other day, about the RST Adventure lll jacket. Nice to have a fellow TH-camr watching. And a fellow Northener!
No I'm very much South of Watford Junction! ...although marginally North of Watford (Herts) coincidentally.....very kind of you to say so, means a lot coming from a pro, do give me a shout if you ever need another Brit to join the team (or an England correspondent!) ;0)
never go wrong with a fireblade. .. they are just the funniest to ride on the country back roads and the track ,they don't scare you and the really best part they don't cost and arm and leg with maintenance...
I got the 2018 Honda CBR1000RR and I am a satisfied customer. I am upgrading from the CBR650F and I noticed the difference. The bike is forgiven and the acceleration is smooth. I got the RR not the SP because I don’t plan to take her to the track. But even if I do the bike would do great. The quality of Honda is incredible
engine affects one thing. Acceleration. Weight affects EVERYTHING (handling, braking, acceleration etc.) Hats off to honda once again, proving their engineering might superior to everyone else.
Not sure how it's in South Africa but in Thailand I yet have to see a high powered bike which can handle summer heat with insufficient cooling systems. This is not about overheating of cooling liquid. It's about heat produced by engine going into surrounding parts and heating everything up until it damages. Basically every bigger bike I have/had was furnace blasting my legs. On CBR650F at higher speed - over mountain passes - foot pegs!!! got so hot that it wasn't comfortable to rest my feet on them. Not kidding. R6 and CBR650F, swing arm and rear wheels heat up immensely during ride. On CBR it actually overheated my rear shock and it started failing. While my 2008 R6 has nice "wind tunnels" to blast cooler air at engine rear compartment , the hot air coming out from fairings burns my legs. Even passenger seat compartment has hot air inside. But those tunnels help only on medium - high speeds. One would think, with all the global warming and high powered bikes someone at the manufacturers got the hint and started designing better heat management. Here, in summer, I actually must ride with closed helmet visor as air outside is unbearably hot and burns my face when opened a tiny bit. So that says something when a closed usually hot helmet feels better than ambient air. The heat messes also with asphalt and tire traction. Not perhaps as much as snow in Europe but sadly unpredictably so. Because you can't be sure that you will have good traction on a newly built asphalt layer.
The Bike Show So if I get you tickets will you come and I'll take you on the Great Ocean rd, even get a camera crew to follow you and you can do a show from over here
20th October in Melbourne, get yourself here and I will arrange everything else including bikes and ride, stay a week and end the week at the MotoGP. My cameraman does the Tour De France every year and works well on bikes as he is normally on the back of my bike when filming. It would make a great show, Matt would love it
He is absolutely right when he say's that if the motor had 200hp it would ruin it. Its the lightest bike in its class already. A lot of the weight has been taken out of the front end via the redesigned engine block transmission and internals and tank. The bike would simply want to come all the way up until 4th. However I am a little disheartened that it didn't make at least low 190's in stock form especially since its running 13:1 compression ratio. I hope on the next revision they go back to the under-tail exhaust. I can't stand side exhaust on a fireblade.
For the record, im not a fan of electronics on bikes, We can keep the quick shifter, but the abs and electronically adjustable ohlins have to go. From experience the fastest bike is the most predictable. I absolutely hate when I can feel the bike doing something different than it did the last time because I took a slightly different line with a slightly different surface. I'm glad the traction control set on 2 saved you from high siding. however some of us would have opted to ride that power slide out while picking up the bike for a less problematic and faster exit. Good show men. hope you get that roof fixed quick. Nice crib.
great review guys but what's new with this bike? it's stuff the competition have been doing for years! I'm personally disappointed with the looks, price and spec of the blade.. Much prefer my home made RCV cbr1000rr hybrid 😉
Everyone is always playing catch-up to the competition; true innovation is rare, especially when the conservative buying public might get scared off by too much. Let's just be thankful that Honda have come to the party at last.
