Motorcycle Blog

After sitting out the last round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Cadwell Park last weekend, due to a wrist injury sustained in training the week previously, Hydrex Bike Animal Honda rider James Ellison will be back in action to take his place as a wild card entry at this weekend’s Hannspree World Superbike Championship meeting at Donington Park.

Up until Cadwell, the 27 year old from Kendal, who has been one of the revelations of the season on his return to BSB after four years, had scored points in every round aboard the Shaun Muir Racing 1000cc Honda Fireblade, and despite attempting to ride at Cadwell, he had to admit defeat when a ligament injury prevented his participation on the grounds of safety.

However, with a week’s rest being prescribed, he is fit and raring to go and is looking forward to the opportunity of racing on the world stage once again, especially after two years in MotoGP and a year in the American Superbike Championship. Ellison is no stranger to the World Superbike paddock, having won the European Superstock Championship in 2000 and 2001, before embarking on a season in World Supersport in 2002. His best results in World Superbikes came in 2004, the same year he won the British Superbike Cup, when he took his Jentin Yamaha to a fifth and sixth place finish at Brands Hatch.

James Ellison:  “I’m so looking forward to racing at Donington, it’s unreal! I was so frustrated at Cadwell but my wrist is fine and I have no concerns about it at all now. All it needed was a little bit of rest and now I’m raring to go. We had a good run in the BSB races at Donington and I’m hopeful we can give a good account of ourselves once again. We know our bike is good, we have got the electronics working a lot better and I’m really up for this one. Top ten would be a great result, but I’m hoping for a top six if I’m being honest and despite it being probably the strongest field of the year what with all the British wild cards, I’m feeling very confident.”

Shaun Muir (Team Owner):  “After the disappointment of Cadwell, we are all looking forward to James racing once again and I’m confident he can do us proud. He showed well at Donington back in May and although it’s going to be a lot tougher this weekend, I’m hopeful that James can get a couple of good results. It will be good for us also to see exactly where we as a team are in terms of progress this year and I think if we can score a couple of top tens, that would be a great achievement for us.”

The team still has a limited number of VIP Hospitality places available so anyone interested should contact Shaun Muir at shaunmuir@smr.uk.com by Wednesday 3rd September 2008.

First qualifying takes place on Friday 5th September, with second qualifying and Superpole on Saturday 6th September. Race one takes place on Sunday 7th September at 12.00 with race two at 15.30. The racing will be shown live on British Eurosport from 1030 to 1630.

2008 Bennetts British Superbike Championship
Rounds 15 & 16 - Knockhill, Fife
9th/10th August 2008

Following on from his second place finish at the last round at Oulton Park, Hydrex Bike Animal Honda rider James Ellison was once again on great form as he secured another podium finish in changeable conditions in round eight of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Knockhill in Scotland today.

With bright blue skies coupled with the odd heavy downpour, it was always a problem for the riders but in the opening race, held in dry conditions, the 27 year old from Kendal diced with the leading bunch through the race eventually passing Michael Rutter in the latter stages to claim third position and with it his third podium of the season.

James couldn’t quite repeat the feat in race two which was stopped on a couple of occasions due to inclement weather and latterly due to a crash involving championship leader Shane Byrne whereby he had to settle for fifth at the flag.

For team mate Guy Martin, again it was a weekend of mixed emotions whereby the 26 year old from Kirmington suffered a mechanical problem in the opening race but in the first part of the afternoon’s second race he stormed through the field to hold a top ten position before the race was halted and in the re-start he couldn’t quite manage a similar result but had to settle for 14th at the flag.

The net result is that Ellison lies in sixth position in the championship and Guy Martin in eighteenth going into the next round at Cadwell Park on August bank holiday weekend.  Meanwhile Martin will be in action at the Ulster GP this week whereby he hopes to score another victory on the Dundrod circuit.

Kieran Clarke rode well to claim a top ten position in the Metzeler Superstock 1000cc race to add to his points scoring ride on his debut in the Shaun Muir team at Oulton Park and he will be looking to improve at Cadwell Park in the next round aboard the team’s 1000cc Fireblade.

