5 Things I Hate About My Fireblade (+5 things I love)

The 1997 Fireblade is a great bike, but like all bikes there are things about it that really annoy and irritate, so here's a brief rundown of mine. To balance that, I've also given you 5 things I love about it too
• Am I too old for a Fir...
Cameras used: GoPro Hero 8 Black, GoPro Hero 7 Black, Insta360 OneRS

[@marinusk67]

My 1995 urban tiger version just makes me smile the whole time I ride it. And that is more worth than the newest and fastest bike

[@marinusk67]

Setting the suspension on standard settings makes it more rideable on bad road's

[@marinusk67]

You feel the fibrations of the engine , the raw sound of it , the wyning of the gearbox , the clunky shifting , the heavy clutch and having to brake a little bit firmer and while doing that makes you realise that these newer bikes are completely engineered to shit and boring .

[@henryhawk978]

Enjoyed the review. On bikes of this era it brings them back to the front of the mind. Sweet examples of this era are so much more pleasing to ride than the new bikes RIDE SAFE OUT THERE!

[@blueyondermoto]

Thanks Henry 😊

[@mattridge5986]

Hi I'm now in my 50s... I'm planning on getting an early blade as it's for the dream from back in the day .. my last bike was the cb1000r I brought new in 2010.. was a great bike and have regretted selling it since it went lol... But your videos are definitely helpful in making my mind up... Keep up the blade content... Cheers .👌

[@blueyondermoto]

Glad you like the videos Matt. As I say I believe the earlier Blades make for far better road bikes. Enjoy whatever new bike you get!

[@cjpritchard]

I also love the quick release fasteners on the fairings. Super easy to undress her when she needs some work.

[@blueyondermoto]

That's not a bad mod at all.

[@evansnape3878]

Great review. Many of the likes for the Fireblade are also applicable to my 2001 Honda cbr 600 f4i except the bars are mounted on top of the fork yoke (similar to the VFR) giving a much more comfortable ride. I just love riding it - even though I am knocking on a bit!

[@blueyondermoto]

Thanks Evan. There's something new in the garage....from Italy.

[@GermanJobbies]

This bike is a bike that truely deserves the mantle of icon. It marked the biker psyche so deeply because it really was out there on it's own and changed the game. It was and is the real deal. A masterpiece of Japanese bike design focus. I don't think there will ever be another bike come along which the same could be said.

[@blueyondermoto]

Spot on. It also benefitted from an inspired name choice, up there with Spitfire in my opinion. Iconic bike.

[@GermanJobbies]

@@blueyondermoto Very true! All round inspired thinking with the bke.

[@WhistlesToAnimals]

3 things I hate or can be annoyed about a first generation CBR 900RR:. 1) Rims are very hard to clean! 2) Non hydraulic clutch means that you will be in pain if you don't regularly work out your grip strength and stamina then go for for a ride that will encounter lots of stop and go riding. If you are a regular rider, you may be used to it, but if you aren't, you may feel the burn at each stop light. 3) Not having a gas gauge can be an annoyance. You have to open the filler cap and guess or try to calculate based on how many miles since you refueled.

[@blueyondermoto]

Yes, you have to relearn the mental calculations as to how much fuel is currently in the tank // vs how far to your destination.

[@rbfclaboratoryandstudio]

Isn’t there a reserve on the peacock?

[@WhistlesToAnimals]

@@rbfclaboratoryandstudio There is a reserve....so I guess fuel gauges aren't needed anymore then.

[@rbfclaboratoryandstudio]

@@WhistlesToAnimals what I’m saying is the reserve and trip odometer in conjunction with the rider’s brain are equally as effective as a fuel gauge. It’s not hard.

[@Bayareaandbeyond777]

Great video!! I love my '96. I take my son on rides, and he loves it.

[@blueyondermoto]

Many thanks glad you liked it and these fabulous bikes.

[@VinceHoward-cw6vn]

2007 is by far the best looking Blade.... Foxeye is a close 2nd though!

[@blueyondermoto]

Beauty in the eye of the beholder. The '07 definitely best of the litre Blades.

