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

To rejoice a brand new millennium, Honda thrust the Blade again into the superbike recreation…

Phrases: Jon Urry  Pics: Mortons Archive

The Nineties was a wierd outdated interval for Honda and its flagship sportsbike. Having damaged the mould with the revolutionary 1992 FireBlade, the agency then obtained 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 obtained lardy, ugly, and worse handing – what was occurring inside Honda? Fortunately, assist was at hand and because the new millennium approached, fortunately somebody inside 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 communicate for themselves…

A completely 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 a great 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 motorbike that matched (on paper; the dyno noticed issues otherwise with the Honda nonetheless 9bhp behind the Yamaha) the R1when it got here to efficiency, but did so with way more stability and a typical Honda nod in 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 probably the most agile of the litre sportsbikes, it was the one which felt probably the most at dwelling 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 20 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 type of machines that appears like a becoming finish to an period – which is precisely what it’s. The final of Baba’s Blades, once you experience a 929 or 954 you may inform it’s been honed and refined utilizing all of the information of a crew that has realized from its errors. How so? All of it begins from the motor…

Though the gasoline 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 should you purchase the fantastic 954 mannequin. Blisteringly quick when requested, the Blade additionally has sufficient grunt to mean you can short-shift by way of the gears whereas remaining remarkably refined and vibe-free.

Making street using easy, it’s onerous to fault, and even the gearbox is good and slick. It could finally not have the ability to 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 once you aren’t flat-out on a observe.

The identical may very well be mentioned of the Blade’s chassis. The all-new body, which contains 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 might do with one on the UK’s bumpy roads), it feels as fast-turning as you’ll 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. Identical 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 delicate Sunday ride-out, that’s additionally no concern. And the brakes are (effectively, needs to be…) beautiful.

Have we offered you on a 929 or 954 Blade but? Properly, there’s one remaining factor to contemplate: 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 more energizing than their odometers recommend. Why is that this? In addition to being an ideal bike to experience on the street, this era of Blade has an impressively excessive commonplace of end, one thing that actually went downhill because the 2000s superior and subsequent fashions had been launched.

Because of this even a high-mileage bike – which could be yours for underneath £2000 in a personal sale – ought to spruce up very effectively 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 concern on older bikes, suspension linkages needs to be stripped and regreased each 4 years or so, however this almost 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 exchange. It’s a easy job should you can droop the bike utilizing one thing like an ABBA stand.

Brakes

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

Gas filter

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

Engine

The Blade’s engine may be very strong, nevertheless it does require its valve clearances checked at 16,000 miles (they most likely gained’t want adjusting) and gearboxes can begin to put on with second gear the weak level. Verify all is effectively on a check experience. As soon as again, give the sump plug space a great test; 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 it’s important to anticipate that the wheel bearings and head bearings would require changing pretty quickly. None are a significant drama to do, however test for any play or roughness in motion; should you detect some, haggle a reduction to cowl the trouble of swapping them.

Equipment

The Blade tends to draw the type of rider who doesn’t tinker an excessive amount of, nevertheless, race cans, crash safety, and taller screens are widespread. Be careful for crash bobbins as they mount on to the body and house owners typically underneath or over-tighten them (use a torque wrench to set them accurately). 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 concern should you catch them earlier than they do any harm to the wiring loom. If the battery retains on going flat (presuming it’s a pretty new one!), test that it’s charging accurately utilizing a multimeter. A brand new sample reg/rec or generator is barely about £100, so it’s no drama. Extra annoying, nevertheless, is a dodgy alarm system, and by now most will most likely be beginning to play up. Ideally, take a look at getting it changed or eliminated – they merely aren’t definitely worth the problem on older bikes.

Suspension

Hardly a shock however search for any weeping seals on the forks and test 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 harm from stone chips, and in addition take 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. Nonetheless, getting the 929 and spending the saving on upgrading its suspension, fuelling, and brakes is a superb possibility.

+ Nice engine, sorted chassis, and funky appears to be like

– There are a couple of tough edges that want refining

Additionally contemplate…

2001 Suzuki GSX-R1000

Non-public: £2800 Supplier: £3500

By all rights the K1 needs to be considered as a contemporary traditional – nevertheless it isn’t and subsequently costs are pleasingly low. Stacks of energy, a roomy using place, and baggage of angle.

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

2003 Kawasaki ZX-9R

Non-public: £2500 Supplier: £3000

Out-classed and out-performed on the time, these days the ZX-9R makes for a discount sportsbike that could 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 Supplier: £3800

You may 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 experience.

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

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