Fast Bikes Magazine May issue **FREE 20 PAGE PREVIEW**

74

TESTS

HondaFirebladelaunch.................16

TheBladeisback–andit’ssharperthanever thankstoaraftofsaucyupdatesfor2024.

KTM990SuperDuke......................28

There’sanewchampinthesub-litrenaked department,asJohnnyexplainsafter samplingthe990’sfirepower.

YamahaMT-09.................................38 Tenyearsonfromitsinauguration,Yamaha’s head-bangingMT-09hasbeengivensome tastytweaks.

UsedBikeGuide..............................60

Suzuki’sGSX-S750issomethingofan overlooked,affordableanddesirable package.Here’swhatyouneedtoknow.

COLUMNISTS

ChristianIddon...............................96

TheseasonstartssoonandIddon’sreadyto getstuckin.

SteveParrish...................................98 Moremadnessandwisdomfromtheman theycallParrish.

FEATURES

Ratingrubber..................................66

Johnny’sbeenouttoJereztoputMichelin’s new,sportyPower6andPowerGP2hoops throughtheirpaces.

RacingRossi....................................74 It’snoteverydayyougetthecalltorace Rossiinhisownbackyard,butthat’sexactly whatTimmy’sjustbeenanddone.

DanLinfoot:Theworldathisfeet.90 WecheckinwiththeamiableBritaheadof hiscall-uptoSuzuki’sprestigiousSERTworld endurancesquad.

Chasingthehighs

There’sarealfinelinebetween pleasureandpain,asIwas remindedfirst-handafewdays agoatPortimao.Motorbikesare awesome,buthighsidesaren’t.I’vecome tothatconclusionlotsoftimesinmy manyyearsofmotorcycling,andaftera five-yearbreakfromthisextracurricular activity,Iwasbackinthethroesonce more,staringdownonmyCBR600RRasit jettisonedmeunceremoniously.Idon’t knowwhathurtmost;thetarmacorthe journeybacktothepits,whereIhadto handmyselfinfrontofmymates.Whata sausage!Justmomentsbefore,lifewas exceptional,rinsingthelivingdaylights outofthismuch-missedsupersport sensationthat’snowbackandbetterthan ever(fullreviewnextissue),butinone foulmoment,thebroadsmilewaswiped frommyfaceandsubstitutedbya

batteredhipandadislocatedindexfinger. Thefunnythingisthatthelatterdidn’t matter.Thenumberonegoalwastoget backontrackasquicklyaspossible–whichIwasinallof20minuteslater,once moresplashingaroundawetPortimao withabigoldgrinplantedonmyface.

Toanyonewhoisn’tamotorcyclist,it’s hardtoexplainsuchamindset,butI figurethatmostofyouwillcompletely understandmyattitudeandapproach, withmybiggestfearthatdaybeingthe authoritiestellingmeIwasn’tfittoride. MaybeIwasn’t,butwhenplaycameto anendthatevening,Iobliginglyagreedto headtothehospitalforx-raysandmy fingerwasslottedbackintoplace.Didit hurt?Yes,butnotasmuchasmissingout ontheafternoon’schancetoridethe ’24-specFirebaldethatafternoon,on slicks,inthedry,wouldhavedone.That

wasprettydamnspecialandoneofthe highpointsoftheyearso,ofwhichthere havealreadybeensomany.As mentionedlastmonth,thisyear’slaunch seasonhasbeennothingshortof sensational,andit’sfarfromoveryet,so I’dbetterreinmyselfinandstartbehaving likethemiddle-agedmanIam.

ButIcan’tseethathappeninganytime soon.Moretothepoint,Iliketheway motorcyclesmakemeactandfeel,let alonewhoitgetsyouknockingaround with.Priortothepiss-taking,therewasat leasttwominutesofgenuineconcern frommymatesontheHondalaunch beforetheygotstuckin,withMcGuinness atthehelm...andIwouldn’thaveitany otherway.

