There I was, with a biking dilemma, astride my Blackbird pootling towards the Honda Dealership to put O’l Faithful in for a service. I had been the careful owner of a 2005 Yamaha R1 which was the second bike I ever owned. I bought it without a test ride after the very helpful sales team at Colin Collins in Harrow said those magic words….“0% finance”. Loved the bike and as long as I kept my helmet on…it was a babe magnet. It was easy to ride and never got me in trouble (under 7000 revs). However, open the throttle and over 8000 revs it was descriptively unprintable!!! Eyes forced to the back of your head, helmet crushing your face, you felt like someone had walloped you across the kidneys with the sudden acceleration to mach 10.  The downside was my 100 mile daily commute…bum numbing, arm vibrating, neck stiffening agony.

The only solution was to part exchange it for a 2007 Honda Blackbird. I got a good deal, and the nice man from Honda said those magic words “0% finance”. No test ride later and I was a proud owner of one. An excellent machine and very comfortable and I could not fault it...I just did not really bond with it. The other downside was the fact that I never really noticed the speeds it was capable of without even realising it. The R1 gave you some clue as to when you were approaching “Go to Jail” limits. The Blackbird was so smooth that it didn’t warn you at all. The only consolation was when the unmarked TVP Road Wars car assumed I was a 4 2 waved me through whilst I was being a tad illegal.

Back to my dilemma…R1 was an awesome machine, but uncomfortable to commute on and the Blackbird was ok, but did not warn you of impending incarceration. I missed the hooliganism of a sports bike. Anyhow, I parked the bike up and wandered into the Honda dealers to book it in for a service….

The Managers eyes lit up as I walk in. Various machines were on display in mint condition. “Aha” says he, “You’ve had that ‘bird for two years now, it must be time for a change?” My eyes glimpse the Repsol replica Fireblade. He spots it. And with the words “0% finance” and no test ride its bye bye Blackbird.

I’d seen photos of the 2009 Fireblade and read regular raving reviews, and on paper it the fairing looked rather ugly. However, it the flesh it was not as bad. (A bit “cute” – ie ugly, but bearable).

The orange colouring with dark blue stripes gave it a bit of a Frosties Tony the Tiger look. The number plate was perched on an extended piece of plastic that made it look like an arrester hook on an F14 Tomcat, and the orange wheels had definitely been Tangoed. The Repsol colours may have suited Danny Pedrosa, but unfortunately I have the physique of Danny Baker, so a few minor changes were needed.

First off, colour matched double bubble screen, rear hugger,  tail tidy and seat cowl.

Secondly, bin all the wife’s crap out of the garage to make room for my new toy. Job done.

Thirdly, sneak the bike back without telling her…she’s Customs, she’ll never spot the difference between a Blackbird and a Fireblade.

The Blade is small – about the size of a small 600cc. I’m 5 foot 8” and it suits me fine. I had a 1000 mile running in period and had to keep it below 6000 revs prior to the first service. On the daily commute it averaged around 150 to 160 miles on a tank full (18litres) of petrol. It can potter around up to 4000 revs before Honda Engineering kicks in and the exhaust note changes from a calm tranquil sedate tickover into a roaring power crazy mechanical nirvana that propels you along at speed, without you realising just how quick you are going.

The best description I have read was that Honda had made riding the Fireblade a “synergy between man and machine”. They certainly have.

It does everything you ask it and is perfectly balanced. Handling is fantastic. The acceleration is superb and I find it more comfortable than the Blackbird was. The colour scheme, although not to everyone’s taste, is eye catching enough for the normal numpty car drivers to actually notice and give it a second look, which has meant a slightly safer ride. I did not go for the ABS version, however, with my style of riding the standard brakes are more than adequate. The double bubble screen keeps the windblast at bay and there have been no aches or pains after a full days riding. It also comes with a steering damper as standard. The slipper clutch ensures silky smooth non TSG tractor driver gear changes.

The only negative I can say about it is the fact that there is no fuel gauge. A warning light comes on when there is gallon left in the tank - but that’s it.

So as I move out of my garage, with my neighbour friendly exhaust quietly powering me up the road, I leave behind a house load of chaos and mayhem and I can hear the wife shouting her good byes..”Oy Fatboy!! You been Tangoed???!”

I turn the corner and increase speed, grinning from ear to ear and feeling…

Life doesn’t get much better than this. Thank You Honda.

Arun Bose