2008 Fireblade on Motorcycledaily

[Paulus]

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/05september07_2008hondas.htm

Yikes! It looks horrid!

[Paulus]

Pictures of two of the colours:

[imdying]

Yikes, that's not cool!

[k14]

Lol, that takes exhausts to a totally new level!!

[merv]

Damn it looks like a Yamaha.

The CRF230L looked interesting though they've finally stuck a disc brake on the back. It would make a nice little adventure bike.

[Grahameeboy]

It is a Honda....:bleh:

It will probably look better in bikson......

[klyong82]

I think I will buy the 600RR (disappointed with the looks). the extended back with the blinkers and plate does look very much like an R6

[Sparky Bills]

I hope its going to look better in the flesh. The front fairing looks terrible!

[Swoop]

Thank goodness for that!

The rumours about the new VFR1000 might be true after all!!!!!!!!

[merv]

The rumours about the new VFR1000 might be true after all!!!!!!!!


That would be nice.

p.s. that's a nice avatar you've got.

[Swoop]

That would be nice.
Wouldn't it just!

All I managed to find out today, was..... bugger all! - Apart from this possible photoshop of a possible, possibilty of a new VFR!:rofl:

All has been very quiet from Mr Honda recently. Ominously quiet. Possibly recovering from "that" CBR, in fact!

[merv]

What's happened to the golden wings they are all looking like badges on the tanks of Yamahas. Not that I've got anything against Yamahas but hey Hondas have got to keep their point of difference.

[crazybigal]

and you have to sell it:laugh::laugh::laugh:
i cant wait to see a new blackbird!! if it ever happens!
+side my 99 looks like an 06.


I hope its going to look better in the flesh. The front fairing looks terrible!

[Sanx]

It's still a super model compared to the Helen Clarke that's the K7 Thou

[Reckless]

Heres another pic. More of the front. I must say first impressions where ugly as. And I was liking the trend of the exhausts tucked up under the rear. Interesting reading on the exhaust patents here http://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/motorcycle-news/2008-honda-cbr1000rr-patents-revealed-ar40718.html

The Hondas are such a good all round bike. The 07 honda wasn't pretty but excepable, this, I dunno?? If Yamaha produce another sexy looking thou Honda could well loose some market share unless this out preforms all opposition by a large margin. Gonna have to take a hacksaw to that tail piece pretty quick!!

PS never was a great fan of the looks of the VFR but that is a winner if its real.

[Paulus]

Pics have gone from motorcycledaily (in the last hour).

This section:

Honda issued the following press release this evening concerning new 2008 models introduced at its dealer show earlier today. For some reason, Honda has provided photos of the CBR1000RR (pictured above), which appears radically changed for 2008, but no text description thus far. Perhaps, we will know more tomorrow.


Now reads:

Honda issued the following press release this evening concerning new 2008 models introduced at its dealer show earlier today. The text below concerns only two new street legal motorcycle models, including the CRF230L dual sport and the VTX1300 tourer (which is essentially a VTX1300 with touring accessories added at the factory), as well as new enduro and motocross models.


Did they accidentally let the cat out of the bag or was it a hoax?

[merv]

Reckless they're not the same bike the mufflers are quite different.

[Reckless]

ye I got that one off Firebaldes.org not motorcycledaily. But the patent article seems to back up the pics. Unless its all a hoax.

[xwhatsit]

What's happened to the golden wings they are all looking like badges on the tanks of Yamahas. Not that I've got anything against Yamahas but hey Hondas have got to keep their point of difference.
I like it, it looks like the Honda badge from the CB77 Superhawk days.

Honda have made two great badges; one was the original `H.M.' wing badge, that you see on the 60s GP bikes. Would love a vinyl pair for my tank. The other is the little round black badge, like the CB77.

You're right, though, you do expect to see the big modern Honda wing on the side of a full-fairing sportsbike.

That exhaust is nice. I like it for some reason. Nothing uglier than a sportsbike `can', IMHO. Megaphones or death :lol:

[Paulus]

ye I got that one off Firebaldes.org not motorcycledaily. But the patent article seems to back up the pics. Unless its all a hoax.

