2020 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP Review

Earlier in the year John headed to the Losail Circuit in Qatar to ride the new Honda Fireblade. Find out how the bike made John feel, no spec sheet reading here!
Not all went to plan though, watch to find out what happened, sorry Honda!
#fireblade #crash #wheelie

[@ronniejaye1]

I bought the 2000 929 fireblade and it was scary as hell. I've never ridden anything like it . It was the first year of fuel injection and they went crazy with weight reduction. Every single screw, nut , bolt ,everything was hollowed out and machined down to literally no excess material on any part on it . 407 pounds and 150 HP which was alot then and nothing ever scared me as much yet I never loved a bike so much.

[@jordangarrick703]

I've heard some stories about those bikes....would the front end constantly come up? Did you experience any head shake with yours? I've always wanted a 954 but my skills admittedly don't quite match the bike

[@ronniejaye1]

@@jordangarrick703 I never had any head shake. It was rock solid all the way . The front end only came up if you wanted it too , it was a very stable bike all the way. If you didn't respect the power and speed it had you could get into big trouble. As far as the bike was concerned it was a safe and solid bike as long as you knew what you were doing.

[@cipher2508]

This was by far one of the best reviews I've seen on this bike

[@ArthephiusX]

Once again, an immensely useful, engaging and authentic review with John’s now characteristic well considered, articulate, and singular insights and perspectives, that expose the superficiality of so many others. Dare I say the “Carlsberg” of reviews - reaching the parts that others don’t. The way the Irwins are wringing their steeds in BSB, and the performance in Superstocks, suggests that Honda’s ambition for this latest iteration is indeed being matched by achievement. A supremely conceived and crafted machine, a credit to its lineage, and a reassuring display of commitment by Honda to this apex class of motorcycle. Hats off to Team BW and to Honda.

[@zhafirzamani1656]

Well said. 👍

[@johnhogan8816]

Mum, is that you!? Thanks for the kind words.

[@andyford9008]

you need to watch 44teeth

[@ecrusch]

John provides more information on a level that is easily understandable than anyone else. Not dumbing it down, but just saying more with fewer words. Well done my friend.

[@aleramos9149]

This is what I call a Master Review. Excellent!

[@BikeWorldTVshow]

Ale Ramos Cheers

[@timothymills733]

Great video, and more informative than some of the channels where it is all about which one is "best." I particularly liked the perspective of how the Fireblade paralleled your biking life. I think many of us can relate to that with a particular model.

[@BikeWorldTVshow]

Thanks Timothy! Not always about the best, but what's the best bike for you.

[@jameshardy6277]

I'm a Ducati rider but I've loved seeing the new Fireblade upfront at BSB and doing well in WSBK.

[@i_am_samar]

Best review of New CBR yet. Loved every word of it . Thank you

[@seanashenden]

Really enjoyed that review, remember seeing one at box hill when they came out , they had a reputation for being a beast . I had a CBR6 at the time , but saved up and eventually brought the fox eye in black silver , it was stunning, but I do remember being slightly disappointed at first , as it felt so much more tame and usable then I thought it would , thought I looked like Shakey riding around Woking ! then gave it to a friend to fit a micron exhausts and re-jet it ... picked it up to ride back to my pub , thought I would pop a cheeky one , and nearly flipped the fucker !!! It was like a different bike , they’re was the scary bike I thought it was .. FastBikes jacket and a black visor.... arh happy days , used to take it to a dead bit of the A3 near ripely and try out my stand ups !!! Oh to be young and Dum ... now I love my comfy monster and thinking of getting a Xmax as well 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️ Keep up the good work and we’ll done for manning up about your flip 👍👍

[@theonlyredspecial]

Great to hear your thoughts as a bike guy living through many decades of fireblade. I did the same and still have a soft spot for them. I own several generations. I actually bought the 2020 sp. loved it. But I had to trade it in after 500 miles. My wrists couldnt take it and was getting numb fingers. I’m close to 50 and 6ft3 so yes I’m not the target audience anymore even though I’m fit and healthy. Thanks for sharing. Great watch.

[@shawnpark2840]

One of the very few great moto KZbin channels. Thanks for another great review and... crashes happen! Glad it was on the track!

