Like the CBR600RR, the new generation Fireblade lifts styling cues directly from Valentino Rossi’s dominant RC211V MotoGP machine. Following the latest trend, Honda has chosen to go the underseat route for their dual outlet muffler.

Recent Fireblades had a back pressure control unit in the exhaust collector, similar to the Yamaha EXUP system. But for 2004 Honda have taken a different path by installing an electronically controlled valve high in the system, under the seat, just before the muffler.

Honda have long suffered a capacity disadvantage to Yamaha’s YZF-R1 and Suzuki’s GSX-R1000, but for 2004 Honda will be on a level playing field with a new 998cc in-line four.

A dual sequential fuel injection system has two injectors per cylinder. A large new airbox design is fed from an intake tract which runs between the radiator and the lower triple clamp. A pair of cylindrical air filters clean the air rather than the conventional flat element type normally seen on motorcycles, this is an interesting departure from the norm’.

The 43mm upside-down Showa forks offer the full range of damping, rebound and preload adjustments as does the single Pro-Link shock.

Honda also move to radial mount calipers for 2004 and the Tokico four-piston items clamp on 310mm disc rotors. At the rear a single 220mm disc aids the stopping process. Although the Fireblade is 35mm shorter than the R1 the wheelbase is actually slightly longer.

The Fireblade has always made do without a steering damper but receives one in 2004. Honda has not seen fit to go with the conventional lateral damper design for their new machine though. Instead, the 2004 CBR1000RR gains a rotary damper affixed to the frame and top triple clamp. The basics of this layout have been seen before on some motocross machines but Honda suggest that their new damper is dynamic in the way it applies the damping force. It seems as though the damper takes cues from the engines electronic control unit as to road speed etc. before deciding how much resistance to apply. Honda, the master of acronyms, has come up with yet another for this system, dubbing it ‘HESD’.

Honda has not yet released weight or power figures for their new beast but you can guarantee that both will be impressive.