Honda CBR900RR Fireblade
Parker’s used price range £870-4,725
Engine size 918cc
Power 128bhp
Top speed 160mph
Insurance group 17
The motorcycle that changed how sports motorcycles were built. The Honda CBR900RR FireBlade wiped the floor with its competitor motorcycles not by being more powerful (it wasn’t) but by being lighter. Rivals were all well over 200kg, the first Honda CBR900RR FireBlade was just 185kg which made it perform superbly. It’s still a wild ride and a surprisingly practical motorcycle too.
Engine: Proven technology made lightweight - very much the Honda CBR900RR FireBlade’s philosophy. It worked extremely well. The in-line four, 16 valve, liquid cooled engine in the Honda CBR900RR FireBlade grew from 893cc to 918cc by 1998 but it always set the motorcycle alight with plenty of power at any revs and a dab of character too.
Ride And Handling: The Honda CBR900RR was labeled dangerously fast steering when it was launched - but times have moved on and modern motorcycles are much more flighty. The 16 front wheel gives an unusual feel and somewhat limits tyre choice - a 17″ wheel from a Honda VFR750F-V goes straight in without needing new spacers. Brakes work well if in good condition.
Equipment: Like any minimalist sports motorcycle there’s few luxuries on the Honda CBR900RR Fireblade. But the Honda CBR900RR FireBlade has a couple of surprises up its sleeve. First it’s not uncomfortable or cramped - even pillion accommodation is good if a grab rail is added. Also there’s an excellent ‘boot’ luggage space under the rear seat.
Quality And Reliability: Despite making a motorcycle with revolutionary light weight, Honda didn’t cut corners in terms of quality. Honda CBR900RR FireBlades can easily run to 100,000 miles with routine maintenance. Problems with used motorcycle will be caused by neglect, crash damage or thieves so check thoroughly for all those when looking at a Honda CBR900RR FireBlade.
Value: The Honda CBR9000RR was the best motorcycle in its day and still a superb buy on the used market. Some rivals are cheaper but buy a clean, straight used Honda CBR900RR FireBlade and you can’t go wrong. Depreciation shouldn’t be massive and the early ’round eye’ 1992 and 1993 Honda CBR900RR FireBlades look like becoming collectors items.
Insurance: Insurance group: 17
Model History: 1992: Honda CBR900RR launched.
1994: Updated Honda CBR900RR FireBlade with fox eye faired in headlights, RR logo on the tail unit, electric speedo, minor gearbox mods and more.
1996: More updates including 918.5cc engine, dual slits on each side of tail unit, power up from 122bhp to 126, weight down from 185kg to 183.
1998: New plastics, power up to 128bhp, weight down to 180kg, more comfortable too.
This article was taken from: Motorcycle News