Honda has released some pictures of the 2012 Fireblade…..

It’s like a 2011 one interbred with that really ugly GSXR from a couple of years ago (the one that looked like a surprised eagle).

Still it’ll be absolutely superb to ride.

prefer a Firebird

I like the dash and the multi spoke wheels.

The big piston forks should be cool as well.

It fortunately looks like they resisted the urge to fit a silly power map switch like Yamaha and Suzuki.

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=F1Sk_rtusc4[/video]

The blade has always been good and I know without even riding it that it will be good. But it doesn’t have the same wow! as the original. The Yamaha’s look better now. And others.

But would I say no to one – of course not. Because it will be good. But it’s not great…

Can’t imagine its much good off road?
How do you pedal it?

I should also add that the Yamaha’s handle better too…

I was hoping it would be a V4 😥

20th anniversary? Shit I’m old!

I have to say the slim spokes on the wheels look fantastic. Otherwise, well, it’s just another Jap race rep isn’t it?

Honda gave up after the RC30 IMO….

The Blade does everything well. It’s arguably the perfect sports bike for our roads.

Everything else is better at one or two things, but nothing else feels as rounded or capable to me. You can leave the GSXR 1000 out of that though: that just feels horrible…

Lovely bike, but not enough for me to sell my SP1.

The Blade does everything well. It’s arguably the perfect sports bike for our roads.

+ 1

A fireblade is the quickest superstock bike around the TT course, averaging over 130mph.

I’ve got a 2011 one (in black and white) and its the best bike I’ve ever had. Stupidly quick, docile at low speeds and a proper tool on track. I’m not normally one to big my own stuff up but I think mine looks much nicer than that (bar the wheels). That looks like its trying too hard to be an S1000R in motorsport colours

Tell you what though – the price of new 1000’s is madness. My was 12k and these are apparently going to be even more….scary stuff

When I saw this I started counting back to mine…1995… 😯 I’m getting old.

The price of the new bikes is huge now.

I had a 2008 black and white Fireblade that cost me £8000.

Pretty much he same bike now is around £2000 more!!!.

I’ll be keeping my current SP1 for a while I think, none of the new bikes float my boat enough to pay out that much cash.

Having said that, if this new blade would have had a V4 in it; I’d have sold the SP1 immediately to fund one.

I have to say the slim spokes on the wheels look fantastic. Otherwise, well, it’s just another Jap race rep isn’t it?

Honda gave up after the RC30 IMO….

Ace, I used to be a motorcycle journo in a previous existence. I remember riding one of the first FireBlades in the country and just being astonished by the combination of size, weight and performance. It might not seem a big deal these days, but back then, it really was a mould-breaking bike. Quite mad in a slightly twitchy way.

I don’t really do motorbikes now. I chose life. But if I had to buy a bike it would be a blueprinted RC30 with some sort of semi-race pipe on it. Those things are unreal. Perfect combination of performance, handling, noise and ‘thing’. One of the best bikes ever.

Do they have any ‘character’, these bikes? I ask because some years ago I test rode a GSXR600. I was riding a CB500 at the time and yes, the GSXR was faster, but it felt flat and unresponsive otherwise. Since then I’ve never even looked at a 4 cylinder bike, or seriously at a Japaneese bike for that matter. Yes, they’re fast, reliable etc but then so is our washing machine.

I followed the CB500 with a 955i Speed Triple, then a so called budget bike, a Ducati Monster 696, and we’ve just bought a Ducati ST3s 2 weeks ago We’ve just today returned from a weeks touring on it, 2 up, with camping gear. It’s got a fantastic engine, immediate pick up in any gear at any speed and a beautiful bassy boom in the airbox like my Monster had. It makes me want to ride it just to listen to it. And when I stand back and look at it, it says Ducati on the side……. 😉

My local dealer os selling these at £7300.

I think that’s a pretty darn good bang for your buck!

As I said, it’s a great bike and I don’t need to ride it to know that – they always were. Any skill level rider could hop on and get a huge amount of fun out of it. The likes of the R6 are better but only if you are a better rider.

Honda have pretty much always been the best at this. And that is no bad thing.

Lovely looking bike, sorted the front out. Rest looks the same as it was, which is not a problem – maybe slightly dif rear end? Did the forks have those fancy comp+reb adjuster ontop too?
Agreed, prices of bikes went sky high a couple of years ago. Even the 7 and 6’s. Always best to buy a 2nd hand one, just run in, thank you very much 8)

Still only one 750 sportsbike being made, which imo is the perfect size for most tracks and road. I’ve had 4 and I’ll keep going.

PP – can I have a go on your Duke? Always loved them. My bro in law has a genuine MH rep. It’s the nuts!

As for ‘character’ – of cousre they do! Come on, all bikes are great. Some more than others…

I remember riding one of the first FireBlades in the country and just being astonished by the combination of size, weight and performance.

This is what I remember too. It was like the new age Bonnie or Goldstar! ( I have one each of those too)

Peter – its not got ‘character’ like say a Ducati or another twin but its got its own charm. The fact that at 175mph (indicated) it was still pulling hard enough to move the bars left to right without turning the bike indicates how massively fast they are. With the Akropovic on it sounds just like a BSB bike and you have to laugh when its popping and banging. But to make it sound like that, you’re riding at speeds that will land you in all sorts of trouble. At normal speeds it is a bit soulless but its very easy to ride. Apart from the really high pegs which crucify you on distance work.

