Doesn't matter how many times you say "smaller bikes are more fun because you can thrash them harder," or "I'm getting bored of the latest supersports thing to come out of Japan - they're all the same." You know deep inside that you're talking utter bollocks. You may say these things, you may even mean them at the time, but your first ride on the new FireBlade, R1 or GSX-R1000 is enough to shut your cake-hole for another six months. Big-bore sportsbikes are the Big Lick, they sit at the head of the motorcycling table and are waited on hand and foot, and for 2002 they are (surprise) better than ever before.
Honda Cbr 954 Rr 2002 Gsxr
Last year, the GSX-R1000 was quite rightfully crowned the new boss. Unspeakably powerful and with a totally sorted chassis, it ran rings round the opposition. Before that, the Yamaha R1 ruled the roost. It, in turn, stole the limelight from the FireBlade before it, who spent far too long in the top slot despite repeated efforts from Kawasaki's ZX-9R to dislodge it. So you see, these four bikes are old adversaries. They've been slashing at each others' throats for bloody years now. Some years it's easier than others, but 2002 is going to be a bitch. This new crop is good.
Even the Kawasaki ZX-9R has been properly tweaked for 2002. Using the lessons learnt from the launch last issue, Gus and myself spent 30 minutes a couple of days before the test slamming the front end of the 9R and jacking the back-end up (see handling caption for details) so it could meet the onslaught of its more, er, developed competition in a fairer light. In the end the big Kawasaki did far better than any of us could have imagined on the road and track.
One area of the R1 that categorically has suffered with time is the brakes. Back in '98 when the bike was launched they were the Guv'nors and the new class leaders. Unfortunately time stands still for no man, and for 2002 the R1's anchors now drop back to being plain old 'very good' while the Blade now out-stops anything you care to mention at a single finger brush of the lever.
"The R1's exceptional on the road, dead safe and dead accurate. You simply cannot upset it, even over bumps and the like. She looks stunning, and at the track is now even easier to get the best out of. But the steering is still heavy on occasion, and those who like their big sportsbikes really manic may find the R1's lost a bit of its hooligan element for 2002, drifting away from the Monster Raving Looney party and more towards the Conservatives."
All four of us were agreed that of all the bikes on this test, the 2002 FireBlade offered the best mix of outright power, sharp-dressed styling, handling and just general sexiness to scoop the top slot. Which is kind of funny, because there's no way it feels as fast as the rip-snorting GSX-R1000 to ride round the racetrack. Er, isn't that what these supersport bikes should be all about?cmgAdQueuePush( function() AccelerateAdManager.displayAd("VD-mpu-9-mobile"); );
On the other end of the scale is the ZX-9R. Not saying it isn't manic, because with its 10,000rpm powerband it's like a big 600 to ride and being in the right gear is critical for maximum thrust, but with it's physical size, greater weight (186kg compared to 168kg for the Blade) and lower 130bhp power bracket, it is far more tolerant of the average rider. For 2002 Kawasaki have made some effective styling changes to the nose fairing and rear seat unit, and spend a morning fiddling round with the geometry and you have a decent track tool. Yes, you've got that big, fat, early 1990s fuel tank, and yes, you've got those early 1990s analogue clocks and carburretors, but in no way was the 9R humbled by the other bikes on this test. It's just playing a much more basic game.
SPECS - HONDATYPE - SUPERSPORTSPRODUCTION DATE - 2002PRICE NEW - 8695ENGINE CAPACITY - 954ccPOWER - 146bhp@11,050rpmTORQUE - 76lb.ft@8835rpmWEIGHT - 168kgSEAT HEIGHT - 820mmFUEL CAPACITY - N/ATOP SPEED - N/A0-60 - n/aTANK RANGE - N/A
SPECS - KAWASAKITYPE - SUPERSPORTSPRODUCTION DATE - 2002PRICE NEW - 7995ENGINE CAPACITY - 899ccPOWER - 130bhp@10,200rpmTORQUE - 69.4lb.ft@9200rpmWEIGHT - 186kgSEAT HEIGHT - 827mmFUEL CAPACITY - N/ATOP SPEED - N/A0-60 - n/aTANK RANGE - N/A
SPECS - SUZUKITYPE - SUPERSPORTSPRODUCTION DATE - 2002PRICE NEW - 8999ENGINE CAPACITY - 988ccPOWER - 149bhp@10,600rpmTORQUE - 80lb.ft@8100rpmWEIGHT - 170kgSEAT HEIGHT - 840mmFUEL CAPACITY - N/ATOP SPEED - N/A0-60 - n/aTANK RANGE - N/A
SPECS - YAMAHATYPE - SUPERSPORTSPRODUCTION DATE - 2002PRICE NEW - 8899ENGINE CAPACITY - 998ccPOWER - 143.7bhp@10,900rpmTORQUE - 78.8lb.ft@8200rpmWEIGHT - 174kgSEAT HEIGHT - 820mmFUEL CAPACITY - N/ATOP SPEED - N/A0-60 - n/aTANK RANGE - N/A
So you see, these four bikes are old adversaries. They've been slashing at each others' throats for bloody years now. Some years it's easier than others, but 2002 is going to be a bitch. This new crop is good.
