2017 Honda Fireblade and SP | First Ride | Motorcyclenews.com

Senior Road Tester Adam Chid's first impressions from the launch of the long awaited Honda Fireblade at the Portimao circuit, Portugal.
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Welcome to the official KZbin channel of the world’s biggest print and online motorcycle publication. All the greatest motorcycle video content from the world’s most respected motorcycling media brand. Since 1955 MCN is available weekly in both print and digital editions and 24/7 on motorcyclenews.com. ow.ly/10pe69

[@janjanjan922]

honda just always knows what they are doing, reliability and quality is their main focus.

[@jerryx2000]

guys lets gather some money and donate MCN a mic. pm me

[@mikef1411]

hahaha

[@peacexisxfree]

maybe we can even teach their camera operators to turn off auto ISO and lock their exposure.

[@ehsan83]

I think MCN decided to make the bad voice quality their signature and this way distinguish them from other channels !

[@andengalvarez9556]

46 likes, Rossi should donate the mic

[@TheFireblade1000RR]

LOL, i can see yours is a comment coming from frustration .... very funny though.

[@cagednm69]

Remember that you can always pull the ABS fuse from the fuse box to disable the system and regain normal brakes.

[@LueXiong10]

Excited for the group test. 2017 will be an awesome year for new liter bikes.

[@James_765]

great, thorough, comprehensive review.

[@marmoot]

All these "Fireblade RR and SP test" reports on KZbin and yours is the only one that actually compares the two. Well done.

[@CrisURace]

Portimao...good memories

[@nightrider3067]

*Its a gorgeous bike*

[@Iraqitammar]

I've had zx10r cbr1000rr r1 gsxr1000 and s1000rr and now 1199R which is the best bike I've ever riden hands down. Nothing like the panigale and the new V4 coming out is from another world.

[@adamstratford6740]

It's about time this new fireblade arrived really and by the sounds of it its all positive feedback it definitely looks better and now has updated electronics so let's see the mashup with the other litre bikes 👍🏻

[@UnknownProdrive]

I could have a real load of fun on this Blade. Front end looks wise hit the mark for me. It may not be the very best litre sports. But I'm not gonna nit pick. This is a lovely bike I'd happily own and enjoy.

[@gelul12]

great video thx guys :)

[@rajadaler]

best litre bike.. i really impressed by honda.. improved a lot..

[@carlshort4230]

nice one Chad good info

[@SportbikerNZ]

Man I cant wait to see the group test. Really curious how the blade will stack up

[@robertdavis4761]

Great review! I’m thinking of buying one. Is it more comfortable than the older generation S1000RR? I owned a 2017 RR and the foot pegs were very high.

[@realsstates1180]

good info . can you set sag? if you manually tweak the suspensions, does it mess up the electronics?

[@rh_8599]

Great video adam! bike sounds a lot better unfortunately the price of sportsbikes seem to be going up and up im gonna have to be sticking with my 4c8 r1 for a while

[@maoiMotovlog]

dream bike

[@FIFAUEFAmoments]

I tested this bike, everythink is great but the others(ducati, yamaha, bmw) are better. Most powerfull, best materials, best electronics.

[@cagednm69]

Sure, video or it didn't happen!

[@AMPJ08]

Did you compared your lap times with the Panigale and this one? you mentioned you rode the Pani over there right?

[@spktylr]

This is the best looking new liter bike imo, but I think the GSX-R is going to blow everyone away. If not at least we have more choices than just BNG!!!

[@lav1daloca]

I like this bike, looks even great in stock. Could this be top 2 or 3 in the liter bikes?

[@kadien2006]

The Chosen One I'll eat my toe nails if they award it 2nd or 3rd best superbike.

[@primahari3133]

Please keep your word. Will check up on you when the time comes lol

[@terra2805]

It sounds like Honda have put a lot of focus into the development of the bikes cornering capabilities of this version. The performance overall will be improved also of course but how much improved is the question. Michael Dunlops BMW was clearly the bike to beat last year in the senior TT and Superbike class. He broke McGuinness' outright lap record twice. First @ 133.3mph and then @ 133.9mph. It was also the first lap in under 17 minutes with, I think it was 16:58s. With all the new model bikes this year it's going to be ultra competitive. McGuinness and Martin are going to have to work really hard whatever happens!!

[@aniltairfilho8339]

The best

[@rpm24]

so....there's are suspension settings for braking and cornering etc, but not simply for the rider's weight or are there ?

[@findingneutral426]

Does sound nice.. going to have to be very good to compete with its market rivals though...

[@abymathew295]

When can we see a group test MCN..??????

[@adamstratford6740]

Aby Mathew LOL that's what I'm talking about 👍🏻

[@veneratedmortal4369]

What do you mean it does not wheelie like the old one? I had the old one and it would always power wheelie at 9000rpm. Is the new bike slower?

