If you’ve been wondering what Honda’s new Fireblade is going to look like, the wait is over.
Check out these pictures, allegedly from a dealer in Hong Kong, for a look at Honda’s next take on their supersport machine.
Some fanboys are going to be disappointed – the bike’s not a V4, and it’s missing some of the electronic trickery that riders have come to expect on cutting edge sport bikes.
But keeping it simple will also keep the cost down, and remember that this is the non-ABS version of the bike; the ABS model may also have options for other high-tech gadgetry, like traction control.
The main changes to the bike seem to be cosmetic. The paint scheme is new, and the air intake ducts, wheels and headlights have all been changed. The suspension has also been tweaked, with a rear shock from Showa, along with Big Piston forks. The digital dash has also been re-worked.
Will this be enough for Honda to stay competitive with superbikes from Kawasaki and BMW?
It’s hard to say until someone actually rides the machine, but some riders are going to be disappointed the changes weren’t more radical. But, maybe when the ABS version is unveiled, there will be more upgrades to keep them happy.
Check out the video of the new bike, below.