2008 Honda Fireblade gets a full makeover

- Overall weight greatly reduced relative to both current model and competition, for the strongest power-toweight ratio in the litre-displacement Super Sports class.

- New chassis design further improves mass centralisation for significantly sharper, more competitive control and enhanced handling ease. 600cc-class handling backed up by litre-class power.

- New 4-piece cast aluminium frame achieves lighter weight while being fully 30mm narrower for greatly enhanced riding ease and manoeuvrability.

- New frame construction reduces width while significantly increasing rigidity (lateral +13%; torsional +40%; vertical +30%).

- New shorter and more compact cast aluminium seat rail.

- New, lighter-weight hybrid extruded/pressed aluminium swingarm features new gull-wing design and 15mm longer effective length while maintaining essentially same wheelbase.

- Swingarm-integrated Unit-Pro-Link rear suspension system with fully adjustable HMAS damper essentially unchanged from current model.

- Front fork span reduced by 10mm (from 214mm to 204mm) for quicker response to turning inputs. Front fork offset increased by 2.5mm (from 25 to 27.5mm) for optimised balance of handling performance. Front axle holders feature new, more centred design that increases rigidity while maintaining light weight.

...continued