Motorcycledaily is usually pretty reliable unless its April the 1st.

[Reckless]

try this Kwaka and blackbird there as well.

http://sameerkumar.blogspot.com/2007/08/two-magazine-gets-scoop-pics-of-2008.html

[Toaster]

Yikes, that 08 bike looks pretty average.

And when are they going to do a new Blackbird anyway? Man that thing looks dated now. Same with thwe Firestorm. The technology on both those bikes is rather old to say the least.

[Toaster]

Even those 08 pics of the blackbird just dont look new enough in design.... may look better in the flesh.

[Morcs]

If theres gonna be a new viffer thou then im there! sign me up!

[Paulus]

try this Kwaka and blackbird there as well.

http://sameerkumar.blogspot.com/2007/08/two-magazine-gets-scoop-pics-of-2008.html

The blade on that site is a photoshop but they seem to have got the back half of the bike suprisingly close to how it actually looks.

[Reckless]

The blade on that site is a photoshop but they seem to have got the back half of the bike suprisingly close to how it actually looks.


Yep I agree wasn't looking to hard just searching and posting. I draw cad (house/alteration plans) so have big dual monitors.

I hate the leaning towards the suzuki's drooping/melting looking headlight set up. I really dislike the looks of it and by the pics it spreading to the Blackbird as well.

[Paulus]

Isn't it amazing how they've all spoilt their styling. Kawasaki started it by turning the beautiful and aggressive 04 ZX-10R into a bloaty wheelbarrow in 06. Suzuki ruined the (sort of) attractive K5 when they dropped the K7 on the market. Yamahas R1 now looks like the love child of an R1 and an R6 with the worst parts of each and finally we get this abomination from Honda! Seriously disappointing.

[cbr guy]

i think thats awesome, although the fornt and back look like they are from seperate bikes!

[boomer]

fook thats ugly... poor honduh riders. now they have to be tarred with having slow & ugly bikes

[Morcs]

fook thats ugly... poor honduh riders. now they have to be tarred with having slow & ugly bikes

Even though you no longer have a Honda, You still carry the burden of being a Honda rider.

[boomer]

Even though you no longer have a Honda, You still carry the burden of being a Honda rider.
You're right.. the geyness never really washes out :buggerd:no matter how hard I scrub.

[Morcs]

You're right.. they geyness never really washes out :buggerd:no matter how hard I scrub.

You can only wish you were as Ghey as me.

[merv]

They should make a bike like this because that would look pretty eh! Mind you that red doesn't look so good in that pic I should find a better one.

<img src='http://www.v-four.freeserve.co.uk/images/750-3.jpg'>

OK here's a better pic http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=3205&d=1093676652

[Reckless]

I think the Kwaka has the edge for me (if the pics are anywhere near correct). The VFR after seeing that still looks a little plain. Didn't get me wrong I have a good mate with one and you can have a good blast on it and still ride it for hours. They are great bikes and if I had any sense it should be the choice.
But we still want a bit of sexy in our bikes don't we!

Although the jury is still out! No pics of the 08 R1 yet!

[merv]

I think you guys are right something has gone all clunky with the styling now, hence my quip in posting pics of my 1994 masterpiece - bikes seemed more simply good looking then I reckon. The R1 lost its way two models back and if the pics are right the CBR looks so similar is my point.

[justsomeguy]

Those pictures in the first post look like photoshopped 954's to me, not new Fireblades. Today's the 6th, I thought the info will be out tomorrow?

[limbimtimwim]

The fireblade that was on motorcycle daily is a cool design. Yeah, it's not so pretty, but it looks tiny. Honda somehow made the newest CBR600RR weigh a lot less than it's predecessor, perhaps they have done the same trick with the new 1000? So if the new 1000 is down on power, maybe that won't matter so much any more.

If they make a new V4 sports bike, I will be there. They should call it an RVF though, 'cos that is the right thing to do :) None of this VFR nonsense. I'm still not convinced it will happen.

The more I look at it, the more that fireblade looks.. umm.. not Honda. Look at the footpeg guard thingy, that's not a a typical honda parts bin item. And the mirror integrated indicators, finally they have ditched those &^%&^%ing indicators they have used for the last 20 years. The very high short tail echos the RCV.

