What did you think of it? One of these will probably be my next big bike, I have had the raging horn over them since first seeing them at the NEC Bikeshow a few years back.
I got a real thing for these too, lovely bikes. I know there's a bloke on here who has one, Jamie I think, hopefully he'll have a few things to say about it.
I had one for a year previous to the Blade. I've always seen the CB as the Blade's slightly fatter cousin ( in a good way) think Yohan Blake and Usain Bolt. Both lightning fast but at the end one just pulls away. The CB is more of a road biased bike at road speeds, Power/torque all peaks a little lower making it more exciting on the road. Wheelies come easier and the wide bars give tonnes of control. The CB has about 125hp so way down on a Blade but the torque comes in lower and lasts longer through the range. Hit 3 figures (on the track of course) the the blade will just leave the CB standing. Obviously in the track there can only be one!. Above a 130mph the wind blast on the CB is unbearable for any length of time. The CB does not come with a steering damper (as standard) so if you get a wiggle on the front can be flighty. Nor has it a slipper so you cant be as harsh on the down shift. Suspension on the CB is nothing special but if you are under 10/11 stone it is more than adequate but this is the same for the Blade. Brakes are similar also, but with exception to ABS. On the CB they are mechanical and non radial but in use absolutely flawless(They same can not be said for the Blade) If I has the money I'd have both.
The CB1000R looks stunning but if I was in the market for a big naked / street fighter I'd probably wait for the new KTM 1290 superduke ktm 1290 super duke - Google Search
Well ! Here we go lol I love it !! I have had a blade 2010 HRC (fastest ) and then had a Ducati 1098S before buying the CB1000R, and its a revalation on the road, its comfortable, its very bloody quick, I thought I would miss the power of both the previous bikes, I couldnt of been more wrong, the rework on the 07 blade engine is excellent bags of tourqe low down to pull and pull the bike all the way to its 10k red line, I had the bike set up last week at somerton Dyno and with the Akrapovic decat pipe and can and a BMC air filter we were getting 121 BHP at the rear wheel and 73 tourqe with all that most days I still get 41 - 43 mpg on my commute to Bristol and back. The suspension once set up (MH Racing) is all I need on the road, still comfy but complient, twisty roads are a grin from ear to ear experience, now I have a Hyperpro steering damper fitted (it is a little head strong without) I can still hold a good line with my knee dragging with no effort or issues, I am 14 stone with kit so the front is about maxed out on the std springs but the rear is still ok, if I was 15 st I think the fronts would need a rework TBH. Its only downfall for me is not really that unexpected.. its windblast I could if I wanted to manage 90-100 on the motorway for a while but its hard work, there is no protection and you just get battered about, however its a naked bike, fitting a screen is an option but it looks gash IMO and I like the fact it slows me down a bit 80-85 is plenty and on track you can pop up to 130-40 and back down with ease (briefly lol) Also the rearset finish is shit and paint has rubbed off already but im getting rizoma rearsets at some point so dont care to much, the fuel light comes on to early, you still have 4-5 litres to go, oh and being picky the speedo is sometimes hard to see, not that I look much. So like above I love it for the road but would like a blade in the garage for weekends/trackdays, but if I had the choice between the two Id take the CB most days. I have done 2100 miles in 5 weeks even in the rain its a blast PICS
Oh and the rear wheel ... I have to go with Martin on this, its not great and it annoys me there is no replacement, why couldnt they have gone down the ducati route then I could of nicked some Marchesini's I mean bolts really ? Saying that I can obviously live with it !
With regards to the torque, check this chart out once my CB was custom mapped. Pretty flat to the red line now that's pure drive
Thank you for the great reply Jamie. Yours is absolutely stunning....I'd be keeping my FireBlade and running this (or whatever I end up going for) alongside it. Demo ride will be booked once we get some decent weather and will take it from there.
I rode the Superduke, Aprilia Tuono V4R, Z1000 before I opted for this, to be honest after the 1098 I wanted something completely reliable, good (ish) on fuel and looks good. The only one out of these I toyed with was the Tuono but after looking at the fuel usage and not being overly keen on the looks I went with the CB1000R, also got a great deal from my dealer when others wouldnt budge. Good luck with the test ride, remember its not a blade and you will love it, compare it and you might be disapointed, the blade is a better bike in lots of ways, but where it counts for me at the moment the CB1K wins hands down, handling, comfort, fun not balls out razor handling beast which made my wrist hurt lol.
Be interested to hear your views on the other bikes you tried, Mr C. There's a couple in there I'd fancied having a play with myself.
Hiya I had a CB1R before the new Blade Key points Great control - gave me loads of confidence Doesnt have a gear Indicator - Can fit one I guess Doesnt come with that nice airbox noise Far comfier Quick enough for the roads, but where the Blade can be heavy going up to 60 mph, this bike sits happily to about 80MPH, any more i.e. you do a lot of motorway/dual carriageway 90mph+ and its not the bike for you I personally thought the gearbox wasnt quite as easy going as the blade, but not to a point of being negative about it You will get your jacket covered in wildlife - Midges, fly's etc A/B roads would sooner be on the CB1R, anything faster and you wont want to do it for long Personally, I would think what roads you ride, if you more often than not the top side of 80mph stay on the Blade, if your happy to keep your speed a bit lower and still have the same fun, the CB1R is fine The only thing I would change is a gear indicator and a decent colour