All the above said, I had a falco which although constantly broke down was much more of an event to ride. YOu pays your money…

You’re welcome to have a go on mine, I’m based in/around london so if you fancy a spin let me know

tbh They are not my ‘thing’ now, just too small and committed (my last sports bike was a zx9rc1) – but for sheer explosive power you cannot beat a big Jap 4.

we’ve just bought a Ducati ST3s 2 weeks ago

A few years ago when needing a new ‘commuter’ my dealer put me off a ST4S – he said it just wouldn’t survive me… 100 mile daily commute and outside (at work) parking.

I’m mighty tempted by a Duc Sport classic and they’re not bad money now. But yeah, can’t see it doing 160 miles a day to Canary wharf and back, at least not unless a transporter is involved…

I’ll give you ‘Character’

My absolute favourite bike is my Bonnie. But here’s the deal. It was built in 1966. It’s old technology. Very old. We specialise in race tuning and restorations etc. that’s a passion we have…

But when I hop on the old bugger it really is the best bike to ride – we tuned the bollocks out of the motor and really sharpened up the handling and it’s great but there is only so much old technology can give. I can feel the frame flex and the feedback is great! I love it but it does limit what you can do with it. 140mph is pretty much the max, it’s done a little more but it gets real scary and stops being endearing and becomes just mad!

Now, my Yamaha doesn’t have nearly the same ‘character’. But I can hop on turn the key and hit the starter and I know it will just go. Not only that but it will always go. And it will always go to 165+ without tuning. If we get the engine out and play with it we get more and it doesn’t complain too much (this is all on a track of course).
It’s really easy to ride in comparison. And it begs to go faster. And it is easy to go fast.

Whish is really best?

The old Bonnie of course! Steady 80 is hard work but well worth it. But I do like the dependability of the so called ‘Jap Crap’. Crap it aint. It’s just different – an evolution. And a darn good one too.

I love ’em all…

My ex Mrs has a new Guzzi 750 cafe thing and its hilarious. I’ve had 120 out of it but its making all sorts of shapes at that speed. But its lovely to ride and you actually enjoy riding it, rather than just trying to get your knee down or wheelie it.

That said its on an 09 plate and the finish is terrible, the engine management light comes on all the time which is, apparently, normal and its gutless two up. But it does sound like a 60’s tt racer and old blokes with beards talk to you about it all the time

Zed – could you get more go outta the Fireplace?

yeuuuuurkkkkkkkk i’ve puked on my screen, FFS how loud do I have to shout it, “IF IT HAS MORE THAN 2 CYLINDERS, IT HAS THE CHARM OF A ROTTEN GRANNY AND YOU CAN4T CALL IT A MOTORCYCLE”.

See old school japs use to be awesome, I’d love to get my hand on a trx 800 or a TY 125 or even an old twin from honda. But now, they all look the same, work the same, have the same crappy 4 cylinder noise and most of it are useless on mountain road. Basically, you don’t buy a bike any more, you buy numbers on a catalogue.
Now, give me a norton commando any day.

flange – Member
Zed – could you get more go outta the Fireplace?

lol

Yes. Yes we can…

doesn’t come close to the original.

Juan, lol. As much a I love you, you are wrong!

For a start the TRX is not old school. It’s a fercking lovely twin for sure but not old school.
If you want an old school Honda I have just the thing for you in my garage….

As for your ripping of Jap 4 cylinder bikes. Sorry dude. They are freekin’ awesome! Twins are great and I think I do like them better but there’s nothing quite like red-lining a 4 pot Jap!

They’re just different – but all good. Simple as!

racefaceec90 – Member
doesn’t come close to the original

It’s not meant to. Just like the ‘new VW Scirroco’. It will never be the same but come on! It’s way better than the old.

Twins are great

well they need more torque if you ask me.
Now singles… He He He

And, Juan, if I was buying a twin now it would be either a Duke 916 because it not only looks so damn good but handles great or an Aprillia Mille…

LURVERLY…

well i am glad i ma not rich enough to buy a 916 and build a CR out ot it. Now a TY125…

Juan – you clearly have no idea what you’re on about. A TY is ok but a fireblade is rubbish? Are you on crack?

Zed – if you have a spare 5 minutes, wilkitcher at gmail.com. I’ve got a quick shifter I want fitted that I don’t trust my honda dealer to do and a few extra gg’s wouldn’t be the end of the world. The suspension could do with a going over as well if thats your bag? She’s a bit soft at the moment…

Well have you rode a TY125…? See i like bike with soul history and character. And the fireblade is nothing about that.
Now this beauty

Yes I have – not my bag thanks. Still, different strokes for different folks…

We agree on the Norton though…

Sweet. I prefer the red and black colour combo though, looks meaner and faster.

Here are a couple of my bikes to cheer you up Juan , had them both over 10 years, the Commando will be 40 years old next year , the Norton single will be.. 60 years old!
The Commando is just fun , gets scary at low enough speeds to keep your driving licence, whilst making me grin every time I ride it.

commandoroad by finishthat, on Flickr

AGF00001 by finishthat, on Flickr