Enjoythemag,

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BOSSY MAN

‘Dangerous’BruceWilson bwilson@mortons.co.uk

FAST MAN

TimNeave tneave@mortons.co.uk

MONEY MAN

Charlie‘TheSheriff’Oakman coakman@fastbikes.co.uk

SUBSCRIBE!

DownloadFastBikes: Mortons.co.uk/FB

OLD MAN

JohnMcAvoy gramps@fastbikes.co.uk

BSB SUPERSTAR ChristianIddon ...andBritain’sbestbuilder

RACERTRAINER BradHowell …andproperfoodand fitnessguru

Seepage8forthebestdeals, orvisitclassicmagazines.co.uk/ subscription/FB/fast-bikes

ViewFastBikesvideocontent: youtube.com/fastbikesmag

SEASONED SCRIBE AlanDowds ...andepicwheeliepuller

RACING PUNDIT SteveParrish ...andproatpranks

SUPERSTOCK CHAMP TomNeave ...andcombineking

LEGAL LORE GavinGrewal ...andhardcoreoff-roader

Somethingsarebetterleftbehind,but FastBikes isn’toneofthem...trustus.Forastart, we’dmissyou,butit’dalsomeanyou’dmissoutonawholeloadofnews,reviews,tech,talks andinsightintopioneeringprotagonists.Justthinkabouttheroadtrips,theprojectbike builds–andalltheexcuseswethrowinwiththem.Wewantyouonthisride,andwewant yourstories,yourinputandguidance,sodon’tbeastranger!Checkoutthecrackingdeals we’vegothereandlet’sgetyousettledintoanotherseasonofthegoodstufffromtheUK’s leadingsportsbikemagazine.

BRUCEWILSON,EDITOR

WORDS:

2024HUSQVARNA SVARTPILEN801

It’sbeenabitdifficulttoknow wheretoplaceHusqvarna’s variousrecentroadster machinery.Asyoushouldall know,theclassySwedishbrandis partofthesamefirm(Pierer) whichownsKTM,GASGASand WPSuspension.Anditsmachinery sharesthesamefundamental powertrainandchassis foundations,sotheSvartpilenand Vitpilen(‘blackarrow’and‘white arrow’inSwedish)bikeshave usedtheenginesandframesfrom the125,390and690Duke models.TheSvartpilenisasubtle retro-scrambler,andtheVitpilenis anunfairedcafé-racer,withboth usingthesameuniquedesign languagethatscreams‘IKEA’toall right-thinkingfolk.

Thecurrentsingle-cylinder machinesareallperfectlydecent; there’susuallyachassisupgrade, theygetthepeakpoweroutput fromtheKTMengines,andifyou likethenichestyling,theprice premiumisprobablywellworthit. Butformanyfolk,justbuyingthe KTMDukewillbethemore obviouschoice.

Thismightchangethings, though.It’sthenewSvartpilen 801,andastheHusqvarna namingrulesdictate,thatmeans theLC8c790Dukeengineisa proper799ccDOHC8vparallel twinmotorthatmakes 105bhp/87Nmandisatotalhoot. Andhavingthisbonkers powerplantinasharper,quirky roadsterdesignseemsmuch moretemptingthanthe401and 701variants.Therearelimitson thepowerandusabilityofeven thebestsingles(andtheKTM690 singleisacracker),whichlargely disappearwhenyoumoveupto twincylinders.Peakoutputof 105bhpisplentyformostuses, andwiththesharperchassiskit andaggressive-lookinggeometry, itcouldbeaproperweaponin town,onBroads,andround twistytracks.Asupermotardwith extrabenefits,ifyouwill.

(street,rain,sport,plusan optionaldynamicmode),andan optionaldynamicpackwhich addsintroduces10levelsofslip adjustmentandfivelevelsof anti-wheelie,motorslip regulation,andcruisecontrol. There’splentyofstandard trickery,though:corneringABS (withSupermotomode)and traction,quickshifter,andphone connectivityareallpresentand correctonthebasicmodel.

