HONDA CBR900RR FIREBLADE (2002 - 2003) Review

Version: 954rr

Year: 2002

Annual servicing cost: £180

Bar setter which is only beat by bigger and lighter bikes which stand on it's shoulders providing inspiration

Buying experience: Bought from a dealer so, slightly overpriced for mileage...30k £3k in 2015. But I have put 17k miles on it and enjoyed every one.

Year: 2002

Annual servicing cost: £150

I was reunited with this genuine 7,000 mile specimen about 4 years ago after purchasing her new in 2002. Sold her to a friend who took her to Spain where she spent most of her time garages up. Rides and looks like the day I bought her in 2002.

Year: 2003

Balance and power has to be one of the best bikes I have owned. Just a few electronic issues but this is an old bike

Year: 2002

One of the best bikes I have owned. I have 2 of them; one with 120,000 miles, the other with 30,000. The high miler makes a little more noise and a little less power but I'd ride it across the US. A steering damper is a must. One bike has Ohlins front [ a lucky score ] and rear, the other aftermarket fork internals and an Ohlins shock. They both handle superbly. The front calipers are tiny but highly effective - the best brakes I have used. Fit, finish and overall quality are what you'd expect. I tested a similar year R1 and like the ergonomics of the 954 more. My only niggle is high frequency vibration in the bars which is a real pain on long rides. I have still ridden both on multi-day trips.

I got my CBR954 2002, a year ago. I carnt fault it, excelent ride, handling, looks, tank range, ect, ect. Ive had many of bikes, but this is a keeper, i bought it with 12000 miles on the clock, it now has 16000, these bike will do 100,000 easy. I would buy another an store it if i had the money. I love it.

My bike is now 6 years old and people still say 'I like your new bike' such is the quality and overall finish. To be honest that's why i'm such a honda fan, riding all year you really do need a bike that will stand up to the worst of the weather Britain has to offer and Honda delivers in spades. After 18k miles the engine is run in nicely, but she still feels taught and incredibaly responsive. This bike is ridiculously easy to ride fast and she holds a line superbly well, but you still have to show her who's the boss when going for it as it is still capable of biting, saying that she is a complete pussycat when ridden at normal pace. The brakes are superb and I have still found no reason to fit braided hoses apart from aesthetic reasons (maybe next year) This for me is the best looking blade that Tadao produced and one of the most comfortable, not only can you still cut it on the twisties with all modern litre bikes, she is also capable of touring with good mpg. I commute 100 miles a day to work and use the bike whenever possible. She is so easy to live with and has never let me down, she will always produce the goods when asked and I have absolutely no reason what so ever to part company with her, infact if i did succumb to buy another bike the 954 would still be in my garage as she really is that good and i will not part with her. if you're reading this it's more than likely you are looking to buy one. Well as NIKE would say 'just do it' its one hell of a machine.

well where do i start, i went looking for a new bike but had no idea what i was looking for, i looked at R1's, Zx6r's, and the like, and never thought about a blade...... until i saw a low milelage 954..... after reading a load of reviews about all the bikes i thought.. yes thats the one.......... and its a joy to own... riding it is so easy, the power is a simple matter of throttle control, no nasty power steps that catch you out.... but open the throttle, regardless of the gear and your rewarded with a load of grunt and after a very short time a large speed reading on the lcd display..... once brave enough first and second gear are a ball... with a decent amount of throttle the front wheel lifts and the surge is grin inspiring!! but its the rest of the bike that makes you grin more... the handling is spot on for the roads, not too firm and not to soft, point the front end where you want and the rest of the bike follows... hang off and the supsension seems to get even better!! but its the brakes that make the blast fun....... awesome stopping power, so easy to scrub speed off, with no sudden bite or fade on a run, the brakes are great!! comfort for a sports bike is great too... 100 miles at least before you feel the need to stop and stretch!! which is almost the tank range.... expect about 120 miles before reserve... giving about 35 to 40 mpg... oh, and the snatchy throttle is not a issue.... reviews say its snatchy but being smooth proves its not............ overall its a joy to ride, stunningly fast without trying, excellent headlights, loads of grip, super breaks, comfy, looks great, and engine thats actually road focused... rather than track focused... ( i.e. not all top end power) down sides?? now thats hard, i suppose the only downside is the fact you need to stop every now and again to refuel!!!!!!!!!!