[@BikeWorldTVshow]

Thanks!

[@JohnnyBlaze5680]

i’m 51 years old and have been rydin since my teenage years. all cbr’s except 1 gixxer. i am currently considering getting the new 2022 fireblade sp, thought about the bmw s1000rr but i’m a honda man. even though many reviews including yours all make the comment about the aggressive ryding style of this bike. i’m going to be using it for my every day transpo (in socal so it can be done) and i think i’m willing to suffer a bit just to own this beaut of a bike

[@miguelcosta530]

Great review love the honesty, very cool bike 5 ✨

[@prozeza]

I remember Al Dowds looping the 2004 Blade on the launch! You're in good company, then! :p

[@ChumiStu]

Brilliant and honest review as ever, also spent the last 4 minutes crying with laughter. Fair play 👍 Now... when are we going to see the desmo on track. I’ve been at most donington noisy day’s just in hope of you being there 😆

[@steve-wu7jp]

Nice review John. Everyone loops a bike at some point and it isn’t that big of a deal as long as you didn’t break any bones.

[@pramathewyayawar7857]

Wow, you guys came late to the party but hats off for this superb review👍 "The best damn front end", well multiple journalists have said this about the new 'blade. Awesome❤

[@BikeWorldTVshow]

Pramathew Yayawar We were hoping to get the wheelie footage, we waited! 🙁

[@pramathewyayawar7857]

Yeah, lol👍

[@michaelj.kastner5165]

That video is priceless!! Honda should release it, will go viral!! Any press is good press!!

[@podge1617]

Great & honest review. Seems a cracking machine. Chucking your bike down the road is always bad for the pride but that must have knocked yours for six.

[@BikeWorldTVshow]

He was really gutted Paul.

[@jaydave1246]

Someone needs to answer that phone, twice now have I thought that our line phone downstairs was ringing.

[@jambiarbi4073]

Awesome 👍, reviews, Beautiful mean machine ☺️ Cheers

[@MattieXMoto]

You should have bought it and done a wrecked rebuild 😀. Thx for honesty. This cbr 1000 rrrrrrrr is on my short list as my next bike.

[@michaelj.kastner5165]

Still blown away how incredible the Ducati Streetfighter V-4S is, if Honda would build the same type of bikewith this Fireblade , could you imagine how it would sell !!! Would need a V-4 tho from the RC213V-S

[@michaelhayward7572]

I dont even like sportsbikes, nor anything with clip ons and covered in plastic. But i'll watch and listen to John Hogan talk about motorcycles all day long...

[@Jorsherr]

I don't ride them for the plastic or clip-ons, I ride them for the performance :P An all-metal sportbike would be pretty slow, eh? This will probably be my last sportbike before joining folks on the old-people wheeled couches.

[@yonniboy1]

