14. Manson's Honda CBR 954 Fireblade,2003

Name: Manmeet Soni AKA Manson
Age: 28
Profession: Entrepreneur
Motorcycle club: www.team-bhp.com
City: Mumbai

Been there, done that. Now looking to do some more. Period.



1.Tell us about your first experience on a bike
A.Not sure if it really qualifies for a ‘bike’ experience, but my first take on an motorised set of two wheels was upon a puny Bajaj Sunny. It was a very slow timid ride, and the moment sank in only once I was off the saddle.
My first bike ride credit goes to my Yamaha RXG – 135. The bike belonged to my older brother who barely used it and I had almost come around to rescue it from fading away. The next two years or so I rode the wheels off that two stroker!

2.Who taught you the first rules of riding a bike?
A.My older brother, he guided me on the gearshifts, location of levers, etc

3.How many bikes have you owned since then?
A.2, Yamaha Thunderace YZF 1000R & Honda CBR 954 RR



4.Which one is closest to your heart?
A.Can’t really pick one, all three are just as close. The RXG got me around motorcycles and I rode my heart out on that bike. The Thunderace taught me to act mature. The Fireblade has helped me up my game in more ways than one.

5.What made you choose the 954? Its arguably the best looking fireblade ever!
A.Remember being 18 and single and at the same time having some eye candy trying to get with you? What would you do?
Exactly what happened for me. I had finally decided to part with the Thunderace and look around for a larger hyper sport which seemed like a logical upgrade over the Thunderace.
Around the same time a friend mentioned this particular Fireblade to be on the market. I thought it looked rather mean, a few nights of reading on the 954 RR convinced me I couldn’t go wrong with the purchase. For me, the eye candy has stuck around to make it into a more meaningful relationship.

6.What do you think of the 2011 fireblade
A.To be honest, I haven’t ridden it. The reviews indicate it is one of those bikes I’d consider to have in the garage despite its clichéd looks.

7.What is the best attribute of the 954.
A.It is till date the lightest liter class production motorcycle, which has it sticking its nose ahead of the more recent bikes despite the comparatively low HP output. Apart from that, any superbike enthusiast worth his salt has a deep insight of the handling characteristics of the CBR 954 RR. I have really come around exploiting or even getting familiar with the same only after the tire upgrade to the sticky 2 CT tires. The 954 has the ability to make you feel so much more pro and perfect than you actually are. In simple words, it does everything well and has looks that still get attention over the newest bikes.

8. What aftermarket kit and are you running on your CBR 954 RR?
A.Arata Full Titanium Exhaust System
Dynojet Power Commander III loaded
Dan Kyle Tune
Ohlins Steering Damper with Harris Fitting Kit
Michelin Pilot Power 2 CT
Stomp Grips
Dark Smoked Screen
Harris ‘RR’ Grips
8000K Low Beam
Crash Bobbins
Swingarm Spools
Motorgrafix ‘RR’ Tank Pad
EBC Stintered Brake Pads
Shock Racing Tail Tidy kit



9. What is your current riding gear wardrobe like?
AGV XR-2 helmet
AGV Sport Jacket
Alpinestar SP 2 Gloves
Komine Knee & Shin protector pads
Setup Vision Boots

10. Narrate a memorable experience on the road..
A.It has to be bringing home the Thunderace. It took me close to two years to getting things into the perfect equilibrium where my folks would agree to let me have a bike again, I would have the money to put out for a luxury toy and a clean well kept bike with known history being available. The two years of wait was a blessing in disguise though, it made me look up blogs, websites, forums day in and day out which made me more aware of how capable these machines really are and how important it really is to respect that throttle.

11. How about a not so memorable experience.
A.I lost a very close friend who was a mentor for me in more ways than one in a bike crash a couple of years back.

12. What is the best way to answer this question on the road " How much does it cost?"
A.Some people lack the financial ability to acquire superbikes, and most people lack the knowledge and inclination to bring one home. Being honest about the cost of the bike would only help burst myths around these machines.



13. Do you get irritated when asked about the mileage?
A.Nope, almost never. People even asked me the mileage of my RXG at traffic lights, I think superbike riders have taken it upon themselves to exaggerate the curiosity expressed by the single pot riders.

14. Solo riding or group riding. which do you prefer?
A.A small group of KNOWN riders, generally about 4 – 10 odd. It helps me choose my spot in the ride; who I want to lead and who I should follow. This helps in reducing stress levels through the ride and gives more flexibility for reflexes when required.

15. Tell us about Mumbai traffic. which is the best road out there to head out for a spin.
A.Regular traffic conditions in Mumbai are definitely not the most favourable to be riding around atop your multi cylinder superbike, especially through peak hours.
Not too many fast stretches either within city limits really. The Palm Beach stretch at Navi Mumbai is some good surface to be riding around though.



16. Where do you park your bike? How do you deal with people sitting on it when it is parked?
A.The Fireblade is parked in partially covered parking within my building. I usually do not take it to places where I may have to leave the bike parked for long periods. If in case I do, then I mostly put in an extra word to the security guards to keep a special eye out for my Fireblade. Touch wood, I have never come across any stranger sitting, or posing on either of my bikes.

17. Have you ever run into any mechanical/electrical issues? If yes how did you fix it?
A.Of course! With an eight year old vehicle small niggles are bound to crop up. The trick is to diagnose the problem in time and not till the bike stalls.
I had heating issues on my Fireblade last year for which I had to run back to back checks for a couple of weeks. With lots of reading, and help from my mechanic, the problem was diagnosed to be a kaput water pump.
The solution was simple, had it replaced with a brand new OEM unit from Honda.

18. Being a city where the cops take their work seriously, do they stop and question you regarding the bike. Have you had any issues with them?

A.Nothing besides appreciating smiles, works for me!

19. Which is the next bike you have set your eyes on?
A.Money no bar, it would just have to be the BMW S 1000 RR!



20. You enjoy having a pillion? Do they get scared or do they fall in love with biking?
A.Not really, pillions usually affect my riding style and comfort in a big way. I can’t go at the same pace I otherwise would knowing that I am responsible for another person riding pillion with me. If anything, pillions usually come back more thrilled than they would after a rollercoaster and generously handout brownie points in my favours.

21. What is your advice to someone who wants to begin riding..
A.Your skills will help get you out of trouble if you don’t ride over the limit.
Once your skill level goes up you'll have two choices. Travel at a reasonable speed on the street and give yourself a cushion or roll the dice and play with your life.