Wanting a change, anybody had/has a 954? Silly question really

I'm up for getting rid of my RR5, but not really wanting to get an 08+, partially for financial reasons and because (sorry I'm going to say it) they is butt ugly. I had a 929 and it was nice, but I really wanted a 954. So I'm now thinking I'll go back and look for that 954 I yearned/yearn for. Just looking for your thoughts/opinions, things to look for etc. I can't imagine the power will be really noticeable, they handle really well apparently. I'm not looking to do track days, just spirited road riding. Any comments welcomed. Sorry if I offend any body with an ugly bike

 

Hi Sulaco, Had one for a number of years really good bike and engine was sweet as, the usual Honda reliability. the only thing is if you have any engine problems and need a new one they did not produce that model for long so there are very few second hand engines

 

I had a 954 and loved it.
It felt very small after my RRW, handled really well and the fuelling was much improved over the 929.
So if you fancy a very nimble small feeling super sport bike you won't go far wrong.
Find someone who will let you ride one and see how you feel after a good road test.

 

it's funny how people's opinions vary so much I think the 08 onwards is one of the best looking bikes out there

 

I had two 954's, great bikes. Plenty of power for the road, really nimble and light, they weigh less than 170kg dry. That's a light bike!

Good nick, low mileage bikes are fetching strong money now. You might find a minter isn't much less than an 08.

If I remember correctly reg/recs could be an issue but the engines were fairly bulletproof.

 

Nah the 02 Red Black is quite clearly the fastest and best colour

 

Agree. I had a yellow and blue one after the red and black and it was that slow I traded it in for a black 05.

I have to say I never had the need for a steering damper on the 954, but I did move onto the first one from a 2001 R6. Now that was scary down the B roads without a damper, so maybe the Blade just felt a bit more stable in comparison.

 

I've done this exercise several times. I have the RR7s and kept thinking what a pretty bike the 954 was. Looked at a few in dealers, yello/black was really cute.
But... I honestly couldn't find anybody that had worked on both models

 

and who didn't say all around the SC57 is a much better made and designed bike.
I think a few bob spent developing the later bike is better spent than going back a generation, albeit the early bike is the prettier view.

 

Best blade I ever had and I had 7 different models. closely followed by the 1994 one with all the restrictions taken out of the exhaust system.

 

In my opinion having owned 2 954's and an 05 & 06 SC57, if I was in the market, I'd buy another 954 for the build quality alone. The SC57 for the 04/05 model year felt like it had lost it's way for me. It improved in 2006, but the 08 redesign started to get the bike back on track (no pun intended).