MRW Issue 1

Honda’s vision of building a
superbike for the masses to
enjoy had been commended
by the overall public - a
superbike for all to enjoy. It
was a bike that had qualities
both out on the road and on
the track. Honda’s please-all
approach had worked and
this showed in bike sales
across the world.
Slowly but surely though,
as their competitors released
faster, more advanced
machines, the Honda
superbike public started
taking note and those “Fire-
Blade” privileges and bragging
rights soon became a
thing of the past, replaced
with comments of shame
and embarrassment instead.
Honda’s approach of a ‘superbike
for the masses’ to
enjoy out on the road with
good track abilities had hit
its sell by date, and Blade
fans held signs up in protest
for a new machine; one that
would bring their success
and bragging rights from on
the track in MotoGP to their
KEY SPECS:
ENGINE: 999cc, DOHC, liquid-cooled
inline-four; 4 valves/cyl.
BORE & STROKE: 81mm x 48.5mm
MAX POWER: 201hp @ 14,000rpm
MAX TORQUE: 108Nm @ 12,500rpm
SEAT HEIGHT: 831mm
WHEELBASE: 1455mm
kerb weight: 201kg
PRICE (EST): R380,000 base (est)
R480,000 SP (est)
*Power figures as per our dyno test