Honda Fireblade SP | Launch | Motorcyclenews.com

The Fireblade has minor upgrades for 2014, including engine tweaks and a new riding position. But the Japanese firm has also released an SP version for the first time. With its blueprinted engine, Brembo monobloc brakes and Øhlins suspension, is the £14,999 Fireblade SP good enough to put it ahead in the superbike race?
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[@OrcaGT]

No muffled or distorted audio? This is not the MCN I know... blasphemy! :P

[@lukeallington5393]

Neevsey still has his witty quips and mesmerising charisma which always keeps the people wanting more though.

[@wsbygt]

This bike looks like serious competition. The frame looks amazing.

[@thesighbored]

You got your Ohlins, your Brembos but hey let's throw in rubber brake lines, those work well with Brembos. Geez.

[@vlkihepan]

U kill urself riding on street with cold tyres otherwise. Its for safety, u brake more smoother. And its not expencive to change them. I think quickshifter is much more needed part.

[@wiskunst]

vlkihepan that's just bullsh*t...they should of put breided ones on it! it's an SP so you shouldn't be buying it if you can't use the better brakes (on road or on track)...

[@dmartin23]

wiskunst what are you on about - you cant put breided lines on an abs bike ffs, you would get different pressures at the abs servos and it would be awful

[@galaxything]

Also it has a pissy little master cylinder, it should have a fucking great brembo one

[@dmartin23]

galaxything agreed

[@filipbunalti]

What the hell happened to the classic MCN audio quality? :O

[@ADG2988]

Yes! The audio is amazing.

[@FeverishFerret]

At last an MCN video we can hear.

[@NoobInaCan]

for a fraction of the cost, I can put a TTX and 30mil, full exhaust, SS lines, rearsets, race pads! Fireblade is now over a decade old and run down. how about a V4 fireblade and something refreshing Honda ?

[@Beaver314]

"brand new" is a concept unknown to Honda. I mean really, we've been waiting for a competitive fireblade for years. Even Fabrizio said it in an interview after his tryout in the last rounds at Pata Honda: "the only good thing about that honda, is Jonathan Rea."

[@IchibanMoto]

hey.. it's out of my price bracket.... so it's ok to put in on my test ride wish list !

[@tonyrawhouser1373]

Bazzaz makes a fuel management system TC and a quick shift all in one. Add that upgrade the lines and you have one hell of a rocket

[@josepca89]

finally nice sound, cheers, and the bike looks dope

[@sinki19841984]

Take the frame, suspension, brakes and build it around an updated VTR-like twin. Throw all the electronic goodies on top of that and you got a selling formula.

[@ducatimale]

Top class vid, Neevesy! Just a shame Honda builds booring bikes.

[@sillieww]

Oh Honda, what happened to you? Honda was once an exciting name on the streets and today nobody speaks about it at gatherings where I show up with one of my beloved motorcycles, RC51(2000), CBR100RR(2015), F4I(2002) and 954(2002).

[@joaosoares3719]

Where's the traction control? Where's the quick shifter? We're in late 2013, right?

[@thefabulousplatypus8956]

I so much wanted an all new model so I could buy it in the repsol orange... 15k for the old bike with a few bolt on performance parts? Will be getting an rsv4 instead now.

[@sk2283]

I agree with most of you, no TC, ABS is an EXTRA ! its just another blade with ohlins & brembo, I have an RSV4 Factory which is way ahead, as is the ZX10r etc. etc. catch up honda ! it does look gorgeous tho!

[@michaelmarshall1713]

Okay I get that some don't think this is good for the money . But you can live it both in town and on a track unlike the many sports bikes that are around today. I own an MV Agusta and it likes one thing only ? Being throttled ( and it takes setting up for corners) but in town ? Not a happy bike. Honda make the all round bike and easy to maintain ! Try getting a part for an MV ? Always has to be back ordered from Italy as they do not have a decent parts back up !

[@Marshall498]

What I don't get is, you get Brembo brakes, and bigger suspension....but still rubber brake lines. What the hell is that about. How's about you throw on a set of Steel brake lines right out of the box.

[@GVZKeys]

2:53 - mini tank slapper. Rear wheel slid out and caught traction again. Luckily wasn't more vicious, would have caused a high side.

[@TheVilouboy]

Does it come with the Pirellis? Or did MCN just use for track?

[@willbest1547]

well, the classic color scheme is a win...but, I thought they might just do something new...or old

[@msmit1993]

But still it's a lot of money for a bike with no trc, quick shifter, dynamic damping or power modes.