Intermsofthestyling,thenatty slash-cutexhaustsilenceris distinctive,whiletheshorttailunit andhunched-forwardtankcover givesaproperaggressivestance. It’sapremium-looking,mature pieceofkit,andyoucanseewhy itcouldappealtothoselesskeen onacid-orangepaintschemes.A gorgeouscolourTFTdashand top-notchchassisfitmentsand trimsallroundsofftheupscale package.

Thespecsaredecent.Itweighs 181kgwithoutfuel,whichisafew kgheavierthantheDuke790,but stillprettysweet.TheWPAPEX frontforkisfullyadjustable,while therearshockfromthesame brandisrebound/ preloadadjustable-only. BrakesarestandardJ. Juanfour-pistonradial caliperswith300mm discs,wheelsarecast aluminium,andthebike comeswiththe excellentPirelliMT60RS supermotorubber. Ontheelectronics front,therearefour selectableridermodes

Forsomereason,Husqvarna’s originalteaseractionshots showedacamouflagedbike racingroundanicelake,whichis probablyalittleoutofthetypical userangeintheUKbutlooksvery cool.Therearealsosome dirt-trackshots,soyougetthe idea....thiswillbeabikeforthe on-trendriderwhowantsabitof oomphwiththeirculturally significant,slightlyesoteric,beard oil-friendlysteed.It’llcost £10,499,whichisagrandmore thana790Duke,anditshouldbe intheshopsbyJune.

www.husqvarnamotorcycles.com

2024MOTOGUZZIV85FIRSTRIDE–RETROITALIANCROSSOVERMACHINEISSURPRISINGLYSPORTY

Thereareafewbikesinthemarket atthemomentwhichareactually muchmorefunthanyou’deverthink fromtheirspecsheetand performancefigures.TheMotoGuzzi V85isone:launchedbackin2019as asoft,retro-styledmiddleweight adventuretourer,itusedtheclassic Guzzitransverseair-cooled 90-degreeV-twintwo-valvemotor,in 853cccapacity,completewithshaft drive.Poweroutputwasabout 75bhp,itweighed209kgdry,and wasactuallyreallynicetoride. Comfy,stylish,andgruntyenough,it didasolidjobagainstthelikesofa

KawasakiVersys650orlow-spec BMWF750GS.

Andnow,for2024,thelittleGuzzi hashadanoverhaul,withanew variablevalvetimingset-upand threedifferentvariants:aStrada withcastwheels,higher-specTT model,andaTTTravelwithhard luggageandmorekit.Thevariable valvesystemisjusttherefor emissionscompliance(Euro5+is comingnextyear),butitalsoboosts peakpowerto80bhp.It’savery simplesystem,whichithastobe sincethere’sonlyonecamshaftfor theoverhead-valveengine,withjust

asimplephysicaladvance/retard mechanismthatusescentrifugal forceviamovingsteelballs(likethe SuzukiGSX-R1000system).That phasesbothexhaustandintake timingbackandforthbyafixed amountbutenoughtogivethe engineerswhattheywanted,withno electricalorhydraulicgubbins needed.

OntheroadsaroundAlmeria, wherewerodethenewbike,itwas hardtonoticetheextrapowerand torque.ButchasingtheItaliantest riderdownasuperbmountainroad, theV85washardtofault.The chassisisnimbleandtaut,the modestpoweroutputnever overwhelmsanything,andeventhe frontbrakesarestrongenoughto pushreallyhard.Thelong-travel suspensionisabitbasicandbouncy butgivesloadsofgroundclearance, andtheOEDunlopMeridianrubber hasplentyofgrip.

Whenyou’renottryingtodieon mountainswitchbacks,theV85 makesadecentmiddleweighttourer. TheTTandTravelversionsaddaload ofkit:luggage,biggerscreen,heated gripsandseatoptions,Bluetooth connectiononthecolourdash,and corneringABSandtractioncontrol. There’saloadoffactorybolt-on options,andtheTTmodel’sredand whitepaintjobishandsomestuff indeed.Ifyou’relookingfor somethingalittlebitquirkythat standsoutfromtheusualJapanese orGermanicoptions,theV85range iswellworthalook.

