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The new FireBlade's bodywork has a new 'Wing Mark' colour scheme which reaches back across the sides of the fairing in thick strokes highlighted by a new FireBlade logo and 'RR' markings. A 'CBR' logo now appears on the sides of the FireBlade's new tail cowl.

The 'Blade's three colour variations are as follows:
≈Winning Red (with Black)
≈Pearl Flash Yellow (with Lapis Blue Metallic)
≈Ross White (with Lapis Blue Metallic)

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. In fact, every piece of bodywork apart from the front fender is new.

The fairing's new front cowl is angled further down for a more compact and aggressive look along with the new headlight. To the sides, newly designed single-piece side cowls replace the 2-piece panels of the 929.  The headlight beam is very good, I tested this during a night time run through the Great Alpine Way which is now something entered in my book of things not to do again after having to evade many kangaroos who were obviously on a death mission.  I also did around 300 night time highway kilometres and found the headlight to be much more useful then.  Straight stretches is always when sportsbike headlights work properly, not much good in the tight turns as the light doesn't turn with the bars like on a naked so the headlight is never pointing the right way around a tight turn.  Something all fully faired bikes have to live with.

Even the fuel tank shape has changed. Blending in above the panels of the fairing, the fuel tank maintains much of its original lines, but has been reduced in size. Settling lower in the frame for more compact proportions that reduce both its height and length by 10mm, this new fuel tank helps move the rider closer to the steering head. While this reduction in the fuel tank's outer dimensions would normally result in a corresponding reduction in its capacity, the FireBlade's new fuel tank was expanded downward between the frame rails at its rear to make up the difference in volume.

A new 'hugger' fender makes an appearance, giving a more open look to the space between wheel and seat and helping to protect the rear suspension from dirt thrown up by the rear tyre.

A new LED taillight makes an appearance along with slightly smaller indicators.

The seat's locking pillion pad pops open automatically on spring-loaded hinges with a turn of its easy-access key. Underneath resides a compact and convenient carrying space, with room reserved for carrying a U-lock and other daily necessities.  The size of the storage space is slightly down on the 929;  I could squeeze a pair of shoes down the front of the 929's storage space and still have room for wet weather gear but I couldn't quite manage it on the 954.  That said, it is still better than the opposition in this area.  Another change sees the key inserted in to the fairing below the pillion seat rather than above the number plate which further improves ease of use.  This bike has so many nice little touches to make living with it just that little bit easier.

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