Pata Honda’s Rea & Haslam Test 2014 CBR1000RR Fireblade SP

2014 Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP

For their final ride of 2013, Pata Honda World Superbike’s Jonathan Rea and Leon Haslam had some play time aboard the new 2014 Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP at Losail circuit in Qatar.

Rea and Haslam joined many international motorcycle journalist at the track that hosts the opening round of 2014 MotoGP. The SP is a track-savvy version of the Fireblade, and includes front and rear adjustable Ohlins suspension, Brembo monoblock brakes, a blue-printed engine for enhanced performance and a single seat.

The launch also allowed Rea and Haslam to become re-aquatinted with the circuit that returns to the 2014 World Superbike – a first time since 2009.

Rea arrived at the launch from Australia, where he is spending the winter break.

Jonathan Rea (Pata Honda World Superbike CBR1000RR) says: “It was like ‘a-smile-a-mile’ and I had great fun with Leon, his dad Ron and my TT legend mate, John McGuinness. Sometimes I just think to myself: ‘I have the best job in the world!’”

Leon Haslam (Pata Honda World Superbike CBR1000RR) says: “What a week! It was the best fun ever to ride around Losail with all the journalists on the Fireblade SP. It’s an awesome machine and the circuit lets you have a lot of fun, so I ended up doing about 300 laps, I think!”

The 2014 World Superbike Championship features 14 rounds, and begins February 23 at Phillip Island in Australia.