Waiting for the Gixxer! Im sure its going to be a surprise for many...back on top.

[@fokjohnpainkiller]

Sebastián Demaría "Back"? Lol

Chris Fokjohn Kicked Honda, Yamaha and Kawa ass from 2001 to 2008 with the gsxr 1000, Was such a refererce that was the inspiration for BMWs 1000s.

[@fokjohnpainkiller]

Sebastián Demaría Ah yeah I see what you mean. How Suzuki kept an ancient happy low end engine for years and BMW revolutionized the entire liter class with a 600-like high revving engine. I'd love to see you thoroughly explain how Suzuki dominated all other more reputable Japanese manufacturers by being second fiddle to them in every aspect (with the exception of the Hayabusa of course), but I have better things to do, sorry

1999/2000/2001/2003/2004/2005/2006/2007/2008/2009 AMA championships. FACTS CLAWN.

When Suzuki built the first race replica that started all, 175kg, 100hp 750cc in 1985 with full aluminium frame tell me what Kawasaki was doing.

[@juancarrera657]

The new Black has great mid-corner exit speed them mid range power is superb . It’s still not fast enough at the top !

[@Ramakan]

Heard there are issues with the steering damper. People have been suffering tank slapping! Any word on this?

[@guitarpaul3645]

The electronic suspension settings on the SP model sound impressive. But when you make a change (say +3 on 'braking' ) do you know what the computer is actually doing to the suspension? It must be electronically adjusting pre-load, rebound, compression, ride height etc,. Unless you actually know what it is doing, then I don't see how it will help you 'learn suspension', especially if you then jump on a bike with 'manual' suspension.

[@TheTito16]

is it me or you really look like fernando alonso ?

[@juancarrera657]

What’s the suspension setting to either three or four ! Ride

[@mattyoz0]

he doesn't sound too blown away by it.

[@liamj2363]

It's a blade, they've never really blown people away. They just do everything very well and are easy to ride.

[@9mmArts]

Liam J also honda just know what theyre doing

[@d1sturb3d119]

Lol he wasn't going to do any cartwheels. The bike is always well balanced. Look at the old Blackbird. Compared to the ZZR1400 or the Busa it was still balanced. It doesn't just excel in one single area.

[@moomoodeadcow]

Not the CBR900RR lol

[@d1sturb3d119]

In what way? The bike is still remembered to be one of the best 900's from the 90's. The R1 took that spot at the end of the 90's.

[@Texarmageddon]

Good job Honda... I was really hoping you'd prove me wrong, but I was right... You found a way to charge a premium for the CB1k too!... VFR1200 is officially my last Honda product.

[@cagednm69]

its called exchange rates you moron. The Pounds took a beating after Brexit and hasn't recovered yet. When your currency takes a nose dive, everything else goes up. The Trump administration is planning on a 100% tax for 50-500cc motorcycles too: www.motorcyclenews.com/news/2017/january/usa-motorcycle-import-tariff/

[@Texarmageddon]

1.) What does any of that have to do with CURRENT PRICES?!?!/ 2.) Since you're ignorant upon current bike prices I'll inform you. So to start things off the new CBR1000 Starts off at $16,499 and at that Price you have no ABS. Yet, it should maintain their TC system. The Yamaha R1S starts at $14,999 and comes with ABS and plenty of other Electronic Aids. The Kawasaki zx10R with ABS and other Aids is $16,099 The RSV4 RR starts at $16,499 and once again with ABS and all other Aids. The New GSXR 1000 also has a $14,999 price, but it looks to be ABS only ( I haven't read much on their new bike). All in all... Currently the CBR in it's LOWEST form is only 3,500 cheaper than the Ducati Panigale 1299. If you want ABS on the CB1k you can reduce that to $3,200

[@dazmorland]

To be honest! Honda needed to evoke the same excitement when the first Tiger Striped Blade came out in the early nineties! It needed to look amazing and be the ground breaker it once was! Unfortunately they haven't even come close with this new one in my humble opinion. Average at best compared to the leading litres! :(

[@jjhernandez5244]

At this point I think the S1000RR is the best bike so far.

[@affanakela6559]

J J Hernandez ri8 bradrr

[@blombardo83]

Dont forget the new rsv4 in your ultimate comparison test!!

[@JK-qj9qp]

Group testing please!!!

[@firebladerider7050]

Looks gorgeous but tiny, someone over 6ft might look a bit uncomfortable. £19,500 wtf!

[@juicer404]

dimensions the same

[@d1sturb3d119]

For the SP. Base bike is cheaper. £13,570

[@ethanmax3168]

The SP2 is probably one of the most beautiful 1000cc bike out there. Definitely better looking than the new BMW S1000rr. Some tweaks and the SP2 definitely make a lot more power.

[@sanakpal8036]

did i just heard that u cant switch off the abs?