Bought 03 954 in March this year,14,700 miles on it and now has 17,500. Fitted BT021's at the time and still plenty life, brilliant grip. Absolutely love it in the black and yellow,power is fantastic and predictable. Very comfortable for a sports bike and regularly do 300 mile run's. fuel consumption is amazing! 48 MPG at touring mode, 160mls to a tank. Doing the highland and islands again this year, best place in the world!!

Day 3 in the Littledaddy house and the Blade is still getting alot of attention! There seems to a constant stream of my sons friends wandering in to garden to have look while he tells them exaggerated tales of bhp and top speed.......which is good for my (and his) street-cred...But in reality the engine is quite a sweetie really - very linear power and no where near as intimidating as i thought...The riding position is pure sports (after a Triumph RS anyway) and at 5'10" my head feels almost over the (very clear) clocks - the whole package feels teeny weeny (my old wrists are cursing me!)...the ride quality (chasis and suspension) are AWESOME..(some credit to the previous owner here) as the bike is soft and compliant but seems to holding a tight-line (not really hammered it yet - so it may need firming up?) - the build quality is excellent and there are some nice touches with the under-seat storage and bungee hooks...all-in-all i think i've made a good choice - i wanted an everyday superbike with the potential for some proper fun on good roads..especially in Europe (we've already decided we're going back to Spain again now!)...so if the reliability and build last through the winter the bike will be getting a huge thumbs-up from me - the RS will be a difficult act to follow in truth!!

Best bike I have ever owned and there has been alot. Good looking, fast and comfortable for a sports bike. Handling is delightful. Easy enough power for the road. Perfect machine for track days. What a bike!

I had reservations about going from a CBR600 to the 954 'Blade but I'm very glad I did..it is light,manoeuvrable,comfortable and involving to ride with good tank range .I have Pirelli Diablos on mine which is the unusual white & blue version...

Bought new in 2003, and now has 36,000 'weekend' miles on it. Standard except for a double bubble screen and uprated front suspension. Apart from tyres (it eats them) and steering head bearings nothing has broken or worn out. I trust it more than any other bike I have owned; it does exactly what you tell it to without any surprises. It's reputation as the best of the Blades for road use seems completely justified.

Brilliant Bought with 7500 miles in 2004, it now has 24000 miles in all types of weather. nothing broke, nothing fell off, always starts. great storage space, holds a tool kit, lock, and a rain suit. reasonably comfy solo riding, but not great at 40 to 50 mph all day with pillion, tyres BT 014 BT 020 / 021 rear last forever. handling is brilliant, excellent feedback from front, excellent brakes, very easy to ride

Can't believe there aren't more reviews for this model of Blade, there's certainly plenty of them out there! Anyway, I've had mine for a grand total of 4 days now. It's my first ever inline four, other than a shonky old steel-framed CBR6 for track, and it's a whole new experience for me. So fast my eyes water, so tiny it feels like a toy bike and so purdy in blue I'm in love for ever more. We're still getting used to each other. Me to his intense turn of speed, lithe handling and general willingness to please. Him to my pudding-level of ability. The only way is up. Good bits so far: Large, comfy seat and useful underseat storage. Lots of buttons and features to play with. Awesome power. Bad bits so far: Legs getting a bit cramped. A bit twitchy on bumpy roads. All in all the best four and a half grand I have ever spent. :)

Blinding bike. 100%great. My wife loves to ride pilion,and no matter how hard I rode,w ith wifey on the back, and hard I did ride, my blade never failed to perform. No other bike on the road could take my blade. Strengths: Stunning looks, paint ,the wheels and get a two brothers can from carbontek racing,and you got a bike that will turn any head,apart from r1 riders,who,after 2 or 3 corners,will be straining to see you. Must say,extremly comfy,very reliable. Weaknesses:  Needs a ohlins damper.tyres only give about 3000 miles.does not like diesel spills{so I found out and wrote mine off}but then what bike does.