Hi all... Curiosity getting me thinking and looking at a couple of a super nakeds. Z1000 or Superduke R...S1000R... Not a done deal by any means.... But interested if anyone else has done it, seen it, loved it, loathed it.... back to blade lol. Can anyone give new any insight to living with one?? Will the fun factor die off..? How do they go on a long run apart from wind buffering I guess? Comfy'er? Compared to my MY14 RR... Appreciate the blade is seen as a better all round sports bike street, track, commute do it all as far as supersports go... Any info would be greatly appreciated... Thanks in advance....
I quite often borrow my mates Speed Triple for a blast. The extra wind-blast is minimal. Makes you feel more like a hooligan than the blade does, which is a nice novelty, but ultimately I'm always pleased to get back on the blade. The blade fits me like a glove, so it's actually no less comfortable. It's horses for courses though... there is arguably little point in asking other blade owners for their opinion, as they won't be the same shape as you, or ride the same, or like the same things from their bikes. Get yourself on an extended test ride of the bikes you're curious about.
Having gone from a Speed triple to Blade I would no go back. Borrowing a mates Speed triple is not living with it. (Don't get me wrong the speed triple is excellent) But having done many motorway miles to get to places on it over 75MPH for anything more than 10 mins is horrid. I went with a mate to Lands end in Aug and was frozen just because of the wind chill I have had the blade for almost 4 years and it still gives me the wow factor every time. My Speed triple did but it was lots of work and I even added a small screen which made it a little more bearable. After going Naked to Faired I would not go back But just my view
Thanks.. Interesting.. That would be my concern... novelty fun, throw about wears off and I long for the Blade. Planning a few long trips next year and wondered if the naked would be hard work. Thanks for the feedback...
I agree with Remal - Much comfier at low speed and good for commuting, but much more pain at high speed! P.S. I've had naked and faired at the same time for many years.
Thanks.. Ideal world I'd have one of each.. I have an option of a new 14 model with ABS and discounted super sports pack.... so swaying back with the Blade. Hows good is the Blades C-ABS?
One reason to switch is I ride the blade too fast, but when I tried one I was completely mad (within my limits) and was no slower in most situations. I for one have stuck with the Blade.
Bevstar, you should the December edition of Fast Bikes, as they have just done a group test on these very bikes plus the Ducati Monster and the Aprilia Tuono RSV4 R Z1000 came last, then the Ducati then the Beemer. 2nd Place was the KTM Super Duke 1st place by a country mile was the Aprilia
I'd take a look at the Triumph SP3 S1000R Ducati SF 898 Iv ridden all of them & they are all amazing road bikes. If it were my money I'd be buying the BM . I had a deposit down on one ready to buy, but got distracted by a new Panigale......
The KTM 1290 SuperDick R made me think... it ALMOST, and im serious here... replaced my Blade as my track bike..! Not only does it do all the shite we need on a dialy basis, but its SUCH A HOOT on circuit that i found i was having more 'fun' and enjoying the track more on that, than my Honda. I get too serious on the Honda and im at the point now where i dont think i have the skills to get any quicker - all i can do is take more risks. So riding the SuperDick was like all the pressure to 'be fast' left me, and i really enjoyed thrashing it around... and duffing up some HP4's too... Yes, it was all great... until i crashed it... BUT! Before that, i loved it. Road riding has all the excitement you could EVER want, yet its super comfy, has panniers and a 180 mile tank range. You rarely see any others (they are all crashed in a bush ) so for me - its one of the best motorcycles ever made. S1kr is ok, but plain.... but proper fast... just a bit... forgettable. This... is ... a .... beast. edit: P.S. Wind blast is only an issue above 90mph - it hurts. BUT, i still managed 170mph on a runway... so you can do it, just think of it as a work out
Having ridden the big bikes of the time in the 1970's and early 1980's when they were much less powerful and naked I have to say that I have absolutely no inclination to own a large naked bike on the road these days. Getting the full force of the wind and rain holds no appeal. That said I would like a (short) go of the 1290 KTM.
My buddy has just got a 14 plate aprillia and it is great fun, I believe there's an 1100 version coming out next year ? Saying that it is Italian so you may experience some "Italian-ness" with it but so far my mate's has been ok, they're quite cheap too considering ! I had a test ride on the Superduke and I did like it a lot but for me it was too much cash... You do get used to the wind blast after a while but it is true that high speeds are uncomfortable, depends on what type of riding you'll be doing I suppose ? Personally I have the ABM bar conversion on my blade and it's a world of difference from clip-ons, no choice really as I have a bad neck.
Or join the super cool kids and get one of these.....! I bloody love mine. Rode it to the airport the other day with all my luggage, parked for free in Short Stay #cheapskate Covered 1,300 miles in 20 hours from Serbia to Holland. Its capable of a sub 2min lap of Almeria (which i intend to prove early next year) So why not?..... because people think you're an old boring cunt thats why not
I actually fancy something a little bit adventurey but I'd need a bloody step ladder to get onto one of those