Well, therein lies the rub. We all think a 200+ bhp bike reflects our skill levels......until we prove otherwise.
Surely this is a joke? Not going to be any better than a 5yr old bike? Ride a current s1000rr, zx10, R1m, rsv4 factory and then tell me there isn't room for improvement on the fireblade. I love the CBR as much as the next guy but burying your head in the sand and saying there isn't anything they can do to make it better than a 2011 is bollocks.
The 2014 model year bikes are an update on the 2012 but the changes were missed with the interest in the sp. All have ported head, altered riding position, updated injection plus other bits. The ride better than 2012 bikes which are a jump up from the 2008 -2011 ones
No, not a joke. My point was if you don't want the creeping influence of the EU regs just don't buy a new bike, it's that simple. Swopping exhausts will be an option until they enforce their rules. They know you run out and buy parts that negate their efforts. For now they let you, but if there's any point in their rules they must eventually stop you. My alternative, and in quoting a 2011 bike, was just for example. Sports bikes have been beyond the riding ability of most users for years. That's how they justify the current battery of electronics. I'm sure each bike you quote has a feature that's better than a 2011 Blade, but next year each model will also have traps that lock you into the legislation. I'm not saying they can't improve on bits of a 2011 Blade, I am saying you do not have the skills to appreciate it in the real world.
If a customer walking into the dealers could be 5'6" or 6'4" how can an 'altered riding' position have any value? When they build in real world adjustment to the bikes I'll understand, for now it's just marketing none sense
Don't agree sorry. I tried a 2014 L4 Gixer at the time I had my K5. I tried using the rider modes to see the difference it made to the experience and was of the opinion that I would be riding with it in full power mode all the time as it wasn't any wilder than my K5 BUT it felt SOOO much better in the handling and braking dept that when I got back on the K5 I honestly felt like mine had a puncture due to the forks (recently overhauled) being shite! Also when I got my RR9 Blade I couldn't get over how much lighter the bike FELT than any litre bike I had ridden before due to Honda's work with mass centralisation. How can that not be an improvement?
Have you seen the forks on the 16 ZX10R???? Nowt to do with marketing mate. I do however agree that any of the litre bikes in the last 10 years are more than good enough for the road that I ride on at least, but is there anything wrong with wanting more tech and better quality components? Brembos / TC / ABS (when it works) launch control / Anti wheelie (WTF) as standard anyone?
Mass centralisation is not an EU driven change. Obviously that's a potential improvement and basically benign. The constant drive over emissions and now noise levels are the EU policies I was referring to. They cause manufacturers to resort to electronics to cure a problem that didn't exist in the first place. The policies are a Trojan Horse for their real intentions. Before returning to bikes I've spent years involved with classic British sports cars. The menevolence of the EU is there too. Unable to retrospectively complicate an old car with their means of shutting out the user, they landed on the idea of redefining a classic car as a piece of art. Within the proposal was the ridiculous notion that once a piece of art no alterations can ever be made, Google the Turin Charter. Imaginary problems that need sealed unit solutions will eventually leave you locked out of the very aspects of freedom and user inputs you obviously cherish today. I say, don't buy the new bikes.
I've no idea how good the ZX10's forks are, I was referring to claimed alterations to the riding position of bikes. Some of us weigh half the weight of the bike and we vary hugely in build and height/arm length etc. If the EU want to actually help the punter they could start by compelling manufacturers to build in proper adjustment where the human contacts the bike.
To your point the forks are great but in this wks MCN neves said the brakes were as average as a 90's superbikes plus they have ripped off the euro4 system as it was restricting the bikes performance , but some of hanker for the latest and greatest could say the same with cars park assist, lane assist,, self driving etc etc.....but it's development ...personally I'm out for now .....keeping the blade.....
Not sure malevolence is the right word - we've utterly failed to reduce the amount of pollution we chuck out by ourselves, so it's hardly surprising that the EU feels it needs to step in. While in some ways a shame that the simpler "golden days" aren't available to us any more, we're reaped the benefits of exploiting the planet and this is part of the price. As for not being to make changes, those restrictions have been slapped down several times, and are not likely to ever come in - especially with Brexit looming. Personally, the sound from the exhaust isn't why I ride. Sure - it is nice hearing a few brarrps when you open it up, but if I want it badly enough I can put on a good pair of headphones and listen to whatever I fancy. I prefer excellent handling, responsive throttle, and consistent feedback. The rest is just trapping to me.
I've gone from a 2014 blade to 2015 s1000rr, I don't want to slate the blade on a blade forum but for me the s1000rr is a much better bike
Depends who's riding pound for pound the 2014 blade still rocks and when you look at the retail prices Blade vs BMW the blade is a far better proposition! What you need to look at is how much more money have you had to put into the deal to own it in all fairness there really isn't a bad bike these days! They all have good points and bad points! It's down to personal preference and perhaps bragging rights and what gives you that fizzy feeling
nothing to do with bragging rights, i got a cracking deal on the Bmw. I just found the blade a bit bland
That wasn't directed at you, I'm just generalising, and agree stock for stock the blade is going to feel bland and a little uninspiring, I rode an early 2015 S1000RR last year and was disappointed with the lack of midrange performance and the riding position. But the big contributing factor for me was how much more money it was going to cost me to buy one. like I said we all have personal preferences....
Same as BMW great bike but not 17k worth also just didn't like the look of it....couldn't open the garage and look at the wonky front .......loved the 1299 fantastic to look at , deep red paintwork but couldn't ride it.....as for price most sign up on pcp... Nothing wrong in that because I wouldn't want one out of warrenty.....
So, two sportsbikes bikes basically exactly the same, but one with Honda on the side of it and the other with BMW - which would you buy ? Personally - Honda.
I sold my blade for a new R1 and I have not stopped smiling since however I am keen to see what Honda can deliver with the new Blade, then maybe I can keep all my fireblade t-shirts after all
