Yeah doesn't seem to be much in it. I've found a dealer offering the resolution 2011 on 0% a d they ate throwing in a seat cowl, tail tidy, akra can and double screen Looking forward to Tuesday anyway to see how the bike rides
Good luck tomorrow and look forward to your report, although I am more than happy with my 2011 ABS and dont think I will be trading up anytime soon.
They offered me 5 Years 0 % and a free Sports Pack on the 2011 Blade and some other free stuff.... When I was there couple of weeks ago, they still hat a non ABS Guinness Fireblade for 9.999 GBP ! Honda Motorcycles | Blade Group | Reading Honda | Abingdon Honda | New and Used Motorcycles, Clothing, Parts and Accessories
Well I'm back from the test rides and still grinning ! Both bikes are awesome. The 2011 bike I rode first, love the looks of it and the seat height is perfect for me. The size of the bike it feels more like a 600! This one had 589 miles on it. Took it out for a 20 mile blast. Nice weather. Took a while to get used to the riding position again as my last two bikes have need naked street bikes. Anyway....... WHAT a bike the blade is! Responsive and handles like a dream. You can really throw the bike around and I felt right at home almost instantly. I love the position of everything on the bike it all just fits and in the repsol colours it looks awesome. Even the side lights in the mirrors are a nice touch. Then it was the 2012's turn. Doesn't really look any different so nothing to comment on there. The new clocks look nice. So out I go. Bike feels the same really. I know it has the new suspension but for an amateur like me I couldn't really tell the difference. The digital rev counter is cool but if I'm honest I prefer the anolog clock. All in all the 2012 bike is again awesome. But for me I think i will go for a 2011 as I really want the repsol colours! So just to find the right deal now the dealer i test rode at wasn't offering much in the way of price or free kit. So I'm shopping about now! Dare I mention I also have a R1 test ride tomorrow!
Don't worry about the r1, I test rode one, I wanted to love it and it was a big disappointment to me, feels very large compared to the blade, does not handle as well, sounds nice with the akrapovic cans fitted but just did not feel right. Sorry sounds like I am saying don't ride it..... please do because then you will know you have made the right decision with the repsol blade
I have had three R1s and liked them The rear of the latest is pig ugly so new cans would be the minimum i have not rode the Big bang engine so can't comment The new one's have the headlight halo type trim around .Good luck and let us know.
I also had two R1's and loved them but this new big bang one left me cold let us know what you think interested to see if it is just me
Welcome to the forum, I have owned the CPC R1, great bike, sounds awesome but it's to heavy and likes to drink fuel, get the Blade you know you want to?
Yeah I think I do, but gonna have my test ride on the R1. I agree with GIVOVER above the rear end of the new R1 is an ugly pig and would need akrapovic cans instantly, which is a major expense!
Well the R1 is a big disappointment! Feels really heavy and not as nimble as the blade and oh my god it's arse is ugly! So the blade is my decision. Possibly the 2012 though as the fully adjustable suspension and the improved fuelling set up seems a good addition to an already awesome bike! Also found a dealer with a black ex demo 2012 with only 40 miles on it that he will do for £10,995.00. But the repsol has me hooked! Decisions decisions
I would want more than £300 off list price for the 2012 ex demo. You could probably negotiate that off a brand new one. How much did they want for a Repsol with sports pack ?
They want £11,695.00 for the Repsol ABS. But I havnt haggled yet and trust me I will. Salesmen did mention throwing in some other kit like pazzo levers as well. The sports pack includes R&G tail tidy, akra can, seat cowl, hugger (I think) and higher screen all original bits as well. What price would you expect to pay?
End of September last year I paid £11346 for a Repsol ABS with Sports Pack including hugger and R&G tail tidy. Can't get a much closer comparison than that ! They will try to tell you that you can't put the hugger on a ABS. You can but I wouldn't carry a pillion as there is a risk of it hitting the ABS gubbins under tail. John Banks Honda
I don't ever carry pillions! So the rear pegs will be taken off a well. Guess I need to haggle a bit then!!
Take the 2012 Blade and let them change the fairing etc. They just have to switch it and install the nice and lovely repsol parts on the 2012 blade. Deal done !
I bought my 2011 Repsol from BladeGroup Reading last September. They offered me that they could install all the McGuiness Parts in exchange with the Repsol parts if I want to. Maybe the parts from the 2011 Repsol will not fit on the 2012 Blade, but if so……..
