Injected with spice: 2000-2003 Honda CBR900RR FireBlade | Used Bike Information

To have a good time a brand new millennium, Honda thrust the Blade again into the superbike recreation…

Phrases: Jon Urry  Pics: Mortons Archive

The Nineteen Nineties was a wierd outdated interval for Honda and its flagship sportsbike. Having damaged the mould with the revolutionary 1992 FireBlade, the agency then bought chilly ft and spent the remainder of the last decade trying to neuter its beast of a superbike. As rivals shed weight and gained efficiency, the Blade bought lardy, ugly, and worse handing – what was occurring inside Honda? Fortunately, assist was at hand and because the new millennium approached, fortunately somebody throughout the hierarchy green-lighted the Blade’s R&D crew (nonetheless headed by the daddy of the FireBlade, Tadao Baba) to offer its litre sportsbike some balls once more. The outcomes converse for themselves…

A very ground-up new mannequin, the 2000 FireBlade was a correct recreation changer for Honda – which it needed to be, as a result of the 1998 Yamaha YZF-R1 was busy destroying all earlier than it and ready within the wings (not that Honda knew…) was the Suzuki GSX-R1000 K1. So, what makes the ‘929’ Blade so revolutionary?

Constructed underneath the philosophy (the Japanese do love philosophy) of ‘whole management’ (Suzuki’s TL-S had already trademarked ‘completely uncontrolled’…), the brand new Blade copied the sportsbike ethos of a low kerb weight and most energy however married it to a protracted swingarm, inverted forks, and even, shock horror, a 17-inch entrance wheel for the primary time! The tip end result was a motorcycle that matched (on paper; the dyno noticed issues in another way with the Honda nonetheless 9bhp behind the Yamaha) the R1when it got here to efficiency, but did so with much more stability and a typical Honda nod in the direction of street riders. Yep, this class-leading superbike nonetheless got here with a hinged pillion seat with loads of underseat storage.

The Blade made an instantaneous impression (in contrast to the millennium bug) and though arguably not essentially the most agile of the litre sportsbikes, it was the one which felt essentially the most at residence on UK roads… a sense that was solely enhanced when the 2002 mannequin arrived, with its bigger-capacity 954 engine that delivered much more grunt. So, the place does that depart these fashions of Blade twenty years later? Actually tempting used buys!

This era of Blade, which solely lasted 4 years earlier than the underseat pipe mannequin changed it, is a kind of machines that seems like a becoming finish to an period – which is strictly what it’s. The final of Baba’s Blades, while you trip a 929 or 954 you possibly can inform it’s been honed and refined utilizing all of the data of a crew that has realized from its errors. How so? All of it begins from the motor…

Though the gas injection system is a bit jerky (Honda was nonetheless attending to grips with it and that is the primary non-carbed Blade), the all-new engine is an absolute magnificence that, in addition to being quick-revving, has an actual chunk of midrange – much more so when you purchase the great 954 mannequin. Blisteringly quick when requested, the Blade additionally has sufficient grunt to permit you to short-shift by the gears whereas remaining remarkably refined and vibe-free.

Making street driving easy, it’s laborious to fault, and even the gearbox is sweet and slick. It might in the end not be capable of match the R1’s headline efficiency and has 10Nm much less peak torque, however its torque curve is smoother and flatter than the Yamaha’s and that makes the distinction while you aren’t flat-out on a observe.

The identical could possibly be mentioned of the Blade’s chassis. The all-new body, which incorporates a GP-style swingarm mounted to the again of the motor for the primary time, is impressively agile, but not over-kill. Missing a steering damper as commonplace (arguably, it may do with one on the UK’s bumpy roads), it feels as fast-turning as you’d hope for in a sportsbike – however backs it up with spectacular stability and a sense of management that the far flightier Yamaha and Suzuki lack. Similar to the motor, it’s joyful to go head-to-head with the R1 or K1 on observe ought to the gauntlet be thrown down, but when the demand is a mild Sunday ride-out, that’s additionally no difficulty. And the brakes are (properly, ought to be…) beautiful.

Have we bought you on a 929 or 954 Blade but? Properly, there’s one ultimate factor to think about: construct high quality.

A fast look down the used ads for 929 or 954 Blades reveals a far greater quantity which have gone over 20,000 or 30,000 miles than any rivals, but the overwhelming majority look far brisker than their odometers counsel. Why is that this? In addition to being an ideal bike to trip on the street, this era of Blade has an impressively excessive commonplace of end, one thing that definitely went downhill because the 2000s superior and subsequent fashions have been launched.

Which means that even a high-mileage bike – which will be yours for underneath £2000 in a non-public sale – ought to spruce up very properly with a little bit of elbow grease.

