Fireblade CBR1000RR-R SP
Finally got my Fireblade CBR1000RR-R SP home! First impressions after putting some km on it
What surprised me
Its really smooth. I'm coming from a Panigale V2 and expected something more edgy, but below 8k it's totally rideable, even in the city. The riding position isn't comfortable, but I'm used to it and it's not a bike for more than an hour or two in the saddle. Still, I expected it to be worse.
How much the bike changes from 7k up, sound included. It just keeps pulling, and you can be going stupid fast before you even notice. Plus that signature scream, which I never got on my Ducati.
The European version is different from the US one in the air intake, both the ram air and the throttle bodies. The EU bike makes about 27 more hp. Mine put down 212 PS at the rear wheel on the dyno.
Super easy to ride and quick to get used to. If you're really tall I don't think the Blade is for you, but for average or shorter riders it's a bike you can gel with easily.
The engine is a gem, from smooth to brutal acceleration. I like bikes with fairly long gearing where you can really stretch each gear.
What I didn't like
The exhaust barely makes any noise at idle. When you rev it you can tell the valve opens and it sounds amazing, but at low revs you hardly hear it. I've thought about swapping the exhaust, but I'd have to change the servo motors of the two electronic throttles, so it won't be that easy, and I'd lose the warranty.
Some components, like the cable clutch, feel below what I'd expect on a bike like this.