Are Honda taking a risk? The new CBR600RR indicated perhaps they have remembered how to do that.

[merv]

If they made a nice light V4 thou that was as comfy as my 750 I'd probably be there too. I joked about the Desmosedici on that other thread I started but then its not a Honda eh so even if it is only $100,000 I probably won't get Her_B4 to order me one.

[Renegade]

well i like it, not sure about the exhuast, definately dont like the tail piece tho, an after thought for road use i think

[Paulus]

Some images from fireblades.org (although 2 are just slightly bigger pics of what we already have and the other isn't very clear):

[Paulus]

Plus this from a guy who has seen it:

OK some info on the 1kRR, colors are Red and Black, Yellow and black, Silver and Black, Black on Black and Burgendy and Silver . First Impression was man this bike is as small as the 600 and its really thin, I bet it weighs around 370lbs.. They won't release specs on it but it just feels a tad bit heavier then the new 600RR. OF course the bike has the HESD under the new designed clams. Clutch is now cable, dual Ram air like 600RR, single exhaust pipe, huge size swingarm,monoblock calipers, super light front rotors,new insturment cluster, the bike is a new from the ground up. Saw a video of it being rode..

[Monkeyboy]

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/05september07_2008hondas.htm

Yikes! It looks horrid!

Yep it's looks fucken awful alright!! Well that's just put the price of a 2nd hand blade up!

[Deano]

Yep it's looks fucken awful alright!! Well that's just put the price of a 2nd hand blade down, alright for some!:cool:

Side on it looks crap - but did someone suggest it was photoshopped ?

The front/side shot looked good I reckon.

If it's a dud, surely the older sexier models :whistle: will be in more demand and retain a higher resale ?

[Monkeyboy]

Yes you are right I edited my post after realising I had it the wrong way round!:blink:

Oh and the bike is still shite!

[limbimtimwim]

I christen this new FireBlade the
StumpyBlade
The original fireblade was a 919cc bike the same size as a 750. This time round they have made a 1000cc bike the same size as a 600. Maybe. That's fucking cool.

On the racetrack, no one will care what it looks like if it is at the front!

[skidMark]

looks like the front of it's already tried to take another honda up the rear...all shunted...yuckkkkk

[redr1]

Thank goodness for that!

The rumours about the new VFR1000 might be true after all!!!!!!!!

I really hope so. Nothing beats the raw sound of a big V4. If Honda bring out a 1000 V4 SBK version, I'll retire the R1.

[Swoop]

It's still a super model compared to the Helen Clarke that's the K7 Thou
Just wait for the K9 model... a real mongrel of a bike.

They should make a bike like this because that would look pretty eh!
Damn sexy!

If they make a new V4 sports bike, I will be there. They should call it an RVF though, 'cos that is the right thing to do None of this VFR nonsense.
:girlfight::argue::ar15:

Are Honda taking a risk? The new CBR600RR indicated perhaps they have remembered how to do that.
:niceone: Yeah, the 600RR looks hot!

Side on it looks crap - but did someone suggest it was photoshopped ?
I did when referring to my post #11. Notice how the 1000 dosen't follow the curve of the front fairing?

[inlinefour]

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/05september07_2008hondas.htm

Yikes! It looks horrid!

I'm normally a great fan of the Honda CBR, but that is fugly. One of the things I did like the look of my 05 CBR600RR was the exhaust that came out through the frame. Where as that thing does look like a R1 or Gixxer, what the hell is next and who at Honda needs a slapping? :argh:

[675trippy]

yip not the prettiest piece of shite

[skaz]

Motorcycle daily have removed the picture from there site and dont even mention the blade now. Maby it wasnt the real thing...hopefully!!

[Sanx]

Comment about the '08 Blade on MCN's site:


My 2007 Blade is like the woman you take to bed when you are drunk.
The 2008 blade is the one you wake up with in the morning

:lol::lol::lol:

[surfchick]

Lol, that takes exhausts to a totally new level!!

gutted
the exhaust looks like a gumboot :gob:

[Swoop]

Well, the '08 VFR's are out...

