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HONDA CBR1000RR FIREBLADE SP (2014 - 2017) Review

MCN rating 5 out of 5 (5/5)
Owners' rating 5 out of 5 (5/5)
Specs Owners' reviews Bikes for saleFor sale
2

At a glance

Owners' reliability rating: 5 out of 5 (5/5)
Power: 178 bhp
Seat height: Medium (32.3 in / 820 mm)
Weight: Medium (439 lbs / 199 kg)

Prices

New N/A
Used £8,000 - £11,600
View bikes for sale

Overall rating

Next up: Ride & brakes
5 out of 5 (5/5)

Honda has given Fireblade fans a reason to smile. With its classy Öhlins suspension, Brembo monobloc brakes, blueprinted engine and drop-dead gorgeous HRC paintjob, the SP is the most desirable Blade in its 21-year history. With its improved handling, braking performance and grip, the SP is destined to be a faster-lapping, easier-to-handle track day bike than any previous model. And all the sexy bits make it a far better road bike, too, thanks to its smoother engine, plusher suspension, stronger brakes and taller double-bubble screen.

Ride quality & brakes

Next up: Engine
5 out of 5 (5/5)

Some of the changes to the 2014 Blade models are so minor you would be hard pushed to notice them back-to-back, but the SP gives you so much more confidence and feel through the rear tyre when you are at full lean. When you are flying along, wide-eyed and pumped full of adrenalin, you really notice the things that make the SP special: the new suspension, brakes, tyres and a bigger screen to hide behind down the straights. The 2013 Blade was always a nicely balanced, easy-to-ride superbike – with the SP there is all this and more.

Engine

Next up: Reliability
5 out of 5 (5/5)

The standard old Blade’s engine is a little gruff, so at low speeds you really notice the beautiful smoothness of the SP’s blueprinted motor. Then there’s the engine’s easy grunt, flexibility, the typically glassy-smooth Honda throttle response and the way the Blade SP rolls obediently into corners with the lightest touch on the wider, lower, bars. Did I miss the lack of rider aids? Unless you have the talent of a top racer you are never going to get the Blade to misbehave and you never miss not having electronic aids, although a quickshifter would be nice…

Reliability & build quality

Next up: Value
4 out of 5 (4/5)

The Blade is extremely well built with an almost faultless reliability record.

Value vs rivals

Next up: Equipment
4 out of 5 (4/5)

The Blade SP is more expensive than the S1000RR and RSV4 R, but on a par with the MV F4R and cheaper than a basic Panigale.

Equipment

5 out of 5 (5/5)

Lacking and electronic aids such as traction control or fuel modes, but it does have Öhlins suspension.

Specs
Engine size 999cc
Engine type Four-stroke, liquid-cooled DOHC, 16v inline four
Frame type Aluminium perimeter
Fuel capacity 17.7 litres
Seat height 820mm
Bike weight 199kg
Front suspension Öhlins 55mm inverted forks, fully adjustable
Rear suspension Öhlins fully adjustable rear shock
Front brake 2x320mm discs. Brembo four-piston radial monobloc calipers
Rear brake 1x220mm disc, Nissin single-piston caliper
Front tyre size 120/70ZR17
Rear tyre size 190/50ZR17

Mpg, costs & insurance
Average fuel consumption 42 mpg
Annual road tax £101
Annual service cost -
New price -
Used price £8,000 - £11,600
Insurance group 17 of 17
How much to insure?
Warranty term Two year unlimited mileage

Top speed & performance
Max power 178 bhp
Max torque 84 ft-lb
Top speed 186 mph
1/4 mile acceleration -
Tank range 130 miles

Model history & versions

Model history

2014: Model introduced

Other versions

ABS costs £600 more while the basic Fireblade is £11,999 or £12,599 with ABS.

Read more about the full HONDA CBR range

MCN Long term test reports

MCN Fleet: How special is the 2017 Fireblade SP?

MCN Fleet: How special is the 2017 Fireblade SP?