[@HypermaxZ]

But the engine has improved and with how nicely balanced the bike is anyway, to some, it's worth it alone. Also a lot of people still don't care enough for the road nanny gadgets. Though would be nice to have a QS added in the mix.

[@d1sturb3d119]

+msmit1993 That will change with more power. At this power level the bike is the definition of refinement. There really is no need whether it's dry or wet.

[@Beaver314]

more flex in the frame, drilled subframe, blueprinted engine... they're really trying to squeeze out every last bit of performance from this aging model. Come on Honda, just get your head together and use some of that MGP know how and apply it to a NEW fireblade!

[@pomais4200]

Dear Honda, Please put a gear-driven V-4 in this otherwise same exact bike, name it the 2015 VFR1000RR and I'll be the first in line to buy one! Sincerely, Former 1987 VFR700F owner

[@MrKdr500]

Are you sure it was a 700? pretty rare :p they where 750's then later 800's

[@exnihilo415]

No slipper clutch? How can the $4800 Ninja 300 get one but not this blinged out blade?

[@d1sturb3d119]

Tom Hill If you don't understand motivation and strategy don't chalk everything upto profit. Honda has always been about building vehicles that require the least to get the most. Even the NSX was built the same way. They give riders the essentials to go fast and nothing more. For an average rider they will NEVER be able to extract the full performance of a motorcycle. They do not subscribe to the system of allowing mediocre riders to get faster. TC and wheelie control just takes away from the experience. I'd like the option of having a bike devoid of tech so it allows me to make the choice. exnihilo415 Slipper clutches kill your ability to control the bike in the manner you desire. Personally I want the rear to brake loose if I go down the gears fast and slipper clutches kill feel. But that's just me.

[@pansho550F]

No Tcs, no quickshifter or power modes? £15.000? C'mon honda...

[@TheStriker0525]

I can hear what he's saying?!?!?!

[@rmlambert95]

£2,000 more then an s1000rr and given an extra name so, it better be faster but with 2hp I'm having doubts. Not sure what Honda can't break the 190hp barrier if they're motogp bikes are supposedly so great. Seems to be miscommunication between motogp tech and road.

[@kpt2107]

Seems honda may have held back after all they wouldnt want their CBR to make the road going RCV look only a little bit more special!

[@lucsa8242]

wow 700 subs...

[@ZoneTelevision]

CycleCruza .. I rest my case.

[@DiabloRed675]

only honda fan boys will buy this.. even then, I think they might be smart enough to go elsewhere with all these new bikes coming out. Honda is SERIOUSLY lacking

[@clfuqua7864]

Ya but can it beat Hildo's bike?

[@jmpicturefly]

honda still manage to make it look boring. 1290 SD review please

[@TheMadHatter1330]

Not worth £15.000

[@1kylealexander]

that bike is fucking gorgeous

[@soobeng]

the look sucks. it looks like it is from the early 90s. I'd go for the GSX-R

[@Eidrian111]

yeah... how can I say this... the looks and colors are on purpose to resemble de old fire blades

[@soobeng]

That's true. colour scheme is fine actually. but if they want a good sales figure, they had better go with the flow.

[@darkchild4neverever]

Phantom You want more modern looks so you quote...... THE GSXR??? O.o

[@hondasrdbest9614]

wow "2 HP"! BMW and Kaw are laughing

[@hondasrdbest9614]

Picked up an SP anyway. Thumbs up to Honda. This bike is amazing compared to the '09 repsol 1000 I had. The off/on throttle feels like it already has a fuel controller added to it. The suspension keeps bike from dipping and diving violently like my repsol did when applying hard brakes or applying alot of throttle. Bike won't win any speed match with kaw or bimmer but I promise it will blow them away in every other statistical category. Advantage- Honda!

[@nolla7]

I BUY THAT FOR A DOLLAR

[@Thanatos789]

2000 tech. bike with 2014 price tag. Yeahhhhh... Nope!

[@Lordaniel899]

Well done Michael and crew, it must be a struggle to dress up yet another rehash of old wares as being something new and interesting. What's the matter with Honda - they seem to have lost any appetite for innovation?

[@dirtyvfr]

fly by wire front brake, GTF, no way ever. i'm not kidding, it might be safe for planes, throttles, nuclear power stations and atomic weapons, but not on my bike. No front brake when you want it = death.