First Impression: 2008 Honda Fireblade 1000RR - xBhp.com : The Global Indian Biking Community

Sunny · 10-04-2008, 06:56 PM

If Only Icarus had real Wings :2008 Fireblade First Impression
text and Photography : Sunny

There it was. Gleaming in the sun with a purposeful meanness that only a very capable contender could exude. I was in front of the direct descendant of the 900RR, which, 16 years ago demonstrated to the world how Superbikes should be. The 2008 Fireblade also has the DNA of the RC211V, which many say was the ultimate motorcycle to ride. It was such an incredible motorbike which actually got Rossi to change over to Yamaha, just because he needed to prove that he did not win because of the fantastic machine underneath him. A machine which was lightyears ahead of the competition. The 08 Blade had the the same DNA, but for the real world - the road and the track days.

Restarting its four years development cycle the Blade is back with a bang, it looks different and it behaves different. The only think which perhaps constant is the unbelievable modesty it defines itself as the champion of the road and the track in many a journalist's and test's books across the world.

Now then, I have personally ridden a Blackbird and a 05 Blade for decent number of miles and I know how smooth and reliable they were. I was also a sucker for how the Blade 05 looked, specially its ultra sharp profile.

When Honda released the first pictures of the 08 Blade I was disappointed. It looked just short of a fantastic design if the nose had been a little more sharper. But then, my disliking stopped there and then. In my heart I knew that superbikes were more about the performance and real life riding than just looks (which are subjective anywhich ways). Delivering more on looks, I have started liking the new blade even more than the previous avatars. Why? Because its radical, a deviation from what the norm would be. The front a tad bit taller than the rear, which in superbikesense, shouldn't be. The exhaust side stump looks fantastic, the minimalistic graphics coupled with sanely done cutwork on the panels and plastics looks fantastic and graspable. Its simple yet very complex at the same time and often defies the way superbike should be looking from some angles.

Going further from the looks, the performance and reviews further rationalizes the reason why lots of people swear by the Blade - its the overall package which matters.

My first impression of the Blade in flesh confirmed this and more, it is one hell of a talented motorbike and the sheer number of research and grey substance gone into developing this machine coupled with the incredibly rich lineage its got shows through. And if that wasn't enough, its performance in the WSBK championships are a testimony of what it is actually made of.

And of course, as usual it was pointless taking the Blade and doing anywhere the crazy stuff it can do in Delhi for in every square meter there lies a mass of humanity, some dressed in khaki, some in white!

The color to get would be Black or the European white and black - just stunning!

So now we have to wait and watch till January 2009 comes by and Honda India launches and infuses the Indian motorcycle scene with this incredible DNA.

c_sbk · 10-04-2008, 07:03 PM

JHAKAAS!!!!!!!,bike and sunny bhai ki photography.

Srijan · 10-04-2008, 08:03 PM

AMAZING PICS....as usual!

Hats off to sunny bhai.....

wings_of_fury · 10-04-2008, 08:57 PM

beautiful pics!! cant get better

MavericK46 · 10-04-2008, 10:01 PM

Thank god this thread was saved

Sunny bhaiya..
It took your photography skills to show me that the Blade is actually a decent looker..
Amazing photography Sunny bhaiya

Aryan · 10-04-2008, 10:07 PM

Ahh! This thread is back, love the photographs and the text as well..Superb!

L.P. · 10-05-2008, 07:09 AM

Extremely B'Ful pics.. I guess The only thing that was missing in this thread was the text.. originaly.. when i posted it..

neil.jericho · 10-05-2008, 09:43 AM

Hey Sundeep,

How did you manage to get the pic of the exhaust & the riders footwear in motion ? Jaw dropping pictures man

ravi_afriend · 10-05-2008, 12:26 PM

Extremely Beautiful Pics Dear Sunnybhai. I had fallen in love with your photographical skills since last very long time.

I wish I could see you taking pics of bike in person.

KwokFist · 10-05-2008, 05:20 PM

The pics are gorgeous! awesome stuff there sunny bhai!.. the bike looks good.. altho i personally like the looks from the 05 model.

