Tanshanomi's Snap Judgments

Honda CBR900RR

Fri, February 19th, 2010


1992-95 Honda CBR900RR
Performancewww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
The CBR900RR (aka 'Fireblade,' a name officially used only outside the USA) was tractable, linear and strong. Though not quite on a par with liter-plus bikes in terms of max horsepower, the original had a ferocious delivery and an unmatched power-to-weight ratio.
Handlingwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
It weighed little more than a CBR600, and was even stiffer, with better components. The only drawback was a 16-inch front wheel, which robbed stability in high-speed sweepers.
Lookswww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
From its unique, drag-reducing perforations to the artfully sculpted tailpiece, the original 900 version clearly set itself apart from the usual blandness of cookie-cutter fully-faired race replicas. My personal favorite is the original '92 U.S. model (pictured), with round headlights and red-white-and-blue graphics that were dramatic without being gimmicky.
Reliabilitywww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
It was built to handle the stock power with the least weight, so it doesn't have the reserve strength to be excessively hot-rodded. But there are very few issues when kept stock and ridden sanely.
Practicalitywww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
The thin seat and low bars are painfully uncomfortable on the street, and the power-to-weight ratio and compact wheelbase mean it can easily overwhelm anyone but an experienced racer.
Desirabilitywww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
The 900 was a game-changing bike with a great backstory. Unfortunately, it's conceptual and visual purity was watered down with each successive redesign.
Overallwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
I'm not a big fan of 'crotch rockets,' and I'll probably never spend my hard-earned money for one, but this one is pretty special.