Q What’s it like on the road?

BACK ROADS

Slicing through corners with speed and grace has always been a Blade’s speciality and the out-going SP was, and still is, one of the best-handling superbikes out there. With its new chassis, the RR-R SP is even more planted, accurate, plusher through its new semi-active Öhlins set up and, most importantly, when you’re not chasing lap times, satisfying on the road. It’s 6kg heavier but still has a hollowed-out racer-like feel to it — unshakable over harsh B roads and dug-in like a Suzuka 8-Hour racer through fast sweepers.

It’s finally out with the old flat-profiled 190/50 rear Pirelli Super Corsa SP and in with a balloon-shaped 200/55, too, which helps with side grip and lightens the steering, but the brakes aren’t a patch on its European rivals. They’re the latest-generation Brembo Stylemas but lack feel and need lots of lever pressure.

DOING THE DISTANCE

The new Blade has shrunk, which will be a problem for taller, creaky riders. Pulling your knees up to get your feet on the pegs is a shock and unless you’re tiny, it’s a struggle to get toes on the pegs and harder still if you want to move around the bike in the corners.

Getting tucked in behind the screen is easy, thanks to a cut-out in the tank but sat normally, there’s little in the way of wind protection. Clips-ons are a long way down the fork leg too, so while short trips or intense trackday sessions will be fine, the Blade is no longer the big-mile blaster it once was.

FUN FACTOR

A genuine 200bhp-plus is genuine Superstock 1000 racer territory and that’s a lot. Trouble is, you can’t use anywhere near that on the road, which is why the new Blade can leave you feeling cold. For a bike to be exciting, you need instant acceleration, which the peaky Blade no longer has, unless you want to ride everywhere in first to third. Every other gear is an overdrive.

When you’re able to open it up, it’s impossible not to be impressed by its ear-splitting exhaust roar and phenomenal speed. The faster you go the better it gets, which is why trackdays are the only way you can truly enjoy the fruits of the new Fireblade SP.

‘When you’re able to open it up, it’s impossible not to be impressed’