10-04-2008, 06:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
Sunny SlowMotionInfinity Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Delhi Posts: 6,824	First Impression: 2008 Honda Fireblade 1000RR If Only Icarus had real Wings :2008 Fireblade First Impression text and Photography : Sunny There it was. Gleaming in the sun with a purposeful meanness that only a very capable contender could exude. I was in front of the direct descendant of the 900RR, which, 16 years ago demonstrated to the world how Superbikes should be. The 2008 Fireblade also has the DNA of the RC211V, which many say was the ultimate motorcycle to ride. It was such an incredible motorbike which actually got Rossi to change over to Yamaha, just because he needed to prove that he did not win because of the fantastic machine underneath him. A machine which was lightyears ahead of the competition. The 08 Blade had the the same DNA, but for the real world - the road and the track days. Restarting its four years development cycle the Blade is back with a bang, it looks different and it behaves different. The only think which perhaps constant is the unbelievable modesty it defines itself as the champion of the road and the track in many a journalist's and test's books across the world. Now then, I have personally ridden a Blackbird and a 05 Blade for decent number of miles and I know how smooth and reliable they were. I was also a sucker for how the Blade 05 looked, specially its ultra sharp profile. When Honda released the first pictures of the 08 Blade I was disappointed. It looked just short of a fantastic design if the nose had been a little more sharper. But then, my disliking stopped there and then. In my heart I knew that superbikes were more about the performance and real life riding than just looks (which are subjective anywhich ways). Delivering more on looks, I have started liking the new blade even more than the previous avatars. Why? Because its radical, a deviation from what the norm would be. The front a tad bit taller than the rear, which in superbikesense, shouldn't be. The exhaust side stump looks fantastic, the minimalistic graphics coupled with sanely done cutwork on the panels and plastics looks fantastic and graspable. Its simple yet very complex at the same time and often defies the way superbike should be looking from some angles. Going further from the looks, the performance and reviews further rationalizes the reason why lots of people swear by the Blade - its the overall package which matters. My first impression of the Blade in flesh confirmed this and more, it is one hell of a talented motorbike and the sheer number of research and grey substance gone into developing this machine coupled with the incredibly rich lineage its got shows through. And if that wasn't enough, its performance in the WSBK championships are a testimony of what it is actually made of. And of course, as usual it was pointless taking the Blade and doing anywhere the crazy stuff it can do in Delhi for in every square meter there lies a mass of humanity, some dressed in khaki, some in white! The color to get would be Black or the European white and black - just stunning! So now we have to wait and watch till January 2009 comes by and Honda India launches and infuses the Indian motorcycle scene with this incredible DNA.

10-04-2008, 07:03 PM	#2 (permalink)
c_sbk Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New Delhi Posts: 272	JHAKAAS!!!!!!!,bike and sunny bhai ki photography. __________________ NOTHING FOREVER,EXCEPT CHANGE. Without opportunity,TALENT* is nothing.*

10-04-2008, 10:01 PM	#5 (permalink)
MavericK46 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,191	Thank god this thread was saved Sunny bhaiya.. It took your photography skills to show me that the Blade is actually a decent looker.. Amazing photography Sunny bhaiya __________________ I'm normally not a praying man, but if you're up there, please save me Superman. -Homer J Simpson

10-04-2008, 10:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
Aryan Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: New Delhi/ Shillong Posts: 18,275	Ahh! This thread is back, love the photographs and the text as well..Superb! __________________ ...in search of that perfect world - My Travel Blog :)

10-05-2008, 07:09 AM	#7 (permalink)
L.P. Uncle xBhp'ian Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: DL-7S Posts: 2,135	Extremely B'Ful pics.. I guess The only thing that was missing in this thread was the text.. originaly.. when i posted it.. __________________ " Nothing Z Forever,Except D Change " Spiti \|\|Binsar \|\| Lansdowne Click Here to Subscribe to the xBhp Delhi SMS Channel 2006-till Date : Bajaj Discover 125cc 1,60,000 kms ..... now Hero Honda Karizma

10-04-2008, 08:03 PM	#3 (permalink)
Srijan Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 159	AMAZING PICS....as usual! Hats off to sunny bhai.....

10-04-2008, 08:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
wings_of_fury Relishing my Elanor(zma)! Join Date: May 2005 Location: New Delhi Posts: 182	beautiful pics!! cant get better

10-05-2008, 09:43 AM	#8 (permalink)
neil.jericho Corazon de leon Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bangalore / Cochin Posts: 864	Hey Sundeep, How did you manage to get the pic of the exhaust & the riders footwear in motion ? Jaw dropping pictures man Last edited by neil.jericho; 10-05-2008 at 10:22 AM.

10-05-2008, 12:26 PM	#9 (permalink)
ravi_afriend Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Rajkot - Gujarat Posts: 58	Extremely Beautiful Pics Dear Sunnybhai. I had fallen in love with your photographical skills since last very long time. I wish I could see you taking pics of bike in person.

10-05-2008, 05:20 PM	#10 (permalink)
KwokFist Storm Rider Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mangalore Posts: 804	The pics are gorgeous! awesome stuff there sunny bhai!.. the bike looks good.. altho i personally like the looks from the 05 model.

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