Honda FireBlade CBR900RR-V - Is it any good?

My initial thoughts after a first ride on my 1997 Honda Fireblade CBR900RR-V. Is this classic Honda from the 90s all its cracked up to be?
Music from the KZbin Studio Library

[@petebennett7008]

I have the exact same blade. Had one new in 98’ and bought it with my pension lump sum nearly 3 years ago. Fitted new tyres (S21’s) refreshed all the fluids refreshed the forks fitted a new YSS rear shock (brilliant) braided lines etc. she’s a keeper Honda build quality and nothing like intimidating to ride ❤

[@blueyondermoto]

The build quality looks good even 25 years on! 1990s Hondas, the best.

[@rideroll9609]

Got 97 VTR Firestorm with 16500km (time capsule) changed only fork and engine oil and coolant. Bought Scorpion Titanium slip on exhaust. Keeper right there too... Love the sound of these it shooting firebombs🔥 Check my channel for listen to it

[@harryw9598]

good choice pete, got an ' 98 too s21 exellent blade and battlax go together keep an eye on the petcock thermostat generator and regulator. cant blame the bike she is going 25 years now

[@rogerwredford]

Good vid. This period was the golden age of Honda for me. They released some corking bikes from the mid-90s to the mid 2000s, many of which were deemed bland at the time, but have stood the test of time and biking fashion. I have a '95 Urban Tiger Blade, a VFR and an SP1 from that era, and the build quality is outstanding, too. They hardly look like they are 5 years old, let alone the best part of 30, and must have made the other 3 Jap manufacturers weep with the quality Honda had achieved back then. Great days, too, pre-ABS and electronic trickery. Takes me right back to my halcyon days of riding.

[@blueyondermoto]

Totally agree Roger.

[@TEAChubb]

I have the same bike. had it 15 years. not spent a penny on it apart from the service I do myself, Which is an oil change. Regulator Rectifier is the only thing. Hides for the winter, starts every spring on a couple of presses. Love it.

[@blueyondermoto]

The VFR I have leads a similar life though it does get started to run to hot a couple of times over winter. The Blade will likely be similar.

[@petrichor649]

Me too, my favourite Blade.

[@amo4378]

Bought a 1996 ‘blade last year but it’s been garaged and yet to ride.. new shocks incoming and will be ready for the spring

[@Peter-Alexander]

​@@amo4378Hey tell us how it went when she came out of the garage...😊

[@deeparker6109]

Still looks amazing. bought the exact same bike and colours from Cusworths in Doncaster, brand new in 97, very very happy time, it was my first super bike after graduating from an RD350, only new bike I've ever had, nice to see them still being appreciated.

[@blueyondermoto]

Quality never goes out of fashion as they say.

[@cjpritchard]

I had a 98 Fireblade, black and silver. It was one of the bikes I most regret selling. Still on the hunt for another one. I don't recall noticing too much vibration, although it's been a few years since I sold it. I also currently ride a red 97 VFR750 RC36 like yours, so I'm looking forward to your comparison. Thanks for the video!

[@blueyondermoto]

Subscribe and you won't miss it 😉. They are both brilliant bikes.

[@PlattLaneEnd]

Lovely bike. I'm certainly a Blade fan - had 96, 97, 98 year models, plus 2 x 929's. Currently running a 95 RR-S - the weird one, 893 engine but Foxeye lights. All very characterful, beautifully built, easy to work on. I love the hinged boot too. All bikes should have that!

[@blueyondermoto]

I think that counts as being a fan! 😀

[@RetroRider14]

I've owned my 99 blade since I was 22 but haven't had time to get it back on the road as other bikes have taken priority. I'm now 25 and planning on getting it sorted this year, just finished my FZ750 and can't wait to finally ride the blade

[@blueyondermoto]

Both great bikes, the FZ750 was a top sports bike back in the late 80s.

[@jgigs6569]

Had a 98 pearl yellow, I’m sorry I ever sold it . Fantastic bike.