This probably sounds a bit stupid ,I'm a 'blade devotee but not necessarily a Honda fan, I'm now in my 61st year and from my 17th birthday went through just about every hot stroker availible at the time, from Yamahas air cooled RDs (RD200,250B, 350C, RD400E) then onto the L/Cs (350 LC and powervalve variants with a TZR 250 thrown in before the 500/4 LC) so it's fair to say I was into exciting bikes, fast forward to the early 1990s and I was riding a Yamaha FZR 1000 Genesis which was then the cutting edge of heavyweight sportsbikes but still a big old bus when compared to the lightweight strokers of my youth, then out of the blue came the 'Blade , a thing of beauty (especially the Urban Tiger), not just visually but also as a concept, it might've been giving away 30 BHP to the FZR but it was over 35KG (77lbs) lighter , with the dimensions of a 600cc supersports bike, it was absolutely revolutionary in sports bikes history and spawned the likes of the Yamaha R1, Ducati 916, Suzuki GSX-R750 then 1000 and eventually Kawasakis ZX-10 . the great thing about the 'Blade right from day one was that it was so easy to ride and flattered your riding skills , apart from its superb handling it was a do it all bike ,from your daily commute to a Sunday morning blast or riding from Belfast to Mugello for MotoGP, it was that good. I've had six of them (4 different models) from the 1994 Urban tiger (in HRC colours) the 2000 929cc, the 2003 954cc and finally after two R1s and a GSX-R 1000 the 2012 1000cc model, every one of them shared that ease of ride, a comfort missing from EVERY litre sports bike bar the Honda and that flattery of your riding style, so I couldn't wait for this new from the tyres up model, it was a given that quality and finish would be A1 so when I went to the dealership to pick it up for my test ride it surpassed my expectations ,it's a beautiful machine, unfortunately from that point on it was all down hill, my first ride was Belfast to Portrush, sixty miles or about fifty minutes on the bike and it was the worst fifty minutes I've spent on a bike, I'm a short arse but it was too cramped for even me, the pegs are way too high and the gearing is ludicrous, in sixty miles I only once got out of second into third briefly on the M2 and the A roads I was riding on form part of the North west 200 ,the day before I'd ridden my nephews Panigale V4S and it was a delight comfort wise compared to the 'Blade and also a much better all rounder something I'd never have previously believed. since 1992 the 'Blade has been a fast, reliable, comfortable, do it all bike, this new bike is simply a race bike with lights, that's a description often used but seldom true , in this case it's 100% true, if you want an awesome track day bike great but there's probably not a track in the UK were you'll hit sixth gear on, all previous 'Blades were both great track and road bikes but this is IMO a terrible road bike, it's beautiful with tremendous quality but not a patch on ANY of the previous 'Blades.

[@johnhogan8816]

Thanks mate, some lovely bikes you’ve had along the way.

[@yonniboy1]

@@johnhogan8816 Cheers John you must be one of the happiest men in the world doing what you love as your job, good luck with it.

[@Shadowdancer777]

I'm a suzuki guy but this fireblade is a good looking bike. I also like reliable.

[@antapps]

Honda CBR 1000 RR-R SP vs BMW S1000RR for the most technical super sports litre bike of the decade!

[@breakwood8531]

Hell ya, id say bmw for street use for sure and the honda on track.

[@sivvinod3187]

Bmw still hasn't won a wsbk race Come on, bmw, what are you doing?

[@Jorsherr]

@@breakwood8531 You got it. If Honda had variable valve timing or shorter gearing, this would be much better for the street, but it seems they're focused on the track.

[@CharlesSmith-zt7vt]

Oops, you might not be invited next time. A tiny bit embarrassing to bin their demo bike?

[@BikeWorldTVshow]

It was Oops Charles, I think we're OK with them though.

[@ralphwarom2514]

XD stuff happens. Most importantly, no one was seriously injured. Bikes can be bought.

[@michaelj.kastner5165]

what does a cold street tire have to do with Looping a motorcycle? Iam confused 🤷‍♂️

[@wolfurine]

Nice one John & sorry about the wheelie fail! So did you ghost write McPint's autobiography? I didn't know that - might get round to reading it soon 👍

[@johnhogan8816]

I did.

[@akmt9114]

Always considered myself a pretty knowledgable Honda guy and fan after owning 3 Blades but had never heard of the "chocolate camshaft" incident. Interesting bit of history there I had fun reading up on.

[@paultanton4307]

Chocalate Cams on the VF750F certainly,not aware of any such problems on a Fireblade though.

[@Terraceview]

"besides the 954" darn, you missed out on the best one!

[@johnhogan8816]

I know! Love a 954

[@blipco5]

If I could buy two Blades, they would be the '92 and a red/black 954.

[@megapet777]

Is 954 really still good in 2020? How's the seating position? Can you make long trips? Im genuinely interested. (If I remember right the 954rr is the lightest 900cc-1000cc fireblade even to date)

[@blipco5]

megapet777 - The 954 is better than 99% of the riders on the road. Comfort, I have no idea. You can always change the bars. If I wanted a sport bike converted for long rides I'd go with the 2002 or 2003 Kawi zx9r.

[@-DC-]

Bought a 954 few years back after all the hype just couldn't gel with it , thought the K5 was vastly better.

[@gbilya2]

SHOW US THE WHEELIE CRASH HONDA!!! I respect the man for doing what no other rider would do because let’s be honest, everyone wants to know how that bike wheelies!!!

