Later Fireblades: bargains?

By 2000 the bike was on its fifth revision, which saw a total redesign of the engine along with fuelinjection being used. Again an increase in capacity, the 929cc motor was slotted into a new (semi-pivotless) frame with the bike now weighing a stunning 17 kilos less than the original 1992 machine. Two years later the next iteration saw a 954cc motor offering 151 Japanese ponies and a further two kilos less mass. 2003 saw Baba-san leave the team with the 2004 bike undergoing yet another complete revision with twin injectors per cylinder feeding a 998cc engine, again in yet another new chassis. Two years on the bike was subtly tweaked in terms of ports and valves to improve torque. Ninth and tenth generation ‘Blades appeared in 08 and 09 with variously back torque limiters, slipper clutches and electronically controlled combined ABS. 2010 saw design No. 11 refine the previous year’s bike with the 20th anniversary ‘Blade potentially offering the final, super-refined, machine using the name. And yet Honda couldn’t help itself – 2017 saw another revision of a concept that began more than a quarter-of-acentury previously: more weight cutting, increased power, enhanced torque and much more. The CBR1000RR SP version offered an Öhlins Smart EC suspension system, Brembo front calipers, lithium-ion battery and titanium fuel tank. Although it has always been a work-in-progress machine, the Fireblade has never failed to deliver.

• Our thanks to Steel City Motorcycles for access to the gorgeous bike in camera.