Just got back in after our first track session on the new 2012 Fireblade.Portimao has had quite  lot of rain recently and even though it's dry now there's very little grip which is a bit tricky bearing in mind we've got some new Bridgestone S20

.Warmer tarmac and soft-compound, sticky tyres may have been Honda's anti-crash insurance but it didn't make the Fireblade feel any better - or worse. Good fuelling is good fuelling rain or shine. If anything, the extra grip just meant you could use bigger

I'm chucking a few essential items into my massive stuffa bag, ready to go to Portimao tomorrow for the International launch of not just the Honda NC700X but also the new Fireblade, too.You couldn't fathom two bikes at further ends of the scale. One

My long-term Fireblade went back to Honda last week and, seeing as it’s sunny and mild outside now, I’m already missing it. It is one of the best 1000cc sports bikes out there, I don’t care what anyone else says, the way it makes its power is just

'm an old traditionalist weirdo who likes motorcycling to be as difficult as possible. Don't ask me why. I have no justification but it's probably something to do with deeply-rooted ingrained behaviour. Or potty training. Or something.In Hondas defence

Why isn't there traction control on the new Fireblade?As a concept we acknowledge that traction control systems are an important thing as you'll have seen in Milan the traction control system on the VFR. What we're studying at the moment is the best

Before we do anything to the Fireblade's mapping it needs some base runs.This video is the all gear (except first because it'd just spin its wheel on the dyno's drum) acceleration test. Full throttle, to the red-line in every gear until it maxxes

, by the way.This Go-Pro helmet-cam video appears to have been taken from a cold, early season Honda test. As the team are only based up the road in Louth, it's their local track.Compare this action with James Toseland's efforts. Also check out the mysterious