James Ellison:  “I’m well happy with the first race but again we maybe could have done better, but we had the pace and we showed that.  I did the third fastest lap so we finished where we finished but I feel we could have done a bit more but I tried my hardest and that was all I could do.  We ran with an intermediate front and a slick rear which was the right decision but it was a bit difficult off the line with it being wet but once we got into the race we were chipping away.  I could see the riders in front getting closer every lap so if we had more laps I could have maybe got higher up.  The team has done a mega job this weekend especially with me crashing on Friday, they turned the bike around and I enjoyed riding it and I’m happy to come away in one piece with more points and a trophy.”

Guy Martin:  “I was disappointed to break down in the first race again, but I am over the moon with a good finish in the second race where I had to start from the back of the grid because my hose clip went and it was a good job the race got red flagged so I could fix it and get out in the restart.  I’m looking forward to the Ulster GP in a few days time.”

Kieran Clarke:  “It went really well, although it was wet and we’ve not spent any time on the wet Superstock tyres and it’s nowhere near the level of grip as I’m used to.  I feel that had it been dry I should have had a mid top-ten and I think we just need to keep chipping away and now I’m looking forward to Cadwell Park.  The whole team was been fantastic again this weekend.”

Shaun Muir (Team Owner):  “Overall I’m obviously well happy with another podium for James and he now has a chance to get into the top three in the championship.  It was a pity he didn’t get on the podium in the second race when the race was cut short.  Guy rode well to score a good couple of points, and Kieran also had a good solid ride for some points.  Hopefully we can move forwards again at Cadwell Park.”

Superbike Race One Result
1, Tom Sykes (Suzuki) 25m09.296s, 2, Shane Byrne (Ducati) +3.093s, 3, James Ellison (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) +3.479s, 4, Michael Rutter (Ducati) +5.752s, 5, Leon Camier (Ducati) +9.345s, 6, Michael Laverty (Suzuki) +9.461s, 7, Karl Harris (Yamaha) +19.051s, 8, Simon Andrews (Yamaha) +36.055s, 9, Tristan Palmer (Honda) +39.097s, 10, Gary Mason (Honda) +40.021s.

Superbike Race Two Result
1, Leon Haslam (Honda) 11m58.300s, 2, Michael Rutter (Ducati) +3.214s, 3, Karl Harris (Yamaha) +3.541s, 4, Tom Sykes (Suzuki) 3.680s, 5, James Ellison (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) +6.591s, 6, Simon Andrews (Yamaha) +15.876s, 7, Cal Crutchlow (Honda) +16.539s, 8, Leon Camier (Ducati) +18.608s, 9, Billy McConnell (Kawasaki) +23.428s, 10, Chris Burns (MV Agusta) +26.439s. 14, Guy Martin (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) +1lap.

2008 Bennetts British Superbike Championship Standings after Round 8
1. Shane Byrne (Ducati) 332pts
2. Cal Crutchlow (Honda) 222pts
3. Tom Sykes (Suzuki) 214pts
4. Leon Haslam (Honda) 199pts
5. Leon Camier (Ducati) 179pts
6. James Ellison (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) 177pts
7. Michael Rutter (Ducati) 174pts
8. Michael Laverty (Suzuki) 110pts
9. Simon Andrews (Yamaha) 108pts
10. Tristan Palmer (Honda) 75pts
18. Guy Martin (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) 21pts

Metzeler National Superstock 1000 Result
1, Steve Brogan (Honda) 22m29.483s, 2, John Kirkham (Yamaha) +4.486s, 3, Daniel Hegarty (Yamaha) +6.322s, 4, Kenny Gilbertson (Kawasaki) +8.351s, 5, Jimmy Storrar (Suzuki) +8.737s, 6, Sam Warren (Yamaha) +9.751s, 7, Marshall Neill (Suzuki) +13.308s, 8, Cameron Donald (Suzuki) +13.831s, 9, Alastair Seeley (Yamaha) +36.080s, 10, Kieran Clarke (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) +38.133s.

Photograph attached courtesy of Turn One Photography.