[@michaelj.kastner5165]

GP-Shift ? Did you move the bolt? GP-Shift is Life!!!

[@kayhoww]

For the love of mike how many “R”s do they need in the name

[@michaelj.kastner5165]

Did the bike kart wheel end over end ? It was completely trashed?

[@Joric78]

Ouch, that has to be a blow to the ego. Still, since you managed to come out publicly as a Cruiser fan, I'm sure you handled it. I do wonder if the diminishing sales and sharper focus of race replica sports bikes is going to lead more manufacturers going down this road of extremely expensive, limited production runs. The equivalent of all sports bikes being like the homologation specials of the '90s and early 2000s.

[@aluisious]

Most people watching these reviews couldn't ride an r3 anywhere near race pace.

[@kayhoww]

I agree but what’s your point

[@amitsingha4923]

Very informative

[@andreipulosul1492]

Yikes for the crash...I bet it kicks when you least expect it cuz of the high rev engine

[@kevinstreet5709]

Do we need them on the road? corse we do

[@samp6512]

It all starts with a Childhood Dream :)

[@zyonsdream]

So... can I jump from a 2019 CB1000R to a new Fireblade? My old crippled back says no, but my heart says yes!

[@RAM-sz5uq]

Noooooooo. I always dreamed of fireblades growing up. Sadly I wasted my best years (partying (debatable)) and now into my forties I have seen the light. I refuse to hear that 40's is the downward spiral...... warm up the track, and heat up the fireblade.... when i can afford it

[@paulmueller3381]

This my bike. I love it. Best looking bike ever

[@ktg612]

Dream bike 😍

[@GianTehGreat]

This bike looks simple, racey, old school and modern at the same time.

[@christerabanilla1263]

Can a height of 5'2 can operate that kind of bikes?

[@michaelj.kastner5165]

Suzuki uses an in-ine4 for MotoGP!! Mir had no issues with power last Sunday

[@Shadowdancer777]

Inline is the the way. Love my suzuki.

[@nickg4135]

these are around 50k in australia i reckon. not sure if the one place i looked at these are overpriced or they are just that expensive

[@ur2slob724]

Just a rip off mate 50k is a joke

[@michaelj.kastner5165]

worth every penny!! Nothing comes close to a Fireblade leaned into a corner at 140-mph!!

[@ur2slob724]

Michael Kastner your kidding yourself mate

[@sivvinod3187]

@@ur2slob724 that guy feels more like a spammer mate. He has like, 15 comments on the video.

[@ur2slob724]

Siv Vinod prob owns a moped 😂😂😂

[@VeeFour]

Oh dear Tough luck on the wheelie. I made that same mistake aged 19 on a 350 YPVS, and I never got over it enough to wheelie again. Do you think that perhaps there is a spreadsheet on a cloud server at Honda marketing, that your name has been moved across to the 'Do Not Invite Back' field? 😞

[@BikeWorldTVshow]

Hey, no they were fine. These bikes are usually pre-production so go back to the factory and are never sold.

[@4tech69]

I'm to old for these Bikes. But, if I were going to indulge myself, it would be on these.

[@shinturion]

nice pista gp rr speciale mate!

[@michaelj.kastner5165]

This or V-4R ????

[@alanyesilipek7959]

100 M/PH in first gear ?

[@BobSmith-yy8ng]

What about the gearbox #Hello

[@daystate123]

Reliable and dependable..... That's gone out the window has it haha.....good effort

[@enigma5192]

Seems like it's getting a lot of road time since its been out for a year in Japan . one person i follow prob has 15k on it already .

[@hipposnakeyo]

Where the hell do I put that big ass key in my suit lol

[@Jorsherr]

The key doesn't have to be with you once it's started. Start it, leave the key, hop on and go. Supposedly you can even restart it after using the kill switch.

[@a2z188]

What should Honda so insted???

[@modoodle1851]

What tyres did you have on that around track when testing it ?

[@paultanton4307]

@7.42

[@modoodle1851]

@@paultanton4307 thanks .

