Fireblade

I picked up a 2008 model CBR1000RR (Fireblade) yesterday from Blacklocks in Lavington (next to Albury) and rode it back to Canberra yesterday arvo, and then down to the farm today after visiting a mate in the northern Canberra suburbs this morning.



Initial impressions. Fire it up, get on. Check mirrors and fuel. No fuel gauge! This model has a fuel warning light that comes on when you have 3.5 litres left in the tank, and lights and indicators on the multi-function display start doing their thing. So I turn it off, check the tank and see I have a full tank of fuel - thanks Blacklocks, bonus.

I take off, somewhat tentatively. Fairly cramped riding position for someone 188cm tall (6' 2" in the old scale). Seat to footpeg is 44cm, Bandit is closer to 50cm, so and that is significant. But what did I expect - this is a sports bike after all. And I can live with a bit of a scrunch but I will look at lowering the pegs.

Next impression. This 2008 model has heaps of low-down torque. From what I'd heard, I had expected things to be more like 8000rpm or stuff all. Nothing could be further from the truth. I'm upshifting at 3500 rpm and quickly run out of gears. It could easily pull a 7th or 8th gear.  It does not need high revs to be ridden at sane speeds and around town - I was even in 6th in the 60 kmph zones but 5th was probably better.

The Hume freeway is only two roundabouts away so I'm quickly on it. I'm cruising at 110kmph at about 4000 rpm. Redline is 13000 (and top speed is 286 kmph - or would be for someone significantly shorter than 188cm!). So far, apart from the riding position and slightly higher revs it isn't much different to the Bandit.  It rolls on strongly from 80kmph without downshifting (590 kms later I still haven't downshifted to overtake slower traffic). Talk of sports bikes having no midrange doesn't apply to this bike.

Ok, so can't see Mr Plod anywhere, so I roll on the throttle.  5500 rpm and the standard exhaust develops a distinct growl - very nice, it sounds like it means business and wants more. 6000rpm, 6th gear, and it pulls forward strongly, like it wants to pull my arms off. Wasn't expecting that - lucky I was holding on.  In lower gears this rpm will certainly bring on wheelies - note to self, behave yourself or learn how to wheelie.

I zip along at a sedate pace, every bump causing throttle movement and speed changes of up to 5kmph (it only weighs 205kg with a full fuel tank). No chance of holding a dead steady speed so I just keep it between 115 and 120 (indicated - I'm guessing it must have the usual speedo error so I feel that I'm ok). Must check the speedo error with my GPS next time out.

Suspension is hard. Front and rear both have adjustable compression ad rebound dampening, plus adjustable preload on the spring. Might soften things up a bit next week to be more in tune with NSW B roads. No corners on the road until I get south of Cooma. It cruises around those comfortably at 50+ the posted advisory. But I encounter a caravan and 5 cars behind it going down Brown Mt so I don't get to test it at all on slow corners. Will have to do some runs.

I refuel with 245 kms on the odo and no fuel light on yet.  The fuel economy readout (yep, it has that but no fuel gauge - go figure - I'm not sure that people who buy Fireblades are not worried about fuel economy!). But it's getting more than 20 kms per litre, so my 17.7 litre tank should be good for a range of 360kms, provided of course I don't get too addicted to the growl that become a howl as the tacho gets even further north of 6000rpm!

I get home in one piece after 590kms. My back isn't sore, nor my neck or wrists so all that is good. The somewhat cramped position hasn't lead to anything worse, not this time out anyway.

I have to do about 5kms of gravel to get home so now it needs a wash.  Bummer!   But I do notice the lower overall weight (compared to the Bandit) as I push it into the shed. That's probably why the wind up on the Monaro was seeming to blow me around more.

It's always fun exploring different bikes .............I don't know about the newer ones , but the early Blades were a pretty good all rounder  .( considering their design brief )

Nice write up, Dave. 
You can be assured of quality engineering,  as Mr Honda employees quality engineers. 
You are going to have some fun.  
Do yourself a flavour and book a track day. 

Ewok1958 wrote:
I take off, somewhat tentatively. Fairly cramped riding position for someone 188cm tall (6' 2" in the old scale). Seat to footpeg is 44cm, Bandit is closer to 50cm, so and that is significant. But what did I expect - this is a sports bike after all. And I can live with a bit of a scrunch but I will at lowering the pegs.

Think of it as a Pilates or Yoga class, plenty of stretching, imagine how easy your legs will bend to fit your other rides after a few weeks on this beast

Nice write up Dave. Sounds like your going to enjoy your new beast

Sounds like its just what you were after.
Please don't lower the pegs unless you absolutely have too.
You'll get used to and come to appreciate the firm suspension as well.
The +20km/L from a 170hp engine (that's probably producing 95hp at highway speeds) is another mark against the B1250 but even with their shortcomings we still love Bandits.

There's nothing wrong with the position if it's comfortable. If your hips feel like popping out of joint then a peg mod would be a good idea

Come on 2wa you know you want another bandit

reddog wrote:There's nothing wrong with the position if it's comfortable. If your hips feel like popping out of joint then a peg mod would be a good idea

Come on 2wa you know you want another bandit

Nar mate. Some people probably think the Hillman Minx was the pinnacle of auto engineering too 

2wheelsagain wrote:

reddog wrote:There's nothing wrong with the position if it's comfortable. If your hips feel like popping out of joint then a peg mod would be a good idea

Come on 2wa you know you want another bandit

Nar mate. Some people probably think the Hillman Minx was the pinnacle of auto engineering too 

You would need to go the Standard Ten to find the pinnacle 2WA ...................    ( Yep , my first car was a 1959 one of these  ) 

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The transformation project is nearly finished - same bike as in the first post above, but with all new plastic.

Ewok1958 wrote:" />
The transformation project is nearly finished - same bike as in the first post above, but with all new plastic.

Anybody got a magnifying glass?

That should be better!

Certainly looks the part Ewok.

Very nice! So that is a replica of Randy DePuniets bike?

Ewok1958 wrote:
That should be better!

much better

reddog wrote:Very nice! So that is a replica of Randy DePuniets bike?

I'm not sure if this variant is an exact copy RD - there were three different Playboy colour schemes to pick from.

You decide



It still looks classy mate *thumbs up*

Seems like I'm missing one of the flashier parts!

Ewok1958 wrote:Seems like I'm missing one of the flashier parts!

Not sure how Bev will feel about the outfit!

Haha!

No white powder coated rims, but rim tape looks great in the flesh. The tank pad is a must as I was already putting scratches and wear marks on the tank plastic.