Just joined the forum and am expecting my new White Anniversary Blade to be delivered this Thursday with any luck. Putting my Ducati 848 in to Hunts in part/ex, nice bike if anyone wants a mint one !! Here are a few of my most recent bikes from over the past few years,
Awesome collection mate! welcome... you just have a very short attention span? or have you kept some as a stable? be interested to see how you think the blade compares to the aprillia!????
A nice varied collection there! I think my next bike will be a twin; I would be very interested what you think of the 1098, 848 & the RC8.
Loved the RSV4, the finish was almost 'jewel like', even the fairing bolts were etched with the Aprilia logo. Rode superb, sounded brilliant. I had the very first exhaust that Austin Racing made and I put the video on Youtube, it has well over 1 million hits !!! It handled great, brakes were excellent. I only sold it when I was hard up and needed some cash which was when I got the GSXR. That was surprisingly a nice bike. RC8 was nice but felt 'BIGGGG' and the throttle response was awful, you had to feather the clutch at every roundabout or it was just lurching. Again a lovely bike to ride and it looked the dogs. I must admit though I am a Ducati fan, had 8 of them over the years and am a bit upset to see my 848 go but not getting any younger and the bones are aching so I need something a bit more friendly, hopefully the Blade is it !! Anyone considering an RSV4 go have a go, you'll want one.
did you happen to use the ducati uk forum too ? I went from a red 848 to to the blade,but what do you think of the rsv4 compared to the dukes?
Yes, was on the Ducati forum, remember you from there. Rsv4 was completely different to any Ducati. I think you either love or hate a Ducati, they are a bike you have to ride and manhandle, the Aprilia just did everything easily. It was really smooth, rode easily, didn't have to force it to do anything, really comfortable as well and the suspension was not like having a brick as a rear shock unlike 98% of Ducati's If they weren't so expensive I would have another one so they must be nice.
yeah thought it was you lol, I hear you on the rear shock, them 848's were far too hard in stock settings.The blade took me a bit to get used to as you are perched on top of it a bit more, not sure if this is the not so extreme footpeg position.I really like the look of the rsv4 and I did see a couple going 2nd hand for around 7.5-8k so maybe will try one for next year.I went with the blade as I was hardly getting out on the duke due to work but still doing the belt changes so it was a bit of a pain.if it wasnt for that I wouldnt have got rid of it.
thanks for sharing the pics - great to see your collection - the red bull scheme looks a pearler doesnt it.
quite a mix there, but some lovely bikes. I have to say, I really love the Ducati look but I just can't bring myself to buy a twin, it's not a sound I can say I'm a massive fan of but I've heard that the torque makes them easier to ride. I just like a bike to scream when you rev the tits off it.
Nice collection. I've had a few big twins myself, including the RC8. I think you either "get them" or you don't. I appreciate a screaming IL4 as much as a thumping twin. Variety is the spice of life!
I had the opportunity to have a good look round both the RSV4 and the RC8R while I was at Crescent Motorcycles waiting for my blade to have a custom map done on their dyno. Always loved the sharp styling of the RC8 and it would be a bike I would seriously consider if I was after a V. The seat gave the impression my butt would be totally flat after an hours ride though, but I did like all the adjustability on the chassis. The RSV4, a bike which I'd always admired gave me a shock though, Now I'm not far off average height at about 5ft 8in, but when I sat on the bike, I felt like I was sitting way forward and really felt like I was in race track stance compared to my 11 plate blade. Didn't think it would be a comfortable bike for me, as much as I love it. Did you find that you felt like you were way too forward and you felt like you were about to fall over the front of the fairing.........when sat on the bike ??????
I am the same height as you and I found the RSV4 really comfortable. I think you are right, you do seem to be right over the front end but I never found it heavy on my wrists unlike my Ducati's. Even though mine was the Factory and had Ohlins they were really plush compared to all of my Ducati's which all feel like they have brick wedged in them !!