At these costs, there are only a few higher used sportsbike buys on the market.

Suspension linkages

An actual difficulty on older bikes, suspension linkages ought to be stripped and regreased each 4 years or so, however this practically all the time will get skipped, resulting in the bearings both seizing or working roughly. Strip them whereas they’re nonetheless accessible, as seized ones are a complete pig to take away and change. It’s a easy job when you can droop the bike utilizing one thing like an ABBA stand.

Brakes

This era of Blade’s brakes are literally fairly good, nonetheless, they do undergo from corrosion and put on points. Test the brake discs have life left in them and put money into a brand new set of braided traces and recent pads to revive their chew. Ideally, additionally strip the calipers down and clear them; a straightforward job, with rebuild kits solely about £50 for each calipers.

Gas filter

Even a usually serviced bike can undergo from {a partially} blocked gas filter as it’s a kind of objects that seldom will get checked or modified. Particles collects within the tank (rust, soiled gas and the like) and clogs up the ‘T-bag’ filter on the gas pump, which sits inside. Altering it isn’t a drama and a brand new one is simply £20, though you might be suggested to exchange the seal as properly, which is £30. If you are there, additionally examine the gas traces, which may begin to harden and turn into brittle.

Engine

The Blade’s engine could be very stable, nevertheless it does require its valve clearances checked at 16,000 miles (they in all probability received’t want adjusting) and gearboxes can begin to put on with second gear the weak level. Test all is properly on a check trip. As soon as again, give the sump plug space examine; the plug itself can strip threads and spherical off in addition to crack the sump if over-tightened. Search for indicators of bodges to cease any leaks.

Bearings

The Blade is an older bike now so you need to count on that the wheel bearings and head bearings would require changing pretty quickly. None are a significant drama to do, however examine for any play or roughness in motion; when you detect some, haggle a reduction to cowl the hassle of swapping them.

Equipment

The Blade tends to draw the sort of rider who doesn’t tinker an excessive amount of, nonetheless, race cans, crash safety, and taller screens are frequent. Be careful for crash bobbins as they mount on to the body and house owners usually underneath or over-tighten them (use a torque wrench to set them appropriately). Be sure that any aftermarket can is both pretty quiet or can settle for a baffle must you want to do a trackday.

Electrics

A number of Blades undergo from reg/rec or generator points, which isn’t an enormous difficulty when you catch them earlier than they do any injury to the wiring loom. If the battery retains on going flat (presuming it’s a pretty new one!), examine that it’s charging appropriately utilizing a multimeter. A brand new sample reg/rec or generator is simply about £100, so it’s no drama. Extra annoying, nonetheless, is a dodgy alarm system, and by now most will in all probability be beginning to play up. Ideally, have a look at getting it changed or eliminated – they merely aren’t well worth the trouble on older bikes.

Suspension

Hardly a shock however search for any weeping seals on the forks and examine the shock’s damping by bouncing the again finish of the bike and seeing the way it recovers. All the time examine the chrome on the forks for injury from stone chips, and likewise have a look at the lock-stops to see if they’re marked, broken, and even lacking, as this means a crash.

Tech Knowledge

2000-2003
Honda CBR900RR FireBlade

Verdict: 8/10

Ideally, purchase the 954 Blade, which has the higher engine. Nevertheless, getting the 929 and spending the saving on upgrading its suspension, fuelling, and brakes is a superb choice.

+ Nice engine, sorted chassis, and funky seems to be

– There are just a few tough edges that want refining

Additionally take into account…

2001 Suzuki GSX-R1000

Non-public: £2800 Vendor: £3500

By all rights the K1 ought to be seen as a contemporary traditional – nevertheless it isn’t and due to this fact costs are pleasingly low. Stacks of energy, a roomy driving place, and luggage of perspective.

Engine: 988cc, l/c, 16v, inline 4
Energy: 152bhp @ 10,700rpm
Torque: 111Nm @ 8000rpm

2003 Kawasaki ZX-9R

Non-public: £2500 Vendor: £3000

Out-classed and out-performed on the time, these days the ZX-9R makes for a cut price sportsbike that may be a contact lardy however has a cracking motor and is pretty comfy.

Engine: 899cc, l/c, 16v, inline 4
Energy: 137bhp @ 11,800rpm
Torque: 99Nm @ 7,900rpm

2002 Yamaha YZF-R1

Non-public: £3300 Vendor: £3800

You could possibly go for the extra aggressive and uncooked first or second era, however ideally get the primary injected R1, which is a completely lovely bike to trip.

Engine: 998cc, l/c, 20v, inline 4
Energy: 147bhp @ 11,300rpm
Torque: 107Nm @ 8400rpm

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