[@blueyondermoto]

I had a 954 Blade and I wish i hadn't sold that. A hairy thing to ride, would give you a firm slap if you took liberties!

[@waynester71]

I bought my ‘99 Fireblade 4 years ago and am currently bringing it back up to scratch.. It got me back to loving bikes big time as I went on to purchase 5 more bikes.. ZXR750 H2, RSV Factory, ZX12R, GSXR750 SRAD & my latest purchase, a ‘99 TL-R.. 😄 The Fireblade is still a great performing bike, even today. Yours looks like a nice example 👍🏼

[@blueyondermoto]

That's just being greedy 😀

[@andrewprice1189]

I have a 95 RRS & 96RRT & suffer from numb hands when just cruising as well so you are not alone!

[@blueyondermoto]

The curse of Inline 4s

[@AdrianFuhrmann]

I own this bike. She pulls so smooth from stand to 10.000 rpm - not a single drop in performance. Best bike i've ever ridden. My is almost stock, had to replace exhaust (due to drop of the bike from previous owner) and installed new handlebars from probrake to reduce vibration. Can recommend these.

[@blueyondermoto]

Thanks Adrian, I'll look those up.

[@brianmckay7364]

Stunning looking bike had one the same colours awhile back 😊 always loved the early blades for me I never liked the 17 swap over personally preferred the 16 I run either the bridgestone S21 or the metz M7RR tyres great bike enjoy 👍🏻

[@blueyondermoto]

Cheers Brian, she is a stunner no doubt about it. Those mods I mentioned are now done, so look out for an update video on those. Oh and did you remember to give it a Like 👍...all helps with KZbin!

[@kingkire1556]

What did you not like about the 17 swap? I got one the came with the 17 fitted but also have the 16 with a shit tyre come with it.

[@kevinfletcher7471]

Totally agree nothing wrong with std wheel , equipped with bridgestone tyres 👍

[@cabbage681]

I love my 1999 rr, got a 17 on the front and linear springs in the forks. When the road gets bumpy get off the seat and ride it like a race horse👍

[@blueyondermoto]

Or just get a better shock? 🤣

[@paulnobbs4991]

Maxton used to be really good at Fireblade suspension. Maybe worth a try if they are still about. Great bikes and with a suspension refresh will still put a smile on your face 25 years later.

[@blueyondermoto]

Absolutely Paul. I have put in some of the mods discussed and I'll include in a future video. 👍

[@keithriley3159]

I have a 98 Blade, essentially the same bike but many parts not interchangeable, a whole new bike. Front suspension will benefit from fresh fluid and set to std as a starting point. Yours looks to be off the std set up. As for the rear, I fitted a YSS shock and it made a fantastic difference. Now so plush and easy to ride, distance is not a problem. I have a video on here of one I was selling.

[@blueyondermoto]

The front forks aren't too bad but will get a refresh next year. The rear has now been done and a video of the mods including brakes is coming soon.

[@bcitral]

Owned one in those Color’s. Love the motor and comfort. Super easy to work on but never liked the front end feel. Went onto 929’s and never looked back.

[@blueyondermoto]

Yes the retro fit 17" front is a popular mod, at the moment I'm not finding the 16" an issue (other than less choice on tyres, currently on BT016).

[@stanbarrington]

I commuted daily 400 miles a month for 10 years on a 96.Never adjusted the valves.The odometer was broken since day 1.She was a beast! Cheap registration and insurance too🙈

[@blueyondermoto]

Tough bikes.

[@megathumper777]

I echo your comments, great engine, vibrations above 5k, great turn in, not too choppy once i replaced the rear shock. Braided hoses was a good investment. Love the storage space under rear seat also. Of course the build quality is second to none for a 25 year old bike. Ps don’t make the same mistake as me and leave the fuel tap on reserve 🙈

[@blueyondermoto]

That's easy to do as it's not obvious which position is reserve.

[@tobeatone]

Which rear shock did you change to?

[@megathumper777]

@@tobeatone YSS, not too pricey and works just fine…..