Twenty five years ago, give or take a week, I was handed the key to the first Honda Fireblade into the country. For those pre-internet times, the hype around the bike had been borderline hysterical and the scramble by the bike press to secure that all-important first go on UK roads quite unprecedent…

Read the latest report

Owners' reviews for the HONDA CBR1000RR FIREBLADE SP (2014 - 2017)

6 owners have reviewed their HONDA CBR1000RR FIREBLADE SP (2014 - 2017) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.

Review your HONDA CBR1000RR FIREBLADE SP (2014 - 2017)

Summary of owners' reviews
Overall rating: 5 out of 5 (5/5)
Ride quality & brakes: 4.7 out of 5 (4.7/5)
Engine: 5 out of 5 (5/5)
Reliability & build quality: 5 out of 5 (5/5)
Value vs rivals: 4.8 out of 5 (4.8/5)
Equipment: 4.5 out of 5 (4.5/5)
5 out of 5 Great bike
03 January 2023 by Angi666

Year: 2015

Actually have a CBR1000RR 2015, but not listed on here.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5

Amazing bike, but you do have to show it who's boss 😉

Equipment 4 out of 5

Wish it had a fuel gauge

Buying experience: Bought from Colchester Kawasaki with only 3000 on the clock. Great value

5 out of 5 The best Fireblade ever
29 May 2018 by ian Denmark

Year: 2017

Oh yes. Light, fast, good looking, brakes are great, engine pulls all the way from 1st gear, handles like a 600.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5

Tank refills

Engine 5 out of 5

Pulls in every gear, awesome. My 5th blade.

Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5

Honda built, Honda reliable.

Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 5 out of 5

Controls are all great, you just need 2 weeks to read the manual. First thing to change is the exhaust.

Buying experience: Dealer, Victor Devine, Glasgow.

5 out of 5 The blade is a must
31 March 2018 by Simon Shakeshaft

Year: 2017

Had the KTM 690 Duke, we won’t talk about that! Then the Daytona 675. But the Blade is a different level. You have to get one!

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5

Smooth and effortless

Engine 5 out of 5

Mmmm the sound.

Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5

Phenomenal

Value vs rivals 5 out of 5

Unknown as only done minimal miles. This weather! Had it new in November

Equipment 5 out of 5

Quick shifter is a must Slide control really does work

Buying experience: Sutton Motorcycles at Bromsgrove were fantastic. Steve Woods is helpful and not the usual pressure sales type. Would and will be back there. Thanks Steve, what a bloke. What a bike...

5 out of 5
30 May 2017 by Njcwilkinson

Year: 2017

Incredible sports bike. From the engine to the build quality, Honda have nailed this new Fireblade. As a road bike it's comfortable, plenty fast enough and has a great interface.

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5

I still need to set the suspension up properly

Engine 5 out of 5

Lovely smooth power delivery and a raspy engine note, sounds great under load.

Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 4 out of 5

Not a cheap bike but looks like it will last a long time

Equipment 4 out of 5
5 out of 5 CBR1000RR SP review
27 May 2014 by stealthbiker

Excellent Bike for the money. Very smooth riding bike, and handles much better than the standard CBR. Leans nicely in the turns, and makes me look like a better rider than I am. I was somewhat disappointed in the suspension and brakes - better than stock, but I was hoping for a full track suspension. The Ohlins is a reworked road and track version and is not height adjustable. I like the bike, and it is worth every penny. The extra cost is well worth it. I am getting it track ready. HRC ECU, change out air filter and exhaust, Power Commander, quick shift, dyno tune. Swap shifter. Swap handles for a better look. swap out stock Ohlins with track Ohlins, swap brakes. Change Chain and sprockets. My builder (Jett Tuning) states the bike will produce 175 at the rear wheels when running race fuel, 170 on premium gas, with an upper rpm limit of 14,500.

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5
5 out of 5 Best Blade Ever
17 April 2014 by RoyM57

Early days to comment on reliability but Quality is usual Honda high standard and I expect reliability will be same. Gorgeous looking and fantastic ride and with limited numbers should hold value well.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 5 out of 5
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