Hi everyone, Hope all are well! Just a quick one to say hi. I've been a bit of a lurker on the site since buying my first Blade in May this year, visiting it from time to time to read up on stuff and use the site as a source of info. But decided yesterday to join in. As mentioned this is my first Blade and so far so good. It's been a bit of a strange transition for me, having been riding a 2006 Ducati 749S which is of course a V-twin, so there has definitely been a bit of adjustment to make to get into the Japanese inline four. I'd go as far as to say that I've almost bordered on not enjoying the clinical linear feeling of the inline four (this is my first inline four btw). Anyway - I was very close to trading my Blade in for a Ducati 1098S a few weeks ago, which kind of made me think long and hard about the Blade and its merits and what I've been able to get out of it over the past 5 months of ownership. One could say it's been a bit like having an amazing girlfriend who does everything perfectly, who does everything you ask her to, is good looking, your mates think she's great etc etc, but for some reason you can't quite work out why you haven't fallen head over heals for her. You then contemplate breaking up with her, on a Saturday night out end up at another girls house, but just before you hop on the good foot and do the bad thing with this other girl you pause... and think about what you have and what you're about to lose, and all of a sudden it makes sense. That is EXACTLY how I feel about the Blade. So, for those of you who I have confused with my poetic verses - basically I wasn't enjoying the Blade. I was about to get rid of it but thought long and hard about it. It then started to make perfect sense to me and I came round to realising what a fantastic bike it is and how many boxes it ticks for me and my riding. It was purely me and my past experiences with different bikes that stood in my way of appreciating what an incredible bike it is. So that's me and my short but thus far 'interesting' journey into Blade ownership - would be great if others who've had this sort of experience could share it, or is it just me and has everyone else who've hopped on a Blade loved it from the very start? My bike is a 2011 HRC C-ABS bike (piccy below along with my old Ducati - god I miss her) - and yes I know that the ABS bikes can have issues - unfortunately only found this out AFTER I bought it. On that note, another question to fire at you guys. If someone were to put a percentage against those who have ABS and have had troubles against those with ABS who haven't had troubles, what would it be? So far mine have been fine, just hoping they stay that way! Cheers, Bash.
Welcome to the forum mate, I love my blade as if you compare them to women which would you chose? The pretty one that does everything you ask or the selfish grumpy one that looks a bit better but is a pain in the arse and is unreliable
Ha, I see your point. But in the twisted society we live in we tend to go with the worng'uns - the treat you mean keep you keen types.
Bash Hi and welcome. There's quite a few guys from West Sussex on here and you'll catch a few at Whiteways on weekends. I'm in Southwater. Whereabouts are you? Steve
Hi Steve, cheers for the heads up! I'm in a village close to Haywards Heath. Moved down here from London almost a year ago so not very good with locations but will jump on Google Maps!
Welcome mate both bikes look very nice can see why your at logger heads with yourself always fancied a Ducati but always get put out off with the high maintanence that can often come with them.
Cheers Terry. Yep the maintenance costs are higher on the older Dukes, the newer ones (from 848, 1098 onwards) are much better with longer intervals between services, but I guess when you love a bike/car... woman... the money kind of doesn't come into it. Daisy (my Duke) had so much character and to me a personality. Always made me smile, to ride and look at... priceless.
I migrated south about 6 months ago from London. Love it down here. Whiteways is on the A29/B2139 and is a lovely ride west from where you are. The B2139 from Storrington is a great road for bikes. If the weather's good on Sun morn a few of us will meet there before going off to Goodwood for the Breakfast Club. There's a thread on it here http://1000rr.co.uk/events-meetings-ride-outs/21100.htm
Cheers Steve, this looks great! My wife gets back from a week away with work and I'm on airport pick up duty on Sunday morning so it's a no go for me this time unfortunately. Shame... Are you still working in London or have you done the move down South with work and home? I have to say, having lived in London all my life (32 years) it's been tricky to get my head around the commuting, aside from that it's pretty great having space and wonderful roads on the doorstep!
Bash I did a bit of commuting for a couple of months then gave up work so I go to town now mainly to catch up with friends. The last 4 or 5 trips I've taken the bike, 1hr 10mins to the west end, no congestion charge and I still have somewhere private to park - I hate leaving the blade in a bike bay, I always think it won't be there when I come back! One of the best things about living where I do is that the A24 is 2 mins away and the A272 5 mins. If I have an hour and the weather's good I bomb off to Petworth and just enjoy the ride. S
Yep I've done quite a few runs along the A272 and a couple along the A24... the A272 is my preferred early Sunday morning ride - nice and quiet. But not been much passed Cowfold so maybe next time I will head passed it and go towards Petworth... thanks mate, will keep my eyes open for you!