I'm mad! I don't really want a quick shifter or ABS or TC or WC. I'm watching this in Octerber 2020 and I'm shopping for a CBR1000RR. Most of these 2017's are going for around $11k new or used I found a new one advertised for $9,999 I was looking for a good used one for a good price. But I thought for that price I just get a new one. But after contacting the dealership, it was more a gemick to get you in the door, and was unable to get one at that price. My goal is to get the best bang for my buck on a used CBR1000RR 2012 or newer. I'm still looking I have found several good deals, but I haven't pulled the trigger yet. Still looking. I am looking at a 2014 with low miles and tons of up grades, looks amazing.
My heart and soul lie elsewhere but why haven't Honda at least tried to match the output of similar manufacturers machines...Seems crazy to me especially with that chassis and suspension rig....Great video btw
Does it really matter? After all, it's only bragging rights. I doubt any normal road user of these bikes is ever gong to notice the difference between 170bhp and 200bhp, let alone be able to use it all!
The Bike Show Ya spot on with that answer....Know a lot about bragging rights ..Busa...Zx12r.....zzr1100....Blackbird....but people also have been lead to purchase bikes based bigger numbers..rather than overall ability......Anyhow great show by the way...
Great review guys :) as a prospective buyer and big Honda fan, im not so happy with the new fireblade considering that Honda had much time to review competition progress and community responses. perhaps that's nitpicking on a high level as overall its sure a good Supersport bike. Black and white odometer is disappointing. Digital displays are nothing special nowadays. ZX10R got it right, from usability perspective. Ok, ur not supposed to look down all the time and watch odometer but on ZX10R it's more visible. The exhaust is not super ugly but a tucked in under belly version would have been amazing. (Or under end of tail). Design itself is not outstanding. Consider, this is the most advanced "affordable" Honda bike but it's design is aligned to the low range CBR bikes from 2016. (See nose, headlights design). For the price jump from 650F - which has unique and great design - CBR 1000RR has under-delivered on design. I would say the frame hole covers - near knee - are the most interesting design part of the SP version. Personally, if I could stand ZX10R's poisonous green or the invisible black fairing color choices I would enjoy it's probably more refined technological features. (I rode it and it's amazing)
The 2008 blade not a bad bike in 2008. Bar the rear shock, brakes, gearbox and rectifier well the whole charging system in fairness and the under powered battery.
Do you find it is a better or worse track machine than the current GSX-1000R and ZX10R? Also compared to the R1? I know it's down on power but Honda has always been more about handling and flickability.
You'll have to wait until we can do a full group test. Impossible to say really; it's always going to be about horses for courses and personal preference. Let's be honest, unless you are a Marquez or Rossi or Stoner, you'll never notice the difference anyway.
Fair enough, I suppose the differences these days really comes down to more preference than performance, unless you're looking at the 0.52s lap time differences. Personally I think I'd go for the Honda because I'm a Honda fan but also the fireblade has been a historically comfortable superbike for the street. Also, light is right, and the new fireblade is awesome in that category.
I’m an Ex South African now living in Australia and have a 2017 CBR 1000RR SP2 . Having Raced in South Africa and the US many years ago . This Bike is a Mind Fu?k when it comes to Road Riding and the technology. But nevertheless having a gas riding it .
The only rider aids you need are, a flexible wrist , a good strong grip, balls of steel & an arsehole that doesn’t get all mushy when you go into a corner a bit to quick. Good vid. 👍👍
Hummm . I have a CBR600rr and have had accelerator stick a few times and was shown its an engineering problem which they cant be fixed as removal of some silicon in the chamber would cause all sort of other issues . Then some false neutrals which they refused to acknowledge and seem to suggest rider ...... , hummmmmmm , convenient !
Was referring to all the new generation bikes, all are well over 200k with the BMW being the "cheapest". You can still find an new "old" blade for about 180k
I feel like Honda styled up their learner bikes but failed to implement a commensurate improvement on the style of their big bikes. The CBR1000RR looks more boring and outdated than the last one.
