Image: Robert Murdoch.

Crankt Protein Honda Racing duo Troy Herfoss and Bryan Staring have completed their highly-anticipated first laps aboard the brand new 2017 Honda CBR1000RR SP2 during yesterday’s national Fireblade press launch at Phillip Island.

Riding production-based bikes with wheels, suspension settings, exhaust system and select ergonomics from their existing SP race bikes, defending Australian Superbike champion Herfoss and Staring rode two of very few SP2 models in the country.

It was a long-awaited first appearance for Herfoss on the CBR1000RR SP2 after spending over three years on the previous SP model – on which he’s won back-to-back national championships aboard – and it was a case of so far, so good while he experimented with general development and the stock electronics package on Thursday.

“The first impression was just how small it feels and it’s quite nimble as well,” Herfoss told CycleOnline.com.au. “The main anticipation was how much power does it have and it was nice to feel so much as a standard road bike. It’s hard to say exactly what the best part was, but for me, we wanted more power and we’ve got that. It was also my first time playing around with traction control, the auto-blipper and engine control stuff, so it was all exciting to use.

“Performance-wise, you can feel a lot with the rear tyre on the touch of the throttle and the bike does everything right so far – we’re really happy. We’re just working out why everything’s happening a certain way before we go racing. It feels as though it’s going to be even stronger in the points where the Honda’s already strong, as well as having more power, and there’s a lot of potential there.”

Meanwhile, Staring also had his first ride on the SP2 alongside Herfoss after riding the team’s older generation Fireblade in the opening three rounds of the ASBK. He too was immediately impressed with the potential displayed, albeit closer to street trim than a full-on Superbike racer.

The SP2 is Honda’s top-spec Fireblade to be released in the latest range and will form the basis of what the official Honda team will race in the ASBK in the future, potentially to be debuted at Hidden Valley Raceway’s fourth round on 9-11 July. It’s understood that won’t be fully decided upon until further testing takes place.