[@vincemarshall8550]

i had a 93 model and after my previous genesis 1000 it was brilliant ,effortless ,only problem was i spent more time looking at it than riding it .....

[@blueyondermoto]

They have that effect!

[@mmotorcycles9497]

It’s absolutely stunning

[@blueyondermoto]

Cheers

[@lorangajapp8086]

I had a 96,99,03 and 07.Loved them all.

[@blueyondermoto]

Darned good bikes and iconic! Hope you gave the vid a Like 👍

[@lorangajapp8086]

@@blueyondermoto I did :) btw the 99 was the blue white and gold,beautiful bike.

[@nickcox8049]

The blade is a great bike. I owned 2 of them from 1998/2002. RRT black and and yellow 1996 918cc. The front end definitely twitching. However no complaints to speak of. I'm in the original fireblade at Silverstone back June 2000. Photos of the day.

[@blueyondermoto]

That black and yellow colourway is one of my favourites. If you have that photo it would be great to see it on the BlueyonderMoto Facebook page! Also, have you subscribed? Do so and I'll be your friend for life! 😄

[@keithkingsbury4473]

​@@blueyondermotoI just bought the black and yellow with loads of upgrades a fantastic bike 🏍

[@marinusk67]

Bought a 1995 urban tiger version from my colleague. He buoght it 25 years ago. Was sitting in his garage for years. Had some standard maintenance to do and one wheelbaring and that was it. 35000 km on the clock and it is a head turner.

[@blueyondermoto]

Urban Tiger arguably the best ever colour for the Blade.

[@grahamfoster9404]

I have an identical bike in my shed. I bought it about 5 years ago after it was damaged in a accident ( unrecorded ) It has ohlins suspension front and rearwith a ohlins steering damper, and many other mods. My winter job is a deep clean and new rectifier. All the damage is finished . So it could be due for a new home come the spring, being 70 now one has to be sensible , Cheers good video.

[@blueyondermoto]

Thanks Graham, you may want to check out my other videos on the Blade.

[@grahamfoster9404]

I will do that , thanks I will comment when I have watched them. Cheers@@blueyondermoto

[@everythingsbetternaked473]

I have one a 96, had it for about 6 years now, it does buzz around 5500 rpm's, i had the carburetors synched and air fuel mixture adjusted wich alleviated some of the buzzing around and above that and massively improved low end torque. Mine has 43.000 miles on it and some nice upgrades: SC50 calipers and master cilinder(slap right on), kevlar brake lines along with some good sintered pads she stops real nice. Nikko Racing exhaust system. Manual cam chain tensioner cause the stock one actually failed big time. Active quickthrottle setup. Adjustable rearsets. Raised the forks 5mm through the triple clamps she turns in real good now. Had my suspension redone both front and rear aswell a while a go. And alot of other stuff. Other stuff that goes bad on these are regulator and rectifier and the plug that connects them due to corrosion wich i have removed and soldered the wires. This was my first bike and 6 years later i still have it, i'm keeping it untill she blows.

[@blueyondermoto]

I've undertaken the mods to the brakes (similar to yours) and suspension (there's a video coming in the New Year) but it's still a work in progress. The Reg/Rec seems OK (it is on my VFR750 also) so that's not on the list at the moment!

[@albrustmeyer753]

Beautiful 😍

[@user-ro8fo4pp7m]

잘나왔지여 알차의 전성기고 그때가 최고였지요... 96년~97년.... 아 그립네요... 그때그시절...

[@bikeaholic6386]

Thats a really decent trunk space, very handy

[@blueyondermoto]

It's cavernous Miles

[@steengorm]

I got a 1998 black & silver model with 56.000 miles on the lock, and mine vibrates a lot around 5-6000 rpm, beyond or above, no problem, so on longer rides I just go + >6000, which is + 100 miles an hour 😍✌️

[@blueyondermoto]

Yes it's just that section of the rev band. Sorry officer I was just trying to ride at smoother revs!