[@jeremybly]

Do we need winglets on the road? Yeah why not. Lol awesome

[@sk2283]

Soooo, you had a freebie to Quatar to ride the new Fireblade............. and you crashed it !!! Sorry Honda 🙄😂 - I haven’t ridden one yet but it’s the best looking Blade in years, well done on the review - can’t wait to see that wheelie footage ?! 😂😂

[@sivvinod3187]

He isnt a "freebie", hes an accomplished tester

[@sk2283]

@@sivvinod3187 you do not understand the term 'freebie' - it means he had a trip to do it for free - it is a term used to say you had a good thing given to you - I know he is an accomplished tester - you are not an accomplished user of the English language !

[@sivvinod3187]

@@sk2283 but how do you know he did it for free?

[@BikeWorldTVshow]

Siv Vinod We’re yet to see any money for this, if anything it cost us to produce these vids.

[@sivvinod3187]

@@BikeWorldTVshow oh. Why don't you ask them? You ARE giving them free advertising, so you should ask for something?

[@spwinstar]

2020 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP

[@willdavids7075]

Beautiful bike! Arghhhh!

[@triedproven9908]

You looped a bike that everyone says has no midrange? That electronic throttle must be really responsive to input.

[@Jorsherr]

It's peaky. You don't need mid-range to wheelie, but when all the power is at the top and builds quickly it's much harder to modulate. I'll be keeping wheelie control on for a bit...

[@goodboyringo9716]

Honda will need to fix the ... No power from 0 - 6000 rpm before it's a seller for the street market, also no quick shifter. 100 mpr in first gear ?

[@specialperson170]

I saw a quick shifter option in the computer menu

[@kalheer]

I need to satisfy my Fireblade itch at some point...

[@alexanderson2907]

That's a sweet jacket. Brand?

[@johnhogan8177]

It's a Spidi Metal, Alex. It's getting better with age, definitely worth a look.

[@dukedaz8920]

Lovely bike but as long as ur ok m8 bike can be replaced 👌

[@GT1RR]

Where do you stick the key when wearing leathers and on track?

[@james5553]

Between your cheeks

[@sivvinod3187]

Inside the jacket

[@BikeWorldTVshow]

The key’s shaped like that for a reason. 😂

[@Jorsherr]

You don't need to have the key with you while riding. It's only needed to start it.

[@Mulya1976]

❤CBR 1000 RR'R ist The Best 👍🏻👌🏻

[@rideroll9609]

1:02 Not massively successful on track? Really? No way...

[@daystate123]

And still not very successful on track

[@ferdinanda1763]

It was

[@stefanoslan]

Nobody answer the damn phone in that shop? Great review though

[@BikeWorldTVshow]

That's the issue with filming in a dealers.

[@lonpfrb]

@@BikeWorldTVshow John thanks for showing the dash and adjustability. How about Data Logging? The Yamaha R1 CCU and App makes data logging quick and easy to use on track. What do Honda offer? Nothing in their Brochure...

[@michaelj.kastner5165]

just ride around in 1-st gear all day!!

[@barryfox5454]

An over engineered box full of neutrals 😂 😂

[@sergiosequeira76]

14:36 really?? False neutrals between 1st and 2nd ? Pretty sure is there for a reason 😜

[@Jorsherr]

It means you accidentally put it in neutral when you intend to put it in first. Some bikes are more prone to it than others, but eventually you figure out how deliberate you need to be with the shift for the specific bike.

[@sergiosequeira76]

I meant if is between 1st and 2nd it can’t be called false neutral it is there by design (more like lazy foot or not adjusted for the rider)

[@edvinke87]

Only the engine blow out the pistons...

[@FullmetalSP1]

Haven't watched the video yet. But let me take a guess: Great build quality, looks great, sounds great, unbelievably quick. But the pegs are too high and it is absolutely gutless low in the revs.

[@proto7688]

when you get a tune and take the limits off...its the fastest 1000 there is

[@michaelj.kastner5165]

sounds like his insurance company bought one ☝️

[@michaelj.kastner5165]

Nobody concerned with DLC in the motor?

[@yoshito-96]

Honda cbr rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr 1000 rrrrrrrrr r r rrrr Ninja zxrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr BMW S1000rrrrrrrrrrrrr.....................!