Looks like they put another coat of polish on the '07's and called it "new and revolutionary"...:thud:

[Paulus]

It's actually growing on me. Check out the 360 degree views here:

http://www.hondaitalia.com/moto/uff_stampa/pres_modelli/2008/cbr1000rr/360_cbr1000rr_fireblade/index.html

[Wiki Drifter]

still looks weird... maybe it looks better in real life

[FkNAmerican]

Honda really F'd this one up.......All I gotta say is that it better be 20% lighter and 20% more powerfull then the '07 or that bike isnt making it off the showroom floor.

[FkNAmerican]

ok...........checked out the 360 views and it doesnt look all that bad.......especially the white one.

Still, if the R-1 and this Fireblade went into a bathing suit competition the R-1would be at spring break South Beach in a whipped cream bikini and the Fireblade would be the flat chested yet portly woman with missing teeth and a mullet in a white T-shirt and daisy dukes at the Hillbilly Olympics mud belly flopping competition in Alabama.

[boomer]

:lol: the k7 is a supermodel in comparison.

[Sanx]

Actually - it's growing on me too. From the front, it could almost be a 1098 (if you close your eyes and pray).

But:

The Blade's FINALLY got a slipper clutch
Engine's new - 2.5kg lighter too.
Like the '07 600RR, the frame's just made four castings, so it's light.
Redline raised to 13000
Front calipers are new and lighter
Swingarm's new and lighter
Even the side stand's made from aluminium to save weight
Fugly steering damper's been moved to below the headstock, as in the '07 600RR.
Now using ram-air
Titanium values, lighter pistons, etc etc.


Could be interesting to see the power figures.

Another photo below. Doesn't look too bad from this angle.

[boomer]

are you sure your not confusing the 1098 with a sprint ST..??!

Still.. horses for courses, remembering theres always a need for a donkey race:msn-wink:

[surfchick]

I christen this new FireBlade the
StumpyBlade
The original fireblade was a 919cc bike the same size as a 750. This time round they have made a 1000cc bike the same size as a 600. Maybe. That's fucking cool.

On the racetrack, no one will care what it looks like if it is at the front!

yup...looks like a cigarette-butt :shit:

[MD]

Actually - it's growing on me too. From the front, it could almost be a 1098 (if you close your eyes and pray).

But:

The Blade's FINALLY got a slipper clutch
Engine's new - 2.5kg lighter too.
Like the '07 600RR, the frame's just made four castings, so it's light.
Redline raised to 13000
Front calipers are new and lighter
Swingarm's new and lighter
Even the side stand's made from aluminium to save weight
Fugly steering damper's been moved to below the headstock, as in the '07 600RR.
Now using ram-air
Titanium values, lighter pistons, etc etc.


Could be interesting to see the power figures.

Another photo below. Doesn't look too bad from this angle.


Ditto to all of the above.
That 360 degree view has changed my first impression completely. Sanx's track pic does have a 1098 resemblance to it and that candy red/black colour scheme works.
Better looking than the 08 ZX10 to me.

[irish jamie]

not a fan of the new blade

maybe the worst looking blade yet

[Paulus]

I like all the colours (this is a real turn around for me from when I first saw it). I'm trying to decide whether to buy an 04-06 R1, an 06-07 Blade (or maybe an 04-05) or to maybe wait a bit longer and buy new. I'd buy white if I had to pick. Hmmm...

[MD]

The more pictures I see the more I like it. That black/silver (or white?) looks good.
Why do they always hold back the weight:hp figures for a few months. Surely they know by the time they have them on display at shows.
One last winge, yet another year Honda fail to provide a gear indicator. Apart from that the clocks look sharp.

http://motorcycledaily.com/28september07_honda2008cbr1000rr.htm

[limbimtimwim]

It's got a "Convenient push-to-cancel turn-signal switch." Nice, that's worth bullet-pointing Honda.

[Sanx]

It's got a "Convenient push-to-cancel turn-signal switch." Nice, that's worth bullet-pointing Honda.

Revolutionary indeed. Had a giggle about that one too. I'm surprised they didn't mention that the wheels were round.

