We were expecting big things for the latest Honda Fireblade.
There have been no real updates to the CBR1000RR for five years so we were expecting to see major developements.
A V4 engine perhaps? Maybe even the much fabled V5 that Honda had in the pipeline.
The other bikes in the 1000-cc category have moved the game on with extra power and electronic additions since the first BMW S1000RR of 2009.
The Fireblade is standing firm for 2014 with Honda choosing to shun the rider aids that most of the competition have opted for.
Honda are quoting significant tweaks to the cylinder head for a 2-3 bhp gain.
There is an SP version of the new Fireblade which gets Ohlins forks and an Ohlins TTX shock, together with Brembo monobloc calipers. Blueprinted engine internals are said to give a 5-10 bhp shunt in power.
