Lets face it the 2020 blade was designed and built to win races, Honda have been made to look silly at BSB and WSB how bothered are they about sales, 1000cc supersports are now quite a small market. and some of the so called new materials and technology are already in use by other manufacturers. my 2016 R1M has lots of titanium in the engine, and probably still has a better electronics package than the new blade.
They will have a different Race ECU and other bits though, a WSB spec bike is a long way off a standard road bike. Honda will have needed to up their game re the electronics, my 2017 blade was very inferior compared to the 2015/16 R1 package, I know Ron Haslam was very disappointed when a number of his race school SP's were crashed because the electronics did not work as they expected.
I may be on the defensive here (as expected) but it sure as hell would be interesting to know whether those crashes were at the experienced hands of Ron himself and staff, or over exuberant 'students'. It is perhaps fair to say that some riders, both experienced and non-experienced, might take the attitude that they can push a bit harder because the electronics will save them. Would love to learn more on this (even via PM) purely for my better understanding of these bikes. Failing that, I guess I'll have to stump up some cash and enrol in the school that for the past 2 years I have been sitting on the fence, and speak to the top honcho himself!!
Well two crashes were people I know of, both experienced riders and they both highsided whilst doing exactly what they were told to do, by the instructors. This would have been one of Ron's first days with the new bikes, following the day in question Ron spoke to Honda and they changed the traction control settings, as the traction control did not quite work as expected, I believe they expected more than it was actually capable of.
Would be interesting to know what tyres those bikes were running - if they'd been changed from the standard 50 profile (given the other threads on the subject here) that may well explain it.
Oooh!! This is 'cat among the pigeons' stuff. Didn't our friend @RC45 make mention of Honda stating that Traction Control settings are 'locked in' and non accessible OR adjustable? Of course I could be wrong - although I very rarely am - but this was one of his major concerns when converting the 2017 - 18 to track use.
I think the big issue with the 17-18 blades on track with the standard (i.e. non HRC) ECUs was the over intrusive ABS and not been provided with an interface to allow calibration for tyre and sprocket changes. This resulted in the potential of under braking into corners and overshooting bends. If tyres or gearing were changed, (from reports that I have read) this appeared to confuse the system (false neutrals etc.). On the 2019 blade the electronics were made better particularly by recalibrating the high speed ABS response. Now I have some confidence from my experience on the 19 blade that the ABS will be improved on the 20 blade (Please Honda allow us to switch off the rear wheel ABS for track) which leaves the question on providing us with access to the calibration for gearing changes (Again please Honda give us access). Despite the above the current blade is very handy on the track particularly due to its handling (the front end feel remains among the best I have ever experienced). The new blade hopefully can only be better than the 19. I can't wait for the track tests but am not holding my breath for any rave 'real road' tests. Oh and I saw a bloke who must have been a 6 footer + sitting on the pillion seat of the 20 blade at the NEC. LOL this had to be one of the funniest biking sights I have seen and should be made illegal - a 200HP+ pillion. Sorry I wan't quick enough with my camera to share.
yes at least that will knock your 30 mile loop down to 60 mins, well worth it I thought the new sp blade at the show looked awesome btw, the lower tank for better tuck on track is great, but wonder how many will use it on track! the sp is only £1k more than R1M so same ballpark, but feel the std at £20k and well above the R1 is too much
Regarding the Ron Haslam bikes, they run stock tyres or close to. When I high sided there it was on BT23's but there were no electronics back then (was back at Silverstone)
The outgoing Blade was so good and trouble free that Honda decided to completely redesign the 2020 model - that speaks volumes surely ? Enough excuses already - the jury has long since packed up and gone home on their BMWs, R1s, Ducatis, Aprilias....... So on to the new 2020 model, looks promising. Bearing in mind that looks are not everything, what could possibly go wrong this time ? technology - reports of inconsistencies with the rider management package - the electronics. Bad things happening at random, or a major recall. price - with other manufacturer's bits on it will up the price - BOSCH, Ohlins, Brembo - these will up the cost of the bike to the customer which the customer may not be willing to pay. it fails in the racing - not just a bit of work to do, but the humiliation kind of trailing by over 50 seconds from the P1. Will this prove to be the new VTR SP where Honda just set out to prove a point ? I think so. This could be a championship winning bike. All this small change crap about the foot pegs or the size of the mirrors is missing the bigger picture of what this bike is about. Its goal is to make people want to own a Fireblade again. We shall see.
Think this is slowly become the longest thread in history, isn't it? I went to NEC yesterday to get a look at new Blade, S1000rRR M-Sport, ZX10RR, Duc V4S and R1M. Out of all of them I like the blade the most except for that black plastic boxy thing they have called a GP inspired rear hugger, BMW was my second choice apart from the fact if I ordered one today I wouldn't expect to be riding it until late September/October (Riding season over). Yamaha R1M OK except them bloody headlights and lead time on getting the bike. Ducati looked sexy except for the bolted on plastic winglets that stuck out miles and Kawa ZX10RR looking little dated for my liking. SO like Nige I have ordered the SP Blade Tri Colour excepted March/April and the long drawn out wait of 4 1/2 months. :-(
The longest thread in history - it might just do that, and we haven't even got to the "Tin Foil Hat" stage yet - which will come once a few people should happen to fall off their new bikes in the pit lane Well done on your order - March/April - hardly any time at all to wait. Nice one.
Not to mention the 1st service money back guarantee, after they wash it with there metal melting cleaner and get banned from the showroom because your too fussy to own a BMW
Can't wait for the 1st group tests....and a test ride ....cycled 50miles yesterday so getting myself in shape for the new season but v4s still top of my list......wings will be handy to put the latte on....oh and the 30kg of downforce past 150mph which of course will make the world of difference....will keep eye out for any Honda sp mini motos creeping up on me...
Erm, no. Nothing will ever top the ridiculous 'For all the girls I have loved' thread by our friend @bazzashadow . When I spoke with Skellerns Yamaha, Worcester, in mid-October, delivery was approx 6 weeks. Even if a tad longer, that's way before March/April. Very happy for you and pleased to hear that others are prepared to pledge confidence in what will hopefully be a truly magnificent bike. Do you intend taking yours on track? Fully agree with you about the half a Kettle BBQ rear hugger. Not sure if it will grow on us, but an enterprising carbon manufacturer (Powerbronze?) might come to the party with something a bit more stunning and equally 'GP inspired'.
Correct. I have a direct question into Honda asking for specific clarification on how this new bike is different and capable of delivering features that were flawed in the SC77 platform. Response I got was "Hold on, we will reach out to you to discuss." Not sure what that means but I am just glad after 2 years I actually got a response. I think they finally understand the power of modern social media.
