Suzuka-edition Fireblade tops bill at Tokyo bike show

It might not have quite as much cachet abroad as it used to have, but the Suzuka Eight-Hours race is still massive in Japan. So it’s perhaps no surprise that Honda led with a Suzuka replica Fireblade at the Tokyo bike show today. Revealed on its stand just before lunchtime, the ‘Customised Concept CB1000RR SP’ is a Japan-only special edition Blade, with a Suzuka race-replica paint job, and a heap of tasty bolt-ons aimed at aping the race bike that will be ridden by Takumi Takahashi of the HRC team.

The paint is the obvious difference, although it’s based on the tricolour paint scheme of the SP version of the Blade. Large HRC logos on the side panels trumpet the race credentials of the bike. The main differences are in the wheels and brakes though – OZ rims replace the Marchesinis on the standard SP Blade, and the Brembo calipers are also upgraded parts. The clutch and brake master cylinders are also right out of Brembo’s top sauce parts drawer.

A smart Akrapovic end can replaces the standard pipework with carbon heatshield, while UK-made GB Racing engine crash protectors adorn the casings. Gilles Tooling provide the footpegs and brake lever protector, and Active  and AGRAS supply other bolt-on parts. The stock electronic Ohlins suspension stays as you were.

Sadly, the race fuel tank, Bridgestone slicks and Nissin race calipers off the Suzuka racebike (above) haven’t made their way onto the replica. Shame.

We’ll be amazed if the Suzuka special edition makes it out of Japan – these domestic one-offs will be in high demand there. But we wouldn’t be surprised if this subtle but sweet paint job starts to appear on some high-end custom bikes over here…