[@damienmullan8880]

The clutch is a killer , especially in heavy traffic. It vibrates a lot and is sore on the wrists, but it’s an absolute dream of a bike at speed, it actually looks sexy as fuck and is quite a big bike. I’m 55 and ride mine like I stole it . I absolutely adore her and couldn’t part with it for anything. The new bikes look like shit 😂😂😂 got enough power to keep up with the new bikes. Greetings from Ireland 🇮🇪

[@blueyondermoto]

Summed it up nicely Damien

[@SJC818]

Good video Alan, 2 things i hate about my 1998 900rrw is the fact i work away and only get to ride it about 4 weeks a year , luckily June was stunningly dry unlike now ! And it hates being sat in my garage, i take all the correct measures to ensure the Carbs are good and i always end up having to take them off to get them cleaned ! Iam a expert in removing and stripping them ! This new fuel dosnt help !! Safe riding hope you get some sun 🌞

[@blueyondermoto]

Yes always E5 Steve and occasional fuel additive. Bikes even more than cars don't like being left unused.

[@Peter-Alexander]

Hi I enjoyed that so much! Thank you very much. I'm 61 and have the oportunity to buy a '97 fireblade from the first owner. 26.000 kms he wants 3000 euro which is negotiable. The disadvantages were exactly the things I already suspected. But I love that bike. Was also looking at a CBR600R which I think has a bit more upright position. I live in the Algarve where the roads are not perfect. The weather however makes up for that 😊. I subscribed to your channel, great videos!

[@blueyondermoto]

Thanks Peter that's much appreciated. I was in the Algarve 2 weekends ago actually. I rented a Triumph Speed 900. My trip and filming didn't go quite to plan. Watch this space to see if I can scrape together a video from the bits I got!

[@Peter-Alexander]

@@blueyondermoto I will! Don't know if you know the eastern part of the Algarve but on the last part of the A22 towards Spain is quite a nice road to open the throttle occasionally, heh heh.

[@blueyondermoto]

@Peter-Alexander I don't Peter but I think I need to go back and ride it again.

[@Peter-Alexander]

@@blueyondermoto Yes, definitely. Nice long beaches around Monte Gordo and Tavira is maybe the nicest town in the whole Algarve. You will love this less crowded side of Faro. Best regards!

[@H8FUL4IM]

I only ever had issues with finding neutral when it came to the clutch, but you can easily find the sweet spot on the cable adjuster on the hand lever.

[@blueyondermoto]

Neutral definitely is an issue. Not so on my VFR750.

[@albrustmeyer753]

Beautiful 😍

[@blueyondermoto]

Thanks. Not many better.

[@marc-dinomeermann7557]

I completely agree on your idea sc33 (first gen) an sc50 are the best looking cbr

[@bananabrooks3836]

Bar risers needed definitely. It's not the bikes fault the roads, standards of driving, population and money making cameras have all stifled the sporting rider.

[@blueyondermoto]

Exactly so. We are more and more stifled as riders.

[@k54lgo]

Bought a fireblade after riding one of the most comfortable bikes ever for 23 years,a Yzf 600 thundercat,and to be honest I find the blade surprisingly comfortable,not bad at all but as you say definitely better at speed.

[@AK-bd9ee]

You forgot one thing that you probably hate. It is hard to let go.

[@blueyondermoto]

True.

[@skycaptain224]

Like your approach 👍 I own a VTR1000SP1 and a '96 Blade, one Bike has to go, wonder what..........guess I keep the Blade

[@blueyondermoto]

It's more practical (and an easier ride) than the SP1

[@Nick-Emery]

SP1 is my dream bike 😢

[@edsmotomindset]

I almost bought this machine! I only end up buying the VFR 750, it has the edge in my opinion.

[@blueyondermoto]

Both great bikes.

[@thepeakybiker]

great video mukka

[@blueyondermoto]

Cheers Brian

[@markthompson9571]

10 things I love about my fireblade 🥰

[@GeoffMoulton]

Re tyre choice, if you replace the 16" front wheel with the 17" from the f3 600 it looks identical and requires no permanent changes and can be swapped back at any time for originality, the likes spot on much better road bike than the latest blades, but seems odd the hates are complaining about a sportsbike being a sportsbike, want higher bars less aggressive ride a sports tourer maybe the way to go, oh and that model is 96-97, not 97-98, your right about them being great bikes though

[@blueyondermoto]

A better road bike than all modern superbike sports IMHO.

