There’s been a load of hype about the new Fireblade, so I couldn’t wait to take it for a spin when it arrived at FB HQ. Bruce couldn’t get enough of it back when he rode it at the launch in Qatar earlier this year, with its claimed 215bhp (yeah, I don’t believe that for a second, either) from its brand new motor. New titanium con-rods, finger follower rockers, a totally new lubrication system and a bigger airbox and throttle bodies, as well as an all-new chassis and an aerodynamics package straight off Marc Marquez’s race bike, have all clubbed together to, according to Honda, make the new, RCV213V-S (Honda’s MotoGP bike) inspired ‘Blade the best one yet.
The ‘wings’ on the ‘Blade are boxed in and not like traditional winglets, but I liked it as it seems like a much neater way of achieving the same outcome. In fact the whole bike looked really smart, with the blue and red colour scheme. I was less of a fan of the riding position, however, which felt cramped and a bit too ‘racy’ for a big road bike – I think the main culprit of the cramped feeling was the high footpegs; as a six-footer (well, nearly), I don’t even think I’d have my pegs set like that on a full-on race bike, never mind a stock road bike.
The next drama was trying to work out where to put the key. Or the fob, I should say. Keyless ignition can go and finger itself as far as I’m concerned – there is no place for it in motorcycling. I don’t want a key in the pocket of my leathers when I’m trying to enjoy my bike, digging into my chest, waiting to puncture my lung when I throw myself off the thing. No. I want it to be in the ignition barrel right in front of me, staring me in the face.
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370 - September 2020
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