Been on the hunt for about 4 weeks or so so far and I'm finding price ranges seem to vary quite a bit and I'm getting bit confused. An 08-10 seems to be advertised anywhere between 4.5k - 7k, such a wide margin! The general consensus seems to be the '10 onwards is a better option due to some early ones having crank issues. I'm also very fussy, I've looked at a couple of 10's in budget, but the ones I've seen are a bit rough round the edges. Some people's idea of immaculate are allot different to mine! A 5hr round trip last weekend wasted by someone telling me the bike was 'immaculate, I won't be disappointed' only for me to get there and notice a significant scuffs on the engine case and fairing that don't colour match! This now makes me very wary of viewing bikes that 'seem to cheap', seen a '13 plate (low miles) advertised for 5.5k, surely that rings alarm bells!?!? I've only viewed 1 bike that I'm happy with condition wise, and I'm very tempted, but it's an 08, and he wants just over 5k for it, does this seem allot? Based on this I'd thought for a similar condition 10 I'd be paying over 6k, taking it out of my budget. The colour I like only is available on a 08-09 anyway, but that's a separate issue ;-)
Hi, it's fun but also a proper ballache bike shopping. I've had the same issues as you in the past, there is a big difference in perceptions of immaculate. My opinion would be ask for a panel by panel walkround of the bike, perhaps FaceTime so you can see it yourself. Also, ask here! I find enthusiasts (like us) will be far more critical, careful, and reliable than any old folk off of eBay or auto trader etc. What are you looking for exactly?
Yeah exactly, the missus isn't too happy with me disappearing all day, to then come back and say, 'that was a waste of time!' To be precise, I'm after an immaculate 08-10 blade, less than 15,000 miles, in either the dark red or black with gold wheels. Budget ideally less than £5.5k. Not really fussed about extra's either. Am I being too ambitious? I'm not that I'm worried about mileage myself, but I do quite a lot of miles, so don't want to end up with a bike in 2-3 years time with over 30,000, hence why I'm looking for low miler.
Hi mate, I'm on the same search too having been Blade-less for nearly 2 years now. If you go on Autotrader there are only 3 Blades 08-10 with less than 15,000 for under £5,5k If you can stretch up to £6k that goes up to 19. Exactly like you, I'm going to be riding in and out of London from Suffolk on it, so want low mileage because I could easily do 12,000 in a year. You occasionally see a nice private one for under £5.5k, but I think if you want immaculate (and why wouldn't you), its either higher miles for under £5.5k, or lower miles for £6k.
So the '08 I've found which is immaculate (in my mind), low miles, for just over £5k, doesn't sound like a bad price then? It's just an '08 not a '10. Exactly my thoughts, if I want a low miler immaculate '10 plate, I think I'm looking over £6k (from what I've seen so far in the flesh), and I just don't want to spend that much. I also find that the people who are selling these 'immaculate, low miler' bikes, don't let them go cheap, they seem to rather not sell them than give it away. I don't blame them tbh, i'd be like that too I think. I have a 675 Daytona which is spotless, if I ever decided to sell, I think I'd want a few hundred extra £ than it's probably technically worth, as I'd rather not sell it than let it go cheap.
There are so many variables. People talk about the market value of bikes but in reality no two bikes are the same. Mileage, service history, condition, extras, colour scheme, previous owners, tyre / chain condition, original parts included and more... every combination of these factors can affect the value / desirability of a bike. Personally I like to buy almost standard / lightly modified bikes as these are usually the ones that have had the easiest life. The right bike is worth the extra money IMO.
There's a couple of low mileage 10 and 11 plates showing on eBay just under the 6k mark with some 08 plates up around 5.5k. With an offer made, later bikes could be worth just a few hundred quid more if you're concerned about crank issues IMO.
I bought a 08 blade, I regret it. Not because it a bad bike, but i had to change the engine as mine suffered from crankshaft failure. I bought a 2013 engine and fitted this. Stay away from the 08 blades, if you are lucky and don't get one that is crankshaft faulty, you bet your ass that is gonna burn oil. I think the 10 plates are fine, but honestly, just get the 12. The shocks are so much better, better fairings, clocks with gear indicator etc.
Really that bad? Surely no matter what the make / bike is you'll find horror stories. I'd thought being a Honda, I know you never can say never, but it'll be the least likely bike to go wrong. Now I'm worried.
Not to worry you mate, just telling what my experience was. Plenty of people that never had crank issues with the 08 blade, or even oil burning. But, knowing what i know today, why risk it? For that extra piece of mind i would just spent a little bit more on something that was build properly.
I can't stretch that far at the moment, maybe in a couple of months. It's definitely food for thought though, I'm not as keen on that shape as much as the rounder headlights either that's the trouble. Head vs heart
I read somewhere on this forum that Honda fixed the crank problem in 2011. If you like the 08-11 look more than the 12+ i would go with a 11. Should be much cheaper than the 12 aswell, seeing as the 12 got upgrades.
i had a winning red 08 model. i loved that bike. never had any problems at all with it. then a good friend of mine bought it off me and he has still got it now with no problems at all. it still looks fantastic. not all the 08 where oil burners.
Does he want sell?!? Haha The owner of the one I'm looking at insists it hasn't burnt any oil in the time he's had it, which includes two euro trips.
I'm sure mate would take £6300 cash, Some nice extras, moto grafix, Puig screen, Tail tidy & short levers.