Round 2 - 18th/20th April - Thruxton, Hants
Round 3 - 3rd/5th May - Oulton Park, Cheshire
Round 1 - 10th/11th May - Brands Hatch GP, Kent
Round 4 - 24th/26th May - Donington Park, Leics
Round 5 - 13th/15th June - Snetterton, Norfolk
Round 6 - 27th/29th June - Mallory Park
Round 7 - 18th/20th July - Oulton Park, Cheshire
Round 8 - 8th/10th August - Knockhill, Fife
Round 9 - 23rd/25th August - Cadwell Park, Lincs
Round 10 - 12th/14th September - Croft, North Yorkshire
Round 11 - 26th/28th September, Silverstone, Northants
Round 12 - 10th/12th October - Brands Hatch Indy, Kent

2008 Bennetts British Superbike Championship
Rounds 15 & 16 - Knockhill, Fife
9th/10th August

Hydrex Bike Animal Honda rider James Ellison will start round eight of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship from row two of the grid having posted eighth fastest time in today’s Swan Combi 50 Roll for Pole qualifying session at a decidedly damp Knockhill race circuit in Scotland.

After a big crash yesterday in practice, Ellison bounced back in the wet conditions with a time of 53.587 seconds on his first visit to Knockhill in four years and will be hoping to add to his points tally following on his podium finish at Oulton Park last time out.

Team mate Guy Martin will start tomorrow’s two 30-lap races from row four of the grid having qualified in 15th on the second of the Shaun Muir Racing Honda 1000cc Fireblades.

Also making a fourth row start will be the team’s Metzeler 1000cc Superstock rider Kieran Clarke who, on his second race for the team, qualified in 13th place.

James Ellison:  “I’m a bit frustrated with the weather conditions, I had a problem with my visor misting up.  Just towards the end of the session we were getting into the 53’s (seconds) and I just couldn’t see so I came in and changed the visor but it was just the same.  We’ve made so many changes on the bike and it’s much better and I’m really comfortable but I just couldn’t see!  I think I could have been on the front row if it wasn’t for that problem.  Also, I spent so little time on the track yesterday with me crashing.  Although we’re going well in the wet I’m hoping for it to be dry tomorrow so we can work on the number one bike with the traction control.”

Guy Martin:  “We’re getting there. I’m happy with the boys and they’ve done us proud.  I’ve got the Ulster GP on my mind but its given me confidence that the boys have done what I’ve asked and we’ve no problems at all and it puts us in a good frame of mind for tomorrow.  I’m hoping for a good couple of points scoring rides and I’ll be over the moon.”

Kieran Clarke:  “We’re just chipping away and we just want to do everything in stages and not take massive jumps forwards.  We have to build up and as long as we’re higher every weekend and improving then it’s a good build up for next year.  I need to get better every session and it’s never easy when everyone else is on the pace, but it’s not an excuse as I should be on the podium so we just have to keep chipping away.  The team has been working fantastically and I’m hoping for a mid to top ten place tomorrow at least.”

Shaun Muir (Team Owner):  “Guy has worked really hard and I’m happy he’s on the fourth row and there’s no reason why he can’t get a top twelve tomorrow.  He’s had no problems, the bike is running like a dream and he’s completely focused on the job this weekend.  James rode really well, obviously struggling after the big crash on Friday so I’m really happy with a second row start, although it could have been the front row if his visor hadn’t misted.  James should be up there in contention for podiums tomorrow.  Also, Kieran has a fourth row start so I’m happy with that and he’s certainly moved up quite a number of places and he could have a chance to score good points whether its wet or dry.  So, all in all I’m pretty happy with all three riders.”

The first of the two 30-lap Bennetts British Superbike races gets underway at 1.00pm on Sunday with the second at 3.30pm.  The Metzeler Superstock 1000 race is scheduled for 12.10pm.  The British Eurosport 2 live broadcast window is 12.30pm to 4.30pm.

Qualifying
1, Leon Haslam (Honda) 52.692s, 2, Michael Rutter (Ducati) 52.966s, 3, Shane Byrne (Ducati) 52.974s, 4, Michael Laverty (Suzuki) 53.003s, 5, Cal Crutchlow (Honda) 53.177s, 6, Leon Camier (Ducati) 53.268s, 7, Tom Sykes (Suzuki) 53.295s, 8, James Ellison (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) 53.587s, 9, Karl Harris (Yamaha) 53.768s, 10, Tristan Palmer (Honda) 53.876s. 15, Guy Martin (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) 54.734s.