[@ruthhindson4816]

I had a 97 rrv in yellow and purple and loved it but after 30 mins I used to get aching wrists . I later bought a zx9c2 and that to me was a better all round bike,comfortable ,seemed faster and in my opinion handled better.

[@blueyondermoto]

Handling is a very subjective thing. Of course the ZX9 came after the earlier Blade and was part of the 2 year leap frog game all the Japanese were caught up in at the time. The Kawa was always physically bigger than the rest and got labelled more a "sports tourer" by the press at the time. The 954 I had was a couple of generations on from the RRV and felt it in every way.

[@denyB18]

I've put YSS rear shock on mine 1996 and it handles brilliant now. Rear shock was out of nitrogen and bike handling was awful... I also have front Ktech springs and that was improvement over the stock ones but rear shock was the crucial thing.

[@blueyondermoto]

Agreed Denny. Already I'm seeing a marked improvement. I'm going to play with the settings before looking at major surgery on the forks.

[@denyB18]

@@blueyondermoto first try to measure static and rider sag. Mine was terrible.. I weight 80 kilos and I had front rider sag 45 mm on hardest position. I guess stock springs are toast, after all it's a old bike. Now I have front sag 33 and rear 30 mm and bike handling is great on open curvy road.

[@Yamaprilia]

Ive got both the blade and rc36 too. Vfr is an old bus to ride, the blade is actually very comfy to ride compared to modern superbikes

[@blueyondermoto]

I don't find my RC36 a bus at all, in fact it's very very good and handles really well for its years. The Blade is equally good but in different ways.

[@Yamaprilia]

@@blueyondermoto depends what you call good handling! Its about 30kg heavier than the cbr900 and has less power and soft suspension, Ive uprated my rc36 suspension and its better but not a patch on the fireblade

[@user-qz9qn6ym7p]

That’s a beautiful bike men I use to have a 97 my self owner 900 senses 81 cb900f and cbr900rr blade

[@blueyondermoto]

Oh I always wanted a CB900F!

[@kevinfletcher7471]

100% change rear shock strip down refresh internals on the front , then enjoy the growl over 5k rpm 😜😁 true classic that really does what it says on the tin !

[@blueyondermoto]

See follow up video Kevin 🙂

[@damienmullan8880]

I have this bike in orange and purple, looks sexy as fuck and I’ve just changed the exhaust. The vibrations are there on mine aswell , after three hours a coffee stop helps. I have had oder bikes try to hang me up 😂 she can keep up with most 1000 cc bikes no problem. I love it and will not part with it. The ride can be hard but it’s like driving a golf GTI hard but performance pure. These bike are in my opinion a lot more fun than any 15 grand modern sports bikes 🤷‍♂️ Best bike I ever bought and it’s a keeper.

[@blueyondermoto]

Can't disagree with any of that Damien. 😃

[@damienmullan8880]

@@blueyondermoto Lot of blade owners have a problem with vibration, seems to be a suspension frame thing. They are pretty rigid. However fantastic bikes and anyone who rides them can’t actually believe how good they still are. As we say in Ireland just keep er lit 🔥 😀👍

[@blueyondermoto]

@@damienmullan8880 it's not a problem, just noticeable.

[@damienmullan8880]

@@blueyondermoto very True, 😃👍

[@user-qz9qn6ym7p]

I pick up a 94 blade put it together.but I use to have 900 sense two 81/93/94 /97/2 99 and now a 94 always go back to cbr900rr love it east to work on thanks

[@dusanpavlik8947]

Krásna stara CBR ka mašina ako ma mašina vyzerať z poriadnim Laufom na boku Super Stroj 👍👍👍💪💪💪👌 👑👑👑

[@blueyondermoto]

I've no idea what that says but it looks good! 😄

[@superwrench9445]

I have a 99 modified with a VFR single side swing arm and a Mig slip on, no vibrations at all on mine

[@blueyondermoto]

Sounds good. Thank you for your comment.

[@yshortblog]

NICE

[@blueyondermoto]

Thanks 😊

[@wolfspelzder2975]

The vibrations starting at 6000rpm are normal, a reminder for "now you are in sport-mode" ❤

[@blueyondermoto]

This is true.

