The 2025 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP is here—and while its name is a mouthful, the bike itself is just as much to handle. Honda’s latest superbike builds on the 2021 to 2024 model but brings a host of subtle yet meaningful changes. No, the horsepower figure hasn’t increased—still a claimed 214—but the delivery, gearing, and rideability? That’s where the real story begins.
In this review of Honda CBR 1000RR-R Fireblade SP, we’ll look at the Fireblade SP’s stock performance, top-end riding feel, dyno numbers, and how the BT Moto ECU flash completely transforms the riding experience.
Let’s get this out of the way: the 2025 CBR1000RR-R SP looks almost identical to the outgoing model. Aside from revised winglets (said to improve cornering feel by 10%) and some minor cosmetic updates, the bodywork remains nearly the same. But beneath the fairings are engine tweaks you might not notice until you ride it.
There’s a slight bump in compression—from 13.4:1 to 13.6:1—thanks to updated valves, springs, and a lighter rotating assembly (crank and rods). Honda also revised the transmission with shorter gearing to address complaints about the outgoing bike’s long legs.
Still, with all that change, the new model tips the scales at 445 lbs—2 lbs heavier than the previous generation—and still comes with cast wheels. At nearly $29,000, we’d expect forged or even carbon wheels, especially since Ducati and BMW offer them on similarly priced models.
The bike does come with Öhlins semi-active suspension and Brembo Stylema brakes, both of which are excellent. But its 5-inch TFT display feels dated, especially when compared to the 6.5-inch screens from BMW (since 2019) or Ducati’s latest refresh.
On the road, throttle response in stock form is underwhelming. Even in full-power mode (P1), there’s noticeable lag below 6,000 RPM. It feels like the bike is sleepwalking through city riding—torque is missing, and throttle inputs feel more like an on/off switch than a gradual ramp. It doesn’t help that the exhaust is whisper-quiet, even when revved, with most of the noise coming from the transmission.
Low-speed shifts are clunky, particularly upshifts. Downshifts fare better, but the quickshifter still lags in the lower rev range. The engine runs hot, hovering around 200°F in mild weather with the cooling fan constantly cycling. At this point, it’s clear: Honda’s superbike was built for the track, not city traffic.
Once you get past 8,000 RPM, the CBR1000RR-R begins to show its potential. Turn-in feel is light, the revised frame feels more forgiving than before, and the Brembo anchors inspire serious confidence. Up top, the bike finally roars to life, delivering strong acceleration and smooth corner exits.
But even at higher RPMs, the power still doesn’t come on as predictably as it should. It’s there—but the delivery is delayed. You hit 10,000 RPM and then the bike decides to join the party. The gearing, though improved, still feels too tall for the engine’s natural power band.
To back up our riding impressions, we ran a 60–130 MPH GPS test in full-power mode. The result: 5.3 seconds.
That’s decent on paper, but for a 214-horsepower bike, it feels slower than expected. Blame it on gearing, restrictions, and a throttle that doesn’t feel fully awake until you’re deep into the rev range.
We strapped the 2025 Fireblade SP to the dyno and got the numbers. Stock tuning gave us 179 wheel horsepower—a nice improvement over the 2021 model, but still limited. And like past Fireblades, it featured a soft limiter that gradually killed power near the redline instead of cutting cleanly.
Next, we installed the BT Moto flash. With restrictions removed and fueling corrected, power jumped to 196 wheel horsepower—a massive 17 hp gain at the top end.
But more importantly, the BT Moto OBD flash cleaned up the powerband, eliminating the rollercoaster feel and making the bike far more predictable and responsive.
We didn’t stop with just the flash. We added velocity stacks and a performance air filter, tailored specifically for the 2025’s redesigned airbox. That combo delivered another 5 peak horsepower—taking us to 201 hp—and as much as 16 hp gained at 12,700 RPM.
But the real jaw-dropper came with VP Racing Fuel. With stacks, air filter, flash, and VP fuel combined, the Fireblade cranked out a wild 210 wheel horsepower—through the stock exhaust system. Let that sink in.
And torque? You’re looking at gains over 20 wheel torque compared to stock.
On the road, the BT Moto flash transformed the Fireblade. Throttle response is night-and-day smoother. The dead zone below 6,000 RPM is gone, and power delivery is crisp and predictable.
The exhaust valve tuning allows the bike to stay quiet at idle or in neutral (perfect for early morning starts) and opens up when you actually ride it hard. If you prefer it always open, that’s an option too.
Shift quality drastically improved—especially at low RPMs, where the stock quickshifter felt sluggish. The bike feels more planted and less jerky in stop-and-go traffic, thanks to BT Moto tuning at 25%, 50%, and 75% throttle—not just wide-open throttle.
Cooling is better too. Engine temps dropped from ~200°F to ~181–183°F on the freeway, extending oil life and reducing heat soak in slow traffic.
And if you’re wondering about the riding modes—BT Moto retained all five modes but gave each one full power. The only difference now is throttle sensitivity, not actual horsepower. So even in P5, you’re getting the same top-end muscle.
To measure real-world improvements, we ran GPS tests after flashing the bike:
That’s nearly a full second faster in both tests—massive gains for a simple ECU flash and tuning upgrades.
Honda’s 2025 CBR1000RR-R SP is a capable machine, but in stock form, it leaves performance on the table. Thanks to BT Moto’s ECU flash, velocity stacks, and fueling upgrades, the Fireblade finally performs like a true 200+ horsepower superbike—while also becoming smoother, cooler, and more enjoyable to ride in every condition.
Best of all? No need to crack open your ECU or ship it anywhere. BT Moto’s flashing kit plugs into the OBD port under the rider seat and can be done from home. Whether you’re commuting or hitting the track, this flash unlocks the full potential Honda left hidden.
Ready to transform your Fireblade? Contact BT Moto and get started today.