35.d. 2008 Honda CBR 1000RR Fireblade Two Brothers Racing Performance Exhaust
1-12-13 Wyndham Street Races
Motorcycle News Overall Verdict 4/5:
Since 1992 the name FireBlade has conjured visions of a hard-charging superbike with attitude. While this is true of the very first two models, since then the FireBlade became a model of respectability. The 2006-07 model was arguably the best road-going superbike by being fast and bland in the same wheelbase. The 2008 FireBlade comes with attitude from its rev-happy engine, race-like steering (quick, responsive), stability and supremely balance chassis. For get its blunted looks, this Blade will cut it.
Engine 4/5:
When Honda set out to lose 2.5kgs from the weight of the previous model’s engine, you could almost second-guess how responsive and quick and easy quick it would be for the engine to spin up to its new 13,000rpm redline. Responsive and precise throttle control makes for good wheelies, blinding corner exit speed and neat shot of adrenaline. There’s still a good dose of midrange torque, but top end zing is what the Blade delivers. The new lump also features a slipper clutch – a first since the HRC WSB special RC45 – and it works; get the braking over and snick down three and let the lever out. Perfect.
Ride & Handling 5/5:
In stock trim the suspension settings are set on the soft side for road use, but on the track launch at Qatar is soon showed these settings needed upgrading. The suspension damping is only slightly revised for 2008 but any adjustments make a marked difference. What the new Blade has is a chassis so balanced and easy to throw around you could say the Blade is essentially a 600 supersport with the guts of a 1000cc machine. Corner speed is everything here but at the same time the Blade retains its stability mostly due to the revised electronic steering damper.
Equipment 3/5:
This is an area the Blade is lacking in. Ok so it has a slipper clutch, but Honda is the last manufacturer on this particular train. The electronic steering damper isn’t new and although it works it doesn’t have the kudos of Kawasaki’s Ohlins unit. The suspension doesn’t have the latest fad of high and low speed compression damping as per Suzuki’s GSX-R1000 and no fancy motorised inlet manifolds like the Yam’ R1. There will be aftermarket carbon fibre panels and a seat and tank bag, though.
Quality & Reliability 4/5:
Marked down a notch here because of the Honda CBR1000RR’s not so attractive fairing, which, to be honest, isn’t so bad in the flesh. Besides if you look past this you’ll see the fasteners and fixtures are all the usual quality stainless or moulded sections that fit with the simplicity of square peg in a very big round hole. Then there’s the exhaust; a shorty item a la MotoGP and under the engine, but it’s finished to mimic the belly pan (shaped and painted) and has an exhaust valve and a muffler flap inside to reduce noise.
Value for money 5/5:
The Suzuki GSX-R1000 has sold well in 2007, despite not being the most sorted bike because of a) its lower price against performance, and b) it was available right from day one. The Honda is dearer, will be available early on but, more importantly it handles much better and has a quality feel to its build and this more than justifies its price, so Suzuki et al should look out in up and coming 2008 sales war.
Source: www.motorcyclenews.com/mcn/bikereviews/searchresults/bike...
35.d. 2008 Honda CBR 1000RR Fireblade Two Brothers Racing Performance Exhaust
1-12-13 Wyndham Street Races
Motorcycle News Overall Verdict 4/5:
Since 1992 the name FireBlade has conjured visions of a hard-charging superbike with attitude. While this is true of the very first two models, since then the FireBlade became a model of respectability. The 2006-07 model was arguably the best road-going superbike by being fast and bland in the same wheelbase. The 2008 FireBlade comes with attitude from its rev-happy engine, race-like steering (quick, responsive), stability and supremely balance chassis. For get its blunted looks, this Blade will cut it.
Engine 4/5:
When Honda set out to lose 2.5kgs from the weight of the previous model’s engine, you could almost second-guess how responsive and quick and easy quick it would be for the engine to spin up to its new 13,000rpm redline. Responsive and precise throttle control makes for good wheelies, blinding corner exit speed and neat shot of adrenaline. There’s still a good dose of midrange torque, but top end zing is what the Blade delivers. The new lump also features a slipper clutch – a first since the HRC WSB special RC45 – and it works; get the braking over and snick down three and let the lever out. Perfect.
Ride & Handling 5/5:
In stock trim the suspension settings are set on the soft side for road use, but on the track launch at Qatar is soon showed these settings needed upgrading. The suspension damping is only slightly revised for 2008 but any adjustments make a marked difference. What the new Blade has is a chassis so balanced and easy to throw around you could say the Blade is essentially a 600 supersport with the guts of a 1000cc machine. Corner speed is everything here but at the same time the Blade retains its stability mostly due to the revised electronic steering damper.
Equipment 3/5:
This is an area the Blade is lacking in. Ok so it has a slipper clutch, but Honda is the last manufacturer on this particular train. The electronic steering damper isn’t new and although it works it doesn’t have the kudos of Kawasaki’s Ohlins unit. The suspension doesn’t have the latest fad of high and low speed compression damping as per Suzuki’s GSX-R1000 and no fancy motorised inlet manifolds like the Yam’ R1. There will be aftermarket carbon fibre panels and a seat and tank bag, though.
Quality & Reliability 4/5:
Marked down a notch here because of the Honda CBR1000RR’s not so attractive fairing, which, to be honest, isn’t so bad in the flesh. Besides if you look past this you’ll see the fasteners and fixtures are all the usual quality stainless or moulded sections that fit with the simplicity of square peg in a very big round hole. Then there’s the exhaust; a shorty item a la MotoGP and under the engine, but it’s finished to mimic the belly pan (shaped and painted) and has an exhaust valve and a muffler flap inside to reduce noise.
Value for money 5/5:
The Suzuki GSX-R1000 has sold well in 2007, despite not being the most sorted bike because of a) its lower price against performance, and b) it was available right from day one. The Honda is dearer, will be available early on but, more importantly it handles much better and has a quality feel to its build and this more than justifies its price, so Suzuki et al should look out in up and coming 2008 sales war.
Source: www.motorcyclenews.com/mcn/bikereviews/searchresults/bike...