Morning......picked up my new Blade last Thursday, part exed 2009 GSX-R 1000 Well.....I loved that gixxer, but it seems i was fooled. Did 70 miles from dealer to home through the North Wales countryside, dry but mucky roads. Kept it under 7000rpm, short shifting. It is plush! The only disappointment is that it came with Dunlop Qualifier II's on it. But more later on that. No aches, no pains. Did 170 miles on Monday, got to run it in (?) for 300 miles, just keep it out of the red and don't labour, use all the gears, thats what the dealer said....but I am taking it easy until first oil change. The tyres corner well, feel Ok but I haven't pushed it yet, they warm well and I have about an inch strip left on rear. I didn't want Dunlops but I am going to give them a fair chance. The bike......the gearbox makes the gixxers feel like a bunch of loose spanners, really slick, really smooth, clutch is superb, feels almost like it has a quickshifter, well done Honda. The roads imperfections are dealt with by the suspension extremely well, no juddering, bouncing, clunking, just smooth unfussed and smooth, did I mention smooth? The throttle is sublime, the brakes are biting much better than the gixxers already. I can't wait to get more miles on as it feels like a run in bike at 220 miles (except for the speed). The dealer technician explained that the big piston forks, although made by Showa, as were the gixxers, are a different entity altogether. They have a different interal set up and are more advanced, the Suzukis front forks were superb, would let you get away with things you really shouldn't have. The dash is trick, but there is sooooo much to learn, so I will leave that til later, one thing though, it gives loads of info on average consumption, I would rather have had a 'how many miles til empty' or a regular fuel guage, but we'll see. The finish is miles ahead of the gixxer. The paint, the fixings, just feels more quality, difficult to explain. The wheels are a thing of beauty. I don't care if they are heavier, they look gorgeous....plus it has much more capability than me! If I lost a stone, now that would make a difference but I wouldn't bounce as well. I am very pleased, full of Honda happiness!
Nice review mate. i think you are the first owner of a black 2012 model on here i think. glad you love it but then there is no suprise there. just 1 thing i thought the new wheels are lighter not heavier than the previous ones
Nice one Grizzle. I love the black colour seems much more under stated than other. Enjoy the ride, its pissing down here today so mines staying in.
Welcome glad your enjoying it! I have an 08 blade so I know not the same as yours but similar and I also have an L0 gixer thou, I gotta say I don't completely agree with some of your findings but they are your opinions after all! The blade looks sweet in black btw it's the best colour by far!
I thought the wheels were heavier in the magazine reviews but either way they are gorgeous. It's wet in Wrexham......no bike today but I don't have cut the grass either! Monday is looking good and I am off work I am not slagging the K9 gixxer, i really did love the bike, we did 13500 miles in 2 1/2 years and she never let me down or failed to put a smile on my face, but as a comparison mechanically, I'll have to wait, but I do stand by the poor Suzuki finish, paint, fastners....and from experience with Suzuki GB, they have p*ss poor customer service, and once I find the e mail correspondence I had with them, I will be sending them a pic of my blade to show them how I vote when they just can't be bothered, the Suzuki dealer was superb by the way. In 2009 I test rode a 2007 and a 2009 Fireblade and the K9 GSXR, the Suzuki won for me that time(once I got rid of those exhausts) If I had the money, I would have kept the gixxer......and had the blade as well Gotta remember there are nearly 3 years gone by and the progress with the litre class has been fast. I would expect the L2 gixxer to have raised its game, Brembos...drool
Good write up mate, she's looking nice. Being it's wet and you can't take it out should give you plenty of time to take and post up some more pictures too!!
Only done 90 mile on my 2012 blade but have to agree with everything you said about your new Blade, added to the new suspension, wheels and dash l also like the look alot better than the RR8-11, just wish they'd finish the rear off like the gixers, that numberplate hanger and indicators just look ugly!! The wheels are heavier then the 08-11
Hi Grizz Glad you like your new bike .If you have not already take a look at Dans Bike mods looks a real charmer. I once had a black R1 which looked very mean but wish i had Venture Shield fitted for obvious reasons .Roads are wet up here but the sun is trying to get out so i am in trap one ready to rumble.
Isn't that strange they go to all the efforts of putting better suspension on but then add heavier wheels, which is well documented as being the one single mod to affect a bikes handling acceleration etc etc!
Sorry i take it back they are not lighter. They have more spokes so there is more support throughout the rim which will improve traction
Think from what l was told or may have read, the 08-11 blade wheels flex under extreme circumtances (think they were racing them), l have no trouble with mine flexing lol
like the wheels just a little pissed with honda got some pvm wheels in black on mine then honda changed the wheels that looks the same as the ones i got
Yup mega disappointed with this years Suzuki offering let's hope it's because they have something mega in the pipe lines or I'll be heading to aprilia!
Great looking bike and in a great colour. I am sure you will enjoy it. I loved my Gixers they are a great bike with great engines and a nice sound.
More oics in my album and on the 2012 pics thread Got an R&G tidy on back, and full venture shield fitted by Invisible Patterns at Goulbourne, near Haydock / Wigan
Rode my brothers new one yesterday, slightly better suspension, tiny bit more oomph in the middle but not a 3k upgrade IMHO
Got a white HRC one mine come with Bridgestone s20's ? . Do they either comne with Dunlops or Bridgestone ? . Oh 133 miles in shameful
