 Honda's
hugely successful FireBlade
debuted in 1992 and re-wrote the rules for big bore
sportsbikes like no other before it.
Now marking the beginning of its second decade with yet another remarkable surge in all the performance features that have made it the best-selling litre-class sport bike of all time, the FireBlade continues to adhere to its tried and true directives of 'Light Makes Right' and 'Total Control'. These concepts continue as the guiding themes of the new FireBlade's development. The new FireBlade is lighter, more exciting and, amazingly, even easier to enjoy than ever before. While featuring a sharp, new look that breaks with its own traditions, the new FireBlade shows the results of evolutionary improvements that have achieved an even more aggressive and responsive combination of light weight and slim proportions in its quest for the highest balance of performance and Total Control. A further refinement of the Year 2000 model, which was itself a major departure from what went before, the new 2002 FireBlade combines fundamental changes to its looks, engine and chassis. There may be bigger, stronger and faster sports bikes on the road. But while top terminal speed and max. power figures are important factors of performance, they aren't the only criteria for enjoying the ultimate riding experience. One can't fully enjoy the ride if some minor discomfort or operating quirk magnifies itself into a major distraction. The only true path to full riding enjoyment is the Total Balance of all performance factors, from the power of the engine to the responsiveness of the handling to the comfort of the seating position to, above all else, the confidence the machine inspires in every move it makes. Here is where the FireBlade has always excelled; providing brilliant performance mixed with comfortable control. The new FireBlade's bodywork has a new 'Wing Mark' colour scheme that borrows heavily from Honda's latest Works racing machines and adapted by other models in Honda's Super Sport stable. The design incorporates the dynamic lines of the Honda Wing Mark, which reach back across the sides of the fairing in bold strokes highlighted by a new FireBlade logo and 'RR' markings. A 'CBR' logo takes prominent position on the sides of the FireBlade's new tail cowl. The 'Blade's three colour variations will
include a bold red and black that emphasises its family resemblance to the
Superbike race machines championed by HRC. Colour
choices are as follows:
Other major styling changes include a lower, more sharply angled and more aggressively designed front cowl, and a lighter, slimmer seat cowl profile that opens up space above the rear tyre to convey a racebike look. In fact, every piece of bodywork save the front fender is entirely new. Continued on Page 2..... |