Neat trick, Yamaha. And to sum it all up, back to that Mackenzie bloke: "The R1's exceptional on the road, dead safe and dead accurate. You simply cannot upset it, even over bumps and the like. She looks stunning, and at the track is now even easier to get the best out of. But the steering is still heavy on occasion, and those who like their big sportsbikes really manic may find the R1's lost a bit of its hooligan element for 2002, drifting away from the Monster Raving Looney party and more towards the Conservatives."
SPECS - YAMAHATYPE - SUPERSPORTSPRODUCTION DATE - 2002PRICE NEW - 8899ENGINE CAPACITY - 998ccPOWER - 143.7bhp@10,900rpmTORQUE - 78.8lb.ft@8200rpm WEIGHT - 174kgSEAT HEIGHT - 820mm FUEL CAPACITY - N/A TOP SPEED - N/A0-60 - n/aTANK RANGE - N/A
SPECS - KAWASAKITYPE - SUPERSPORTSPRODUCTION DATE - 2002PRICE NEW - 7995ENGINE CAPACITY - 899ccPOWER - 130bhp@10,200rpmTORQUE - 69.4lb.ft@9200rpm WEIGHT - 186kgSEAT HEIGHT - 827mm FUEL CAPACITY - N/A TOP SPEED - N/A0-60 - n/aTANK RANGE - N/A
SPECS - SUZUKITYPE - SUPERSPORTSPRODUCTION DATE - 2002PRICE NEW - 8999ENGINE CAPACITY - 988ccPOWER - 149bhp@10,600rpmTORQUE - 80lb.ft@8100rpm WEIGHT - 170kgSEAT HEIGHT - 840mm FUEL CAPACITY - N/A TOP SPEED - N/A0-60 - n/aTANK RANGE - N/A
All four of us were agreed that of all the bikes on this test, the 2002 FireBlade offered the best mix of outright power, sharp-dressed styling, handling and just general sexiness to scoop the top slot. Which is kind of funny, because there's no way it feels as fast as the rip-snorting GSX-R1000 to ride round the racetrack.
SPECS - HONDATYPE - SUPERSPORTSPRODUCTION DATE - 2002PRICE NEW - 8695ENGINE CAPACITY - 954ccPOWER - 146bhp@11,050rpmTORQUE - 76lb.ft@8835rpm WEIGHT - 168kgSEAT HEIGHT - 820mm FUEL CAPACITY - N/A TOP SPEED - N/A0-60 - n/aTANK RANGE - N/A
For 2002 Kawasaki have made some effective styling changes to the nose fairing and rear seat unit, and spend a morning fiddling round with the geometry and you have a decent track tool. Yes, you've got that big, fat, early 1990s fuel tank, and yes, you've got those early 1990s analogue clocks and carburretors, but in no way was the 9R humbled by the other bikes on this test. It's just playing a much more basic game.
CBR954RR - Wheelie (I): This is a very clean 2002 Honda CBR954RR with stunt crash bars.CBR954RR - Wheelie (II): This rider was able to ride this wheelie for quite some distance. This is the second picture in a sequence.CBR954RR - Standup Wheelie: Stunt rider doing a nice standup wheelie on the rear pegs. This Honda CBR954 was setup for stunts with a large rear sprocket and crash cage.
CBR954RR - Wheelie (III): The rider using liter bike horsepower to carry this long wheelie. The black crash cage looks good with the Red/Black color scheme on this 2002 Honda CBR954RR.CBR954RR - One Hand Circle Burnout: Rider shows great balance and control doing this one handed highchair circle burnout on his Honda CBR954RR.CBR954RR - Suicide Burnout: This CBR954RR stunt rider had a smooth transition from a circle burnout to the suicide burnout.
FREE fast shipping for USA. International delivery may take longer.Aftermarket Steering Damper with bracket Suport 21 position adjustable damping control Condition: Brand New Material: CNC Machined Aluminum Alloy Condition: 100% Brand New Quantity: 1 set include bolts Color: Same As Picture Show Fitment: Honda CBR954 2002-2003 2ff7e9595c
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