[@MrMe1280]

love the new blade but i don't think im ready to give up my 2014. i like knowing i am fast at the track not my bike. i didn't even opt for the abs on my current bike and I can still keep up with the s1000rr.. its starting to look like its about fast bikes and less about fast riders

[@CycleCruza]

Man that new blade looks smaller! NICE!

[@henryw31]

CycleCruza getttt it! next sports bike lol

[@Edwin6932]

I am getting the base model 2018 CBR1000RR since I am going to used the bike for street used and not for the track. Moving from the 2016 CBR650F to this......let see how it works.

[@theonlyredspecial]

Edwin Ramos how did it work ?

[@markhyoutube]

MCN really should invest in a decent sound guy!

[@ianmills1120]

That beard really suits you Chad

[@JoseMartinsSantosCBRRR]

CBR 1000 RR é nota10 top demais

[@vaajchang]

honda please make this in white.

[@veneratedmortal4369]

Anything but the red. I would get the plain version in black.

[@matthewkabbash]

Damit. Now I need a second job to add a third bike to the stable. Dam you honda dam you!!!!!

[@college9602]

MCN is so old fashioned...

[@FIFAUEFAmoments]

The same price of the r1m is unbelieveble, very high.

[@MrMigo028]

But you have non Sp version, just like ordinary R1.

[@MrSimonfoz]

More info on the standard bike would be good not many can push to 21 grand.

[@Death666wish]

Only 500 SP2's, SP1 will be readily available.

[@laxcarservicelosangelestow5665]

The old one was hurting my wrist, I hope this one is different

[@TheJmebe]

On-bike footage? No? ..we'll happily watch some stock footage and you sat down at side track talking to us about it. Wha!

[@erlisonlacerda1130]

Is it possible to install the croup bank? What the manual tells you: CBR 1000 RR: This motorcycle is designed to carry pilot and passenger. CBR 1000 RR SP: This motorcycle is designed to carry ONLY a pilot.

[@kadien2006]

You can really tell he's hiding his disappointment. This bike will feel so old in a years time because appart from going on a diet and some rider aids its the same bike from 2008.

[@veneratedmortal4369]

The Honda is always the smoothest and best balance. Now it looks good and has electronics. It's in my top 2.

[@brilliantradience]

More YT glitches, this vid is listed as "Title Here" 🤔

[@kadien2006]

He says on one breath tourers are not going to like but the dimensions are the same??? So what are they not going to like about it?? If tourers like the 2008 model onwards they will like this new bike as its more or less the same other than a few tweaks here and there to the engine and suspension.

[@paulwood7798]

12 months old less than 2000 miles on the clock and 9000 quid cheaper is why I just got one from a main dealer. 19 grand was way to expensive

[@darkknight17]

Wow that sounds like a good deal mate.

[@dotcomchris]

it really does look a lot smaller

[@yardblah5161]

if Honda only realised they'd shift twice as much units if they threw in a 1000cc V4 and called it an RVF...I can dream...

[@markoconnell4139]

MCN need to up their game on these reviews, the sound quality is awful.

[@addicat1150]

Honda is best

"Interestingly, I was given a brief look at a dyno chart by one of Suzuki’s German test riders, Jurgen Plaschka, Assistant Manager, Test And Technique. His chart showed the old Gixxer spat out 178 PS (slightly higher than our hp), while the L7 GSX-R churned out 203 PS, one pferdestarke more than the nearly omnipotent S1000RR BMW did on the same dyno. More is more, of course, but the chart’s important distinction is the Gixxer’s significant surfeit of power over the BMW from 9,500 to 13,000 rpm, demonstrating the advantages of Suzuki’s VVT and other power-broadening technology." -Motorcycle.com- Philip Island firsts test.

[@tomcorle1400]

Odd, Motorcycle.com said the electronics were kind of lacking....

[@kamalendubanerjee2143]

14th commenter btw is the bike worth it

[@motomehanicar459]

I really don't like how those new liter bikes became small in size they are more like 600's. When I sit on it, it's like I sat on a donkey.

[@TheVilouboy]

Aren't too many videos on KZbin of people actually buying these (or regular one) doing "Owner" reviews. Mostly of folks doing reviews (trying to make a KZbin name for themselves) yet this bike won? Meh, I'm not sold on this bike.

[@alderinerush]

Honda needs to fire their designer and the person who approved the design. First they ruin the 600rr and now this

[@VictorEmmanuelElias]

'ere, forget about compression and rebound? Now the world has gone loopy, lads.

[@SAMFICOM]

I thought this one will be good. But some dumb-ass in Honda fucked up suspension settings...

[@Edward3DFX]

Why would you not maximize all settings cornering, acceleration, and braking.....Honda com on...

