The liquid-cooled in-line-4 engine now features a new fuel injection system and other improvements designed to increase its maximum power while achieving smoother response and stronger performance.  In my opinion it has achieved this aim.

Single intake valve springs are replaced by double springs for more precise operation under the stresses of racing.  Honda has taken a leaf out of the hot-rodders' handbook by adding a bit more intake duration on the cam.  Air cleaner capacity has been increased from 6.5 to 8.1 litres and ram air ducts modified with a new lower intake resonator chamber to smooth response and reduce intake noise (why would you want to do that ?). 

The Honda seems to have a stronger mid-range than most in this class but could do with a little stronger top end kick.  However, I did see over 240kph on the digital speedo' down 'Gardner Straight'. 

Cold starts are as fuss free as possible as the F4i is fitted with the same sort of automatic fast idle system as the Fireblade.  I love this feature and the everyday biker will always see the advantages of this system.  How many times have you started the bike only to walk away to open the gate or something similar to come back to a bike revving its head off so hard that it rattles the fillings out of your teeth?  No problems with that here.  When are the other manufacturers going to catch on to this?

The gearbox has also come in for attention with lower 5th and 6th gear ratios for sharper top-end performance.  Transmission main shaft length has been increased by 2.5mm for enhanced durability.  One clutch plate has been added, increasing in number from 7 to 8 for greater durability.  This is great to see, even though the old CBR never had a reputation for eating clutches.

The instrumentation is comprehensive with an analogue tacho' and digital speedo'.  When there are 3.5 litres left in the fuel tank one bar shows on the left side of the LCD which then progresses through to 4 bars as the fuel level gets lower before starting to flash when things are getting a little dry.  The clock stays on even when the ignition is switched off which is a handy feature.  The LCD also incorporates an odometer and dual trip-meters.

Continued overleaf......

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