[@matthewjames4268]

Just put a down-payment on a mint 99. So excited to get it.

[@blueyondermoto]

You'll love it Matthew

[@matthewjames4268]

@@blueyondermoto started on an f4i 22 years ago. My last sport ride was a 675r...loved it but the 90s was it!

[@stephenwalsh8184]

🏍👍

[@danthreepwood2760]

Was this bike stolen in 2022 in Holland near Den Helder? Because than it's mine ;). Nevertheless, awesome vid mate!

[@blueyondermoto]

Glad you enjoyed it 😃

[@nickcox8049]

I didn't put in my last message. That I didn't say the Fireblade day at Silverstone which is in all of Honda records and photos. And in the old HRC club photos.

[@blueyondermoto]

Great. Cheers Nick.

[@gerry4961]

I have exactly the same model, the year and colour scheme, I have owned it for many years now, I used to have a black and yellow one back in 97 and always regretted selling that. This bike is already too fast for the road so why buy something with 200HP that will lose lots money over the next few years. I am going too upgrade the front and rear suspension as I weigh just over 11 stone so I am constantly bounced out of the saddle over rougher roads. I haven’t noticed any undue vibes from the engine though. Gerry.

[@blueyondermoto]

Hi Gerry, similar weight to me! There's a new video coming soon which shows my improvements to date. A new rear shock is one such, I'm still experimenting!

[@brdllc]

How did you like your 954rr? I’m torn between one of those, or an rc51 sp2. I’m mostly worried about overall handling

[@blueyondermoto]

The 954 is a great bike. Last of the Tadao Baba designed bikes. They handle brilliantly but you need to be on your game with them all the time or they will bite you hard. They're relatively comfortable too and featherlight. I'd take one over the V twins any day.

[@brdllc]

@@blueyondermoto awesome, I appreciate the videos and the reply! It’s such a tough call, especially with being more rare it’s hard to get a chance to ride both and really see what I like better

[@stanbarrington]

Recommened to drop the front end one inch. It was an immediate improvement in cornering! Befor this the front end would wheelie in second gear.Run 32 psi front/ 36 rear.And dont run the shocks so stiff.

[@stanbarrington]

Also heavy front springs and heavy fork oil too

[@brdllc]

@@stanbarrington thanks for the info!

[@TheNewRider.]

With it being carb fed, will it run on e5 or e10 fuel 👍

[@blueyondermoto]

Hi yes it runs fine on both, however, I try and use E5 whenever it's available.

[@TheNewRider.]

@@blueyondermoto thank you for your reply, 👍

[@TEAChubb]

@@TheNewRider. with these bikes I peronally run E5 especially if not used often. I dont think it takes kindly to E10 if left for months in the winter for example.

[@paulnobbs4991]

I've got one and it says in owners handbook that E10 is ok. But I never use E10.

[@MJPilote]

It’s nice to drive AFTER you service the rear shock, it’s empty of nitrogen. Take the back plate off from the remote reservoir and modify it with a nitrogen valve. Refill with nitrogen around 7-10 bar and it’s night and day difference how the rear works. Did it to my 97 blade, and two cbr 600 all of them with zero nitrogen in them. Check my videos about how to kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXizYn2Hd82biq8 its in Finnish but youl get the idea.

[@andrewrussell1678]

got a 98 blade ,2001 VFR800fi and a 2001 VTR1000 (love the engine but frame etc feels too small-like sitting on an overpowered 250,very track bike). wouldn't want a new bike covered in unnecessary rider aids and sensors with a big bank loan to boot

[@blueyondermoto]

VTR Firestorm was always a very underrated bike.

[@DggrfDgrft]

👍👍👍👍👍😎🤠🤠🤠🤠

[@blueyondermoto]

I presume thats approval:)

[@1000sofusernames]

Did you just assume that bike's gender? ;)

[@blueyondermoto]

🤔 I must have! Definitely not a "them"