Your right Charlie the BSB bike are also very different to the road bike, I mention them because people keep saying the new blades are complete dogs and miles off the pace, but they are only looking at the problems with John and Guy's bikes, and overlooking the other race bikes and the fact that they have not had gearbox or throttle problems. As for the cost yes they are expensive but if you compare them against the other manufacturers are they far off ? Would you pay £23k for a Panagali over £19k for an SP1 ? Or £19k for an R1M Honda kept their prices down compared to the other manufacturers for quite a while, and supersports bikes are a decreasing market, so in that respect we were spoilt
How do we know BSB bikes have not experienced gearbox or throttle response issues? They are hardly likely to tell us. We only know about GM's issues because of the on board camera at the TT.
I don't think I've seen an R1 on the road this year let alone an R1M. In answer to the original post I'd give it a year on any new model bike just to sort the little niggles that crop up, if you've got a bike you're happy with and it's paid up then just stick the monthly amount in a bank account (hidden from the missus) and then get one next year. Oh and test ride them all
Ducati are Ducati, they have always demanded a premium price. Whether they are worth it or not i dont know. I think the Yamaha is an expensive bike..BUT..atleast they had the decency to build a brand new bike from the ground up before having yer pants down. Personally I don't see how Honda can justify the pricing of the new blade if Suzuki have built a whole new bike and are still under-cutting them by a good 2-3k.
Yes I get where your coming from. I have ridden the Panagali and personally I could not live with one as a daily ride, so I don't think they are worth the price tag. I think a lot of people would agree that if Honda had changed the bike more as if they had built a new one from the ground up the cost would be more palatable. The fact that 90% of the engine parts are new, the frame and swing arm have been lightened does make for a more nimble bike, and of course the electronics have been added, but is it worth the extra over the previous model ? That come's down to personal choice and it appears they have sold quite a few. Obviously I'd have much rather paid a few grand less for mine but I wanted a new bike as my previous blade was stolen, and I got s good deal so I was happy. I really liked the GSXR and at £2k cheaper it was tempting but once I'd ridden both back to back and compared them closely I personally felt the blade is better built and better quality.
Looking forward to ridding the GSXR double R early next week..... I'm not in the market for a new bike and really happy with the package I've got.... but I've always been a Suzuki man after the K5
She's the one that got away all right..... still the memories are deep and meaningful and looking forward to trying the new one..... there all the same theses new bikes, just in different colours and flavours.... there really isn't a bad one it's just what you fancy and what your budget is... these race bikes are so far removed from road bikes anyway, unless your talking Superstock/TT! That's pretty much real world comparison, but there all riden by racing gods anyway..... Not sure why everyone gets so hooked up on media and forum discussions on what's good and what's bad
Ultimately the money is a personal thing, if you've got it and you want the bike then it's not an issue, the bigger issue is sales numbers, that's where price will have an effect, I think Superbike sales are at an all time low however I think Honda are doing slightly better than Yamaha in that respect but they're all new models this year and you will naturally get a spike in sales for the people who want a new model, the real test will be next year I think, I don't think bikes have the same sales boost in September as the car market but certainly doubt they will sell many after then this year, that's for all manufacturers not just Honda.
Suzuki GSX-S1000F a wolf in sheep's clothing ! Can I tempt Sir with a handy catalogue to peruse http://www.globalsuzuki.com/motorcycle/products/gsxs1000f/#introduction
i get that mate, the thing with r1m as I believe no demos so you order it but can't ride one (that's what happened to my mate) at least you can test honda
