Hi All, Well I'm around 300 + miles in on my new SP now so thought I would pop up a quick review that I will add to if I notice any more points that pop up along the way but thought it would give you guys an idea of the differences between the two bikes. Please note though these are just my personal experiences with both bikes and I'm not putting either of them down just trying to share what I have experienced so far. 2009 HRC Blade - Well this bike had 23k on the clock when I picked her up and I put 5k of mostly happy miles on her in 8 months before trading her in against the SP. So I will break this review down into sections to make it easier to read and digest. 1.) Riding Position - Reasonably comfortable gave you a commanding view of the road without feeling like you were pearched on top of something waiting to fall off at the first corner like it was with my Daytona 675. I'm 6'1 and 14 stone and found the bike to be very comfortable even on long journey's. Very easy to move around on the bike too. 2.) Performance - This bike always gave me the grin factor every time I rode it and was no slouch in getting up to speed. It felt streamline and fast on its feet. Coupled with the HM quickshifter it gave a smooth sublime ride and would give relatively good feedback from the road however there were times whereby you would be mid corner and not sure if the bike had enough grip or not but this could be down to suspension settings rather than an all out fault. Engine breaking was good. Never really drank too much oil and was really good on its chain and sprockets. 3.) Braking - Due to knobber cab drivers I had to grab a handful a few times and up until around 1k miles to go it was great but then I started getting chatter from the front end with suspected warped brake discs. The HEL line upgrade really helped give a better feel of the braking though so I highly recommend this upgrade as it's relatively cheap to do. 4.) Economy - Not really a big concern of superbike riders but on a commute with some fun mixed in with some cruising I could get 130ish miles before the fuel light came on which, was miles better than my Big Bang R1 that could only ever get 100 ish miles even in Mode B and riding like a granny lol. 5.) Looks - Wasn't a big fan of 3 spoke wheels so I spent some serious money having them upgraded to the 2013 wheels which, really improved the overall look of the bike IMO. Otherwise a DB screen is a must unless you want your head ripped off on a motorway. 6.) Overall Satisfaction - Probably one of the best bikes I have ever owned always felt comfortable and was always a joy to ride you had the feeling that it could go on forever however my big let down for it was the 4k service intervals which, for me given that I use it everyday and do 1200 miles per month just commuting meant at least 3 services per year. 2014 SP Blade - 1.) Riding Position - Totally different to the 09 you feel like you are sitting in such a way that you are a WSBK rider waiting for launch off the grid and the new bar position makes maneuvers at low speed a doddle. Also when cornering you are able to launch yourself off the bike much quicker and rather than feeling like you are hanging on for dear life like I did on my 09 it makes you feel like that is exactly where you are meant to be. Has given me a bit of stiff back on one ride but I don't care I will ride through the pain until my body gets used to it because this is a bike I really want to enjoy and have my money's worth from it. 2.) Performance - Forget light speed, this is ludicrous speed! The engine is so smooth on pick up you could liken it to wiping your ass with silk it's just sublime and there is no shudders or dead spots the power is there every single rev throughout the range and it climbs smoothly and easily. Much like a woman being chatted up by James Bond shes already sliding off her clothes before he's finished the sentence the power curve on the SP is exactly the same as if it was a sculpted masterpiece. It's as this point that you begin to see where that extra money has gone. Down points to it are that when partially closing the throttle the engine braking is so sharp that you feel like you're going over the handlebars but that is not the bike's fault I need to adjust my riding to match that and get a feel for the throttle which is very light and very sensitive. You also get a deep bellow from the engine above 50mph when the exhaust flaps are fully open. The Ohlins shock and forks are amazing and although they smash my wrists to pieces when I hit sunken drain covers in London the feedback they give you during cornering makes it all worth it. For example when I am tipped in on a roundabout or a bend the bike is telling me it's ok you can go faster and tip in more I've got loads of grip left. There is a roundabout on my journey home that on the 09 would only be able to be taken at 45 tops on the SP it's near the high 50's because you have such good feedback you have the confidence to take it faster and faster. 3.) Braking - The Brembos are just awesome to the point where I am not concerned about not having ABS because I am able to stop on a 5p piece. The system is smooth and responsive and you don't need to grab a handful to stop quickly with these things. I'm a bit miffed that you don't get a Brembo on the rear of the SP as the back brake is clearly down on the stopping power of the front and I like to use my back brake at low speeds and for fine adjustments while cornering and in the wet. But overall the stopping power is worth the extra money because you can feel that quality and I think that Honda would genuinely benefit by fitting these as standard to all Fireblade's or their next gen of bike to bring them in line with the likes of Ducati, Aprillia and BMW. 4.) Economy - Still running it in well sort of did the running in revs for around 200 miles but now stretching its legs gradually to make sure that the engine has been properly tested before first service. Still got 134 miles when I got to the petrol station the other day and no fuel light on. All in all very pleased with it. 5.) Looks - Well a group called the Lonely Island wrote a song about it called Jizz in my pants. Enough said. 6.) Overall Satisfaction - Without a doubt the best bike I have ever owned by a mile. Looks fantastic, handles like its on rails and more importantly has boosted my confidence in riding again which, following 3 offs between 2010 and 2012 had taken a bit of denting but I'm pleased to say it's getting me back on track. Do I think it's value for money? Yes I do because once you ride it you know and feel exactly where the extra money went and you know that it was all worth it in the end. It turns heads wherever it goes and really my only grumbles are the lack of aftermarket parts for it yet and also the fact that Honda won't let you change certain parts because they believe they are engineering gods and that you cannot possibly make their bike any better than it already is. Well yes you can....it needs a performance exhaust... and nice levers...and some engine case crash protection....and venture shielding.....
