2024 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP review | More track-focused, faster, roomier and easier to ride

It handles better than ever and turns with the blink-of-the-eye precision of a race bike with huge feel through the tyres. Trying to find the Blade’s limit is futile unless you’re a pro. Honda have removed internal bracing from the twin spar aluminium frame for more flex.

It’s 960grams lighter and has 17% less lateral and 15% less torsional stiffness, but it also has another trick up its sleeve that comes from the new third generation Öhlins suspension fitted to the SP (the base Blade is now dropped from the UK line-up).

As before the rebound and compression damping can be set to be semi-active or electronically adjustable and fine-tuned via the dash or pre-set through the riding modes. Now it feels even more like racing suspension with incredible support and feel through corners.

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It also helps you out when it comes to setting the preload for the forks and shock. You still need to spanners to adjust them, but by telling the system how much you weigh (via the dash) it advises the precise amount of turns to add or subtract.

The suspension is set for a 75kg rider in standard trim and suggests an extra half a turn of rear preload for an 80kg Michael Neeves with leathers. The next time out on track the SP steers more crisply and the shock gives more support hard on the throttle out of corners.

The ABS system’s Standard and Track modes are joined by a new ‘Race’. Not only does it delete the lean-sensitive element of the ABS it disconnects the rear ABS and rear wheel lift function altogether.

With fewer electronics standing in the way of what happens when you yank on the lever, braking performance is up there with the best superbikes. Just like the power the engine makes going forward, the new Brembo Stylema R calipers are just as brutal and further test your ability to hold on, even after a handful of laps. That said the actual braking feel is still slightly spongy compared to some of the Honda’s European rivals.

16mm lower pegs and bars that are 19mm higher and 23mm closer to the rider make it easier to get on with for taller riders than the previous model and roomier to move around on track.

With its split throttle bodies the Honda rumbles through corners, which is frankly brilliant. The thought of it making the same noise around your local roundabout, or through town is just delicious.

Of course there’s a serious reason behind this. When you’ve got a bike with so much power you need to control it somehow and the Blade has a lot: 215bhp to be exact and even more when you fit a race pipe or tune it, which many owners and race will teams do.

The tricky bit is delivering all those bhps to the rear tyre when the bike is leant over. Soft engine mapping helps, as does traction, slide and wheelie control, but spitting the throttle bodies and having them work separately takes things a step further.

The system was developed in MotoGP and WSB but outlawed in superbikes unless the road version had them fitted. That’s why they’re now on the Blade. BMW also use split throttle bodies on their latest S1000RR, but unlike the Honda they’re only activated with a race loom and ECU. And of course, being a V4 the Ducati Panigale V4 has two throttle bodies by default.

When you turn the Blade’s twistgrip only the throttle butterflies for cylinders one and two open first. At that point it’s effectively running on two cylinders and that’s where the gurgling sound and gentle vibration comes from (nicely complimented by the pop and bang of its slick up/down quickshifter).

While it’s grumbling away the power delivery is smooth and controllable, so there’s less chance of the tyre spinning and either setting-off the traction control or slewing you sideways. Open the gas more and the other two butterflies come into effect, blending in more power and off you go at warp speed into the sunset.

Off the throttle the system waves its magic wand again. It cleverly balances engine braking by opening the throttle butterflies on cylinders three and four in conjunction with closing the exhaust valve. That leaves the rider free to bang down through the gears and let the electronics control any rear wheel hop.

If you want dial in more engine braking the system will facilitate that, too. On top of that there are new traction control strategies and anti-wheelie that works beautifully here on the undulating MotoGP circuit. A powerful superbike wants to take off over the rises and the fourth gear, 150mph ramp going on to the start/finish straight. The electronics reign in the power, even with the throttle wide open and the Blade’s new wings help keep the front wheel down, too.

The net result of all the electronics buddying up is the Blade is easier to ride fast. That won’t so much be music to the ears of road riders where you could only ever use a fraction of its power anyway, but it will be to hardcore trackday riders and racers in Superstock 1000. The Honda already dominates BSB’s cutthroat support class and the changes will make it quicker still. And of course, the Blade wouldn’t be pumped full of HRC tech if it wasn’t for their desire to win WSB, or BSB.

Electronic aids are well and good, but with such blistering performance the Blade is far from a pussycat. Despite what you read in comments sections, superbikes like this don’t ride themselves. If you want to get the most out of one the simple fact is it’s hard to hang on. The first of our two 20-minute sessions here at Portimao is a blur and it’s only during the second one where the brain can make sense of it all.

On top of engine mods to bolster midrange power the gearbox ratios are shorter and that adds up to more thrust under hard acceleration. It adds extra urgency on track and should be useful on the road. The 2020 Blade had a tall first gear and little power below 6000rpm, making it more like a two-stroke to ride. The ’22 model addressed it slightly and the ’24 should feel more natural still.

2024 Honda Fireblade engine tech

Honda have thrown the kitchen sink at the engine for ’24. It makes the same 215bhp and 83lb-ft of torque, but the upgrades are designed to give it more oomph in road trim and make it come alive as a racer.

Starting at the top, the compression ratio is up from 13.4: to 13.6:1. Inlet ports are reshaped and the valve timing revised. There are new three-stage progressive oval-section valve springs, lighter, redesigned inlet valves and 20gram-lighter titanium conrods.

Moving down, the crankcase is 250g lighter and the crankshaft 450g lighter. Unlike the ’20 Blade that did a million miles an hour in first gear, the ’22 model went some way to address that problem with shorter gearing and now it’s better still. The ’24 model has shorter gearbox ratios throughout and a shorter final drive.

There are now two separate throttle bodies feeding the engine: one for cylinders 1&2 and the other for 3&4. The throttle valves in cylinders 1&2 open at low rpm for more precise control, followed by 3&4 as you ask for more power.

When the throttle is closed on the way into a corner, 3&4 stay open and the exhaust flap closes to control engine braking. All rider modes and aids have been tweaked to suit the new engine character and gearing. Honda have also enlarged the Akrapovic end can by a litre and it’s 5dB quieter, which will be good news for trackdays where the old Blade struggled.

An HRC Race Kit is also available, containing an ECU, wiring harness, head gasket, clutch, quick release rear spindle and race exhaust.

Our online Owners’ Reviews show no major issues with this generation Blade. It’s reliable, well put together and built to last. They’re especially popular for club and Superstock 1000 racing so check for track use if buying used.

Superbikes are out of reach for all but the fortunate few nowadays. The Blade isn’t cheap but more affordable than some and its spec and performance won’t leave you feeling short changed.

The ‘special’ rivals include: £21,300 Aprilia RSV4 Factory, £18,610 BMW S1000RR Sport, £27,995 Ducati Panigale V4 S, £25,799 Kawasaki ZX-10RR, £24,660 Yamaha R1 M.

No longer is the poor relation to European superbikes, it’s as well equipped as the best of them with semi-active Öhlins suspension, Brembo Stylema R calipers and electronics including adjustable riding modes, an up/down quickshifter and traction/wheelie/engine braking/wheelie control.

It also has new wings that are positioned further forward. Honda says there’s 10% less yaw movement, making it less effort to turn through fast corners. The bellypan extends to smooth air over rear tyre and the Fuel tank capacity rises from 16.1 to 16.5 litres.

It’s reshaped to help the rider grip better with their knees under braking and cornering. Honda claim 42mpg and a 153-mile range.