In an era where it’s hard to believe superbikes can get any better, Honda’s latest Fireblade is leaps and bounds ahead of its predecessor in every way–except in looks, in my opinion.
Four kilograms lighter and with five horsepower more than last year, the new Honda is capable of delivering performance at a level far higher than 99% of the riders who’re likely to ride it are ever going to be capable of coping with. So are all the other superbikes out there, of course, but where the Honda impressed me most was in the way that it makes fast riding easy.
To get the best out of a modern 300kph superbike you need to get out on a racetrack, so Honda South Africa flew us to Cape Town to play with their latest attack tool at Killarney, a circuit I’ve never enjoyed in the past.
Around any track I’ve always reckoned I’d be quicker on a good 600 than a full one-litre superbike, because they’re easier to ride and less intimidating. My, what I surprise the Blade turned out to be.
I did about 40 laps, undoubtedly lapping quicker than I would have on a 600, without giving myself a single hairy moment. I also did about 10 laps on the outgoing Blade, which, superb machine though it is, felt bigger, heavier and had slower steering.
The latest Blade red-lines 750rpm higher up than the old one at 13 000 and feels much more willing down the straights, while the generous midrange means you can open the throttle at virtually any revs in any gear without finding yourself trapped in the flat-spot doldrums. Maximum power is 178bhp (130,7kW) at 12 000rpm, with torque of 113,8Nm peaking at 8 500rpm.
The new Fireblade also benefits from a new slipper clutch this year, which prevents rear-wheel chatter under hard deceleration for the tight corners. It works like a dream, as one would expect from Honda. There’s also a second-generation Honda Electronic Steering Damper (HESD).
The 2008 Honda Fireblade retails at R119 999, with a two-year/60 000km warranty.