Nice review .. Get a quickshifter on and you'll move up another level of satisfaction.. My pal had a do on mine last week . He's got a 2012 zx10 and he's going to chop it in for the sp. It's a work of Art. I'm looking forward fo seeing the big names racing it this year on the roads and circuits .. Well done mr honda . Done us proud again
Cheers Daz I am looking forward to getting my HM QS fitted to it as I really do miss it and can't wait to have it back. I am really excited to get the SP on track this year I am hoping that the track fairings I bought for my old bike will fit it? I'll guess I'll try it out see if they do. I am looking a booking a TD straight after my R/H race school as I want to get the most out of it and see just how good it is. Given that I know how bloody good the handling is on the road I have a feeling taking it on track is going to be next level. Plus I'm also itching to try out the Tyre Warmers that my wife bought me for xmas.
Is this for the benefit of the wife for spending all that money on which in her eyes is exactly the same bike
Lol no I got in trouble though on collection day when she discovered it was single seat only...ooer..
To be honest I have to say my wife. Reason being she's always encouraged and supported me with anything bike related even stood out in the pouring rain with me helping put my 07 Daytona back together after some gimp knocked me off it. Always gets me bike related xmas and b'day pressies and is a wiz with the paddock stands on track days not to mention being a biker herself. So in reality all I did was get the perfect bike to match my perfect woman.
Excellent review Nick and I have to agree with everything you wrote. Off on RAF Valley track weekend tomorrow so I'll report back on how the SP handles like on the track, however forecast isn't brilliant so review may have to wait until a dry track day, as a precautionary measure I've had some Power Pilot 3's fitted for the weekend don't rate the Pirelli Corsa SP's in the wet but they will be going back on for a dry track day
Awesome dude looking forward to heading how it handles on track I bet it's going to be awesome! Fingers crossed it stays dry for you matey but pr3's are fantastic in the wet so that's a plus even if the weather is crap.
Good review there mate. I took my one for its first proper blast after running it in today. The HM GP quickshifter is an absolute joy and your thoughts on the bike are only going to increase the more you open the taps! Just waiting on a delivery date for my akrapovic system and a few other planned pieces but Its easily the best bike I have ever ridden already.
Now a little something from the wife....... I also enjoyed reading the review and jkaye i agree its nice to understand where the extra money went, but more than anything im pleased to know that this bike has given Nick back his confidence, something that no matter how hard i try i cannot help with. So thank you Elizabeth. I do know the difference between the old blade and the knew one to look at and have to say shes a sexy bitch. Love what they've done with the colours, the white red and blue has always been my fav. If they had more blue and red on the CBR125R id have gotten that over the Repsol but unfortunately Honda made the tri colour 125R boring to look at. Repsol it is then. Yes i was totally gutted that i cant go on the back, so i get to hear how great this bike is but not experience it......well i have no other choice than to get my full licence and have a go! P.S Nick that's the nicest thing anyone's ever said about me. Thank you, glad im doing a good job. Cant wait to see you take her on track (and have a go on the tyre warmers)
Well took mine on the track for the first time yesterday at a very wet RAF Valley Charity Track Weekend, However it cleared up Sunday afternoon and track got dry enough for some knee down action, I have to say I wasn't disappointed at all except for turn rebound adjust wrong way so last session felt like a flat rear tyre tipping into bent. What's more I had bit of a duelling match with a Panigate 1199 in the fast group, afterwards the guy came over and ask my brother what engine mods/tuned I'd done to the bike as I keep powering at from him on the straight, didn't have big enough balls to give some in the bents, all the right handers stayed water. Luckily I'd gone to the bog or I think my head may of bust out my helmet Photos on this thread:- http://1000rr.co.uk/general-1000rr-discussion/17445.htm
The ttx seems to have Honda valveing A normal ttx always works with 12/12 for Comp./Reb. The adjustment range Is -/+ 4 clicks The cbr sp ttx can be turned to full closed on rebound This would be non working on a öhlins ttx
Had an email from my dealer tonight refusing to fit my hm quickshifter they have said it will invalidate my warranty so they won't do it. I'm currently challenging them on this because I think it's bs! Hm supply quickshifters to motoGP teams so it's not like they're a cowboy outfit Ffs! If my dealer won't do it then I'll take it to a different dealer for it's first service who will do what I want simples....
Your dealer sounds like a cock.. My sp is well underway with mods etc hd Ive an arrow can to go on from Rutters bike. My dealer is loving the bits getting added etc and to say it will invalidate warranty is horse ****.. If the sp can't handle the shifter I'd be giving it back.. Maybe they are unsure as to what the plus does. I know there's been problems with gear boxes in the past from quickshifter a that simply cut the fuel but yours is cutting the ignition so shouldn't cause any extra load on it if you know what i mean. I could be wrong of course but hey ho.. I think Honda as a rule advise customers to leave the bikes as they come from them but let's be honest who does .. Get it on nick. Providing its set up ok you shouldn't have any issues mate
Thanks Daz I intend to mate I didn't pay 400 for the shifter to sit there and scratch my balls with it. I've told my dealer to ask honda directly I want written confirmation from honda and even then I'll still be doing it last time I checked honda aren't paying my finance for me I am so if I want it on the bike it goes on there no ifs not buts. To be honest with you mate this sale was the dealers last chance at redemption with me and thanks to their attitude today i am 99% certain I'll be taking my bike to another dealer for it's first service.
Did have a problem with my dealer even though I fitted it myself he didn't have a problem with it. Used the SP on the track this weekend and quick-shifter worked a dream should of fitted one years ago. Nick if you didn't live so far away I'd fit it for you and the SP sub frame under the seat where the holes are, are an ideal location for the control unit, see below.
