HONDA CBR1000RR FIREBLADE (2019 - on) Review

Overall rating

The Fireblade, and its hotter SP brother, get a raft of electronics changes to improve its performance characteristics for 2019. With many complaining that the Blade’s overly keen interventions hinder fast riding, Honda have separated some control systems, and backed-off the nannying of others.

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Their Honda Selectable Torque Control can now take tyre profile into its calculations, meaning more precise intervention on corner exit. The wheelie control is now separated from HSTC so that riders can set high intervention with low HSTC, for example.

There are three levels, and its function has also been improved. Closed throttle actuation has been sharpened with a 45% faster reaction time between shutting the throttle and the rpm dropping, while the aggression has been increased when opening the throttle in Power Mode 1 for faster corner exits.

Finally, the ABS intervention has been reduced to improve braking force prior to the system kicking in. A few licks of paint aside, that’s your lot.

Ride quality & brakes

Engine

Reliability & build quality

Value vs rivals

Equipment