Thenew2024V85sareonsale now,pricedat£11,200forthe Strada,£12,000fortheTT,and £13,300forthetop-endTTTravel. www.motoguzzi.com

MOTOGPIN FOCUSBOOK

Thepublishersaysit’sa coffeetablebook,butwe don’tseeanyfold-outlegs. Nevertheless,this168-page tomeispackedwithsaucy imagery,behind-the-scenes content,andglossilyhigh productionvalues.It’san officiallylicencedproduct, andisonsaleonthe MotoGPonlineshop,as wellasthroughthe MotocomUKdirectonline channel,costing£50 includingpostage: https:// buy.stripe.com/ fZeaFy7Nmc5z7Sw288 or www.motogp.com

METZELER ROADTEC 02TYRE

Thelatest ‘supersporttouring’fitment fromMetzeler, theRoadtec02 ticksallthe boxesforfast roadridinginal weathers. There’sa dualcompound reartreadand 100%silicacompounds, andanew‘AdaptiveTread’ design,whichisclaimedto actuallychangetheshape ofthegroovesdepending howhardyouride.So, whenyougoabitslower,in therain,say,thegrooves openuptoclearwater more,butasyoupush harder,thetreadblocks pushtogetherandthe groovescloseupabit, givingmoreofaslick surface.It’scunningstuff, andfeaturesonbothfront andrearfitments.Fast warm-up,goodgrip,anda comfyrideareallpromised. Availableinalltheusual 17infitments,aswellasa coupleof19infrontsfor road-biasedadventure tourers.RRPisabout£380/ pair. www.metzeler.com

2024TRIUMPHROCKET3STORMRANDGT

Wedon’tknowwhetherto applaudTriumphforboostingthe poweroutputofthenewRocket 3by15bhp(nearly10%)orberate itforholdingoutonthoseponies forthepastfewyears.Because theHinckleyengineershave producedthisseriouspowergain withoutasinglehardware changetothegiganticfore-andafttripleengine.They’vesimply dialledintheadditionaloomph viatheenginemanagement system,presumablybytweaking revlimits,throttleplateopenings, andfuellingchanges.Ofcourse, whenyouhave2458ofgod’s owncubiccentimetrestoplay with,phatgainsareabiteasier toaccess,butit’sstillimpressive.

The2024bike’sperformance figuresalsoboastanextra3ft-lb oftorqueto166ft-lb@4000rpm. Thosetwonumbersmakethe

Rocket3boththemostpowerful andthemosttorqueybikeever madebyTriumph,nowpipping the178bhpSpeedTriple1200RR onpurepeakpower(theRocket hasbeenthetorquiestbikefull stopfordecades,ofcourse).

Gruntinjectionaside,thenew Rocket3getsacoupleof updates.Thewheelsarenow1kg lightercastaluminium10-spoke items,andthebikenowhasan additionalname–Storm.There aretwovariants,theRocket3 StormRandthe Rocket3Storm GT–withtheR havingmore roadsterkit, andtheGTa bitmore touring comfort. TheGT’s

seatislower,thebarsarewider andpulledback,theflyscreenis bigger,andthere’sapillion backrestbuiltin.TheGTalsohas front-mountfootrestsandpedals, withtheRplacingthosepartsin amoreconventionalmid-point. Theseat,screen,handlebarand footpegscanbeswappedaround though,soyoucanspecifyyour ownset-upfromthedealerusing theaccessoriesprogramme.

Thenewbikeswillbeinthe shopssoon,pricedat£23,195for theRand£23,895fortheGT. www.triumph.co.uk

GUYMARTINCONFIRMEDASSPECIALGUESTATTHE INTERNATIONALCLASSICMOTORCYCLESHOW,SPONSORED BYCAROLENASH,INAPRIL

Thecountdownisonasmotorcycle enthusiastseagerlyawaitthe returnofTheInternationalClassic MotorcycleShow,sponsoredby CaroleNash,attheStaffordCounty ShowgroundonApril20/21.

