Hello to all. I just bought a 2006 Blade, on a whim, while in Ireland with a week to kill. The idea was to spend a few days riding around the island. Something I'd wanted to do for years but never found the time. I spent hours on the phone trying to insure it and ended up spending £220 for FOUR DAYS coverage. Sadly, the charging system was f***ed so the trip never happened. It's a pretty bike, in great condition, so I kept it. Plan is to get it fixed and take it to the IOM for the TT next year, then a European trip across the Alps. It ran beautifully until the battery died The seller told me not to buy it but to go for something like a Multistrada instead Anyhow... now I have a Blade to play on when I go home! Other bikes are... 2022 Aprilia RSV4 Factory, my retirement present to myself. Bought as NOS a few months ago. Only 700 miles on it so far but mama it is a blast. 2009 Triumph Bonneville. Bought last year with <200 miles, now has c. 2K. 2001 Yamaha FZ1 (Fazer Thou). Bought in 2003 with 6K and recently retired it, at least temporarily, due to an engine knock at 67K. An absolutely brilliant bike that does everything from commute to tour two up to track days. Dyno'ed 130 BHP at the wheel. 2007 Ducati 1098. Also, sadly, laid up with no compression in the vertical cylinder. Bought new, c. 17K when it let go. Rigourously serviced at the dealership too! It is a work of art though. 2003 Kawasaki 636. Dedicated track bike. Very low but unknown mileage. 2006 Vespa LX150. Great little bike for running to work or to the shops. 2015 (I think) Vespa GTV300. My son's bike, but I have it in my garage. Far quicker, and heavier, than the LX but a great and stylish machine. That's it for my bike life. I'm really looking forward to the Blade. Will have to get a UK bike licence. That's a bloody ordeal! Not saying that it should be a multiple choice test with no riding component like it was in Alabama, but the process is ridiculous in the UK. Jim M.
Welcome! Plenty of people have toured on blades. May not be as practical as an adventure type bike, but then again on a blade you don't have to be an ignorant bike ignoring multiple pannier multiple badly aimed blinding touratech light stuck up twat
I've briefly ridden big adv bikes but just can't get on with them. And I've toured on the Ducati with a huge tank bag. The Blade will be a luxury by comparison
