I'm very happy with mine so far. Only owned it a couple of week and the weather hasn't been the best but I feel comfortable on it and I love the looks of it!
I might have sorted mine out now, took it to TW suspension specialists at Preston this morning, he agreed that it wasn't right and set it up for me. The back wasn't so bad but the front definitely needed some changes. I would highly recommend it for anyone in the north west. It's now loads better. Rode home on wet roads, but I think the front feels stable and grippy now. Looking forward to having a proper try on dryer roads tomorrow
I only ride my SP on the road so can't comment on how much better it is than my 05 blade on track, but I love everything about it. My only change is putting Michelin Pilot Road 4 tyres on. The Supercorsa SP's have gone on the 05 for track days. The SP is more comfortable for my height (6'3") due to the different pegs and bars, and the engine is just sublime. So smooth that coming from a 1200 Ducati, I'll never go back to a v twin, variable valve timing or not. I also love the fact that it is rider electronics free, all bar the abs. I never felt the need for all the bells and whistles. I've had them on the Ducati but don't miss them. I guess 20 years of motocross makes me look a bit differently at throttle control. I prefer the direct connection without any interruption. I won't be changing it anytime soon as all superbikes now seem to be fitted with the Bosch IMU and safety net. This could be the last sportsbike I buy and I'd be very happy with that. Remember, this is a limited production bike and in 10 years will be still premium money.
Oh, I thought it was. the Honda PR and magazine reviews made a big thing of only 170 coming into the uk in 2014. I guess that 2015 and 2016 numbers brought in were more then?
I have rode the SP and to be honest it feels exactly the same, I took it to Aragon and it was faster on the pick up (faster than my two mates standard blades), they only difference in the suspension is that the rear shock doesn't get as hot as the standard one, the front forks performed exactly the same. My mate has just put a 2016 SP engine in his blade and he says it feels no quicker. The biggest difference is the Brembo calipers, compared to the standard they seem streets ahead To be honest I not many people cant out ride a standard blade (including me) to compare it to the SP.
There was a thread on here a while back - http://1000rr.co.uk/threads/does-anyone-else-feel-stitched-up-by-honda.28746/page-3
Thanks for that thread Ian E. Well, if I have been led a stray by Honda's marketing, so be it. I am happy with the bike and what I would consider to be upgrades to the suspension, brakes and engine. As I had only ridden my own 05 Blade before buying the SP then I am impressed with the improvements. I know you would expect some progress in 11 years though....I can't comment on improvements from an 08 or 12 Blade. I suppose it would be nice to think that it would have a lower depreciation than a standard model, but I will only find out in years to come. I can't afford to buy a new bike and then not put any miles on it hoping that I will make money in 10 years, so I'll ride it, enjoy it and not worry about the future value (within reason). The fact is that any sportsbike now on sale is a remarkable piece of machinery for the money. When I think about my old Yamaha FZ750 I bought in 1986, the cost of it and what I paid for the SP (£11.5K new with dealer and Honda incentive) then it's a steal. Some people will agree others will not. Vive la difference!
That should have read £12.5k my fat fingers. Now is the time to buy though. Ex-demo SP with 25 miles £11,999 http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...price-asc&postcode=nr134ry&radius=1500&page=2
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201607145840433 That's a cheap bike and includes an Akra can!
