I know in comparison to what some of you guys spend on bikes £9k isn't a huge amount of money, but to me it's a frigin fortune to spend on a motorcycle, but I have had a bonus a decided to blow it all on a newer bike. Choices are 2013/14 Blade (must be white) or 899 Panigale (white) Question is am I mad considering Panigale? They look so good, but am I going to regret going Italian?
9K is a lot of money, so all I would say is choose carefully, as we all know we usually lose money on each change of bike. I don't know your riding history, but Ducatis are very much a marmite bike. I have not ridden the 899 but have owned two older Ducatis and regretted selling both of them. I would recommend a long test ride on the Ducati to see how it feels after a longer ride. I never had a single problem with my two Ducatis and although early days, no probs on my Aprilia. For me, there is something special about Italian bikes. Good luck whichever way you go.
Good budget really. Too much choice. Depends what u like ? Blade for all the things people buy blades for or fancy something more exotic
Personally, I'd buy a Big Bang r1.... lots of character, and a great bike, not everyone cup of tea tho..... but the Ducati is marmite as said. I love my 959 to ride (only ridden on track) it's so rewarding to get right buy a total kick in the nuts to get wrong. Also ownership is a bitch, parts cost a fortune and working on it is torture..... But it looks amazing!!! Healthy budget dude so can get a great bike with that. Plus trade in of current bike??? Now we talking
In the same boat with a budget of circa £10k. (I already have a modified 2010 blade) I test rode the Panigale 959 ... beautiful bike, but after 40 minutes I wanted to get off it. I'd not buy one as a road bike. I've looked at used RSV4's as well (a liability without warranty) and a few others... I've given up looking - might just buy some carbon wheels instead!
Since you already have a blade, i would go for something different. Not much difference between the years on the blade. I would buy something safe, and honesly that would be the R1. Looks stunning in person, pictures don't do it justice at all. Great power and electronics. The alternative for me would be a S1000RR, but get one as new as possible. Would not buy one that is out of warrenty.
I think this comes down to what you use your bike for and what you want from it. I've owned a number of Aprilia's over the years and loved them, apart from the last Mille which became a bit of a painful experience. I now commute too often and couldn't be bothered with the compromises, of which there are some, such as comfort, heat, twin delivery in town. In my opinion, if you don't need a bike and only use it for countryside runs/track days or as a bit of a toy you can't beat the Italians for style and handling. Alternatively go into ownership with your eyes open and try to love it for what it is.
Budget is my present blade plus about £4/£5k on top. Jimbo and Thewiz I love the big bang R1 but understand they are pretty thirsty to run, the same can probably be said for the Ducati and as I intend to do 2 Eurotrips a year now running costs are certainly a consideration as is reliability. The BMW 1000rr is certainly more of Marmite bike for me, purely for the way it looks. Aprilia not really considered as I have been more focused on the Blade v Pani. Interesting comment Mr OCD your not the first person thats said that. I will probably go for a later blade, reliability over looks sometimes has to be the main consideration, and a white blade with white wheels does look so good.
I fancy carbon wheels. Don't know why. Just because. But u don't hear much about them like you used to ?
Go ride them all mate... might fall in love with something and fuel consumption becomes less of a concern, toured with the big bangs and yes they are thirsty... prob €15 euros a day more than a blade doing big miles. No one complained about fuel. Can't put a price on fun
I fitted some BST carbon wheels recently on my GSXR1000 fantastic mod better change of direction, suspension and brakes work better. One thing if you intend a full upgrade I:E you add new chain. discs, titanium bolts you are heading for £3000.
Same here. If I had that kind of cash I'd buy some carbon wheels and some proper trick forks and shock and get a suspension expert to set it all up for me.
I'm in the same position at the moment but have decided to spend another grand or so and get a low mile non-ABS 2014/15 SP. A future classic IMO being the last truly analogue blade in the ultimate guise. I have done the Ducati thing. Had an 848 Evo, a 1098S and a Hypermotard. All brilliant bikes but I keep coming back to blades. As much as I like the L twin desmo engines they are such a pig in traffic.