[xwhatsit]

One last winge, yet another year Honda fail to provide a gear indicator. Apart from that the clocks look sharp.

What do you want with that? That's up there with such n00b `features' as the clutch-lever switch to stop you from starting your engine.

Surely an experienced rider like you should know what gear you're in anyway? Having that on the dash is just another distraction. I'm happy to concede that there may be an argument for GN250s to have a gear position indicator, as they're used by beginners who might need it, but on a bleeding-edge sprotsbike?

[merv]

Geepers your missus would need to be a midget to have her feet up on those rear pegs. May as well put her feet in the pockets of your jacket the pegs are so high.

[lanci]

Imagine if this bike pissed all over the GSX-R 1K..........I'd wonder what the response would be???

[Darkman]

and where did honda get their insperation from for this bike...............
.................................................. .............................pikachu!!!!

[Zapf]

and where did honda get their insperation from for this bike...............
.................................................. .............................pikachu!!!!

Nice... where do I find a pikachu helmet?

[skelstar]

Imagine if this bike pissed all over the GSX-R 1K..........I'd wonder what the response would be???

That ugly-as bike just pissed all over your GSX-R 1k?

That bike is ugly.

[The Pastor]

i like it :)

a top and first gear light is all you need really.

[Reckless]

It's got a "Convenient push-to-cancel turn-signal switch." Nice, that's worth bullet-pointing Honda.

Shit my old 78 Z1R has self canceling indicators when I got my VTR1000 was expecting the same, but obviously technology has declined since 1978.
Kept riding around forgetting to turn them off. Till I got sick of it and only used them when I had to.

[lealand]

Hi A mate gave me this like a work today Go to http://www.hondaitalia.com/moto/default.html
spec in Italian

[MD]

Found this sniffing around the web from the Paris 29th Sept showing.

[skelstar]

That does look better.

[boomer]

That ugly-as bike just pissed all over your GSX-R 1k?

That bike is ugly.

how rude.. !!!! :bash: this is sexy (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/customprofilepics/profilepic3076_19.gif) time

[bomma]

:crybaby: why honda why?!?!?! :crybaby:

this would never have gotten all the way if soichiro honda still ran the show!!! he wudda had the designer strung and shot!! :ar15:

if i wanted a bike that looked like an r6 id buy a freakin r6!!@#@%$R@#$@!

[Reckless]

Like it or dislike it.
One thing you gotta give Honda!! They've gone out and done something a little more daring than staying middle of the road as usual. Still fugly but the more I see it ???
And, if the refinements and developments prove to be on the button and its fast, well it could be a winner.

[Reckless]

Quite like the ram air scoops under the headlights.
Gotta take a hacksaw to that indicater/ plate holder at the rear. But won't be long b4 someone does an aftermarket tail piece for it.
Juries still out on the exhaust?
I'll wait till i see a black one in real life?? And a few tests! still could be a winner.

[Darkman]

well i must say..the longer this thread goes, the more the bike is growing on me......

[Bigsexy]

The Red one looks rude, Black one looks verry smooth, yellow one is also rude,the metalic grey one looks pretty sharp. I would definatly buy the looks.

[Griff]

I'm normally a great fan of the Honda CBR, but that is fugly. One of the things I did like the look of my 05 CBR600RR was the exhaust that came out through the frame. Where as that thing does look like a R1 or Gixxer, what the hell is next and who at Honda needs a slapping? :argh:

All these new road bikes are getting too similar in looks.

Pretty soon, the only differences will be the logo on the tank. :bye:

I think they are in grave danger of becoming souless.

[inlinefour]

All these new road bikes are getting too similar in looks.

Pretty soon, the only differences will be the logo on the tank. :bye:

I think they are in grave danger of becoming souless.

If this is the way modern bikes are going I'd rather hold onto the older models as they at least have their own individual character. I personally blame it on gixxer riders... :whistle:

[Griff]

If this is the way modern bikes are going I'd rather hold onto the older models as they at least have their own individual character. I personally blame it on gixxer riders... :whistle:

You Bastard!

How very.....very Dare You!


