It's true that the blade is a good looking bike and good on the road but it really is getting left behind by other machines. Honda can't live on past glory and brand allegiance alone. Been a blade owner for 15 years or more and must admit that if they don't give it a radical revamp, my next purchase will also be European.
I've said it loads of times, but expect 15 - 20 more BHP, pretty much the same bike elsewhere bar some styling tweaks / colour changes - its NOT a major update / overhaul / new bike Don't forget it had suspension and dash revamp 2 years ago with new plastics
If I could choose any updates it would be more bhp, brembo's, underseat exhaust, full led dash like the panigale, sharper front end like the pre 08 models. if you cant have a v4 what about a screamer or big bang setup.
2 year development cycles have gone out of the window due to the collapse in superbike sales, just check the figs of registrations, the mid 2000 figs of 1500 units is now down to around the 400 to 500 mark for blades, and large numbers of them have to be heavily discounted or incentivised, and its the same for all marques, people have cut back and are not spending like they were. Outside of the US, this is one of the biggest markets for superbikes, and the numbers are tiny.
You say that, but in the latest fast bike sports bike shoot off (I know, doesn't mean a great deal) it was the 2nd quickest round the track. Only after the prilla I think. Times don't lie. Not bad for a 5 year old, no gizmo, underpowered bike
The things I'd be looking for on the new blade would be: Better suspension Lighter wheels Brembo brakes LED lights to tidy it up a bit A change in looks so that you know its new, rather that a few tweaks here and there More adjustability as standard (ie foot pegs, bars) Not fussed on top end power, but would love even more midrange for the road. So to sum it all up. Better handling, fresh look, and more midrange (surely not too much to ask) Now where is my pen to sign up to this bike????
Honda have got lazy (not to mention broke) I can't see the Fireblade ever being at the top of the pile. Honda may very well be developing a RCV for the road which will earn them some status but it won't do a thing for 99% of sports bike riders. Honda have been caught napping and still haven't woken up to the threat they will say things like the bike is already great and doesn't need electronic gizmo's or more power etc, take the CB1000R and it's lack of development for example, however it still sells and that the chassis of the Blade is so compliant TC isn't needed. No it might not be needed but as nearly every other bike in the same class offers it anyway it's something else to miss out on, a negative the competition can pounce on a negative the press can pounce on and most importantly something else to add to the list of negatives your mates at the local bike meet can pounce on which is usually just enough to plant a seed of doubt about your choice and create threads like these. I love mine it does everything I want very well but the lack of tech or progress does make you look elsewhere, a lot. It does make you wonder if your missing out and it wouldn't take much other than affordability to change to another manufacturer.
Agree MrB - a while back J&S had a 3 month old tiny mile new ZX10 with ABS ex demo bike - it was cracking value and very nearly ended up in my garage. Often think 'really should have gone for that' At other end of spectrum people with the new Speed and Street triples in the R spec are both pleased as punch to have moved away from the sports bike and have no real desire to go back , they just find them far better / more useable for the road.
And why did that ZX10 very nearly end up in your garage. Because no-one can deny it lacks power and in the voice of JC power is gooood, whether it's actually needed or not. It also has a reputation of being a bit of a monster this is another positive, who doesn't want a monster parked up in the garage. It's been upgraded and has new tech more positives. The press hold it in high regard, obviously we believe everything we read (when it fits with what we want or we can use it to bolster our decisions and arguments) and when it's parked among it's peers it would give a warm sense of satisfaction knowing that in the power/tech and top trump stakes it's up there a force to be reckoned with where the lowly Blade can no longer compete. It makes headlines for the right reasons basically, because it's moved on. This is what the Fireblade needs a new headline we can shout about, a new top trump to give us that warm glow of satisfaction that we have made the right choice that we no longer feel inadequate or out of date. It's the very same reason why I find myself looking at the S1000RR, because it's very easy to be sucked in by the hype and in the words of Public Enemy don't, don't don't believe the hype, make up your own mind. The Blade is a great bike. It's comfy, it's put together well, it's easy to ride and handles great and they still go like stink. All things that make it a great road bike. That's the hype I like to believe.
I don't think Honda are in a bad way at all. They're in a commanding position in Moto gp, lowes is vying for the championship in BSB and Rae pulls a win out the bag in WSB now and again. Then look at TT with mcguiness and Dunlop etc. speaks for itself really. My blade is my dream bike and compared to my old 04 is a massive improvement. I'm not the best biker in the world but the blade is more than enough for me without the need for extra bhp, suspension etc. I find both the kwak and s1000 ugly as hell. Had a Ducati before and have no desire to go back to them at all. Only other bike I might've considered is a gixer 1000. But I'll be keeping my blade for a good few years and will continue to love and enjoy her Just my personal humble opinion and 10p worth
Nicely put. They go quite well round Suzuka for 8 hours too. I love my bike. The rivals are nice enough but I wouldn't want to own one. Besotted with mine!
One of the problems is the press. How long have they been telling people the sportsbike is dead? Just because they like to be on an adventure bike all of a sudden. Some folks don't want to be seen buying something the media class as being a bit old fashioned, so if they are going to still buy a sportsbike then it had better be a good un, with all the bells and whistles, in order to justify that purchase.
Sheep and Shepherds...baa baa and all that......personally I don't give a flying f**k about the press, mates down the bike meet, TC, ABS, and any other acronym you can throw at it, if you are going to ride a superbike 6 days a week in all weathers, there has only been one that can do it, its been at the top of the pile for over a decade and nothings changed, the Blade stills kicks the opposition. It all depends what you use the thing for and how much hype you need to swell your kahunas I guess...just based on my own opinion of course and experience of trying to do it on a Suzook & Kwak There is no right and wrong here, we all have different parameters for owning a bike, but for someone who wants a superbike on a daily basis I probably do more miles and throw more abuse at it than 4 or 5 owners combined and its the best tool in its range for my needs, I would suggest that as you can ride it 12 months a year without a truck load of electronic wizardry, then Honda are on to something.
My wishlist would be: Quickshifter Adjustable Rearsets TC (nice to have but not a showstopper) Data logger (ditto) I know you can add the first two as aftermarket parts but if I'm now paying 5 figures for a new bike then I'd expect not to have to do that. Oh nearly forgpt, and a decent feckin' battery!
I had fitted the bazzaz when it went for Dyno and have 1 and 3 already. But as said already we don't need more bike on the road. the current bike is great But Honda need to keep with with other manufacture So a big updated must be coming sooner rather than later. Just hope they don't mess with the looks to much
++ on the under-seat exhaust... Not sure about the V4. They're a lot smoother (Or at least used to be when I started riding back in '85) but IIRC the V4's never developed the power that the straights did. Although from memory they always rev'ed a lot higher. H
Wish they'd fit a racing chain guard as OEM so I dont have to drill the swingarm everytime lol. Makes me nervous. Think its a great bike and I like how raw it is without all the rider aids. Maybe more BHP would be nice to keep in line with the BMW/Kwak/Panigale.
The blade isnt the best looking bike in the litre class, infact id say it is the most understated and plain looking. However!! It handles beautifully, almost as good as the 08 600rr i had before it, the mid range is so much better for use on the road and the power makes you smile everytime you open her up. Its soooo easy to ride that it suprises me.
