Description
Please note: We had to use a booster box to start the bike and run it on choke with the throttle open.
Additional photos are available here for your perusal.
In the early 1990s, Honda turned the motorcycling world on its head when it released the CBR900RR Fireblade. The ‘Blade’s designer, Tadao Baba, primarily focused on keeping weight down above all else — a must considering his brief was to deliver a modern superbike with open-class power, weighing no more than your average 600 of the day. The “Fireblade” name is actually the result of a mistranslation of the word “lightning”, and it didn’t fit squarely into any of the existing major classes. Rather, Honda’s goal was to create the best possible road-going superbike, and the eventual result was the 900RR.
At the heart of the original Fireblade — which didn’t come to US shores until ’93 — was a 893cc in-line four which was essentially a stroked three-quarter liter mill with a 70mm bore. Though it wasn’t the most powerful engine of its day, the RR’s 124 hp, 65 ft-lbs of torque, and 160 mph top speed were nothing to scoff at, especially with its svelte weight. A number of measures were taken by Baba and his team to ensure the Fireblade would hit its target weight. This included using a highly-developed lightweight frame, 16” front wheel, conventional forks instead of heavier inverted units (though the 900RR’s front-end was designed to look like an upside down fork) and even the Swiss cheesed-nose.
In the end, Baba-san came through, delivering a 900 that tipped the scales at around 450lbs wet. It was less than 10 lbs heavier than the CBR600, and a whopping 100lbs lighter than most of the open-class competition of the day. In ’94, the groundbreaking model had its steel upper cowl stay replaced with an aluminum piece, while a magnesium cylinder head cover took the place of the outgoing model’s aluminum unit. 1994 also saw a slight bump in engine efficiency, amongst other changes.
This example is VIN: JH2SC2818SM300154. It came to Iconic as an import; prior history is not known.
The odometer shows 26,224 miles.
Maintenance:
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us perform a safety inspection. Angel did the work, he notes the following in his condition report:
Tire Year Front/ Rear: 0103/0103
Tire % Front/ Rear: 50/50
Tire Press Front/ Rear :30/30
Brake % Front/ Rear: 50/45
Hydraulic: BAD >3% MOISTURE
Oil:LVL OK, DARK AGE UNKNOWN
Coolant:LVL OK, AGE UNKNOWN
Low Beam: OK
High Beam: OK
Turn: OK
Tail Light: OK
Brake Light: OK
Plate Light: OK
Kill: OK
Horn: OK
Battery: 12.8
Notes:
• RAN ON CHOKE ONLY, DIES ON THROTTLE
• DAMAGE TO STATOR COVER
• DAMAGE TO RIGHT FRONT TURN SIGNAL
• GAS TANK INTERNAL OK
• NO SUSPENSION LEAKS
RECOMMEND:
• ALL FLUIDS
• TIRES
• CHAIN
• BRAKE PADS
• AIR FILTER
• CARBS
Modifications:
Moriwaki slip-on exhaust, stickers.
Aftermarket lever.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Dunlop Sportmax tires that have aged out.
The sale includes one key.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located at our facility in Santa Monica, California (please make an appointment for an inspection), this Honda is offered on a clean Oregon title. Please note that as an import, this bike lacks certain compliance and emissions stickers that the state of California would require to transfer a title. Have any CBR900RR stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
