Hi all, This is a repeat of a thread I have put in the new members' forum - I hope that is ok; I assume that this forum gets a little more traffic and I'd be grateful for any pointers which can be offered. I am a potential new member because I am seeing a 2006 blade this weekend which I hope to make my first Honda bike. I love my Honda S2000 so the 'blade would have a Honda stable-mate at least. I currently own a Suzuki RGV250 which is a (non-ending, extremely long-term!) project and a Kawasaki ZX9R (C2). Both are currently in the garage in bits and I desperately need a functioning bike to ride! The bike I am seeing aparently needs its annual service, new tyres, a new crash bung and has a cracked nose cone (so presumably has been dropped at some point). Other than this it is apaprently good and so long as I can get it for a price to reflect those faults I am excited at the prospect of getting it. It is a few years old now but the reports I have read are that this was a great model and it should be a significant step up from my old Kwak which I will try to sell once I have a replacement. I will miss the old girl though - she is tuned and has a full Akra race system - on full chat it sounds like the heavens are coming down. Anything in particualr to look for on an 06 'blade? Cheers, RW
Reg/rec has it been upgraded,some suffer from galvanic corrosion on the sump plug there the only 2 things that spring to mind for the RR6/7,So then its just fuids dude brake/clutch fluid and coolant when were they last changed? best looking blade mate good luck.
Hello fella, I bought a 2007 06 model last year and have found no issues at all with it, in terms of looks I prefer it to the newer shape anyway, plenty of easy improvements to make to it, exhaust, screen, pegs etc. Handling wise it's a world away from the zx9, I had one of those in 2000-2003 and it's a heavy pig of a bike compared to the blade. The blade will out accelerate and out turn the zx9 like you wouldn't believe, probably feel closer to the rgv! If you fancy a full change rather than just the nose cone then the Chinese are doing full plastics kits for between £250-300 which plenty of folks on here have fitted and they look bloody good. Buy it, you won't regret it.
As above mate, reg/rec which you probably will struggle to check anyway, and the mag sump, have a good look around the sump bolt for any corrosion, this is caused by the wrong sump washer being used. Dependent on mileage, rear shocks are good for around 20K, I went through 3 of them, discs about the same. Check the rad, it takes a beating and as its tapered and curved is mega expensive, and particularly as the bike sounds like its been dropped. On from a potential drop, as the nose cone is cracked, make sure the headlamp assembly is not cracked, and if there is damage to a crash bung, make sure it has not damaged the frame/engine mounting. Unless its a complete steal, I think I might be walking at that stage and looking for a fully intact model.
I have an 07, Runs like a Swiss watch, handles like a Typhoon jet, don't compromise buy a good'un! You'll quickly forget the couple of hundred you save if you have a problem with an unloved one. ............ Good Luck, ....... Mike.
I have an 06 Blade , fantastic machine . Just have a good look at the rad as they are a bit fragile an can corrode or have stone damage .
Nothing else springs to mind other than what's been stated... Good point about 04-07 bike the gearbox is a cassette system meaning it can be slid out and replaced in about an hour! New 08 +'engines don't have this system anymore.
Thanks for the helpful replies all. I had a quick look at the bike yesterday. It looks very clean save for the things I had been told about. Bike hasn't been riden for ages so unfortunately battery dead and apparently needs replacing, so I wasn't able to test ride it. I am taking a battery up tonight to start it and take it for a test ride. He wasn't kidding when he said it needed tyres - Racetecs total buggered so test ride will be careful! Lost crash bung was apparently a left side low speed drop and rest of bike seems to have escaped almost completely (other than top of front fairing which he thinks he might have broken with his hand when falling off). The crash bung ally mount is bent backwards - I don't care about that but is it likely to have bent anything inside? I didn't take the fairings off so don't know where these things mount on an 06 and whether it is vulnerable.
Where the crash bung is bent check the fixing bolt can be removed as it just cost another member 900quid to remove the same! Make sure it is a dead battery and not a deeper problem with the bike not keeping it charged (reg/rec) If any doubt buy a decent one as it could turn into a money pit
Good tip - thanks. I make make a deal with the vendor along the lines of getting it serviced and checked and if all ok I will cover costs. Anything more?
Hi mate I had an S2000 for nearly 9 years and loved it. The blade is an excellent choice and great partner to the car. I have an 04 and many suffer from stator/flywheel issues. I think the 06 should have had a recall and upgraded OEM components fitted but check as it's not a cheap fix circa £350.00 plus fitting and vat.
Well, looks like this is happening! Saw the bike again tonight. Got it jump started and took it for a careful ride (given the shagged tyres). Bike was fine, revved smoothly, snicked through the gears easily, braked well and seemed tight and 'right'. We agreed that the bike would be serviced and checked for any major problems. Subject to that, I've agreed to buy an 06 blade for £3000. Seems I'm here to stay! Thanks for the advice all. Rw
Oh yes, one more question. What is normal running temperatures on this bike? It indicated 100c at one point on my slow ride. Is that normal?
In traffic mine goes over 100 but normal running is around 82/85, think the water pump is not very efficient at idling speeds, quick blip and she cools a little
