Interesting. Seems is alot of love for the 07 Blade. So what is the difference with the Repsol, I thought it was only a colour scheme???
Some owners like @Sp0oner and @Stuish have a misguided conception that it is faster. It really is just a paint job. Like it or hate it, the bike is a good looker and will have its place in history. Totally agree with @auag that there ARE a lot of copies - achieved by Chinese fairings. Not that that's a real problem, but the Chinese fairings are not as durable as the genuine ones and so to an astute buyer (thinking of your resale) could turn someone off or result in a lower offer than you expected.
Ooooh it's not misguided, I've had to take the Repsol fairings off to give everyone else a chance to catch up!
I sold my 2015 Repsol just because it was too fast, I should have gone with the much more sedate HRC one. Just don't get a black fireblade they are the slowest of the lot.
Oi! you’re on thin ice there fella Everybody knows (just like Badger loves mashed potato) it’s the Red ones that are the slowest Black ones are the sexiest without shouting “look at me, look at me I think I’m MM#93”
Yes, I had a 2005, which I sold, and regret. I'm not a huge fan of having a pillion on a sports bike, so maybe not the best person to ask. But I did take several pillion passengers on it.
I do occasionally take a pillion on my 06, for shortish café runs and while it’s not ideal, it’s ok. These are still 1000cc sportsbikes at the end of the day, not really designed for carrying pillion passengers, the pegs are too high, seat too small etc. Having said that, those that have been on the back have loved it, so as sportsbikes go the older blades are probably not as anti-pillion-friendly as newer models, I wouldn’t dream of ever carrying a pillion on my RSV4RF for example.
I had a 06 track bike, quite a bit of kit on it and to be honest, it was ideal for the circuits, enough power, controllable, torquey engine. Only fault I found with it was, compared to my zx10 is was pretty bland to ride, yeh the blade would put a smile on my face, the Kwak however creates a massive ear to ear grin We are all different though Rob
Wife used to pillion on my rr7. Mainly short stints of up to about 50 miles at a time. She was ok with it but prefers the pillion on my naked, except for no longer be able to see the road ahead as she is lower down now. She did particularly like being abke to lock her heels under the rear cowl on the rr7 though.
I took the wife on the back of my RR7 last week ,,, nice n steady because it was her first time on this bike ,,,,,,,, she fell asleep
Just to add to this thread the rr6/rr7 is a cracking bike ,, good road manners and easy to ride fassssst
Close with the boots but not quite there. Only downside is that the only relevant pic I have is with a Repslow
I bought my first Blade just before Xmas, having spent 5 years on an old Thundercat ('96). I went for the RR6 model, primarily because of the looks, (I just don't like the '08 onward look). Have done a couple of thousand miles since and love it to bits TBH. The engine is a peach, pulls from nothing, flies at the top end but if you're feeling lazy you can just use the midrange and barely need to change gear whilst still getting a wriggle on. Handling is perfect for me, turns well but also incredibly stable. 5 years on the Cat and no kneedown, I'm already there after 5 months with the Blade. I don't carry pillions or luggage so can't really comment there I'm afraid. I did do 300 miles in one day a few weeks back and had no issues comfort wise. Fuel light comes on at about 120 miles, haven't dared go beyond 130 miles without filling back up, (I'd be intrigued to know how far you can go)? My only gripe is the brakes. I thought they'd be far better than the Thundercat but at best they're on a par, possibly even worse. I'm in the process of buying new pads and brake hoses (HEL) to see if that improves matters. Going over to the TT in August for the Classic and the thought of doing big speeds with my current brakes worries me somewhat. Might have to explore the master cylinder swap as mentioned above. Can anyone point me in the direction of exactly what I need and where I'd get it from?
HEL hoses and new pads will make a big difference - that's what I've got on my RR6 and it has no problem hauling me down from big speeds on track. No doubt the master cylinder swap will help further too...
