Anyone tried one? Sound the balls with Akros but a big old bus. Any better than my 2011 Blade? Only the S1000RR floating my boat but a real lack of year old bikes for sale!!
I have both a blade (2008) and 2010 pre Traction R1 - both bikes chalk and cheese you need a proper long test ride - fuel costs / range biggest detraction from R1 - engine is epic, think V4 smoothness - it just revs like hell Blade far more agile, but in right hands R1 is awesome - a pic in traffic mind, needs open and flowing roads. No idea how long I'll keep mine for - I love it but it frustrates me so much at the same time
No way is it better than your blade, ended up hating mine... you may love it though, to start with anyway
Fell in love with the Beemer but BM dealers aren't interested at all and the facelift bikes are like rocking horse poo. 28 on ebay older bikes with miles.
Lots of MK1 owners are trading to MK2 bikes as it has better mid range to make it better on road (almost as much as blade I think but not quite) That is why very few MK2 bikes yet - just give it time and they will appear - few owners will scare themselves or get points on it and want to shift the bike on with low miles - remember its not a year old yet.
Hating why? I didn't want to say this on this forum ,but you started it , so.................................... IMO it knocks the blade into a cocked hat, no real comparison for me! But then the blade is 4/5 years without a major update. Honda getting left behind i'm afraid! Yep I said, yeah I went there!!!!
The R1 engine is awesome. The bike is lardy and ugly though and I'm not sure the engine is enough to compensate for the rest of the bike. The Beemer is just a superb all round package but (and its a big but) it is too much for the road. If you do lots of trackdays then it is a worthwhile bike but it really isn't a pure road bike imo. It's also very much overshadowed by the HP4 making the standard bike seem a little bit lacking (even though it isn't). It's also fitted with the worst electronics package on any road bike (sorry Villan). The TC etc is so much better on the Aprilia, Kawasaki, Ducati and the Yamaha. It's far too analogue on the Beemer and that for me really ruins the bike. The Blade is a very friendly, comfortable decent road package that can be exploited on the road to about 75% of its capabilities. I'd put the Beemer at 50%. I've had a great time on the Blade since I got it. Handles really well, predictable power and pretty confidence inspiring. I've been able to provoke a couple of slides in the corners that were as predictable as anything. Yes it may well have been left behind a bit now but the package is still excellent and all I would want from a bike that spends 99% of its time on the roads.
I can agree with most of this, its horses for courses. At the end of the day a 1000cc sports motorcycle is WAY over the top for the road, but we don't all rides 600's do we? I like the rush of power at 10,000 rpm, in any gear, on the beemer, its addictive. Its a bit bigger than the blade, its far quirkier looking than the blade, its not ubiquitous like the blade. The blade is very friendly, and anyone can ride one fast , its forgiving and predictable and.............bland, but in a good way! The Fireblade has gone from being the devils venom of the 1st one, to being the Mondeo of litre sportbikes. I still love them though, and they are plenty good enough for anyone!
Don't really agree "anyone" can ride on fast . And at cadwell standard suspension chrono day 3rd fastest time of the day . I don't think I can ride to any of the litre bikes abilities I don't think many people can or we would all be lined up on the super stock grid. I like them all the Beemer r1 think they all Lovely bikes but stuck with the blade because my rr6 was good to me . Totally agree it needs a update but its round the corner I think in 2014
Surely you would agree that the Honda is the easiest of all the current litre bikes to ride fast? This is not a criticism of the bike btw!
I'd say that's better then f it's easier to ride fast I test rode the Beemer and the R1 just felt comfy and just as quick on the blade . I just think they are making them beyond people's needs buddy don't get me wrong the gadgets are nice though !! On track