[@StromSports]

Edward SB if you watched the video you would have heard them explain exactly why they couldn’t do that

[@gerbel01]

costs way too much for what it is

[@najimh5348]

you can tell that you never worked hard in your life to see how much time and thinking spent to create such art.

[@TheMartinH13]

There's just something a bit boring about hondas...

[@najimh5348]

only the price

[@reerbaadia1896]

I know. Miss reliable is never fun.

[@jsin22366322]

1 year later and a trash can full of knackered cheap transmissions, 1 broken John mcguiness, and 1 broken Guy Martin, 0 race wins and sales for the blade sucking, I ask how this won motorcycle of the year.

[@ampm9771]

Basically, a redressed old model. It is just not in Honda's DNA to design a new bike. And only Honda would ask you to fork in 20+ grand for a genuine piece of (put your preferred word in the bracket).

[@Manvswild11]

Still boring and looks like a learner bike... Honda fans will like it for its good chassis and reliability. I want my bike to excite me like my Zx10r

[@MrMichaelConstantine]

All I want is abs :/

[@nuevototem]

film the bike when the guy speak!

[@dankoekebacker3919]

why must every new bike look zo fragile.. had a 954 rr 2003 and that was a great bike but my 2004 R6 looks even bigger then this..

[@HORNET6]

Permanent ABS would defused me from buying ☹️race teams will just junk all the electrickery anyway so it's all marketing then ??

[@MichaelLeedarthdalek]

Less talking more bike!

[@Vermeullen]

Please stop saying Portimeo!! Its pronounced like Portimaum!!

[@fokjohnpainkiller]

Haven't watched it yet. I bet both my testicles it's gonna be the worst review out every uploader and both audio and video quality will be horseshait.

It still and Old engine,, first race Sbk at Philip Island prove it..slow.

[@manos3790]

Still not quite as aesthetically pleasing as an Aprilla RS4 or a Ducati Pannegale. But, knowing Honda, it'll be ultra reliable.

[@pramathewyayawar6934]

The best sport bike of all time. Fireblade is just synonymous to having the best, IMO. 2017 model also looks very nice. Much better than the porky Ducati V4.

[@iceninja46]

It is pronounced more like Portimow not Portimayo...ffs...

[@max11111able]

the bike is way too small .. like a 125cc

[@tshirtweather1365]

Too much technology on new bikes, build it to be the best it can be. I'd prefer to know I can tame the bike than change it.

[@vaajchang]

Tshirt Weather you wouldn't know without track practice. Doesn't matter what bike and levels of technology.

[@tshirtweather1365]

vaajchang I'm just a fan of old school carbs, without being able to lift the seat and change riding settings at the click of a switch like on bmw's and honda's etc. Have you seen honda's new bike that can't fall over? Just feels like they're taking away the riders ability a bit.

[@mikef1411]

beemer will destroy this bike. still.

[@jitterball]

Personal bias, since no evidence is provided...

[@d1sturb3d119]

Cool story.

[@terra2805]

Teddy Wiezack You can't possibly know that. Not even the riders know that yet.

[@Death666wish]

The current Fireblade is destroying the BMW in WSBK, so this will probably do the same, but more.

[@mikef1411]

Of course, its just been launched. Not too hard to understand that.

[@adaptiveagile]

I hate electronics. Hate, hate hate. As few buttons and distractions possible. I want to blip my throttle manually, use engine braking, develop smooth wrist inputs on the throttle, preload my upshifts for smoothness, etc. I don’t want a robot riding my bike for me. I also don’t want an engineering degree. Doesn’t one of the new liter bikes have heated grips? Think it’s the S1000R. Really? Heated effing grips on a bike? Please, make it stop!

[@lukaszg74]

19.000 £ for a bike . Who can afford that , those prices are getting more and more silly . Sorry but I prefer spend 5000 £ for and old one , is this bike 4 times better to cost that much I don't think so

[@cagednm69]

This is the SP variant. Buy the new base variant for 5 grand less.

[@Texarmageddon]

5 grand less with no aids while still being more expensive than other liter bikes with Aids at that price. I'd be all over the bike if Yamaha Mid Tier R1 wasn't the same price... or Aprilia bike wasn't a few hundred Cheaper. Obviously the Gixxer will be cheaper than this also...

[@kawker]

So it's boring in a nut shell. I put my money on the bmw, zx10 n r1 to being better. They can jog on with the price

[@HarleyBreakoutGuy]

It's a shame the bike is the ugly duckling of Super Bikes.

[@miked6367]

Harley Davidson Breakout Ducati Panigale 1299 maybe you should rub the shit out your eyes

[@fireblade8905]

Mcn has the worst sound quality and this reporter is poor.

[@agiswidy25]

new cbr is a bike with bad quality and electronic than others

[@terra2805]

Ngampus Kampus You rode one?

[@cagednm69]

He's probably from Africa and he's most likely referring to the CBF125.