Round 2 - 18th/20th April - Thruxton, Hants
Round 3 - 3rd/5th May - Oulton Park, Cheshire
Round 1 - 10th/11th May - Brands Hatch GP, Kent
Round 4 - 24th/26th May - Donington Park, Leics
Round 5 - 13th/15th June - Snetterton, Norfolk
Round 6 - 27th/29th June - Mallory Park
Round 7 - 18th/20th July - Oulton Park, Cheshire
Round 8 - 8th/10th August - Knockhill, Fife
Round 9 - 23rd/25th August - Cadwell Park, Lincs
Round 10 - 12th/14th September - Croft, North Yorkshire
Round 11 - 26th/28th September, Silverstone, Northants
Round 12 - 10th/12th October - Brands Hatch Indy, Kent

Looking to capitalise on a fantastic performance at the previous round at Oulton is Hydrex Bike Animal Honda ace James Ellison, who secured his second podium placing of the season last time out and is hoping to continue his good form in Scotland.

27 year old Ellison, from Kendal in Cumbria, has not visited the 1.3 mile hillside track which overlooks the Firth of Forth for four years but with recent developments aboard the Shaun Muir Racing Honda Fireblade, he is expected to again be running at the front from the word go.

“I’m looking forward to it like I am all the races now” said James. “I don’t think the track has changed much since the last time I was there and it shouldn’t be too hard to get a good base setting. The team is working hard and we are all moving forward, all we need now is that elusive win after a couple of second places. The bike is good and I’m feeling confident so I’m revved up for this weekend!”

Ellison’s feel-good factor was increased further with the news that he will take to the grid for round eleven of the World Superbike Championship as a wildcard entry at the Donington Park round over the weekend of September 5/6/7th.

The former MotoGP racer will renew his rivalry with the likes of ex GP aces Max Biaggi, Carlos Checa and Makoto Tamada and after watching the recent action at Brands Hatch, he is confident of a good result.

“When the news came through that I was going to be riding in WSB at Donington, I was ecstatic!” enthused Ellison. ”Everyone saw how competitive Tom Sykes was at Brands and he and I have had many good dices this year in BSB so hopefully that bodes well for us to get a good result.”

Meanwhile team mate Guy Martin is hoping to turn his poor short-circuit form around and also to gain some much needed luck on the roads this month also.

The affable 26 year old from Kirmington in Lincolnshire has not scored points in the last three BSB meetings due to various problems but is looking to get some more on the board at Knockhill before he departs immediately after for the Ulster Grand Prix meeting.

At the Ulster GP in 2006, he won an amazing five races out of six and last year, despite the inclement weather, he took a victory and a second place to make him ‘Man of the Meeting’ again so if there’s ever a meeting he needs to be going to, then it surely has to be the Dundrod track near Belfast.

“We’ll see what we can do at Knockhill and if the bike’s good, then there’s no reason we can’t get a good result. But the main focus for me over the next couple of weeks has got to be the Ulster GP as after the problems we had at the North West, TT and Southern 100, I need a result.  I love the Ulster Grand Prix course, it’s as good if not better than the Isle of Man TT and it’s far better than the North West 200 course. He who laughs last laughs longest and that’s what I’m hoping for now!”

Also racing will be the team’s Superstock rider Kieran Clarke who will be in action for a second time on the 1000cc Honda Fireblade whereby he will be looking to add to the points he scored on his debut at Oulton Park three weeks ago.

Meanwhile, the Hydrex Bike Animal Honda Team will be taking part in the Superbikes in the Square promotion which takes place in Glasgow on Wednesday evening (6th August), prior to the British Superbike Championship teams heading on to Knockhill. 

The DREAM Honda Racing Team duo of Ryuichi Kiyonari and Carlos Checa took victory at the weekend’s Suzuka 8-Hour race on the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade, sporting a new stunning and distinctive HRC tri-colour paint scheme.

The prestigious endurance event, which is held annually as part of the World Endurance Championship, is one of the highlights of the Japanese road-racing calendar and is vitally important for each of the domestic Japanese motorcycle manufacturers.

The DREAM Honda Racing Team CBR1000RR Fireblade was the victorious machine after eight gruelling hours around the legendary 3.6-mile Suzuka race circuit. Riders Kiyo and Checa eventually took the win by a whole lap.

It was no easy victory though, as a pit-lane speeding penalty, heavy rain and a last-hour brake problem all meant that the dominant World Superbike stars had to push hard to take the win – all the more sweet as both riders had come perilously close to winning in previous years.

