Motorcycle specifications HondaCBR 900 RR FIREBLADE 2003 No more laughter

with the arrival of the Suzuki GSX-R 1000, the Fireblade (and all other sportbikes for that matter) took a beating. So, for its new version, the engineers have radicalized it a little more to curb the "gex" leadership. Aesthetically, the lines of the 2002 livery are tauter, the smile inducted by the 929 has become particularly aggressive, the titanium pot is huge but even lighter, and like the R1, the rear light is now LED.
The engine doesn't just gain cm3. It gains a new injection system with a faster processor, the pistons are lighter, and displacement is now 954 cm3. With this, the CBR should finally deliver the power announced by the engineers(the old one never produced the 153 hp it was supposed to).
Although this boiler has obviously gained in torque, and even if it's well filled, it's not as impressive or as efficient as the GSX-R's. Still, it's plenty powerful, and certainly more controllable than Suzuki's feisty 4-cylinder.
The chassis hasn't rested on its laurels. The already excellent frame has been modified - reinforced - at the steering column. The shorter fuel tank brings the rider closer to the frame and centers the masses. Let's take a closer look at the new swingarm. A true competition piece, which the CBR shares with the new VTR SP-2. A superb assembly, longer, more imposing, stiffer and lighter than its predecessor. In anticipation of serious track use, the new rear shock absorber anchorage allows the machine's attitude to be modified without touching the suspension settings.

true to the "Total Control" philosophy of the CBR 900's designer, the Fireblade is still a high-performance machine, without being exclusive. It's best to be experienced, but it seems to require less technical baggage than the competition in order to be exploited. And yet, the 954's performance is no match for that of its predecessor, the 929. Although livelier, it has lost a little stability. The fork is a little less effective than on the previous generation, and the suspension is sometimes out of tune when the CBR is heavily whipped. OK, these annoying reactions only manifest themselves in severe racing conditions... but with the old model, you could attack without worry.
On a day-to-day basis, the Blade remains more versatile than its racing rivals, with comfort that's close to decent, a comprehensive instrument panel with H.I.S.S. and a trunk that can hold more than a pack of smokes.

M.B
(inspired by T. Baujard's article - Moto-journal n° 1 498
manufacturer's photos)