What the press say - Doble Motorcycles
What the press say - Doble Motorcycles
What the press say - Doble Motorcycles
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
CBR1000RR Fireblade <strong>What</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>press</strong> <strong>say</strong>...<br />
Its’s <strong>the</strong> first 1000cc<br />
superbike test and<br />
<strong>the</strong> Fireblade emerges<br />
a clear winner<br />
MCN Feb 2008<br />
Michael Neeves & Adam Child<br />
Honda Fireblade v Kawasaki ZX-10 v<br />
Yamaha YZF-R1 v Suzuki GSX-R1000<br />
<strong>the</strong> Honda’s rear Bridgestone gives massive<br />
feedback . . . Honda’s new shorter stroke<br />
engine is an epic powerhouse . . .<br />
The fact is, <strong>the</strong> Honda recorded <strong>the</strong> quickest<br />
lap time, making it MCN’s track winner.<br />
The factors that go to make a successful<br />
road bike are a different matter. It should make<br />
<strong>the</strong> rider: a) go all tingly while riding it and b)<br />
appreciate what it is capable of, even though it<br />
can’t be ridden to within 7/10th of its available<br />
performance; and c) have serious amounts of<br />
compliments throw at it when <strong>the</strong> ignition is<br />
turned off.<br />
The new Blade fulfills all <strong>the</strong>se criteria. The<br />
Honda is so easy to ride fast it defies belief.<br />
As for looks . . . some hate it, most love it.<br />
It looks different but works better than <strong>the</strong><br />
rest. That makes <strong>the</strong> Blade an easy winner.<br />
RIDE<br />
Mar 2008 Ben Wilkins<br />
My heart is pounding and I’m breathing hard.<br />
Just one lap aboard <strong>the</strong> Fireblade is enough<br />
to see that this is not only a new design; it’s a<br />
new attitude too. Power wheelies<br />
on <strong>the</strong> way out of corners<br />
and <strong>the</strong> occasional wag<br />
of <strong>the</strong> bars are things I’m just not used to<br />
from a Fireblade.<br />
Honda appears to have listened<br />
to those who wanted a bit more<br />
excitement from <strong>the</strong> Blade as <strong>the</strong><br />
new bike explodes any semblance of<br />
<strong>the</strong> ‘boring’ stigma. It harks back to <strong>the</strong> early<br />
rowdy Blade, while still managing to be as<br />
refined as <strong>the</strong>y come. Rawness and refinement<br />
may seem mutually exclusive but Honda<br />
seems to have found a way of matching <strong>the</strong><br />
two. That’s our im<strong>press</strong>ion after trying <strong>the</strong> new<br />
machine around Qatar’s Losail circuit.<br />
. . . this bike feels smaller and more nimble<br />
than <strong>the</strong> ones it replaces. It also steers<br />
incredibly quickly, almost dropping into <strong>the</strong><br />
first turn.<br />
The 2008 Fireblade now has a hint of animal.<br />
It’s not visible, but <strong>the</strong>re’s also a big<br />
improvement in <strong>the</strong> seat. Honda has added<br />
a second layer under <strong>the</strong> foam and <strong>the</strong> very<br />
base of <strong>the</strong> seat has a <strong>the</strong>rmoplastic elastomer<br />
layer that distributes <strong>the</strong> rider’s weight over a<br />
larger area. Honda claims this will reduce back<br />
pain on longer journeys even more than a gel<br />
seat. At first glance Honda seems to be taking<br />
riders’ road needs into account.<br />
This evolution sees <strong>the</strong> Blade become more<br />
focused, smaller and sharper. But though <strong>the</strong><br />
overall performance has increased, it’s still<br />
easy to ride. I’d not recommend that someone<br />
who’s only been riding a few years should<br />
buy a litre sports bike, but <strong>the</strong> Blade is simple<br />
enough for even a relative novice to enjoy.<br />
. . . and true to Fireblade form, <strong>the</strong> 2008<br />
bike makes going extremely fast a simple<br />
proposition. Now it’s just more fun.<br />
TWO<br />
Mar 2008 Niall Mackenzie<br />
Heading out of <strong>the</strong> pit lane at <strong>the</strong> Losail circuit<br />
in Qatar and my first im<strong>press</strong>ion was once<br />
again <strong>the</strong> Blade had a pretty perfect riding<br />
position with everything in just <strong>the</strong> right place,<br />
at least it was for my 11 stone, 5’8” frame.<br />
. . . <strong>the</strong> new two-stage ‘assisted’ slipper<br />
clutch has to be <strong>the</strong> best I’ve tested so far.<br />
The light lever feel and smooth slipper action<br />
means you get just <strong>the</strong> right amount of engine<br />
braking at every corner, <strong>the</strong> result being that<br />
rear end hopping and juddering is totally<br />
eliminated.<br />
. . . <strong>the</strong> latest one (Blade) is much more<br />
nimble and easier to ride. Changing direction<br />
and stopping now involves much less physical<br />
effort and I felt a lot less tired, considering<br />
<strong>the</strong> hot conditions were pretty much identical<br />
to my last trip. Overall <strong>the</strong> handling was<br />
noticeably sharper over <strong>the</strong> whole lap and<br />
<strong>the</strong>re was even a tad more protection with <strong>the</strong><br />
higher screen. The harder I pushed <strong>the</strong> better<br />
<strong>the</strong> bike began to feel.<br />
. . . <strong>the</strong> new lighter mono-bloc callipers are<br />
fantastic. They stayed consistent in <strong>the</strong> boiling<br />
conditions and were most im<strong>press</strong>ive at <strong>the</strong><br />
end of <strong>the</strong> long straight where I was braking<br />
from 175mph to <strong>the</strong> next 50mph right-hander<br />
with two fingers and plenty more in reserve.<br />
Excellent.<br />
Press Association MSN<br />
Jan 2008 Janie Omorogbe<br />
Cocking a leg over <strong>the</strong> new ‘Blade for <strong>the</strong> first<br />
time, it felt instantly comfortable. It’s smaller<br />
than <strong>the</strong> current model and lighter by 4kg<br />
due to a long list of slimmer components,<br />
including <strong>the</strong> frame, engine, wheels and<br />
brakes. The petite new battery weighs<br />
1kg less. But although <strong>the</strong>