My thoughts on the 2012 Fireblade

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

Managed to blag a test ride on one whilst my 954 was in for it's service with the big H. When I dropped the 954 off the weather gods were not being kind with rain lashing down for most of the morning. However the sun soon dried the roads and in the afternoon I was able to get out and give the 450 mile fresh Fireblade some beef.

Overall the looks of this mildly facelifted model are a touch better than the old jelly kind of look the 09-11 bike sports, but not much has changed really. Foot rest position is more friendly for those of us that aren't blessed with the flexibility of a teenage Russian gymnast, or over 5"8. One you're moving the wind takes the weight off your wrists and it's surprisingly comfortable. Not quite as well suited to big miles as the 954 is, however the position you're in really lets you boss the bike in corners.

In the bends it would seem as though they'd cut a slot in the road and you're riding some full size Scalextric type of motorcycle. The fancy electronic steering damper doing a manful job of keeping bar wangling to a minimum, without being at all obtrusive at any speed. Despite my best efforts I could upset the bike, it just tracked straight and true, flattering my junior attempts at getting near it's limits.

The motor was always going to be an animal in comparison to the 954, 135 odd bhp plays 165ish, as well as giving away 46cc. It's not quite as simple as it would first appear. The 954 (according to my arse dyno) had more bottom end, especially in the first two gears. Whether this is gearing, or timing retard related I've no idea. In fact I'm not even sure the Fireblade retards the ignition in the first couple of gears. This coupled with the 6 yards of slack in the throttle ( I assume to stop oiks high siding their demo bike into a field) meant that it's far easier to get the front up on the power on the 954. Get the 1000RR into the middle/upper reaches of the (new and rather posh) tacho and it's a predictable walk over. Flat in third and fourth sends the front wheel for the stars worryingly easily. Nothing like riding a TC free thousand on the roads.

The bike I was on seemed to have rather an odd quirk, whereby if you sat at a constant throttle at certain rpms after about 10 seconds the exhaust note would randomly change. I suspect it could be down to the clever OE exhaust doing things.

[img]https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/563653_567977005052_306573263_n.jpg[/img]

In all honesty it makes a 954 seem about as animated and exciting and as Westminister Abbey.
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[supZ]

obviously its going to be faster and probably handle better but as an overall bike. i.e. a bike to do the daily commute and have a blast with your mates on the weekend or go away on a 2k mile tour of scotland.. what bike would you choose?
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[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

[bunglehaze]

I really enjoyed banging around portimao on one, though by the time I got to the 'blade I was tired and too much so to have given it some proper beans.

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[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

[bunglehaze]

[Trasler]

Nice looking bike but i don't like the exhaust.
I'd much prefer something thinner/longer. Just looks more exhaust-like.

Sorry i can't give my opinions on anything as i'm a newbie.

Good review. Where did you ride it? From the picture, looks like more country roads then town/city?

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]