:angry2::2guns:

[Reckless]

All these new road bikes are getting too similar in looks.

Pretty soon, the only differences will be the logo on the tank. :bye:

I think they are in grave danger of becoming souless.

Its called aerodynamics! They are race bikes you see. Cars are going the same way. There is only one way to design the most efficient way to cut though the air.
If you want to know what that is? Its the shape of a drop of water just before or as it leaves the tap. I'm pretty sure that is correct. Anyway one things for sure someone here will put me right. Sharp at the front, round through the middle and round at the rear. you can't do this with cars as they have to be flat on the bottom to go on the road but with bikes it is possible! Damn ugly but possible!
I remember Ian Bias and Adrian Rimmer designed a kart road race body along this principle. I raced against him with it at Cemetary circut at the bike meeting if I remember correctly. It was ugly but it was fast.

If you want soul go cruiser or motard or tourer or classic. But you will find it less and less in sport bikes as they try and eliminate 1/10's of secs off the design.

[Griff]

If you want soul go ..... motard ....... But you will find it less and less in sport bikes as they try and eliminate 1/10's of secs off the design.

Sadly I agree.

The KTM Duke is looking more and more tempting.
(But NOT the Pink One)

[Reckless]

Interesting that this site is saying the CBR1000rr in line four will be replaced by the V4 210HP vfr1000 in 2009. Thats 30hp up on the CBR! thats a big jump.
So is 2007 really the last year of the CBR1000rr??? Honda have been big fans of the V4 in the past!

http://sameerkumar.blogspot.com/2007/08/honda-v4-revival-in-2008-2009.html

This page shows a U tube vid of the new CBr1000. If I new how to post it in the thread I would.

http://sameerkumar.blogspot.com/2007/09/2008-honda-fireblade-revealed.html

[crshbndct]

at first i was like wtf it looks like a farmers with a gum boot(exhaust) and no front teeth(fairing)

but seeing a few more pics of it - i reckon the white and black looks super space age

[merv]

Isn't style funny. I find with cars particularly a new model comes out and I think gee that looks yuck, but after a while they grow on you and maybe this bike is like that. After a while the old models start looking so last year and outdated.

[Paulus]

People have been forecasting a new V4 Honda sports bike since the discontinuation of the RC45 and we still haven't seen one. I'm skeptical.

[Finn]

If you think the 08 Blade is ugly, then there is an easy solution...

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=42052

[Paulus]

Isn't style funny. I find with cars particularly a new model comes out and I think gee that looks yuck, but after a while they grow on you and maybe this bike is like that. After a while the old models start looking so last year and outdated.

Already happened. I look at the 07 Fireblade now and think it looks old fashioned. I hated this thing when it was announced but now I think it looks awesome.

Funnily enough exactly the same thing happened with my car (2000 Celica).

[Sanx]

I'm certainly looking forward to bagging a test-ride of the new Blade when it gets here. Wonder what the missus would think about me trading my '07 Blade in on the new model :whistle:

[Toast]

Found this sniffing around the web from the Paris 29th Sept showing.

The chick in the background is about to barf on it.

[Reckless]

oh i dunno, the introduction of a 1000cc V4 sport bike to replace the CBR1000 makes sense.
Don't forget Moto GP is now 800cc so they might do the new V4 1000 as a sport orientated tourer. Bit like the ZX12R was. There is a definate niche in that spot. People that don't want a soft tourer but want to go fast and not be cramped up like on a sport bike.
Then maybe concentrate on a new 800cc we don't know about yet as their race based machine with all the trick bits on instead of continuing the CBR1000.
Its only speculation but it sorta fits??

[Toast]

Its called aerodynamics! They are race bikes you see. Cars are going the same way. There is only one way to design the most efficient way to cut though the air.
.


I've read that the tear drop stream line thing doesn't really apply to motorcycles, as they're too physically short to create a clean stream of air over them.

As such, they focus mostly on reducing the frontal area of the bike, to try to reduce the volume of air dispersed.

Wish I had a link but it was from a magazine.

[orangeback]

it looks like a shovel

[FkNAmerican]

Im not happy with ANY of the 08 bikes.

