So lesson to self - keep out of the Honda dealers, otherwise you come away with a very empty wallet. Picking up one of the BSB replicas tomorrow ..... hopefully (photos to follow). In reality, went out and did a bunch of test rides on a range of other bikes in sports litre bracket, and almost got tempted to a certain German mark, till I did a back to back test ride on the blade versus the new S1KRR. Paying the price premium for all that whizzy electronics seems very tempting, although sometimes disturbing as the suspension adjusts itself under you mid corner, but why can't they sort out some of the basics. "Launch control" in sports mode, sounds a good idea for the traffic light dash down Piccadilly, but yet they still can't get rid of the basic buzzing in the bars, to the point that I tried every known riding style, arm/wrist/grip position to stop the throttle hand going numb. Okay so its a one litre sportsbike, probably not designed with West End commuting in mind, but when I hop on the blade and it's solid, predictable, smooth around town, and just as steady when blasting down the M3 or doing the quick detour around Box Hill, only going to be heading in one direction with my pennies. Bit long in the tooth and been riding off and on for years. Bike career started back by saving all my hard earned Saturday job money and buying one of the first FS1Es that ever came into the UK. Followed that with a selection from Honda, Norton, Yamaha over the years, including an early blade in the 90's. Then a 15 year MKABL break (More Kids Arriving Bike Loss) and back on two wheels about three years ago. Most recent rides have been a 600RR, MT09 and son's 650F. Only problem so far ...... insurance companies sure don't like the idea of London Postcodes and Fireblades combined !!.
London? Where's London? You need to move to the North of England where Blades were designed to be used... Only joshing, welcome to the forum, it's great to see that bikes only went on hold for a family arriving and that it wasn't a permanent departure from biking.
As promised photos of the new beast .... ASV's fitted today, makes such a difference for burbling around the London traffic. Got flashed down by the "boys in blue" early this morning. Heart rate hitting the roof, and just preparing the excuse "sure I wasn't doing that speed officer, new bike still getting used to it". Turns out he's a blade enthusiast and wanted a closer look.
Think we met during our respective purchases. Beautiful machine! Hope you're enjoying as much as I'm enjoying mine.
