Honda's new Fireblade revealed (two versions are on the way!)
Honda has unveiled its 2017 Fireblade with TWO versions of the bike launched for next year – the SP version and a track-spec SP2 option that can use parts derived from the RC213V MotoGP programme.
From an aesthetic point of view there’s a new TFT full colour dash, the titanium tank is a new shape and the bike gets new wheels and a new titanium exhaust.
The new Blade’s seat height is 831mm, and with the model’s frame shedding half a kilo in weight and the subframe trimming off 800 grams – combined with a full two kilos off the 998cc engine weight alone – the new bike is a full 14 kilos lighter than the current incarnation.
Power is up by 11bhp to measure 189bhp at the crank, thanks mostly to a combination of new pistons, revised cam timing, new crank and revised valve lift. The redline has now gone up to 13,000rpm.
The 2017 Blade gets the ride-by-wire package which includes a five-axis measuring IMU brain working hand in hand with the nine-level Honda Selectable Torque System – a combined set-up which incorporates the traction control with an antiwheelie system.
ABS and anti-rear lift is standard on the new bike and it gets a quickshifter as standard along with a downshift and slipper clutch which combine to let you crash through the gears.
Suspension-wise, the Blade is getting semi-active Öhlins units.
The SP2 special gets carbon bodywork, gold Marchesini wheels that cut inertia by 18% at the front and 9% at the rear.
The special can also fit specific race part kits from Honda’s RC213V MotoGP programme that includes larger-diameter intake valves, bigger exhaust valves and pistons with an exclusive crown design.