The Honda Fireblade looks like absolute shite. The rear end looks like a half arsed cheap copy of the R-6. The front end looks like a half arsed cheap copy of a Ducati 1098 that got punched in the face. The paint scheme options are typical Honda....which is to say they look cheap relative to every other manfacturer out there. On the plus side, performance is suppossed to be out of this world with weight rumored to be near 600 class machines and power in the 175hp range or so. If thats true this WILL be a cult bike, regardless of how ugly it is.

The 08 colors for the CBR600RR are bad accept for the "graffiti" one which is about the only time the US market has got the best color option over the Europeans (unless Im wrong and the Euro's actually get the graffiti paint scheme too). Still, the new 600RR looks too much like the old 600RR....and the color options, as usual, suck for the most part.

The updated 08 GSXR's all look HORRIBLE. I was looking at an 08 GSXR 750 until I saw how ugly its gonne be. The front fairing/headlight/exhaust looks like shite and the paint schemes all look redneck as hell (which makes sense because rednecks LOVE Gsxr's)

The 08 R-1's and R-6's have bad color schemes (at least in the US market). The R-1 is easily the best looking liter bike you can buy for under $15,000 bar none. Shame the 08 colors do everything in thier power to make the bike look ugly. The R-6 looks pretty good too but I only ever liked the colors offered in Europe. I've never liked what Yamaha offers in America and I know tons of peeps who agree. At some point Yamaha is gonna wake the fuck up and realize there are lots of peeps in America with taste.....and our taste is pretty much the same as our Euro friends when it comes to paint.

The 08 Zx10R is crosseyed. Other then that it should be a killer machine if they have fixed the handling issues from 06-07. I can only hope the motor is as nuts as the 04 zx10r was and the handling issues are fixed. If thats the case then this MIGHT be my next bike....even with the ugly front end.

The 08 Zx6R colors SUCK. Never liked blue, the black with red wheels is ruined by the crappy white graphics and the yellow is just crap. Why couldnt they have given us the black bike with red wheels/red fork and leave it at that. And BOOO on ditching the silver for 08. That silver was gorgeous!!!! Who the fuck thought yellow (and a sickly looking yellow at that) would make a good replacement?? Who?!?!

Luckily, however, there is one promising bike Im considering thats supposed to be coming out later this year: The Ducati 848. I hear it will be released in white and red options and is set to look just like the 1098 and cost about $12,000. Performance is suppossed to be on par with the best Jap 600's (which means it should match a Honda CBR600RR). Weight is suppossed to be 10-15 lbs. less then a 1098. If thats the case.....then Im getting that bike.

Yes, paying $12,000 for a bike that can hardly keep up with a 600RR when, for the same money, I could have myself a brand new R-1 does trouble me a bit......but its a Ducati.....its a V-twin......and it looks just as good as the 1098.

Ok so I actually dont know what the hell to get:

Ducati 848
Yamaha R-1
Kawasaki Zx10R

hmmmmmmmm

[FkNAmerican]

the only paint option I like for the 1000RR is the white. But guess what.....as usual thats a Euro only option and we here in America have to suffer the indignity of yet again getting shafted.

[Mr. Peanut]

Found this sniffing around the web from the Paris 29th Sept showing.

Is it just me, or does that woman look like she's going to hurl?

[HungusMaximist]

Is it just me, or does that woman look like she's going to hurl?

I held the my screen up to my face and realized she had a camera in her hand.

But yea, she sorta did look like she was about to barf......

[Paulus]

Video is up on motorcyclenews.com:

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/videos/2007/December/dec1707johnnyreaonboard2008firebladeinqatar/?R=EPI-97586

And in the words of Trev Franklin:

‘The fast flowing nature of Losail Circuit highlights the Blade’s new attitude, the bike is far, far more agile and balanced than the old model meaning it delivers corner speed like a Supersport 600. The engine also has attitude while it retains it’s tractability in the lower to mid range RPM it delivers the goods above this area to give the bike explosive performance. But make no mistake this is no hooligan bike unless you want it to be.’

[limbimtimwim]

It would be hard to judge an engine like that in isolation on a massive circuit like that.