My mate has owned both a 2010 abs and now has new model, he felt right at home as soons as he jumped on to the new model, he reckons that the new bike is nimbler in the corners. I have a 2011 rrb and really enjoy its predicatble handling I would say we ride briskly
I have a 2008 which I love. You will hear horror stories of them being oil burners. But mine hardly burn a drop. Really depends on how much $$ you want to spend. Don't think you can really go wrong!
I was in exactly your position recently. Have just put down a deposit on an unreg new 2012 ABS blade - there are still a tiny number of unreg 2012 blades with big savings. I got £1200 off list & a decent p/ex & 0% finance. However there are some nice 2011 blades around. To be honest I haven't ridden both so difficult for me to comment on how the improvements work in the real world. I just went for the best I could afford & with 0% finance I pay £120/month. A dealer did tell me that there is only c17 2013 blades in the UK & Honda will not be importing any more. And I only know of 3 unreg 2012 blades around. If you are thinking of a new blade def go for one of these 2012 unreg ones; exactly the same spec as a 2013, it will even have a '13 plate, it's just last years colours. The next decision is on ABS/non ABS. I put a thread on here asking for comments - so there is a lot of info already covered on this topic. I was swinging between do I don't I. The misses really wanted me to get ABS & when I took out the CBR600RR with ABS you have more confidence to just apply more braking. But that is a personal choice. Good luck bud
i love my 2011 repsol which i bought in march. only had 200 miles on it. Still getting the hang of it buts its amazing.
This is the best demonstration I have found... Dashboard Demo Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade 2012 - YouTube from the person that designed it.
aaaand .... If you really like the look if the 2012/13, then you could fit the 2012/13 fairings and LED display onto a 08-11. The LED will work with the exception of the gear selected (not on the 08-11 loom) and you'll have to fit a 12/13 headlight, but it's all a straight swap, no modding required
I thought someone fairly clever off this forum tried that, then gave up as it wasn't a straight swap? You got pics of yours or a link to somewhere where it says it's easy by someone that's done it. My mates keen to do it but doesn't want to buy the parts without evidence it's possible.
All I did with mine was the tank shelter. Have read that the other fairings do go on, but have to be complete sides+ bellypan. Tank and tail can be done on their own. Probably the USA sites that have more info
After just spending a week going over the Mountain at the IOMTT I can say that the 2012/3 Blade is the one to go for. If you have an 08/11 maybe not enough to warrant a change
Not willing to argue about the conclusion (I've never ridden an '08-'11 model), but I'm not sure 'Obviously' applies just because it's newer (Been bitten too many times to think newer is automatically better). SOmetimes newer just means it's cheaper for them to make and they make more profit on it. [e.g. the exhaust. IMO the under seat was far better... The side exhaust is nice for my right foot in the winter, but any other time, it's just plain annoying]. Having said that... The instrument panel on the 2012/2013 is WAY better than the older models... Even if they did forget to put a fuel gauge on it.
Can't find any in that colour scheme second hand though. Thinking that an 08/09 might be the way to go, and I can replace my leathers which have obviously shrunk ;-) Incidentally I saw a vid on youtube with an all red '12 - without the white and black flashes, and it looked really nice...
I am on my seventh fireblade, this one I am on now is my third 1000rr (07 Repsol, 09 Repsol previously), my 2012 non abs bike is the best bike I have ever owned. I still have a love for my old SP1 and SP2. But I don't think you will not be disappointed with either choice because the 09 and 12 are awesome bikes, but if you are OCD about cleaning like me, go for the 09 because the only downside of the 2012 is the wheels are an uber pain in the ass to clean and I mean real!!
I'd want to know if he had the original fairings still and if they were included rather than just the cheap Chinese kit!!!
