went into my local dealer today for a new clutch cable while there had a browse at the new blade standard model no sp to compare while having a general chat with the sales guy I asked him how many new blades had been sold the answer was quite surprising,just the ONE was the reply,any ordered or waiting to be delivered was my next question reply was also surprising,NONE as yet and we can't even get them if we wanted them. Things ain't looking too good if this is the general sales pattern
My local dealer has sold a few including 2 SP's But your right there aren't many available, there are a few black ones in the dealers. I ordered a new standard red one and have to wait till 3rd week in May
Hunts are advertising Standard Red, Standard Black and SP in stock http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-2017-Fireblade-CBR1000RR-Victory-Red-In-Stock-Now-/252891780305
We've not sold any, have a red and sp in stock. I know of one dealer who's done 7 so far, a mix of standard and sp's.
I asked at Wigan if they've sold many and all got said was "a few". That says to me they've sold a lot less than they would like. However he did say Africa Twins sell like hot cakes.....to which I said I'm not surprised because they're priced sensibly!
Sports bike sales have been down for sometime now, the 600cc market is dead anyone seen a new R6 on the road?? Cbr600 Daytona 675 production stopped, I can see this happening to the 1000cc market or there has got to be a massive price drop. The naked bikes are taking over when you think you can get a mt10 for 10k compared to 15/20k for the latest sportsbike.
It doesn't help when "The Media" are constantly telling people the sportbike market is dead. It isn't dead, just because "they" have got old and prefer to sit a bit more upright doesn't mean we all have.
My local dealer certainly was not inundated with enquiries for the new blade either. Give it time, Honda will have a joker up their sleeve to incite buyers with attractive finance deals if things do not pick up as they expected.
A few of us do a European trip each year and have done for many years 15/10 years ago it was all sports bikes it's mostly up right bikes now that you see once over the water and that's most with uk plates
I had this discussion with my local dealer, who I've bought quite a few Blades off and they were saying they sold about 6 last year. He's now asked me twice to come down for a test ride. I told him I'd consider it next year when he's desperate to sell em. He was saying that the market has shifted and they are selling more "adventure" style bikes than anything else. Due to the power game and constant shift to track bias of the latest 1000cc bikes, I was actually considering going for a super naked this year and then I started considering a more sports 600. However I'm not willing to pay the best part of £10/11k for a 4 year old bike. So if I wanted to drop down a class my only real viable option is a Ducati 959 for £13k or so. Price wise I might as well buy the new GSXR1000 and have another litre bike with power beyond use to mere mortals.
My local dealer has old 6 4 of them SP's But it does beg the question if dealers are saying only a few have been sold, how come Honda UK have run out of Red ones ??
Part of the problem is honda left it to long to update the blade and people looked at other brands to part ex with and spend their money! Now it's showing in new sales, along with roughly 30% price increase over last years model for effectively just new clothes
