It was Honda's original FireBlade, in 900 form, which heralded the era of the modern superbike, back in 1992. The first 'Blade began the trend towards lightweight full-bore machinery without which we'd all still be riding around on Kawasaki ZZ-R1100s and Yamaha FZR1000 EXUPs.

But the original bad boy of the litre sportsbike class only stayed on top for half a decade. By 1998, Yamaha's R1 had stolen the Honda's thunder, and its crown, and over the following nine years, both the R1 and Suzuki's GSX-R1000, in turn, offered the real pinnacle of sportsbike performance.

But for 2008, fifteen years after the original 'Blade started the superbike revolution, Honda's put the 'Blade back on top. An all-new model, with hardly any parts shared with the previous 2006-7 model, the '08 Fireblade offers an unbeatable mix of outright power and control - both on track and on the road.

For 2008, the Fireblade engine returned to a separate cylinder block design, with electro-coated bores, titanium valves, and a new slipper clutch. The engine is an incredible 2.5kg lighter than before, and lives in a new four-piece cast frame that was also 2.5kg lighter than the one it replaced. There's an updated dual-injector fuel injection system too, and a neat underslung exhaust improves aerodynamics, centralises mass and incorporates a host of clever valves and catalysts to reduce emissions while boosting performance. The brakes feature all-new monoblock four-piston radial calipers, and there's a second-generation electronically-adjusted steering damper that alters damping effect depending on speed and throttle position.

Riding the new bike quickly shows how much Honda has moved the design on. The extensive weight loss programme gives the CBR a big advantage over the competition, making acceleration, braking and direction changes easier and more dynamic than ever. The new brake calipers give astounding power and control, and the overall handling package is assured, sophisticated and user-friendly. The slipper clutch works perfectly for track riding, while the fuel injection gives flawless carburation all through the rev range. The engine management also boasts a 'torque management' system which is aimed at reducing wheelspin under acceleration.

Indeed, the only real criticisms of the CBR centre on its styling - the new bike is certainly not a classically beautiful design - and the rather sparse dash that lacks a gear indicator and other rider info. But if you can live with that - and don't mind the styling too much – then the new CBR1000RR is the new ultimate litre-class sportsbike.



Price: £9,300
Engine: l/c, 16v, DOHC, inline-four, 999.8cc
Bore x stroke: 76x55.1mm
Compression ratio: 12.3:1
Carburation: PGM-DSFI fuel injection, 46mm throttle bodies, dual injectors
Transmission: six-speed, chain
Peak power (claimed): 175.3bhp@12,000rpm
Peak torque (claimed): 84lbf ft@8,500rpm
Frame: gravity cast aluminium twin spar
Susupension: 43mm fully-adjustable USD fork/fully adjustable monoshock
Brakes: dual 320mm discs, four-piston, one-piece radial-mount caliper/220mm disc, single-piston caliper
Wheels/tyres: cast aluminium/Bridgestone BT015 120/70 17 F, 190/50 17 R
Seat height: 820mm
Wheelbase: 1,405mm
Fuel capacity: 17.7 litres (3.9 gal)
Wet weight 199kg (438lb) – with fuel, ready to ride
Contact: Honda UK (01753 590500, www.honda.co.uk)