fast , accurate and unfussy . They ’ ve joined the tech-party and in true Honda fashion have joined it better than anyone out there in my experience . In hard cornering the suspension and ABS is automatically adjusted , and hauling a handful on , rolling up out of a corner , produces an eye-watering feeling of invincibility . Wheelies can be controlled with system settings , and there are 9 levels of HSTS , Honda Selectable Torque System – basically traction and wheelie control function . Hard braking which lightens the rear end grip , also creates work for the internal brain , delivering better stopping power and greater control with semi-active Ohlins suspension through the SCU . The Cornering ABS works brilliantly , with trail braking measurements taken using wheel speed , slip rates and lean angles to vary the threshold for the ABS system . There are three different display modes on the TFT display - Street , Circuit and Mechanic . Street display offers different rider modes , degrees of power , torque control , engine braking , suspension settings as well as fuel economy , consumption and and average speeds . Circuit display delivers track day tech specs , lap times , best times and even circuit info . Mechanic display offers gear position , grip angles , battery voltage and coolant temperatures etc . Holding the ‘ I ’ and selector switch down opens the menu system and all the settings can be configured manually in User 1 and 2 , and you can also dial up Modes 1 , 2 and 3 , with preset power , traction , and engine braking - which slightly confusingly operates from 1 to 3 with 1 being the highest setting and 3 the lowest unlike the others which operate in reverse . I selected Mode 2 most of the time and had an absolute ball . The biggest niggle I had was attempting to find a working manual to help guide you through all these settings , and I spent at least three hours online to little avail . Later , at the NZ Motorcycle Show I asked the Honda team why no manual ? I felt like a complete idiot when the simple answer came back , “ Its under the seat !” Of course it was . Honda doesn ’ t make stupid errors or oversights like that . I asked the question why is this bike so prone to adoration ? And in fairness I think it answers the question itself . Everywhere you look , the wiring loom is completely hidden , the great sculpted block of aluminium that grasps the engine , front end and wishbone , imparts a feeling of autobot-type strength . Even the Ohlins reservoir for the rear suspension is tucked into a perfectly designed aerodynamic dimple . The design work is impeccable . The wheels themselves , in gold , look sensational - and I am not a mag fan ! I adore spokes , but here , in this iteration ? 10 out of 10 . Stopping power is of course by Brembo and the 120 / 70 front and the 190 / 50 rear tyres provide grip like maddened gibbons . And suddenly discovering a genuine 25km / h corner at the end of a long , lonely , clear visibility straight , provided me with a very genuine need for ability under fire . Pass mark , excellent . One of the best things about this bike are the ongoing adventures to be had coming to full grips with the complete array of technical wizardry one will dial up under manual settings . This bike is going to continue to feel better for you and I think I can safely guarantee that you , as a rider , will improve too . Personally , I have not harboured a desire to get on the track for a few years , but the Fireblade SP1 changed that . Given the opportunity , I would love to spend a day or two letting it teach this old dog new tricks . My last word on the matter I leave to Steely Dan . On the northwestern motorway , with my Sena 10 delivering good sounds , I can hear even sweeter music as that thrilling exhaust note opens out above 7000rpm in second , and it ’ s a bloody siren call to the heart . Walter Becker , who passed just a few days back , penned an album entitled ‘ Cant Buy a Thrill ’, a long time ago in the 70s . Walter , you were a genius , a legendary musician , and a fierce taskmaster . But you were wrong . You can buy a thrill . It ’ s called the Honda CBR1000 Fireblade SP1 .
~ PETER ELLIOTT
40KIWI RIDER