Agreed MrB I really don't like a hugger on the blade, I prefer the back end open I had a hugger on the HRC and it was massive and the bike still got covered in shite !
I used blade tape on my R1 Ohlins shock, its a strong clear film we used on the leading edge of the Main and tail rotor blades in the desert, did the trick think you can get some of Ebay.
Helicopter tape... I bought some of this off Fleabay to protect my mountain bike frame in exposed places. With some left over I stuck it on the Blades fork stantions and on the leading edges of the fairing to protect it from flying stones. It's ok on anything other than a white background as eventually it turns a shade of yellow, so I removed it from my HRC fairing. Good stuff all the same. I'll start the next phase... I wonder what the 2015 Blade will look like??
Forget 194bhp it's way off. My best mate has an S1kRR on a 10 plate I went with him on a dyno day for his bike and it only put out 174 and that was with a Scorpion GP can on it and in slick mode (the most powerful mode) and my other mate Paul has a 12 plate S1kRR and his came out even worse and he has a full aftermarket taylor made system on his. He had to go away and by a PCV before he got the figures to anywhere close that BMW have been quoting. So in reality the blade really isn't that far off the competition...
Looks like the end of the line for the Blade. Race spec, no pillion, no engine change just slicker brakes and suspension. Must appeal to a really tiny market. Methinks they trying to move the last examples of the 2013 model before a more radical version comes in for 2015 - and maybe it won't even be called Fireblade! Bag yourself a memory…or better still…save your money till 2015.
I think I will have to invest in a Hugger!!! The Powerbronze one looks good but might go and try and get genuine Honda hugger.
I agree with Jamie and MrB, I think an aftermarket hugger only spoils the look of the blade. If it gets dirty just wash it! Most people take the pegs off to give the blade nice uncluttered lines then go spoil it with a ruddy big mudguard!!
Hey - another change, BOTH headlamps are switched on in that video! I agree it looks good - not sure about the seat cowl - prefer the standard flat one, fit a tail tidy and a QS, down gear it a little bit and nothing will get away from that on the roads, end of.
here is a 2013 and 2014 overlapped looks like the subframe will fit,also looks like the improved aerodynamics is a slightly higher screen and seat unit.
That's epic news, wonder what they will cost as a part from Honda :-O I'm sure honda will be trying to put people off doing it... Nice way of removing the rear pegs too
Both headlamps working at once will be great news! I can honestly say my 08 blade has the worst main beam of any bike I've ever owned, with my old RRY having the best!
I like the SP as long as it is not too much more than the standard blade. I think the standard blade should be retired, and I wonder if the 'base' 2014 model is just unsold stock? Would I sell my 2012 and buy one? No. I also noted a bit of talk about the perceived lack of power and some talk of the GSX-R1000 that would try to wheelie more. Well, that's the current criticism of the Blade isn't it - too civilised. It is fairly equivalent on power with the GSX-R and R1 - I think it depends on your luck as to which would come out on top if you took one of each from your local dealer. It's still a relatively light bike, 205KG wet as measured by AMCN this year (as opposed to 217kg for the R1 - Yamaha has bigger problems than Honda, IMO).
Love the colour scheme and the new headlights, looks a bit like kawa's though...anyone know the price?
2013/13 dyno shootout put the bikes in this order zx10r 160.5 bhp 75 ft-lb 10700rpm gsxr 156.3 bhp 76.1 ft-lb @ 99000rpm R1 145.6 bhp 73.4 ft-lb @ 10000rpm cbr 144.3 bhp 74.6 ft-lb @ 9500rpm havent rode the r1 or zx10 but you definitely feel far more mid range and low grunt on the gsxr.