GuyMartin,renowned motorcycleracerandTVpresenter, issettoheadlineSunday's festivitiesasthestarguestofthe two-dayevent,whilecelebratedTT iconPhillipMcCallentakesthe spotlightasSaturday’sVIP.

Dubbed‘theBigOne’,this annualshowhasbecomea highlightonthecalendarsof motorcycleloversworldwide.With amesmerisingarrayofexhibitions, tradestands,andlive demonstrationsofclassicbikesin action,attendeescanexpectan unforgettableexperiencesteeped intherichheritageofclassic

two-wheeledmachines.Theshow, whichfeaturesthousandsof enthusiastsandcollectorsall gatheredattheshowground,isthe perfectplaceforGuytoshare storiesrangingfromhisdaring exploitsontheIsleofManTTtohis captivatingengineeringchallenges. Showgoerscancertainlylook forwardtoanunforgettable experience!

ExhibitionmanagerNick Mowbraysaid:“GuyMartinhas becomeabelovedfigureinthe worldofmotorcycles,withhis charismaticpersonalityand impressivecareer.Iamsurethis reallywillbeadateforthediary!”

Oneofthehighlightsofthe eventistheprestigiousBestin Showaward,whichrecognisesthe mostoutstandingclassic motorcyclesondisplay.Withfierce

competitionandmeticulous attentiontodetail,eachcontender viesforthecovetedtitle,addingan extralayerofexcitement.Prepare tobewowedbyadazzlingdisplay ofmeticulouslyrestoredclassicsas clubmembersproudlyshowoff theirprizedexhibits.Fromiconic BritishmarqueslikeNortonand BSAtoexoticinternational treasures,everycornerofthe showgroundwillpulsatewiththe heartbeatofclassicmotorcycling heritage.

Advancedticketsarenowon saleatwww.classicmagazines.co. uk/product/show/id/17for£16, savingyou£4onthegate.Secure yourticketsnowforathrilling journeyattheInternationalClassic MotorcycleShow,sponsoredby CaroleNash.Getreadytorideinto history!

ALLTHE L AT ES T, COO

DAINESE MUGELLO3D-AIRSUIT

Dainesehasreleaseditslatesttop-end D-AIRairbagracesuitsandtheylook prettysweet.Theflagshipisthiskangaroo leatherMugello3D-AIR,whichthefirm claimsisthemostadvancedever,with evenmorelightnessandprotection,plus luxuriouscomfortlevels.Itcomeswith thecutting-edgetriple-activationD-air® Racingairbagandapentaxialelastic system,whichisclaimedtoofferthevery highestlevelsofperformanceandsafety

RRP:£3999.95

RRP:£260

onthetrack,whilemaximisingcomfort. Theairbagnowallowsforuptothree activations–soyoucanswapoutthegas generatorthreetimesyourselfbeforethe airbagneedsaservice.Andtheriding modebyDaineseletsyouselectthe airbagusemodedependingonwhether you’reontheroadorthetrack.Thenew Mugello3weighs20%lessthanthe lightestsuitwithanintegratedairbag systemcurrentlyonthemarket,and

ALPINESTARS SUPERFASTERTECHBOOTS

Theseflashyshortboots fromAlpinestarsgiveabit moreprotectionthana trainer-styleridingboot andarepackedwith protective, sporty

there’scomfortfabriconneckandcuffs. Pro-Armorprotectorsonshouldersand hipsgiveevenmoreimpactabsorption, andoutertitaniumplatesimprovesliding inafall,soyourbodydoesn’tdiginand startrolling(whichcausesmoreserious injuries).Newkneesliderfitmentdesign,a hydropackwaterbagkit,in/outbootcalf fitting,andtwo-positionelbowslidersall keeptheMugelloatthetopendofrace suits–butataheftyprice.

