What are they like? Might have the option to swap out me Blade for one which would be a bit Leftfield for me but this could be a keeper and still want to buy a new ZX10 in addition next March.
Your Mbox if full mate.. 1098 is a beast of a twin, engine can be fragile, hard bike to live with unlike an SP2 say, marmite bike for sure, I'd rather an 1198 tbh, smoother and less fragile crank wise, some 1098's go on and on, they need top qual 15-50 oil and serviced often.
Inbox emptied Art! It's the 1198S I'm looking at Arthur not the 1098. A 60 Plate with 6K on the clock
Note to self, read the title lol Great bike, quirky, stiff, hot, vibes, mirrors crap, clocks may mist as do lights, fingers squashed on full lock. But, like a surgical instrument on song, sound awesome, tonne of drive out of corners, more grunt than you can poke a stick at. Make sure clutch is serviced and pads are all good, both can cost, also so can belt and or shim service up to date, you can run the belts to three years no problem as long as within milage spec. A great bike for a blast, I'd not want to use one daily!
Sounds ideal! Not used me Blade since I last saw Andy n Maz at the Truck Stop Whitchurch on the 17th of July 14 so no probs with over use of one then!
I had the 1098S and loved it when it was a clear road round town low speed etc were a pita, wouldn't always start, build quality ok but foggy clocks and dash as Arthur said! Clutch needs to be spot on clutch baskets will wear as will clutch plates £400 ish for pair plus labour if your not happy doing yourself Wouldn't buy one to use all the time as my only bike but if I had it as a weekend bike I would be over the moon 1198 has better engine and problems ironed out a bit but basically the same ohlins are firm but not uncomfortable, Brembo brakes spot on, handles better than the blade in the corners IMO but has to be ridden hard to get rewards Hope that helps a bit
My mate has one and its great but very demanding, it constantly wants to kill you as in his words its a rattling lump of shit unless its on the cam and then its just bonkers. The biggest prob he had was getting the suspension right he finally went with k-tech as he couldn't get on with ohlins. The termi open pipes sound amazing. I loved it but wouldn't want to ride it in the wet its one for special days when you are in the mood.
I've run away scared from this idea and have now ordered a new ZX10 which should be ready for Monday morning!
It will actually be ready Friday lunchtime but I'm too busy to get over there till Monday plus I'm booked in at 'Invisible Patterns' in Warrington at Midday Monday on the way back for the Full Venture shield treatment!
Well done mate.. Top price that.. Are you giving it matt for a week with a grand to professionally run it in for you?
After very careful consideration and tempting though the offer is............................................ Errrrrrrrrrrrrr No!
Yes matey, Robinsons of Rochdale, same as Matt's bike came from. Their 'Customer Service' is OK it seems if it's a standard Bike lol! Proper Pix on Monday time permitting!
Why don't you arrange with Robbies for invisible patterns to do the bike at the shop in Rochdale? Besides the waiting around could be 2 hours you risk minor stone chips on the way to Golbourn . They went to Millenium in St Helens which is part of the KGM group which owns Robbies to do a full hit on my last bike.
Good idea Giv, but it's not a problem as I'm taking the Blade there in the back of a Van and the Kwak will leave there in the same manor and then straight down the road to Invis Patterns! In fact it won't turn a wheel under it's own steam until the Evotech Rad Guard rocks up at the minimum never mind the full hit GB Racing protection and Crash Mushrooms!
Yeah, not worth now, would rather put the exact bits I want on a standard bike myself at at that price.