Idiotic sense of talking. There is absolute no harmony in speaking between both of them. The left guy REPEATEDLY INTERRUPT THE GUY ON THE RIGHT EVERY TIME HE ANSWERS A QUESTION. I can't even hear clearly who I am suppose to listen. Ridiculous! When you ask a question, stop interrupting and listen to what he has to say! Allocate the time and space before you go mumbling......
this is the go to place for me for credible and true facts on anything about motorcycles. I just wanna say thanks guys for the great work...
Appreciate the feedback, especially as it's positive! We try our best and not everyone likes it - neither do we, sometimes! - but we're always trying to get better.
Nice job, guys! I always have fun watching your vids, and love the insights you provide.
Thanks, Oregonontwowheels! Snappy name, by the way!
Lovely looking machine, can't wait to have a go on one myself - great video chaps, thanks for posting and letting us Northerners see what you get up too down there....can't wait to see the new studio (complete with roof). All the best from a damp Blighty - TMF
Hey, TMF. I was watching one of your videos the other day, about the RST Adventure lll jacket. Nice to have a fellow TH-camr watching. And a fellow Northener!
Well "Northerner" of course is a relative term so be a bit careful with that! ...and flattered you watched little ol' me - thanks!
Are you North of Watford Junction? Then you're a Northener! Like your vids; you're very natural in front of a camera.
No I'm very much South of Watford Junction! ...although marginally North of Watford (Herts) coincidentally.....very kind of you to say so, means a lot coming from a pro, do give me a shout if you ever need another Brit to join the team (or an England correspondent!) ;0)
Finally a blade I can look at and think "I want that!"... Instead of "it looks ok"
Always a pleasure watching you guys.
never go wrong with a fireblade. .. they are just the funniest to ride on the country back roads and the track ,they don't scare you and the really best part they don't cost and arm and leg with maintenance...
Now that's how you review a Bike.
Great job lads
I got the 2018 Honda CBR1000RR and I am a satisfied customer. I am upgrading from the CBR650F and I noticed the difference. The bike is forgiven and the acceleration is smooth. I got the RR not the SP because I don’t plan to take her to the track. But even if I do the bike would do great. The quality of Honda is incredible
engine affects one thing. Acceleration. Weight affects EVERYTHING (handling, braking, acceleration etc.) Hats off to honda once again, proving their engineering might superior to everyone else.
Not sure how it's in South Africa but in Thailand I yet have to see a high powered bike which can handle summer heat with insufficient cooling systems. This is not about overheating of cooling liquid. It's about heat produced by engine going into surrounding parts and heating everything up until it damages.
Basically every bigger bike I have/had was furnace blasting my legs.
On CBR650F at higher speed - over mountain passes - foot pegs!!! got so hot that it wasn't comfortable to rest my feet on them. Not kidding.
R6 and CBR650F, swing arm and rear wheels heat up immensely during ride. On CBR it actually overheated my rear shock and it started failing.
While my 2008 R6 has nice "wind tunnels" to blast cooler air at engine rear compartment , the hot air coming out from fairings burns my legs. Even passenger seat compartment has hot air inside. But those tunnels help only on medium - high speeds.
One would think, with all the global warming and high powered bikes someone at the manufacturers got the hint and started designing better heat management.
Here, in summer, I actually must ride with closed helmet visor as air outside is unbearably hot and burns my face when opened a tiny bit. So that says something when a closed usually hot helmet feels better than ambient air.
The heat messes also with asphalt and tire traction. Not perhaps as much as snow in Europe but sadly unpredictably so. Because you can't be sure that you will have good traction on a newly built asphalt layer.
very clear and professional review..
if you want a bike to feel light you have to make it light
Enjoyed your down-to-earth review, good stuff!
You guys rock and need to come to Australia for our MotoGP celerbration
I can give you the address to send the tickets....!
The Bike Show So if I get you tickets will you come and I'll take you on the Great Ocean rd, even get a camera crew to follow you and you can do a show from over here
You're on! What date is the MotoGP celebration?
