WORDS: BOOTHY
IMAGES: JAMIE MORRIS
Whether you are a fan of the Fireblade or not, there is no denying that Honda’s flagship superbike has been a benchmark in the sportsbike class for over 25 years. Since its initial development in the late 80s and its launch in 1992, the ‘Blade has gone on to win the hearts and minds of motorcyclists the world over, as well as Isle of Man TT races, British Superbike Championships, World Superbike Championships and Le Mans 24 Hour races. In the early to mid-nineties the ‘Blade seemed untouchable, but in a world with Yamaha YZF-R1s, Suzuki GSX-R1000s, Kawasaki ZX-10Rs, and later on, BMW S1000RRs, Aprilia RSV4s and Ducati Panigale V4s, The Big H have had their work well and truly cut out to keep their Blade as sharp as the completion. Yes, it’s been a few years since the big CBR could say it’s at the very top of the superbike food chain, but constant development over the last 27 years (albeit slow at times) has ensured the Blade has always been there or thereabouts.