Hello everyone! I've been looking at getting a fireblade (2009). But I've read several reports on forums of quite show stopping issues with the build quality of engine components. I have owned Kawasaki and Yamaha litre bikes, which were both very reliable (engines at least!). I had always assumed the Honda's would be more reliable than these, if a little less powerful. Are the reports wrong? I had intended on keeping my next bike for a few years so I don't really want to get one that is going to blow itself up Thanks Luke
Hi and welcome to the forum - I’d avoid the pre 2017 abs bikes but other than that they’re fairly sturdy if properly maintained.
I did over 70k on my 04, 12k on my 12, and am up to 44k on my 14 plate. Apart from the gen on the 04, and front wheel bearings on the 14 they have been good. Guy Martin may have an opinion on the 17 plate bikes!
Said it before on here, owned Blades for over 20 years and done somewhere north of 350K miles in total and never had anything engine wise go wrong other than the odd CCT, and in that time only once were the shims checked and that was when I was green between the ears and didn’t realise how bullet proof these things are. Been commuted, tracked and toured, unbeatable bikes. As above if you want to save yourself potential stress, do not touch a pre 17 ABS with a barge pole, they have the potential to be as popular as a turd in a swimming pool.
Just to add, both my 12 and 14 plate blades had.have ABS, and I have not had a problem with them. I may be one of the lucky ones, never had a Honda Dealer bleed them, but have done it myself and used Dot 5.1. Also been very greatful a couple of times to have it.
That comment might be right, some of the unlucky ones might not be here to tell us what went wrong, multiple full brake failures at motorway speeds made me decide Russian roulette was not a game I enjoyed playing on my daily commute.
ABS fault wasn't limited to the blade either, my CBR600RR C-ABS (2014) had unpredictable front lever feel, occasionally causing some heart-stopping (but not bike-stopping) moments. As for the 2017+ CBR1000RR (RA-H, RA-J), I'd say be careful of the electronics - I'm having a nightmare with mine, but fortunately all being (slowly) sorted under my extended warranty. So far had the IMU replaced, looks like it'll be the ECM next.. Sometimes think the older model machines with fewer rider aids (i.e. electronics) are likely to be more robust over the longer term - too many bits in these modern machines if you ask me.
I've had a 2009 model, couldn't fault it. Providing what you're looking at has been looked after and properly serviced i doubt you'll have any issues with it! I'm not going to jump on the ABS band wagon as mine wasn't one, but you can see what people say they have experienced and I'd be inclined to take their advice!
Like Iain above here my 12 plate ABS went for 8 years without a fault. In fact all 6 Blades I've owned from the mid 90's have been very reliable. I went to them from Suzuki when I found the paint coming off with the polish (almost). Made me think if that's the quality of the bits you can see what do they do to the bits you can't.
I have a 2014, my brother has a 2010 and my mate has a 2008. The only problem between the 3 of the bikes was the 2010 developed a dried out bearing in the rear suspension linkage which cost less than £10 to replace (obviously didn’t buy the bearing from Honda).
As a general rule no. 2008's burn oil, c-abs is Russian Roulette whether brakes works or not, Honda Ccts and reg/recs suck but that's about it.
Just want to put one thing straight, I’m not on here to upset people. The comments above show these bikes are super reliable and well built, Yes there have been issues down the years and I could give a list but most issues have probably been sorted by now on older bikes. But let’s put the ABS issue to bed by saying there’s enough comments written on here for and against to fill multiple books. Just read above and you will see how it splits owners, get a good one and there very happy, get a bad one and it might make you walk away from biking. It’s best just to let the OP know there’s an issue and he can do his own research. Just one last bomb on the issue though, Honda spent so much time money and development on it, and bigged it up so much as the best system in the world, then why did they ditch it for the Bosch system ? It’s an question I have never seen answered.
Had my 09 for 7 years and done about 20,000 miles on it, other than a new battery and routine serving (oil and filter change every 4000 miles) it's been ultra reliable and the build quality is pretty good too.
Thanks for your replies guys. I had heard there was a crank issue with some of them, and there are many out there from different years that burn a lot of oil (1 litre per 1000km). So I feel that as I can't afford to buy a new one, I'll be gambling spending 5k on a bike that might burn lots of oil.
Not sure who your info is from, but I’ve never had a Blade burn any excessive amounts of oil, top ups between changes is rare. There were incidents reported of oil burn, but it’s not endemic across the range, and IMO in line with any bike manufacturers issues we see. But many from different years is compete BS, and probably spouted by people who never owned them, typical internet chatter I feel. If you want a Blade follow this forum, there’s enough genuine owners on here who sell bikes who will be straight with you.
I think you might over thinking what you may have heard or read?! Just get the newest, lowest mileage bike you can for your budget. My only other advice would be to go and look at the bike in question. Tatty body work and a rusty chain would concern me much more than any of the things you're worried about
Try to find an unmolested one with some service history, ,if its been home serviced ask for part receipts/paperwork,,,, i keep old filters in a box as proof of oil change ,,,,, go on to the GOV site and check MOT history . Don't worry about oil use , you won't know till you get the bike
