After selling my blade in January due to a back problem I bought an Aprilia Tuono V4R APRC for the better riding position, I also started a course of physio etc to try and get the problem under control. After a recent visit to my consultant it seems I have made a massive recovery. The Aprilia is a mad bike but it is not a patch on the Blade, so today I am off to see a 2014 HRC Blade, test ride and keeping fingers crossed I may end up back in the fold. I have missed this forum, the Tuono one is pretty bland. I will post up the outcome of my test ride etc.
I feel your pain I've been having pyhsio since January and still not any better what they thought was a ruptured discs is possibly hip muscles problems that just don't seem to be getting better! Haven't even contemplated riding my SP and have been thinking about selling it for something up right have actually been looking at at the naked gsxr!
Good stuff! I've had the opposite problem with a bad back and physio. Knees up, crouched over and head down is actually good for my back. I can either do this on an exercise mat or on the Blade. Guess which one wins?
Good news mate! But either way you could ride a bike so win win it when you can't ride that when it would do my head in
So, I tested a 2014 Blade today and it was great, after an hour of constant hooning I felt no ill effects on my back and neck. Go back into the dealer who offers me a crap deal on my bike and was pretty inflexible, I guess it's that time of the year when sales are bouyant. I saw another one as well today but the price was only a few hundred less than some new ones. I am not in a hurry so will keep a look out and may try and sell the Aprilia privately.
Have you tried calling other dealers especially if you're thinking of selling the Aprilia privately? There's always a dealer who wants one more sale.
Yeh, I will be chasing a few dealers, what has surprised me is the cosmetic condition of the bikes I have seen so far, my missus thinks I am OCD (she may be right) but I keep my bikes immaculate. Cleaned after every ride and everything kept oiled and serviceable, both Blades I saw yesterday were in dealers, but we're grubby,chain oil all over the rear wheel and the area around the front sprocket etc. Whenever I have sold my bikes I have always presented them in the best condition possible, I know some will say that the bike will be prepped before collection but dirt and grime can hide a multitude of sins and when they are asking £10k+ for the bikes I would have thought presentation would have been better. I know this is not unique to the 2 dealers I have visited.
From what I can tell (and any dealers out there can correct me), but dealers don't like to prep their bikes or invest any money into them just in case they have to shift them through the trade. I know what you mean though. My bike wouldn't look out of place in a new bike showroom