[@GeoffMoulton]

@@blueyondermoto absolutely, but what is often forgotten is the early Blades were designed as high performance road bikes, specifically not race bikes, it wasn't until 2004 that the desire to win races started to erode the Blades road bias, but even although 30 years or so old the early Blades are not sports tourers and it should be remembered that comfort is compromised in favour of performance

[@pjavon100]

Great video, being a new 900rrx owner I pretty agree with you😂. What make is the screen you have ?

[@blueyondermoto]

I think it's a Powerbronze but not 100% sure it was already on when I bought the bike. Thanks for the kind words 😀

[@pjavon100]

Ok thanks. Mine is a powerbronze but the ‘bubble’ looks much bigger on mine and I feel it detracts from the lines a little to much.

[@blueyondermoto]

@pjavon100 if you look at my VFR videos you will see the double bubble on that. That definitely is a Powerbronze and is an excellent piece of kit.

[@stuartburns2292]

Hi all, am sure you said that your fire blade is 97 ye,ah. Well I maybe the first to say and many people who knows the blade history be thinks also that your bike should not have a 16in front wheel it should be 17in. It was only the 92,93 and eearlt 94 bikes that had the 16in. And also put some preload on the front suspension it will handle alot better.

[@blueyondermoto]

Hi Stuart, see the spec sheet for the 1997 Blade. A 130 section. ZR16 www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/Honda/honda_cbr900rr_97.html

[@GeoffMoulton]

The first FireBlade to have a 17" front wheel was the year 2000, up until then they all use 16" front wheels, and incidentally at the same time went from 6 spoke wheels to three spoke

[@patrickmalone9380]

Not true 96-97 have 16 inch wheel I think as owners we know 😊

[@albrustmeyer753]

I want to get me one like that 👍👊

[@edwardthomas6956]

I seem to observe that in the north of England there is more appreciation for sports bikes than there is down south where people perhaps envisage a longer ride to hills, lakes and mountains, radical changes of scene. I would certainly not need to worry about long distance discomfort if I had the Yorkshire Dales or Lake District or the Welsh mountains on my doorstep. A love hate relationship is normal with the knowledge and experience that comes with years and mileage...

[@blueyondermoto]

I think it's because we have more open roads and less traffic, if indeed sports bikes are more popular oop North?

[@edwardthomas6956]

​@@blueyondermotoI wish I lived nearer to my birthplace of York because I am bored of the Oxfordshire Cotswolds and the Chilterns which I now know like the back of my hand from trucking all over them

[@Unfunny_Username_389]

Was not expecting a gearbox complaint.

[@blueyondermoto]

It may be just my bike.

[@patrickmalone9380]

Gearbox is fine it's not refined it's bit clunky but I have no issues with my 97

[@Blipthethrottle726r]

My gearbox is surprised me how smooth it was

[@Blipthethrottle726r]

Sounds like you need your bike setting up properly I have a 98 fireblade and it’s smooth at all speeds.

[@sheldonong7648]

Gotta get tank grips and grip it it with your knees. Takes the load off your wrists.

[@blueyondermoto]

At low town speeds I'm not sure they would help much and at higher speeds its not a problem for me. Good tip though.

[@edwardthomas6956]

Is it purely incidental that you are reviewing a Fireblade against an actual graveyard? Yes, ride safely guys and don't be the bravest rider in the graveyard...

[@blueyondermoto]

There's not many places close by that you can park up without getting interrupted. This is Babworth Church famous for its links with the Pilgrim Fathers many of which came from this area.

[@davidlagno7717]

If you wanna keep it standard then dont complain about a 30yr old bike. All of those complaints can be easily sorted as specially that 60mph before your in the powerband. Swap the sprockets.

[@PaulSmith-tp1gf]

U don’t like the riding position? That’s like buying a convertible car and moaning that u don’t like the wind in ya face and that the air is too fresh U can’t complain about one of the things it is which is a sports bike with an extreme riding position If u wana sit up buy something else I’m 58 and ride 250 stokers and a 91 gsxr750 I don’t complain I love it pain is only pain if ur not having fun

[@blueyondermoto]

Well done 👏