Reading Fast Bikes recently I see they've rated the Blade 8th out of the 10 bikes picked for their SBOTY test. The Blade was placed in front of the GSXR6 and ZXR6 and after the Ducati 848 Evo. We all know the Blade is an awesome road bike, sweeping all before it in "pure road racing" terms but what about the short circuits and how it's generally fairing around the world. So what is it to be next for the Blade to bring back to the top as in 08,09? do we get a mild update to the current Blade for 2013 as per the traditional 2 year evo cycle to be ready for a show stopper release in 2014 or do Honda present us with a whizz bang kick-ass Blade with all the latest electrickery gadgets on board in 2013? What do you think, any rumours out there?
Not heard anything myself as yet. as they have only changed the blade a small bit since 2008 I feel they do need to have a big update. but will that come next year or 2014 I'm unsure. I do hope they don't change the looks to much from the 2008-11 looks as thats one of the biggest attractions for me when I bought my blade. and the looks of the front of the 2012 bike is growing on me a bit
Can you change perfection? I just fear that the next blade will be a big looks change an will be loaded with electronics to go wrong!
going by the bloke in grantham honda he was saying the next blade will be minor upgrades as the 2012 has a lot of changes then 2-3 years will be a new bike suppose will just have to see
8th out of 10 bikes? What a load of crap! I only trust Motorcycle USA's reviews. They picked the blade as the winner in the 2012 shootouts even beating the mighty beemer. 2012 Superbike Smackdown IX Track - Motorcycle USA
I think this too.....I expect 2015 before a major change but of course this could be 2014. Who knows I certainly dont, I just doubt Honda would have invested in all that cash to make new plastics, lights, wheels, susp etc to replace it all a year or two on.
You cant trust magazine reviews... you need to remember that, for the most part, the reviewers are FAR more experienced track riders than us. I was reading the Superbike magazine review of the 2012 Fireblade... they pitched it against the only other bikes in the class that dont have much rider aids, namely the RC8 and the GSXR1000... they rated the Fireblade last. Why? Well, by their own admissions, its too good... "unflappable" was the way they described the chassis, and the engine was too flawless and linear in delivery... all this equating to a "boring and bland" experience. Now, everyone is going to have their own set of criteria for what makes their ideal bike, but an "unflappable" chassis, and a linear, predictable power delivery are right near the top of my preferences! Also, on the aesthetics front, the Fireblade looks by far the "classiest" of the current Superbike crop... stylish, yet understated and well-honed... much like a Ferrari, when compared to a Lamborghini/Pagani. So, I say to Mr Honda, keep doing what you're doing... if you try to ape the mag's favourites, then I may as well switch brands.
All those magazine tests are a load of shite and full of contradictions (although I like reading them!) The only changes I would really like are adjustable footpegs and suspension adjustment without tools.
I don't normally do "+1" replies but +1 to that. I'm sure 2013 will just be new colours but I suspect 2014 will be a bigger update and I expect it to include electronic aids. The 2012 changes are minor really, it's basically the same design as 2008 which will be 6 years old by 2014. That's a long long time which emphasises just how good that design was.
Minor changes are just fine, i love the look and the '' bland ride '' as they say, fine for the daily commute.... but please Mr Honda, sort out once and for all the bloody oil issue, and lay it to bed !
VFR 1200 engine based superbike with all the electronics as premium bike, leaving Blade to continue as affordable road missile? THat was one rumour I heard -
Keep reading about a V4 but it's mostly journo gossip me thinks. I suppose they could go all electronic like the Aprilla or maybe the BMW suspension option but my guess is nothing radical till 2014 (maybe)?
I'd love to see honda push out a full RCV rep (even if I couldn't afford one) like Ducati have done. However I'd love a V4 1000 in the blade.
That's the problem with the V4 idea. We all want one but not many of us would be able to afford one in today's economic climate. You'd have to reckon on a V4 Blade being circa £16K would be a 30% increase on todays Blade. I just can't see it. May be one day...
V4 would be a great idea if they did do it, honda used to be at the front when it came to new bike tech on the road.they now seem to have fallen behind a bit now. maybe not price wise but there is other idea's, yam with the crossplane crank what about honda bringing out a big bang engine.....and I dont mean with lack of oil. they need something new as a lot of the road race's are dominated by suzuki's now :s
Told my many people in the know that the Fireblade will always stay as an inline four, V4 would have to be a completely new bike
I don't know what they are going to do but they need to beat the Beamer and the Kwak while still keeping Honda reliability and feel. I think a v4 motor would be a massive mistake, they are too top heavy! Ruins the handling of an all out sports bike. Some of you guys have rose tinted glasses on, they need radical change in some areas. They need to keep the inline 4 but have it rev higher with some kind of kick up in the higher revs, vtec like but less complicated. Honda also need to address the flaws of the current fireblade range, their reg recs have been a joke since the 90s! And the cam chains need to go back to gear driven cams for Peoples peice of mind. I feel they need to throw the goodies in too by have them top spec. Electronics, traction control, dampers, suspension, slipper clutches all that needs to be top shelf stuff. Then they need to throw on standard very light weight wheels, think aprilia R models bling on a Honda. Brembos, not the cheap stuff. Then simple things like double bubble screen as standard. The idea of buying a brand new bike which is all you want as standard is the dream, apart from exhaust, power commander and screen that what BMW has done. Time to beat the Germans at their own game and show them who is boss. Honda need to play on their streghnts while thinking outside the box. Please the customers with their landmark fireblade rather than the accountants! I still wouldn't be able to afford a new anything! But the BMW is the only contender out there at the moment if I was in the market. It kills me to say that too....
Maybe instead of just different paint schemes make the HRC a true HRC and upgrade the parts so that customers can get the 'standard Fireblade' or the 'HRC spec Fireblade' with Ohlins, Brembos, Oz etc. Much like Ducati do with their different spec bikes. i.e, S, R, Evo. (the HRC might be as fast as the Black Blades then)