tech.There’sasemi-rigid internalanklebracesystem withmalleolusprotectors, andanAchillestendon guard,plusouterTPU impactabsorbersonheel andtoe,andareinforced solestructure.Thefirm claimsthemicrofibreand Rideknitoutershellis designedforday-longriding andwalkingcomfort,with softPUfoamandEVA cushionedlinings,anda simplebutsecurezip/lace/ Velcroclosuresystem.

www.dainese.com

BEELINE MOTOIISAT-NAV

Moreofa‘sheetofpaperinatankbag’navigation fan?Boredwithever-largermassiveHDcolour screens?TheBeelineMotoIIsat-navmightbefor you.It’sgotasimple,compactdisplaywhich workswithaphoneapptogiveeasy-to-see, ‘glanceable’directions.It’saself-containedunit withitsownbatteryinside sonowiringandcomes withquick-release mountssoyoucanstick itinyourpocketwhen youstop.ThelatestII versionhasnewLED alerts,amini-mapview, glove-friendlycontrols andanevenbrighter anti-glaredisplay.

SPADA BLADEHOODIE

TheUKSpadabrandhasbeenrelaunchedbyits owner,Feridax,andisreleasingawholerangeof newridingkitwithhigher-specdesignand materials.ThisBladezippedridinghoodieisa goodexample:it’sCE-certifiedtolevelAA,with adurablefour-waystretchouterpolyester materialthathasamicrofleecelinerbondedin. It’stough,abrasion-resistantkit,buthasa premium,comfyfeeltoo.Itcomeswithleveltwo CEarmouralreadyfittedinelbow,shoulder,and back,andhasaclevertwo-piecehooddesign thatstaysflatwhenriding.Concealedthumb loopsatthecuffandalongerhemwithjeans fittingpreventsridingup,andaddsevenmore protectioninaspill.

RRP:£129.99 https://spadaclothing.com/

LS2 FENGGLOVES

Ahigh-endtrack-focusedfitmentfromChinese brandLS2,thenewFengglovesboast carbon-fibrearmouronknucklesandpalm, plusSuperfabricreinforcementforadded abrasionresistance.TPUimpactabsorberson thewristandmetacarpalsprovide extraprotectionandtheFeng glovesareratedKP1underthe CEglovestandard.Thecowhide andgoatskinconstruction givesstrengthandflexibility, whileelasticatedpanels increasecomfort.

Touchscreencompatiblefingertips anddoubleVelcro wristandcuff fastenersroundoff thesportspec nicely.

RRP:£99.99www.ls2helmets.com

Neatbar-endmirrorsfromOxford Products,whichcomein‘arrow’or ‘shield’shapesandare360-degree adjustablefortheperfectrearview. Designedtofit22mmhandlebars, theyhaveauniversalfitting,and comewith12mmand18mm expansionbushesandanoptional spacer.

SDOC 100BIKEWASH

Thepropergearforwashingyourbike makesabigdifference.It’seasiertoget thegrimeoff,andthechemicalsare carefullyselectedsotheydon’tdamage plastic,metal,orpaintfinishes.German brandSDOC100makessomegreatstuff, includingitsgelcleanerbikewash.It’s priceystuffbutworksreallywell,with thegelformulastickingtovertical surfacesandgettingtoworkongrease, oil,andgrimestraightaway.We’vebeen tothefactory(rockandroll!)andseen howseriouslythefirmtakesitstesting –thisstuffwon’tfadepaintorgivewhite residueonaluminium.It’sgotanewUK distributor,Fowlers,soshouldbe availablenearyouoronline.

