Looking to get rid of the Blade, after lower back pain and wrist problems at the end of last year, A ride at the weekend has convinced me, I need a more upright bike. I am drawn toward the Triumph Speed or Street triples, just wondering if anybody has any other suggestions. Looking to sell my bike with maybe a few hundred on top, or straight swap if poss. So looking at around £4000.Cheers for any input. Oh, if you are interested or know anybody who might be I have 2005 rr5 Full micron Serpent race system (massive saving on weight over standard pipe, sound awesome too) +gains PC3 Stomp grip Metzeler M5 interacts (less than a 1000 on them) Sargent seat + original Seat cowl (genuine + original seat and rear foot pegs) Braided lines front and rear Tail tidy (R&G I think) Crash mushrooms Gear indicator K&N (not fitted yet) New set of spark plug ready to go in Black double bubble and Red double bubble(fitted at the mo) Shorty levers (not Chinese) + originals Angled tyre valves Full brake service and rebuild a few hundred miles ago including seals, pads and fluids. Dealer service history up to 17,000 ish serviced be me since now at 22,200ish Oil changed every 6 months regardless of use,Always good oil Number plates in various sizes Usual age related marks Will put some pics later,just in case . Cheers
I've been considering doing the same and moving away from my 2015 Blade for similar reasons. I suppose it comes down to what your budget is and how/where you ride? I have been looking at the BMW S1000R Sport as the most likely candidate. I also looked and sat on the Super Duke 1290R & GT, a Z900 (no Z1000s in at the time) and a Triumph Speed Triple 1050 R. I considered an Aprilia Tuono but discounted it after memories of the last Mille I owned. Triumph were almost offensive with the PX value they offered for my showroom condition Blade. Thought to myself they obviously don't need the business! Being a short arse and commuting into a city centre I found the Duke too tall for me to comfortably hustle around and back peddle from the seat if I needed, not to mention the £14k price tag for the Duke R and £16k for the GT. The Kwaker felt too much like an entry level bike, reminded me of passing my test, although from what I've seen the new Z1000 looks better put together. So I ended up looking at the Beemer. The frontend is a bit fugly, but 160 bhp, electronic suspension, quickshifter, heated grips, traction, etc and used bikes knocking around for just under £8k make it look like a bit of a bargain. Saying that the Blade is still sitting in the garage at the moment.
I had a Speed triple which was great fun. Also had a Street Triple R which has less power but is so light, it's like riding a BMX with an engine. The sound from the triple is superb especially with an arrow can Take a few out to try. MT09 is evidently a great bike, just a bit soggy on suspension front.
I've gone the other way. Beemer S1000RR to MT10 to a 16 plate Blade(current bike). Bit of advice take a very long test ride, I found that anything over 85+mph and over an hour ride gets very loud and tiresome. As a commuter and short blasts......awsome. But I dont know what it is but nearly all super nakeds are just ugly, look unfinished. This was probably the biggest reason as every time I opened the garage door the looks just did'nt do it for me, however the blade makes me smile everytime.
I also went the other way. Had a Tuono (v2) for 7 years, before swapping to the Blade. No question those big wide bars are more comfortable and great for turn in and flicking left/right. But accelerating hard you turn into a massive sail as it tries to blow you off the back, and I never quite felt connected to what was going on with the front. I'm lucky and back is still feeling ok, but I wouldn't want an upright bike again in a hurry. I'm sure you've considered adjustable clips ons to raise riding position but keep the same bike?
I have swung back an forth for 12 years upright back to sports bike currently have 3 sports bikes most recently pxing my speed triple R for a 16 black edition cbr couldn't be happier. Best naked I have had 2010 round headlight street triple R and Tuono v4 2014?what a bike.
I spent several years in pain (wrists and back) riding my Blade as I could not bear to part with it. I put higher bars on but although it eased the pain it did not remove it enough. Now on my second naked and very happy as I can ride without pain. Of course there are some downsides, wind blast being the main one, it is not just about the rider being hit by the wind, it is the bike as well, they are not the most aerodynamically designed vehicles. My Tuono is tricky to ride in certain cross winds, never had the same extent of issue on a sports bike. If you like top speeds, not quite as comfy or as safely achievable on a naked. I get wetter on the naked as well, it is surprising how much a fairing keeps the rain off. Go for a long test ride would be my best advice, maybe consider an upright bike with a bit of wind protection either part or fully faired. In an ideal world I would be riding a sports bike now but that was just not possible because of the pain and numbness. Good luck in your search.
The new Kawasaki Z1000SX looks good and is quite sporty The Yamaha MT10 if you can bare to look it it looks a hoot too. I actually quite like the look of it. Or the older muscle bikes GSX1400 or XJ1300
I went Speed Triple route...... keeps you in the know when doing the illegal speeds as anything over a "AHEM TON" its a bit uncomfortable...... but I do miss my blade.....