Former double British Superbike champion Kiyonari said: “I was really nervous during the last hour watching Carlos riding. The front brake problem was already there during my last stint. I was scared to watch sparks fly when Carlos braked! The bike performed excellently and also looked fantastic in the new HRC paint scheme and I’m so happy that we won.”

Carlos added: “Usually, when you have a big margin like today, you can relax more, but I had no front brake during my last stint so I was really nervous. I’m so happy to have won.”

And, while the Fireblade of Checa and Kiyo took the win, the British stars of World Supersport and British Superbikes also did well. HM Plant Honda’s Cal Crutchlow took sixth place overall with his Moriwaki team-mate Tatsuya Yamaguchi while Leon Haslam took ninth overall with his team-mate Chojun Kameya.

Cal said: “I’m pretty happy with sixth to be honest, although as a racer you want to win every race. I thoroughly enjoyed my first Suzuka 8-Hour race and would love to come back and win it.” 

Leon said: “We were almost there to challenge for the podium until the middle of the race, but unfortunately Kameya-san crashed. He rode very hard to make it up and that was the main reason we could finish 9th. This was my first Suzuka 8-Hour race and it was a great experience. If I have the chance again, I would love to do it next year.” 

Meanwhile, World Supersport star Jonathan Rea crashed out after 134 laps while in a podium position. “I crashed just before I was coming into the pit,” he said. “I was pushing hard at the spoon curve and suddenly the front wheel tucked. I am very disappointed for the team and myself. We were third and I wanted to get on the podium desperately.”

All riders will now return home and prepare for the next rounds in their respective championships. For World Superbike and World Supersport stars Kiyo, Checa and Rea that will be this coming weekend at Brands Hatch, while Crutchlow and Haslam will return to British Superbike action at Knockhill a week later on 8-10 August.

For more information about the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade call 0845 200 800, visit www.honda.co.uk or visit your local dealer. Honda motorcycle dealers can be located using the ‘Dealer Search’ facility within the motorcycles area on www.honda.co.uk, where you can also find all the latest news and information about the full Honda motorcycle range, offers, genuine parts and accessories and forthcoming events.

The 1992 debut of the history-making Honda CBR900RR Fireblade motorcycle completely rewrote the book of Super Sports motorcycle design with a remarkably compact and lightweight configuration. Based on its ‘Less Is More’ concept, the Fireblade achieved a breathtaking blast of litre-class performance from a 900cc inline-4 engine shoehorned into a highly advanced 600cc-class chassis. With its compact proportions, lithe, responsive handling and unprecedented power-to-weight ratio, the Fireblade embodied the origin of the modern Super Sports motorcycle, and sparked the expansion of the current litre-class Super Sports category. 

Over the years, the Fireblade received a series of evolutionary improvements that saw sometimes quite radical changes, though always based on its two guiding development themes of ‘Light Makes Right’ and ‘Total Control.’ Engine displacement also saw small, incremental increases, but in the desire to keep the engine’s external profile as slim as possible, there was no pressing need to boost its size up into the litre range.

In racing competition around the world, privateer teams and club racers quickly recognised the ’Blade’s competitive potential, and over the years have won an enviable collection of winner’s trophies ranging from box-stock club racing events to such prestigious venues as the Isle of Man T.T., the Suzuka 8-Hour and Le Mans.

Changes to Superbike racing rules for the 2004 season spurred the desire of expanding the Fireblade’s racing capabilities to the world stage, and a new goal was set for its continuing development: to create a new base machine for litre-class racing that could be used to successfully compete in everything from local box-stock races to the big Superbike circus. That machine debuted as the CBR1000RR Fireblade.

Over the ensuing four years since its debut, the CBR1000RR Fireblade has won praise for providing instantly competitive performance coupled with easy riding manners that boost riding skills and confidence. It also embodied the racing potential to not only compete at the top levels of World Superbike competition, but also capture the Championship crown, as it proudly demonstrated in the 2007 racing season together with rider James Toseland and the HANNspree Ten Kate Honda team.
As this next generation of the Fireblade reclaims its rightful place at the pinnacle of the litre Super Sports class, the future of CBR-RR performance shines brighter than ever.