20th October in Melbourne, get yourself here and I will arrange everything else including bikes and ride, stay a week and end the week at the MotoGP. My cameraman does the Tour De France every year and works well on bikes as he is normally on the back of my bike when filming. It would make a great show, Matt would love it
Check your Facebook page for info
He is absolutely right when he say's that if the motor had 200hp it would ruin it. Its the lightest bike in its class already. A lot of the weight has been taken out of the front end via the redesigned engine block transmission and internals and tank. The bike would simply want to come all the way up until 4th.
However I am a little disheartened that it didn't make at least low 190's in stock form especially since its running 13:1 compression ratio.
I hope on the next revision they go back to the under-tail exhaust. I can't stand side exhaust on a fireblade.
For the record, im not a fan of electronics on bikes, We can keep the quick shifter, but the abs and electronically adjustable ohlins have to go. From experience the fastest bike is the most predictable. I absolutely hate when I can feel the bike doing something different than it did the last time because I took a slightly different line with a slightly different surface.
I'm glad the traction control set on 2 saved you from high siding. however some of us would have opted to ride that power slide out while picking up the bike for a less problematic and faster exit.
Good show men. hope you get that roof fixed quick. Nice crib.
P Body lightest bike? not even close :)
Can you prove me wrong? Not even close.
2017 Honda CBR 1k 429lbs wet Tell me what other bike even comes close to this?
en.m.wikipedia.org. Wet 420
The 1299 doesn't count its not a liter bike its a 1.3 liter bike.
Matt for a road bike what you spend your money on Fireblade, GSXR1000 or S1000RR and why? Thanks
Superb onboard footage. Great review
another cracking video lads ...
great review guys but what's new with this bike? it's stuff the competition have been doing for years! I'm personally disappointed with the looks, price and spec of the blade.. Much prefer my home made RCV cbr1000rr hybrid 😉
Lamb Chop Rides tech and weight reduction which i agree with. how much more hp do you need and can you add to a street bike.
Everyone is always playing catch-up to the competition; true innovation is rare, especially when the conservative buying public might get scared off by too much. Let's just be thankful that Honda have come to the party at last.
they should have come with a V4 hmph... They've already screwed up with the VFr800 and 1200... at least do VFR fans some kind of justice.
I'm shopping for a new bike this year and I'm so torn between this, 1299 panigale, and gsxr1000r... all priced similarly now in Canada.
If their close in price please tell me you got the 1299. Assuming yoi can afford maintenance
convex no way would I buy the Ducati!
I'm mad! I don't really want a quick shifter or ABS or TC or WC. I'm watching this in Octerber 2020 and I'm shopping for a CBR1000RR. Most of these 2017's are going for around $11k new or used I found a new one advertised for $9,999 I was looking for a good used one for a good price. But I thought for that price I just get a new one. But after contacting the dealership, it was more a gemick to get you in the door, and was unable to get one at that price.
My goal is to get the best bang for my buck on a used CBR1000RR 2012 or newer. I'm still looking I have found several good deals, but I haven't pulled the trigger yet. Still looking. I am looking at a 2014 with low miles and tons of up grades, looks amazing.
My heart and soul lie elsewhere but why haven't Honda at least tried to match the output of similar manufacturers machines...Seems crazy to me especially with that chassis and suspension rig....Great video btw
Does it really matter? After all, it's only bragging rights. I doubt any normal road user of these bikes is ever gong to notice the difference between 170bhp and 200bhp, let alone be able to use it all!
The Bike Show Ya spot on with that answer....Know a lot about bragging rights ..Busa...Zx12r.....zzr1100....Blackbird....but people also have been lead to purchase bikes based bigger numbers..rather than overall ability......Anyhow great show by the way...
Great review guys :) as a prospective buyer and big Honda fan, im not so happy with the new fireblade considering that Honda had much time to review competition progress and community responses. perhaps that's nitpicking on a high level as overall its sure a good Supersport bike. Black and white odometer is disappointing. Digital displays are nothing special nowadays. ZX10R got it right, from usability perspective. Ok, ur not supposed to look down all the time and watch odometer but on ZX10R it's more visible. The exhaust is not super ugly but a tucked in under belly version would have been amazing. (Or under end of tail). Design itself is not outstanding. Consider, this is the most advanced "affordable" Honda bike but it's design is aligned to the low range CBR bikes from 2016. (See nose, headlights design). For the price jump from 650F - which has unique and great design - CBR 1000RR has under-delivered on design. I would say the frame hole covers - near knee - are the most interesting design part of the SP version.
