Hi Guys I just wanted to air my frustration after a recent visit to the bike show in Birmingham. I was a little upset to see that part of the 2016 line up is the original 2014 tricolour SP to which I am a owner of. Is it just me but was this bike not sold as a one off with only 150 being produced? I was told this by my dealer as every main dealer only had two for sale, so like an idiot I parted with my 2013 blade and 8k to get this much sort after machine. Now don’t get me wrong I love it and yes it’s the best bike I have ever owned and ridden but I still feel ripped off and cheated by Honda. I have contacted Honda UK and have been told the following to which I have copied directly from my email. Thank you for contacting Honda (UK). I have spoken to the Motorcycle Sales Team regarding the Fireblade SP model. They have confirmed to me that the SP model has not been marketed from Honda as a limited edition model as it is a model that we continued to launch. However, there is a limited volume of each model available each year to purchase in the UK market and so once these orders have been fulfilled, no more will be manufactured or sold. Each year model has a unique colour scheme that will not be replicated for future models however, the model itself was not a limited edition model. I am sorry that you feel disappointed that you had spent additional money on this model of motorcycle however, the Motorcycle Sales Team have confirmed that this has always been intended to be a continued model for Honda. Not happy to say the least but I cannot be the only one.
Yeah I would feel a little shafted too. Honda have totaly screwed up making the SP this year as ABS only cos let's face it no one wants ABS and this is clear to see as they have loads still for sale. I would have loved a non ABS one in the 2014 colour scheme (loads better than the Repsol of this year) but wasn't in a position to afford one at the time. I am glad the HRC is an option again for 2016 it's hands down the best colour scheme ever, but as it's ABS I will stick with my red 2012 non ABS.
All bikes above 125cc have to be ABS from 2016, so best get used to it guys Or buy older bikes or stick to 125cc lol
I have now asked Honda for a full explanation to there thinking and another question of miss selling with-in the market place, plus deceiving customers. lets see what happens but I am not letting go that easily. I am fully aware that is will make no difference but if you don't let them know how unhappy you are they will never know.
That's why I sold mine with only 831 miles on clock a couple of months ago as I noticed prices were dropping and new one was same as 2014 although with a few stick on bits!
Thing is with the stick on bits it makes it different no matter how much the same it looks! That's how they get away with it Let's face it car makers do it all the time with special edition models, which are no different from the rest of the range except the sticker on the boots and some fancy seat covers
Nothing wrong with ABS as longs as it's a Bosch system. Honda use their own design and 'designed well' it aint!
Honda did push the publications out back in late 2013 early 2014 saying the blade sp was a limited run model but as the blades sales have been steadily slumping with people wanting more and the likes of pretty much every other manufacturer releasing newer models with more stuff bolted on, Honda must have looked at the sales sheet and thought hey they sp's were really easy to shift and don't really add anything to the production line so fuk it lets just keep punting out the sp's each year as it will keep our sales figures up and we don't need to spend anything on R&D for another few years! Now with Suzuki bringing its gsxr1000 production forward by a year and releasing it to public mid year, Honda are the only manufacturer effectively using spit and polish to punt on an 8yr old machine leaving them now scrambling to try and build and develop a big fast in order to get it into the publics hands. God help any new 17 model blade buyers if they are having to rush R&D to get a new model to market..........they made a balls of their c-abs system and that was their own decision to release that with all the appropriate R&D time given to it!
I reflected on this some time back ,that is one of the reasons I got rid of my sp ,it was for investment but Honda just shaft you when other manufacturers are way in front yam kwak Suzuki ,Honda bring a v twin out but who has 112k get reel they boil my piss
Or take the abs off simple enough and it works back to conventional I did back in 2013 even tho Honda advised me not too bull shit
Suzuki was almost put into bankruptcy after the 2008 financial crash and they still managed to release a new model before the mighty Honda who would rather piss away R&D in MotoGP and F1 developments that will never see the public mass market vehicles!
Sold me abs module and ecu,and have a load of pipes and hoses in garage will be going in bin on my Xmas chuck away,sorry guy up Honda I still have my 600 but the Norton has being a good investment ridden and still 8k up on what I paid for it ,can't say the same about me sp
I can't believe that, in this day & age where Honda build quality is said to be second to none, over other manufacturers, are the ones whom, still haven't woken up and brought out anything to rival the others. No TC, No Power Modes etc. The S1000RR is loaded with everything and with the others catching up, with Suzuki now joining the party, Honda are on an all round loser. No new bike, Road car sales not all that great and their F1 involvment...Well less said about that the better. Sounds like the SP owners have been royally done up the chute What is going on???
Who cares I like my blade Goes fast enough , handles very well , good build quality , looks fairly modern in HRC colours , keep for another year only because I don't like any of the others yam R1 track bike and small, ZX10 great spec but looks like last model, new Suzuki been there done that had a k5,(wish still had) BMW ugly couldn't put that in the garage, 1299 hmm had a test ride really liked it but 8k to change plus Blade a better road bike cant be done with all the different settings , Apriia now could be tempted, MV no thanks boom!
I am upgrading my blade for a new R1, will be mostly track but also some road, will let you know how I get on and whether I long for my blade back again I have enjoyed my time on my blade, but even though it's a 2005 model I felt the newer ones where not a big enough upgrade over it, So went new tech and more Power R1, kinda sad but also very excited to try it out on track
Don't actually have to remove it do you? Manual says pulling the fuse will revert to basic arrangement. I've also been reading all the stories of lever pullback etc.
This is the first time I have seen that an SP was a limited edition. Honda UK struggled to sell the bikes they brought in - local dealers (North) have only just sold their 2014 models - and decent discounts were offered. They are available across Europe and the US - plenty of brand new still available for 16000 Euro ish to import. Hondas response looks fair to me - to take it further you would need something in writing that it is a limited edition and yours is number x of y.
