Apologies for no link. But if you are waiting eagerly for them you are setting yourself up for massive disappointment. Basically the 2017 Red model has a slightly different belly pan sticker arrangement on the 2018 model. I found an image on hondanews.eu
This one? https://hondanews.eu/eu/lt/motorcycles/media/photos/118851/2018-cbr1000rr-fireblade Looks like they've moved the Honda sticker outside of the white/blue band. I'd guess the matt black will stay then.
Will be very interested in the price structure. Could there be another opportunity to blame Brexit for a price hike?
Well if they do put it up it'll be nudging price wise close to this 17 sp & I know which one I'd prefer!
There are a few new 2017 bikes now hitting the £13.5k mark and there's this one with less than 500 miles on the clock for £12999; https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2017-17-...hash=item5d730387f9:m:mf2deZXB33OeLBV5RJVVHYg First world problems I know, but I've been sitting here over Christmas thinking about where I go next year. There's nothing really out there getting me excited. Head is saying I'll probably end up with Blade no.8 because it makes sense, but that's not really the best way to think about buying a new bike. I've got to the stage where I'm thinking I don't need the best part of 190/200 bhp on the road. So I've considered; MT10 - looks wise it really doesn't float my boat. Also heard of grabby clutches, wooden brakes, poor tank range. In the local biker community the local Yam dealer also don't seem to cover themselves in glory. BMW S1000R - no local dealers, so I'd be looking at 60-80 mile trips for servicing and issues. Vibey bars and shite mirrors. Triumph Street Triple 765 R/RS - Triumph have just shut down both local dealers, so at the moment I'm looking at a fairly long round trip. Also heard of bulbs blowing regularly and Triumph not being interested, as well as rusty gear selectors, etc. Really fancied this one but I don't need a British bike with Italian problems! Ducati Supersport - not enough ooomph. Thought this one had promise and if they'd turned it out with around 130/140 bhp I'd have probably been on it. Also heard the engine is usual Ducati, not comfortable at filtering/stop start traffic and heat in town. Honda Blade - to be honest I'm a bit "meh" about it at the moment and head is saying I need a change. If it had been some radical redesign I could probably get excited about it. Thing is I know it will be decent quality, do everything, 'll get a decent deal and get looked after by the dealer. I know I could pick fault with most things, but that's my jaded view of the world at the moment!
Interesting resume of bikes. Have you considered MV Agusta? And what of the Aprilia? A few guys on here seem impressed. Strange for Triumph to close dealerships. They're boasting huge sales INCREASES at the moment. There's a showroom full of them in Stratford-upon-Avon, close to where I live.
Funnily enough Stratford is my nearest dealer now and I'm more or less on the doorstep of central Brum with no dealers. I've looked at all sorts, you name it I've thought of it. I grew up on Italian bikes, in fact I've had 6 Aprilias over the years, most recently I bought and reconditioned a Mille. I think I need a break from the Italians for mine and my wife's sanity. If it was going to be something I used on sunny Sundays, kept as a 2nd bike and didn't commute on I'd consider it and to be honest I've tried to justify it. The other thing that's hard to justify is paying £15/16k for an RSV4 or Tuono when I know I can pick the Blade up for £2/£3k less.
I seriously considered driving over yesterday to look at the Street Triple in the metal until I realised they were closed. It's a bit concerning that Triumph have already shut their Wolverhampton dealership down and now the central Birmingham one has gone too. For a Midlands based company they didn't have a Brum dealership for years and now they've both gone again. Nice looking Blade that, I've currently got the 2015 HRC scheme. How do you find the dealership for service? Any good?
I would like the SP2. But to be fair it would be purely for the ‘Look what I have got’ factor. I would be buying for the wrong reasons though as I like the colour scheme and the gold Marchesini wheels. The rest of the toys on it would be wasted on me.
Suzuki GSX-S1000F. Quite cheap really, but will need some sort of fuelling mod, otherwise do not bother. To be fair that is not expensive to do and is completely worth it. Mine is growing on me after 5 months and 3,200 miles. It is a bit hooligan and has got a lot of character and it is good fun even at "acceptable" speeds. Better tank range than the MT-10. Corners much better now with a change of tyres. I think I will keep mine.
Sorry Mattie, not a fan, really doesn't float my boat. I also work with the son of the local Suzuki dealer and he doesn't do anyone any favours.
Ah well, maybe that new Kawasaki H2 sex or whatever it is called - that sounds like fun, but a bit heavy ......
If Honda increase the price even further they will be left with a lot of stock. The 2017 Blade hasn't sold well, I have only seen one on the road in the UK this year! There are 80+ 2017 Blades on AutoTrader (£10500k upwards)
Its the fact that once I trade mine in I would still have a shedload of money yet to pay off. I know it is all geared towards PCP these days, but I Like to pay mine off and own it, the 2012 red one in my profile picture is mine. I don’t owe a penny on it. It is a nice feeling. I loved the days when one could buy a brand new 1000 sports bike for about £9000. Sadly those days are long gone.
The dealers seem fairly quick to knock around £1500 off with very little effort. I think Honda will put some incentive in place in the Spring, something akin the to £500 cashback and low APR finance/PCP. Both put the bike about where it should be price wise in my opinion.
Nothing but praise - at this stage. Haven't needed major work, but all else has been prompt and reliable. Have ordered parts from there too (hugger, clutch cable) and that also was prompt.