[@dupadupadupa0000]

40+ blokes reviewing a superbike? already sound like a comedy...

[@johnhogan8816]

I think you’ll find I was in fact 39 years and 358 days old when I rode this bike on the launch.

[@michaelj.kastner5165]

You would think Honda would have locked out the Wheelie Control to 1 or 2, but not allow it to be turned off. Did other people wheelie the bike? Just be thankful you weren’t on the RC-213V-S !!!!!

[@sivvinod3187]

The rc213vs has 60 less horsepower. The blade is more aggressive.

[@paultanton4307]

@@sivvinod3187 Only in standard trim - with the Race Kit fitted they are about equal ( on paper at least ).

[@sivvinod3187]

@@paultanton4307 but they're not Street legal.

[@paultanton4307]

@@sivvinod3187 Correct,but if you kept the Road Legal stuff on like Mirrors/Indicators etc who would know ?.

[@sivvinod3187]

@@paultanton4307 the exhaust is loud.

[@marksmith7737]

Is John sponsored by The S*n?!?!

[@johnhogan8177]

No Mark, I write a motorcycle column for them.

[@marksmith7737]

@@johnhogan8177 sorry but that's me out 👋

[@marksmith7737]

@@johnhogan8177 Please tell me Cris Northover doesn't take money from that contemptible rag?

[@deepwood4]

Marquez has never raced the fireblade. That's completely false advertising. Gove it a V4 and then you can say that.

[@aarondatsun6957]

Hmmm

[@mastercc4509]

Please for the love of God please normalize audio levels between dialogue and music. Nobody watches these videos to hear the damn music. Great video tho….

[@BikeWorldTVshow]

Thanks for the heads up, everything’s normalised before it goes to TV, we didn’t realise it was such an issue on KZbin. Cheers

[@mastercc4509]

@@BikeWorldTVshow Sorry if that came across as snarky. KZbin does normalize audio input but they isolate music pre and post for rights usage algos so I have wondered if it causes an unwanted boost of that channel. I test levels on a mono mix to kind of emulate their garbage.

[@StorytimeIST]

🤣🤣

[@sidharthshivappa1359]

Not worth !!!

[@rabidev.4938]

Then which is worth?

[@DoctorZisIN]

What's a pirate's favorite bike? The Honda CB-AHRRRR!

[@robertprosser6856]

Beautiful bike but it'll be garbage as a road bike!👍👎

[@Bredaxe]

It's just not a bike you want to ride on roads for an hour. That bike is built for the young rider who has the flexibility to stay on it. Trouble is, they won't have the income to pay those prices.

[@robertprosser6856]

@@Bredaxe not to mention it's a litre bike with no midrange power! Only makes sense when the motor is screaming which would get annoying very quickly on the road!👎

[@Bredaxe]

@@robertprosser6856 Honda took a litre bike, and gave it 600 power characteristics.... Progress.

[@robertprosser6856]

@@Bredaxe a litre bike with no power unless it's having its engine screaming progress? Maybe great thrashing it on track but it'll be a pain as a road bike👎

[@Bredaxe]

@@robertprosser6856 no no, it was sarcasm, lol. Sorry. Should have been more clear.

[@drumtum]

That music ruins it ffs. Need more laid back.

[@BikeWorldTVshow]

There's only a couple of bits of music FFS, we're a bloody TV show not a VLOG!!!! BTW, we kept the music a low as possible to you can still hear the bike, you do know there's no bike sound on the slo-mo footage don't you???

[@robertprosser6856]

1000cc bikes with no bottom and midrange power and torque turn me off!👎 my GSXR1000 K5 with massive midrange power will be so much better than this vastly overpriced focused track bike on the road!

[@michaelj.kastner5165]

stay in 1-st gear, problem solved

[@robertprosser6856]

@@michaelj.kastner5165 constantly screaming the engine would get tiring after short time.

[@Jorsherr]

Cool. Well. I'll enjoy mine.

[@robertprosser6856]

@@Jorsherr I really hope you do.

[@idtechcelestial6507]

Honda : Let's release the beast that destroy our rider in motogp. Normal rider : Yes!