Photo credit courtesy of Bennetts. I rode one of these today - a demo from my local dealer (Blade Honda) https://www.bladegrouphonda.co.uk/ As the first bike I've ridden in some time with 'normal' handlebars, I felt immediately at ease with the comfortable riding position. Seat height is manageable and the bike is well-balanced in a stationary position. I set off with its electronics set in 'rain' mode, but quickly changed to 'standard'. A noticeable difference from the tame wet setting to the regular commuter mode. It's around town handling was good, more so for me as being used to the sports bike cramp. Consequently, the more upright position makes traffic management more simple and fluent. The bike came into its own on the open road, whereupon I set the mode to 'sport'. Similar gearbox ratios as the Blade, with it spinning out 4,000 revs at 60 mph. I expected much more of a wind blast without a fairing, but the ergonomics and wind deflection from the frontal area meant that I was not buffeted at all. It has smooth usable power without the snap-on brutality of the Blades, and its handling into and through corners is brilliant: steady and precise. Controls are similar to the Blade; smooth clutch and good brakes front and rear. I remain critical of throttle-by-wire because for me, it does not have the sensitivity and feel of the cable operated throttle. I accept it is an adjustment I must get used to. The bike has good visual appeal, even for one used to looking at bikes with fairings. I HATE the floating mudguard/tail light assembly, and as said before, I hope Mr and Mrs R & G have plans on the dining room table for a tail tidy. Speaking of visual, yes, it has a fuel gauge. To me it is an essential part of a motorcycle. Why do Blade owners miss out? It would be like walking in to Harrods and buying an 800 pound pair of shoes and then finding out you don't get the friggin' laces. In the words of Gordon Ramsay: F*** me!! So, all-in-all, a nice bike. No idea how it might compare with its competition, but anyone considering a 1 litre bike to double for commuting and weekend jaunts would be very happy with this. (Please note that I have no commercial interest in this recommendation - merely passing on opinion)
Good right up Nigel. I like the look of these...I prefer these new style wheels than the older 'warped star' shape.
Yeah, agree. Cant go wrong with the classic round headlight...although I am partial to a double headlight setup, as seen on near enough every custom bandit a (good) few years back.
Really good looking bike, keen to see more. Rear fenders are naff on all production bikes as they are strangled by laws etc etc. I guess they design them the best they can with the knowledge that everyone will be changing it anyway.
Granted, so why do these companies not add another six inches of plastic and make it a full fender? The bike already has the mini-hugger type guard, then a gap, and then the floating fender. Bleedin' thing looks like some old codgers comb-over gone wrong!!
Priced at 11,300 as I recall. I assume that's with 'on road' costs. The one I rode is ABS. It's not an option any longer, but mandatory (since Jan 2016) for all bikes over 125cc.
Looks much better in @derchefs black. SuperBike thought the Simoncelli paint job they did on the cb1100tr would look sweet too...I agree on that one
Wasn’t a contender after Fugly.... (previous model) But it all changed once I took it for a blast! .... So she came home with me and was named Funkly..... 10 months on and 3k miles and still loving it! She’s been renamed “Fonder” and quite rightly so as the looks and style have really grown on me. Plus it’s got some proper naughty flat bars now and she’s looking badass!!
Plates underneath.... full size and fits a treat and it’s fully visible..... I use my arms mostly when needed. Can’t remember the last time I had a bike with indicators. No confusion then
