Yes very disappointing.. I think I would have bought a new blade this year if it was a new bike.. Whats the point of buying what is really an 08 bike... I would rather buy an 2010 or something and spend a few grand on it.
As a road going superbike you'd have to admit it's still king, as a BSB bike it also seems to be king (TT), old or not it still wins "some" of the time. Tbh I'm not sure what to think, don't forget Honda has stuff going on ATM with the CRT race bike and the new V4. They make small steps until they get something worth doing then pop...new superbike... question is when and what. I'm a fan of upgrade over trade and you can get what you want. The SP maybe a higher spec bike but all joking aside it's still standard. Guess you could say the same about high end bikes but in my experience even those need money spending on them. Getting upgrades to work is the key.
We all know the Blade is a great road bike already so if it's not broke don't fix it. So I think Honda have done OK with upgrading the suspension and brakes and added a bit more power, ok still no sign of electronic wizardry (which is a good thing for me) but to revise the bit's that can make the most difference to the average rider is good. Not a fan of the ABS nappy but I like it, does it come in black.
You might as well buy the standard ABS and spend a little on tuning, brakes and uprated suspension..... Oh hang on a minute, isn't that what just about all Blade owners do anyway?
Arthur, at 180 kg is that dry weight ? as wet weight on current bikes is about 199 Kg I think and I can't believe they could have shed 19Kg.
I'd guess dry, they like to fake the figures....lol Even the Superleggera is quoted wet.........without fuel.....wtf?
SuperBike weighs the bikes they test , ready to ride , full tanks ...... Blade was 203 kg ps. mine is 186 kg
I think it looks great!! BUT I don't think I would trade it in for my Blade at the minute. The Blade is a great bike BUT if Honda don't do something VERY soon they are going to be even further behind the other big boys!!
so uk vrs usa pricing 2013 blade £11600 - $13800 2013 ABS blade £12200 - $14800 2014 sp £ ? - $17000(reported by some honda dealers) if keeping with their usual pricing that would put it around £15000 ? thats near panigale base price
Yeah get where your coming from guys its a great bike! But its just getting a little long in the tooth now surely that cant be deigned? I bet Jonny Rea isnt happy hehe Blade SP or Panigale... Know which I would rather have!!
Like every year there is always an air of disapointment but bet when we see it for the first time in the flesh we will all want one. Only downside for me at the moment is - 1, the ABS 2, that single seat attachment looks like something non oem off ebay. Apart from that its thumbs up
Its got Honda abs as standard to!! Fook that ill stick with me bog standard blade Alrite having Brembo n ohlins, but if ur gonna run into the back of a Ford focus cus abs has failed ( again ) wots the point?? And surely they cud have out an after market race can on aswell?? And that 1kg of weight loss will be off set by the gut buster fry ups bikers have on a sunday morning ride out
I like it. It's just what I'd do to mine to upgrade it (except the ABS) And remember when you are comparing it to the base model panigale, that bike has Marzocchi and Sachs suspension. You have to pay £20k for the ohlins shod one. It even goes to show that those HRC's have always had a higher spec engine
I quite like that! The only thing I'd want to change would be the exhaust, it really lets the bike down! Why can't manufacturers come up with a sexy pipe as standard? MV Augusta managed to do it!
Yes it's not 'After Market' Sexy but the Blades standard Zorst is the best looking of the Jap 4 Superbikes IMHO.
no ohlins but it does come with 194hp,quick shifter,selectable maps,selectable level traction control and abs, adjustable engine brake and brembo's...not much more when you think about it lol