RRP:£69.99

www.oxfordproducts.com

HJCisn’tmessingaboutwiththishelmet,it claims–thefirmsaysit’sNOTforpottering aboutandDOESN’Thavealltheusualniceties ofatouringroadhelmet.Instead,itclaimsthat theRPHA1istheexactsamelidusedbyits ridersinMotoGPandWSBK,withFIM homologation,extensiveventing,aclearracing wing,Pinlock120visorinsertandemergencyreleasecheekpads.Therearefouroute shellsizes,withacarbon/glassfibre hybridconstructionand wind-tunneldeveloped aerodynamics.The quick-releasevisor hasalocking closuresystemfor extrasafety,andit is–ofcourse–fully

Riderswitholderbikesmightfeelabit leftoutonherefromtimetotime–so thisone’sforyou!UKcrashprotection firmGBRacingisthrowingitbackto 2003withanewsetofenginecase protectorsforAprilia’ssecondgenerationV-twinRSV1000andTuono models.Theclutchandalternator

coverkitisnowavailableforthe 2004-10RSV1000R,Factory,and Nero,aswellasthe2005-10Tuono models.Andtheclutchcoveralsofits theoriginal‘Mille’RSVmodels,with thefirmpromisinganalternatorcover fitmentforthoseolderbikeslaterthis yeartoo.Nicelydone.

RRP:£17.99/750ml

www.thekeycollection.co.uk

ECE22.06approved,aswellasFIM homologated.AvailableinsizesXS-2XL,andin arangeofgraphics,theLovisversionisa coupleofhundredquidcheaperthanthe race-replicaversions.

GBRACING ENGINEPROTECTORS FOR2004-2010APRILIARSVMILLEANDTUONO

RRP:£95.77(alternator);£78.59(clutch);£165.65(both)

RRP£699.99

hjchelmets

WORDS:DANGERO

PICS:HONDA

Four years on from the revo

Fouryearsonfromtherevolutionaryreleaseofthe RCV-inspiredFireblade,Honda’sgivenitsflagship sportsbikeamasterpieceofamakeover.

Somebikesjustsoundthatlittlebit naughtierthanothers,thatlittle morespecial,buteventhen,few comeclosetotheaudibleecstasythatwas boomingfromthe’24-specBladeasI roundedPortimao’sfnalcorner.Throaty, deep,andsuggestiveofabsolutelunacy, you’dbeforgivenforthinkingIwason sometrickracebike,withkitelectronics andmorefrepowerthanyou’dfnddown thelocalarmyrange.Tocuttoit,it’s obviousthiswasn’ttheBladeoflastyear –notjustbysoundingdifferentorlooking different,butalsoridingdifferent,too.A fewdaysearlier,I’dbeenprimedforthis byHavierBeltran,HondaRacingUK’s teammanager,atitsheadquarters,where he’dgonethroughthemassofchanges

thathaveputtheHondaonawhole differentleveltothetwoversionswe’ve seenhitthemarketsince2020.Thelist waslongandimpressive,andchief amongthetweakswastheintroductionof split-throttlebodies,whichmeantthat whilecylindersoneandtwowouldbeset tokickofftheinitialpartofthepunchout ofabend,theotherduowouldbe moderatingconstantlytomaximisethe deliveryoftheremainingponiesaslean anglewasreducedandthethrottle positiongotcrankedopen.Why?Well,it turnsoutHondacametorealisethat accessingthelattermodel’sarmwrenching214bhpwasnothingshortof terrifyingattimes…forboththeriderand thereartyre.

Whilethereisundoubtedlysomuchto loveabouttherevolutionaryBladesofthe lastfewyears,I’dbelyingifIsaidtheeither ofthe2020-plusmachineshavebeena polishedproduct,inmyopinion,withodd nigglesdampeningthebrillianceofthis fagshipheadbanger.Onspecsalone,it’s beenexactlywhereitneedstobesincethe get-go,butoftenlackedtherefnementto makeitasmanageableandpotentassomeof itsrivals.ThegoodnewsisthatHondahas recognisedthis,goingtotownwiththe2024 machineinmorewaysthanyou’dmaybe

imagine.Sureenough,theBladesportsa newtank,reworkedbodywork,andhas unmissablydifferentwingsthataresmaller, mountedfurtherforward,andstillmaintain thesameamountofdownforcewhile encouragingamorepositiveattitudeforthe frontwheel.Scratchthesurfacealittle furtherandyou’dbeforgivenforthinking theframeisamirrorimageofwhat’scome before,butthat’ssimplynotthecase;it’s beenhonedtowithinaninchofitlife,losing awholekiloinmasswhilebeingfne-tuned forbiggainsintorsional(-15%)andlateral

