-all 250cc GP-like bike with the lightweight handling to match and a screaming motor. I would have thought a few minor tweaks would have been enough to keep Honda's CBR customers happy. But the competition has raised its game recently, so the factory has

been enough to keep Honda£s CBR customers happy. But the competition has raised its game recently, so the factory has pulled out all the stops in an attempt to reassert themselves as the manufacturer with the best supersports bike for the road

Engine capacity: 1000cc Power: 175bhp Full Review: I waited until the afternoon sessions before taking to the track again. Firstly I thought a bit of sun might warm the track up and news filtering through that the Honda mechanics were fitting

's not broken? Honda says Fireblade owners complained of a lack of midrange grunt, losing out to the competition accelerating from 70mph and above. They also felt the steering was a tad lazy and needed sharpening up to improve direction changes and corner exit

, Honda failed to top the European sales charts. Yamaha’s new R6 did that, and if it hadn’t been for a bizarre lack of concentration from Kevin Curtain at last round of the World Supersport Championship, the ultimate middleweight racing prize would have

Weight: 176kg Seat height: 820mm Fuel capacity: 18.0L Full Review: The new Fireblade feels very similar to the 2003 ‘Blade when it comes to riding position, despite the fact that Honda has moved the pegs slightly up and back and the bars slightly down

Pros: Cons: Top speed: 171mph Engine capacity: 918cc Power: 128bhp Torque: 68lb ft Weight: 180kg Seat height: 810mm Fuel capacity: 18L Full Review: Big and bulky Blade beaten by Yamaha's R1. By now Honda had a problem. The Fireblade had been

as its sibling, the CBR600RR, but still a good, solid and very reliable. The CBR600F is the old style CBR before Honda really decided to take on the supersport market. It has a relaxed riding position, less revvy engine and decent pillion seat and is a