2008 HANNspree World Superbike Championship
Rounds 17 & 18 - Brno, Czech Republic
Sunday 20th July 2008

DOUBLE POINTS FOR GREGORIO LAVILLA AT BRNO

Riding Paul Bird’s Honda Fireblade, the team struggled with the bike set-up from the beginning of the weekend and the Spaniard ended up in a disappointing 19th after qualifying meaning he missed out on Superpole.

In race one, Lavilla didn’t get a great start and only moved up one place on the opening lap into 18th position. A group of riders crashed out on lap three putting Lavilla into 14th position but despite experiencing some technical problems, he rode consistently and managed to bring the bike home in the points.

In the second race, Lavilla made a poor start to end the first lap in 21st position but after several of the top riders dropped out, Lavilla put in his usually fast and consistent lap times and a strong run in the closing laps which brought him from 16th to a solid 14th and point scoring finish.

Lavilla now occupies 13th in the title chase with Bird’s team still in top spot as Honda’s number one privateer team in the series.
  
Gregorio Lavilla:
“It has been an up and down weekend and unfortunately we missed out on Superpole once again which is disappointing. Race one was a real challenge as we had some technical problems and I was a little held up by a crash in front of me which covered me and the bike in oil. We went back to yesterday’s settings in Race two and we found a good pace once again and I did the best I could to finish in 14th from 21st on lap one. The whole team is looking forward to Brands Hatch as it’s a race track both the team and myself know very well so we will be hoping for a good result there.”
 
Paul Bird:
“The weekend was a bit disappointing and frustrating with a poor qualifying position again. It was also unfortunate that we had some technical problems during the races but as usual Greg put in two consistent performances to finish in the points and we still remain the top finishing Honda privateer team. Everyone is looking forward to Brands Hatch and we expect to do well there as it’s a track both Greg and the team have had some great results in the past in both WSB and BSB. We are also looking at running a second rider for the British rounds which will be confirmed later this week so the team are feeling really positive and excited about the next few races.”

The next round of the Hannspree World Superbike Championship takes place over the weekend of 1/2/3 August at Brands Hatch with a big British crowd expected.

Superbike Race One
1, T Bayliss (Ducati) 40m22.724s, 2, T Corser (Yamaha) +1.468s, 3, M Fabrizio (Ducati) +3.272s, 4, M Biaggi (Ducati) +3.475s, 5, R Kiyonari (Honda) +3.791s, 6, N Haga (Yamaha) +9.120s, 7, M Neukirchner (Suzuki) +9.358s, 8, C Checa (Honda) +11.787s, 9, Y Kagayama (Suzuki) +17.228s, 10, K Sofuoglu (Honda) +17.705s. 15, G Lavilla (Vent Axia VK Honda) +36.545s.

Superbike Race Two
1, T Bayliss (Ducati) 40m16.436s, 2, M Fabrizio (Ducati) +0.928s, 3, M Biaggi (Ducati) +1.259s, 4, T Corser (Yamaha) +1.785s, 5, M Neukirchner (Suzuki) +3.942s, 6, R Kiyonari (Honda) +7.910s, 7, N Haga (Yamaha) +11.297s, 8, F Nieto (Suzuki) +11.375s, 9, Y Kagayama (Suzuki) +13.103s, 10, K Sofuoglu (Honda) +18.978s. 14, G Lavilla (Vent Axia VK Honda) +26.372s.

Championship Standings after Round 9
1, T Bayliss (Aus) 309pts
2, M Neukirchner (GER) 230pts
3, T Corser (AUS) 219pts
4, C Checa (ESP) 215pts
5, N Haga (JPN) 210pts
6, F Nieto (ESP) 161pts
7, R Xaus (ESP) 148pts
8, M Fabrizio (ITA) 147pts
9, M Biaggi (ITA) 146pts
10, R Kiyonari (JPN) 115pts
13, G Lavilla (ESP) 78pts

Sharper looks, stronger performance and astoundingly responsive control. From its compact new proportions to its breathtaking response to every rider input, everything about the new 2008 CBR1000RR Fireblade stakes out a new standard in motorcycle performance and design aesthetics that will stand as a milestone in the history of litre-class Super Sports development, much as the original CBR900RR did when it fired the first shot in the high-performance revolution sixteen years ago. A winner both on the street and on the track, the CBR900RR FireBlade set a blazing standard for big bike performance for an entire generation to come. (more…)