Personally, if I could stand ZX10R's poisonous green or the invisible black fairing color choices I would enjoy it's probably more refined technological features. (I rode it and it's amazing)
The 2008 blade not a bad bike in 2008. Bar the rear shock, brakes, gearbox and rectifier well the whole charging system in fairness and the under powered battery.
I would love to be able to afford this bike. At least older models should become cheaper in light of this new model :)
Do you find it is a better or worse track machine than the current GSX-1000R and ZX10R? Also compared to the R1? I know it's down on power but Honda has always been more about handling and flickability.
You'll have to wait until we can do a full group test. Impossible to say really; it's always going to be about horses for courses and personal preference. Let's be honest, unless you are a Marquez or Rossi or Stoner, you'll never notice the difference anyway.
Fair enough, I suppose the differences these days really comes down to more preference than performance, unless you're looking at the 0.52s lap time differences. Personally I think I'd go for the Honda because I'm a Honda fan but also the fireblade has been a historically comfortable superbike for the street. Also, light is right, and the new fireblade is awesome in that category.
I’m an Ex South African now living in Australia and have a 2017 CBR 1000RR SP2 . Having Raced in South Africa and the US many years ago . This Bike is a Mind Fu?k when it comes to Road Riding and the technology. But nevertheless having a gas riding it .
Brent van de Stadt You mean the bike is not performing well in normal roads ? Can you mention what kind of issues you are facing ?
Magnesium covers - vulnerability to water corrosion ?
2391jessie many wheels nowadays are magnesium. But it's coated so no big deal
great video. i need this bike, may have to sell my 600rr :(
The RBW throttle is so good, it stuck open for John McGuinness and almost killed Guy Martin...
The only rider aids you need are, a flexible wrist , a good strong grip, balls of steel & an arsehole that doesn’t get all mushy when you go into a corner a bit to quick. Good vid. 👍👍
the old guy dont let any one talk. cut them when they try to talk. why he's like that ? he does that on every other videos.
the old man can not keep it shut for a sec and talks over the other guy
Hummm . I have a CBR600rr and have had accelerator stick a few times and was shown its an engineering problem which they cant be fixed as removal of some silicon in the chamber would cause all sort of other issues . Then some false neutrals which they refused to acknowledge and seem to suggest rider ...... , hummmmmmm , convenient !
damnit i have to buy the sp. its like $6k more :/
Traction control saves the day!
Fz10 or s1000rr
IronicXD s1000rr more brutal than fz 10 at higher rpm..
Lacks a cruise control
In South Africa then the S1000RR is still the best value superbike by a country mile! Very ironic if you compare it to BMW in the rest of the world!
Isn't the old FIreblade retailing at R 141,999? The BMW R 213,050?
Was referring to all the new generation bikes, all are well over 200k with the BMW being the "cheapest". You can still find an new "old" blade for about 180k
The 2017 base Fireblade retails for nearly the same money as the old SP model no? Are you talking about the SP's price?
From honda.co.za:
CBR 1000 RR SP R205 990
CBR 1000 RR FIREBLADE R190 000
CBR 600 RR R165 000
I feel like Honda styled up their learner bikes but failed to implement a commensurate improvement on the style of their big bikes. The CBR1000RR looks more boring and outdated than the last one.
Ok
Idiotic sense of talking. There is absolute no harmony in speaking between both of them. The left guy REPEATEDLY INTERRUPT THE GUY ON THE RIGHT EVERY TIME HE ANSWERS A QUESTION. I can't even hear clearly who I am suppose to listen.
Ridiculous! When you ask a question, stop interrupting and listen to what he has to say!
Allocate the time and space before you go mumbling......
Lame.