Cheers guy's for replies/suggestions(most of which were a little rich for my budget).I have a mate who has been to a physio for just about every part of his body over the years, and he suggested some exercises for my back(to strengthen it), and some for my wrist (the same one's my physio made me do last time my wrist was playing up)he also told me to give Yoga a try(not sure about me in lycra , could be scary) I'm going to give em a go before I commit to not riding sports bikes. Made the most of the Cornish sunshine today, 2hour stint in relative comfort, using my knee's on the stompgrip a lot more so support upper body, and take weight off wrists. It would be a total shame to not have the Blade
I traded in my 2012 Blade for a Triumph T120 last August. Not for the same reason as you - trying not to go to jail . It would seem that the T120 is way too far to the other side of the spectrum (for me) and the quality compared to Japanese machinery is frankly shite. Anyway, I decided it had to go and I didn't want a 180+ BHP replacement. On a whim I organised a test ride on a Suzuki V-Strom 1000 and after stepping off the Triumph it was like a breath of fresh air - a little bit more power, decent comfort for me and the wife and modern suspension. It's far from a sports bike and in many ways it could possibly be considered as a bit boring but we both loved it so much we did a deal on the spot for a new one. Superb handling and enough easy V twin power to make decent progress on the twisties. It'll never, ever keep up with a well ridden sportsbike but it's light enough to tempt me off my FJR1300 for most touring riding other than European trips. Quite likely not what the OP is looking for but if comfort is a priority then it's certainly worth a try. Good second hand ones aren't that expensive. I know, a Fireblade Forum and I'm banging on about low powered thumpy V twins
i went from riding clippon bikes (sport and sport tourers like the vfr750) for 25 years to nakeds and other upright bikes a few years ago. to slow me down really and causse it seemed a good idea at the time. so after buying and selling several (xjr1300,gsx1400,cb1000r etc etc) i found out the biggest pain these bikes have for me is the upright position and the lack of wind protection. my avarage kms per year dropped dramatically simply causse these nakeds just aint fun on long hauls (to me atleast) small rides round the block and a bit of commuting and thats it for me on a naked. so i am back on the blade now and the miles rack up fast. i just love it and i think its a great allrounder wether u want to commute or do a 1000km day trip it does it all. try riding a cb1000r a 1000kms a day at motorway speeds....not good i tell ya... so best make up your mind and be dead sure or face going the route i did just to end up with a similar bike u started with and spend a lot of cash in the process...
... Fitness is about allowing you to comfortably participate in activities you want to do. I'd agree about working on your core strength and wrists but you have to find the "right" method of exercise(s) for you. Yoga might be the right activity (I've done it for a couple of years) - have an open mind but similarly a carefully constructed gym/swimming regime could (might) have a more beneficial effect. Nothing happens overnight and gradual progress hopefully will be measured by you feeling more comfortable on the bike - at least that's what I'm hoping for... I'm in a similar position!
bmw still a PITA for assistance , warranty and prices new cb1000r will be out in less than 365 days mt10 .... ,well i own two ... gsx-s 1000 also a nice bike , just in need of better rear shock aprilia models after 2015 are really improved ! Kawasaki still use shit parts , like the same rear disc of a gpz600 from the 80` please do not look to much for well designed parts (they are improving really fast btw) personally will not consider ducati , ktm ; yep failure ratio still high and cannot forgot my sdr 1290 engine blowed up after 1400 km triumph ? no thanks , no feeling about that brand (not a fan of 3 cylinder aswel)
Funny enough I was thinking the same, just fancied a change, I've only had FB for a year but I test rode the MT-10 last weekend. It felt twitchy, raw and unhinged, quite brutal and a bit of a handful, engine felt quite a bit rough when compared to the FB. I suppose that's the appeal to those that love it, it gets fantastic reviews but I think the FB is a much better Road bike as for me it's so smooth and easy to ride, the MT-10 was a bit intimidating, I'd like one as well as the FB but not instead. A dream I guess. Other thing to try for me is the S1000R
I lost my 2014 blade to some thieving scumbags, and jumped onto an MT-09. Not bad for the cash, I had an MT-07 but wanted a bit more grunt. Let's not mess about, no naked bike will ever compare performance wise to a superbike, but what you do get is an extremely comfortable riding position! The torque on the MT is good for just commuting and the odd blast round the twisties, but will be a bit of a drag on longer trips. Only my 2 cents of course! Yes I still miss the blade, and once my insurance premiums get to a reasonable level, will defo be on the hunt for a new blade
