Johnny’s Blade is now on a par with the rest of 2017’s litre bikes. It only took six months...
2017 HONDA FIREBLADE JOHN McAVOY
THE LAST TIME my Fireblade was at Donington Park, things didn’t go too well. In the hands of Michael Rutter, it got well and truly spanked on track by all the other 2017 litre bikes, setting a woeful lap time, 2.8 seconds slower than the other new arrival for 2017, Suzuki’s GSX-R1000. And the less said about what PB’s 2008 Fireblade did on track to the new all-singing, all-dancing model, the better.
As bad as the lap times were, picking the positives from Rutter’s, Newbigging’s and my feedback wasn’t easy. Each of us pointed to an inconsistent throttle connection, peaky power delivery, conservative and relatively crude rider aids making it difficult to ride. The lack of a quickshifter also made managing hard acceleration a real issue. We noted it was noticeably lighter and much better at turning than the other bikes. But sadly the lasting impression of the Fireblade from the day was that it was slow and unpopular. Harsh words, unwelcome by some, below our own expectations, and in contradiction with reports in less thorough publications. However, the datalogger doesn’t lie, and the observations were unanimous.
Denne historien er fra January 2018-utgaven av Performance Bikes.
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Denne historien er fra January 2018-utgaven av Performance Bikes.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Down Under On Top
In 1987 Wayne Gardner became the first Australian to win the 500cc world championship. Thirty years later, the Wild Man from Wollongong recalls that amazing year of V4 dominance...
Cheste Pains
In 1987, PB’s editor sent three grown men to the Bol d’Or on two-stroke 125s, resulting in a tale of misery, hilarity and adventure. 30 years later, we’re doing it again – but this time, it’s four-strokes, and the destination is mid-Spain, in winter...
Factory Fugitive
Against all odds, this HRC RC45 was saved from the crusher and ended up in the hands of PB reader Mick Loughlin, who ensures this Suzuka exotica still gets a pasting.
The Losing Battle RC45 Vs 916
Both Honda and Ducati debuted new WSB bikes in 1994, igniting a superbike development battle that Honda could never win...
Remy: A Chip Off The Old Block
Wayne Gardner is now in the thick of his second Grand Prix career, as father and coach to elder son Remy.
It's All About The Battery
JAPANESE COMPANY MUGEN (owned by Soichiro Honda’s son, Hirotoshi) currently makes the world’s fastest EV race bikes.
Got Them Over A Barrel
Michael Rutter has had one of the seasons of his life in British Superstock and on the roads. His team had no option but to agree to do it all again next year...
Winter Of Malcontent
GSX-R fights the seasonal blues.
Franco Says Relax
Next year Moto2 ace Franco Morbidelli will be the first VR46 rider to make it to MotoGP. But the young Roman is more laidback than any title challenger has a right to be – is that something to do with his teacher?
Working Double Time
Rutter’s man reveals the demands of racing in both British Superstock AND British Superbikes