(-17%)rigidity.Lessweightisneverabad thing,andachunkofthesavingshavecome fromremovinginternalbracingand expandingwhatisdubbedthethin-wall zone,buttherealgainoverthefrstiteration chassisistheaddedfex.Theoldframewas simplytoostiff,unforgiving,andahang-up forcornerexitswheregripwasoften compromised,madealltheharsherbythe Blade’son/offpowerdelivery.

Toensureallthathardworkontheframe wascapitalisedon,HondaturnedtoÖhlins, oncemoretodevelopanddelivernext-

Thefrontendis ridiculouslygood...

Wheeliesinthewet. Whatcouldpossibly gowrong?

TECHDATA

HondaFirebladeRR-RSP

ENGINE:

Type:999.9cc, Liquid-cooled,inline-four

Borexstroke: 81mmx48.5mm

Compression: 13.6:1

Fuelling: EFI

Claimedpower: 214bhp@14,000rpm

Claimedtorque: 113Nm@12,000rpm

CHASSIS:

Frame: Aluminiumdiamond

Fsuspension: 43mmÖhlinsNPXSmart-EC3.0 forksUSDforks

Rsuspension: ÖhlinsTTX36Smart-EC3.0 monshock

Frontbrakes: Four-potBremboStylema calipers,330mmdiscs

Rearbrake: Two-pistonBremobocaliper, 220mmdisc

ELECTRONICS.

Ridingmodes: Yes

Tractioncontrol: Yes

ABS: Yes

Quickshifter: Yes

Autoblipper: Yes

Wheeliecontrol: Yes

Launchcontrol: Yes

DIMENSIONS:

Wheelbase: 1455mm

Seatheight: 830mm

Wetweight: 200kg

Fuelcapacity: 16.5litres

INFO:

generationelectronically-governedpogos. CalledtheS-EC3.0,theyfeaturenew SpoolValveinternals,refnedsettingsand afancypreloadguidescreen…moreon thatlater.It’sallstillgovernedthroughthe provenfve-inchTFTdashthatfeatures ninelevelsoftractioncontrol,fvepower modes,severalusermodes(includingtwo thatarecustomisable),threelevelsof enginebraking,threelevelsofwheelie control,threesettingsforthequickshifter, andjustforthoseoccasionswhenyou’re feelingalittlefruitywhenleavingthe supermarketcarpark,youevenget tractioncontrol.

Allofthiswasbeinghammeredhome duringthemodel’spresentationin Portugal,frazzlingmybrainintheprocess –butnottothepointofmissingoutona particularsoundbitethatsmackedahuge smileonmyface.Let’snotbeataround

Price: £23,499

From: www.honda.co.uk

thebush:theABSonthelasttwoversions ofBladehasbeenhorrendousfortrack usage,butanewraceadditionofa calibrationoptionmeansyoucanfully disengagetherearandallbutdothesame tothefront,minimisinganyriskof intervention.

Withmyenthusiasmpiquing,the momentfnallycametogetmyhead aroundthesmorgasbordofchangesmade tothemotor.Whiletheoutputisstilla saucy214bhp,thewayinwhichitreaches thatimpressivefgurehaschanged signifcantly,withpeakpowerandtorque beingachievedboth500rpmlowerthan before.That’snotafeatyouoftenhear, withaddedrevstypicallybeingthe gatewaytomorepoweruptop.So,how havetheymanagedit?Well,overthe courseoftwobeers,countless presentationslides,andthebestpartofan

ThenewÖhlinsallow forpreloaddirection.