Patent confirms new Blade

A recently unearthed patent application confirms there is a new Fireblade under development, to replace the current CBR1000RR, which will be four years old by the time the new bike is expected to be unveiled -- by 2008.

The application refers to a MotoGP-styled exhaust, with the stubby pipe exiting close under the right-hand side. However unlike the race bike it is a complex four-into-one design that includes a catalytic converter.

As we recently reported, the bike is likely to run switchable engine maps and have a host of other new features.