Rendering of the next Honda Fireblade

If it looks like this, we'll take two

THIS is a rendering of what an updated Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade might look like.

The image appears on the front cover of the latest issue of the sometimes-accurate Japanese magazine Young Machine, accompanied with the translation 'Evolution of conjecture!'

As you can see, it’s got gas forks, Brembo brakes and a new exhaust design that exits in same place as the exhaust on the current ‘Blade. The front end shares similarities with the CBR250RR concept but the tail unit is completely different, with a stubby, curving design.

Rumours say there could be a new Fireblade in 2017. If true, we’re a little way off from seeing anything less speculative for a while.

Yamaha's new R1 was one of 2015's headline bikes, Kawasaki has just launched its new ZX-10R and a new Suzuki GSX-R1000 is on the cards, so Honda is the only Japanese manufacturer not to have a new-generation litre bike in its range. Does that mean it's busy behind closed doors? We hope so.

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