The bike that went on to change the face of sports bikes was launched in 1992 – the FireBlade. Named after a miss-translation of the word ‘lightning’ into Japanese, the Blade was the brainchild of Honda designer Tadao Baba. By using the very latest computer technology, Baba designed the Blade with a fanatical obsession to weight saving. Unlike comparative sports bikes of the day, the Blade was not all about its engine and instead relied on handling and light weight to destroy the opposition – although a 122bhp 893cc motor certainly helped matters. At the time this engine size was very controversial. With the World Superbike championship selling bikes under the ‘win on Sunday, sell on Monday’ philosophy, Honda took a gamble in releasing the over-sized Blade. With no race class supporting it, Baba reasoned that if it was better than everything else out there, riders would buy it on its road success and not race heritage.

His gamble paid off and despite Honda actually testing a 749cc Blade, it was the 893cc engine that helped the Honda dominate road bike sales and cement its reputation as the ultimate sports bike of the early 1990s.

At the current machine’s unveiling, the Blade’s project leader Masatoshi Sato said: "We could easily give the bike 200bhp; we could give it 300bhp if we wanted, but we think it’s the lack of weight people want to feel more."

The brand-new 2018 Fireblade is the next step of Total Control, bringing a lighter-than-ever and sharper performance to the Honda super sport range. Still following the core philosophies, design goals and core ideas built into the original 1992 edition.

The 2018 Edition is at an all-time high in power for the CBR series, the bottom end torque and high-end power have both been improved, significantly at the top end. Even more customisation to fit your riding style have been offered too, with three selectable modes of engine output.

Not just the core has received an overhaul though - the exterior has been fully overhauled from top to bottom. Featuring newly crafted sharp, edgy lines, this machine was meant to intimidate the competition. It's thunderous and charismatic engine brings a unique sound, feel and way to ride, but will still be familiar to fans, with its unforgivably Honda tone and feel. Lightweight, monstrous power all while remaining in full control of the riders hands.

If you think that sounds like a lot of power, you’re right, it is, but the factory has you covered with a selection o’ safety features to help you cope. It starts with a throttle-by-wire rider interface that works with the riding modes to manage the various safety systems. Traction Control, Engine Braking Control, Engine Power Level and Wheelie Control features all come bundled in various strengths for a mix-and-match ride quality. A six-speed gearbox crunches the ratios with a slipper clutch that delivers a 17-percent lighter pull with anti-hop protection to prevent loss of control on aggressive downshifts.

What this gives you is a bike with multiple personalities that has the power to thrill and the safety nets that should allow you to survive trying to find the top of your performance envelope.