MCN have been running a review of bikes lately, and I have to say I have been Tempted. If you could choose between the two , which would you have and why?. Liking the 04-07 blade , and pre FI R1
Please put me off the idea as I might not be around much longer if I Proceed
Not seen the reviews you mention but either would suit me and I've been actively looking for both, but not for road use. That said, after riding a friends Fireblade some years back, I was surprised how long a stretch it was to the bars, although later models look shorter. Not so long ago I came off the M5 to a bypass and a BMW HP4 was going at full chat in the other direction - sounded awesome! Maybe one to add to your list. If money was no object it would most definitely be the Panigale - physically small enough for me to manhandle and gorgeous looking as well (Panigale isn't bad either)!
JT, you CANNOT be serious regards that Buell? That is frekkin' ugly! That pic don't do it much justice but viewed head-on those side scoops are huge and aweful looking, like a late afterthought. Fugly bike, IMHO, and from recollection got slated in the reviews when it was released.
I'd agree with Duke or MV route though! Older MV F4 1000 can be had for reasonable money these days. Iconic. And on that front did you see, and hear, the MV at the IOM TT that Gary Johnson was riding? (okay, so L'orange is gunna brag he saw it in the flesh ) but thats a pretty bike and with an unsilenced Akro pipe sounded the muts nuts!!! . The road going version, F3 Triple is a bute too! Lovely little trio of stubby exhausts
Most accidents are down to rider error or other hazards in the road i.e cars, animals debris.
The R1 like a blade is a high powered machine and not for the faint hearted or inexperienced rider. Personally I find mine very comfortable to ride, the power is there if needed, or for a nice relaxing quiet ride is delivers a smooth feel. Great handling and braking
6 people written off R1's? Learn to ride a bike with respect
You cannot blame a bike for a inexperienced rider.
Wish list MV Augusta it's a generation thing ? Honda cbr fire blade look cool win road races in the Isle of Man !!! Honda SP1 v twin ! Honda RC30 joeys bike! Honda RC45 ooohhh Ducati 916 or later ooohhhh oooohh but can break BMW ? Yam yzf Kawa 1000 Bennili Buel !!! BSA rocket three mmmmmm Piper tuned rob north frame triumph trident air cooled version wow Yam TZ750 on the road now I'm being silly just listen to one of these on you tube makes me go weak at the knees lol
JT, you CANNOT be serious regards that Buell? That is frekkin' ugly!
I'm fat and ugly - but there is only one of me I was just making the point that there are other things besides Blades and R1's
Ever ridden a Buell? - I haven't ridden a 1125 but had a go on a few Thunderbolts, Lightnings and a an XB () and they all put big grins on my face - and to me thats the important bit, not laps times as they don't mean jack **** in the real world do they
-- Edited by jt on Wednesday 19th of June 2013 07:30:38 PM
You cannot blame a bike for a inexperienced rider.
I agree, but, an example of one of the people I mentioned earlier.
My mate Gary had a ZX9-R for 2 years, then a Blade for a year.
He part-ex'd the blade for an R1 which he sold a year later. A gap of a almost 2 years then he got another Blade, that was 2 years ago.
He came off the R1 3 times. Once whilst filtering, a car decided to turn around, once on a roundabout, possible diesel spill but we couldn't see anything on the ground, once swearving to avoid a car pulling out. I know these could have happened when on any bike.
Gary hasn't had an accident on any other bike.
Sorry, I just don't like R1's but each to their own, if we all liked the same bike there would be a very small market.
I am not over protected to the R1's. I have had a R6, R1, duc 916, 3 GSXR600'S, hayabusa, ZX6R and various offroad laners and I plan to get either a ZX10R or a Aprilia RSV next
I just thought it was pointless blaming a bike which is iconic as the R1 when it seems like the real culprit was other car users in Garys case.
Not that I am superstitious but what model did he have?
had 2 blades , a 94 900rrr that i got beat off at a junction whilst stationary in 96, a 2006 blade that i got t boned on same year and write off too, if im honest prob best sports bikes ive riden is a blade, in between the 2 blades a had a new R1 IN 1999, which was awful till i had it set up at peak proformance in exeter with ohlins rear and k teck front, was awesome after, kept it 7 years, liking my ducatis now though , have character
had 2 blades , a 94 900rrr that i got beat off at a junction whilst stationary in 96, a 2006 blade that i got t boned on same year and write off too, if im honest prob best sports bikes ive riden is a blade, in between the 2 blades a had a new R1 IN 1999, which was awful till i had it set up at peak proformance in exeter with ohlins rear and k teck front, was awesome after, kept it 7 years, liking my ducatis now though , have character
I've had two r1's and can't fault them, my favourite being a red and white 1998 YZFR1 the original hooligan, now i have a ZX10r which in all honesty I can't fault other than being too fast really.
The 98 R1 I could ring the neck out off it... but the ZX10R... would have me for breakfast....! it's the fastest thing I have ever ridden.
Biff in truth these things are ballistic and if you haven't road anything like this before well you could get hurt real bad have you considered a sports toura like the VFR 800 on normal roads they will keep up with anything the big BMW1200 enduro is handy on a B road and a lot more comfortable the thing is these rockets ships are dull under 70 mph there just not exciting unless your motoring ? I've had a few sports bikes over the years and that's what they do they do very FAST!!! the rest of the time there boring almost lol go up to Bridge garage try a couple of diff types bikes, some or all the above but please try the VFR and the BMW as well there are many out there that think they can ride a super bike many have ended up in a wheel chair or worst take care old freind and the rest of you kerry W.A.S.T front line crew
i have to say i have had more than 60 different bike in the last 15 years everything from 125s to my monster zx12r and i have just bought a 98 vfr800 and its not as focused as a blade or r1 or as powerful as a zx12r but its a very good fun easy bike to ride fast or slow. highly recomended.
ive had a few bikes in my time,never owned a R1 ,had a go on my friends,it was very fast,twichy at the back wheel,not very smooth realy,there to much power,theres not many old ones left on the road,as thay have all been smashed up,now looking at the blade,the power is smooth,plenty of grunt,handles like a dream,you can put the power on in any gear out of a corner,and it will be smoooooth,good old honda,and theres plenty of old ones left on the road.......
ive had a few bikes in my time,never owned a R1 ,had a go on my friends,it was very fast,twichy at the back wheel,not very smooth realy,there to much power,theres not many old ones left on the road,as thay have all been smashed up,now looking at the blade,the power is smooth,plenty of grunt,handles like a dream,you can put the power on in any gear out of a corner,and it will be smoooooth,good old honda,and theres plenty of old ones left on the road.......
Out of those two, the Blade. As already stated R1 are twitchy and ill mannered, round a race track a R1 would probably be the weapon of choice but on the road and day to day living the Blade is a far better bike, better built and not so cramped.
Given more choice, the Kawasaki please, a ZX9R can be picked up for decent money a ZX10R is just lush in comparison, very tasty machine.
Always hated Suzuki's, poor build quality and naff looks no doubt a great bike but I hated them from years ago and could not bring myself to own one.
air cooled version wow
