2014 Blade

Just been reading about the new BMW HP4 and it got me thinking,as we know the blade usually get an overall every 2 years so do you think the 2014 Blade will get all the latest gizmo's? It doesn't do it for me, my Blade doesn't even have ABS because that's the way I like it but I can understand if Honda go for it.

 

There might be a situation where Honda Dont follow that style as it would push the cost up and maybe out of reach to loyal Honda followers .

 

......................however there is the other school of thought in that if they don't then peeps like me will defect.


I'd L O V E an HP4, tiz just money at the mo, however 3 years from now........................................

 

I think a basic blade then a bells and whistles all electronic version would work - just 2 models to decide from or something, not like the BM with optional this that the other depending on grade. I will be interested in which sold more in 2012 and which sells in greater numbers in 2013 too of the litre sports bikes that is.

 

At the moment the Fireblade outsells the s1000rr significantly but who knows the future? I can see them doing tc cos the vfr has it. Not sure they'll go with the electronic suspension cos that's some serious lolly. I wish they'd do some decent forged wheels for it.

 

the hp4 will retail at 16700 and 19350 for the top spec model, or you can pick up a brand new 2010 blade for 8795.

i think i would rather buy a new blade and throw 10k at it.

not saying i dont like the hp4 but you could have 1 very special blade for that kind of money

 

I saw the carbon HP4 in the flesh at a local BMW dealership.... It is gorgeous!!! But, £20k for a bike?! Hmmm... I'll stick with my 2012 blade thanks.

I reckon they'll be near on impossible to get hold of now as they're only building limited numbers, and according to the salesman (yes, I know, probably just salesman tactics) BMW has already taken too many deposits for the expected numbers

 

A mate rode the new not released BMW H4 with 220 Hp said is was awesome he loved it , out of the box he said it handled really nice on track , done everything you could ask for . in the next breath he said if the japs dont lift there game the BMW will rule the track .

as for road who gives a toss roads are for cars :-}}

 

i dont like it personally (the look, sure its awesome to ride) too much carbon etc and thought it looked a bit tacky - like some powerbronze show case lol... but you cant get them till 2014 now even if you put a deposit down today. (apparently)

edit - i think i was looking at the HP4 carbon at the show?

i actually preferred the standard RR on the stand.

 

2012 Blade will be my last Superbike and I reckon will get me through the rest of my riding days. I love the fact you just get on it and ride it, it has superb Handling, amazing mid range, comfortable for a superbike and typical Honda fit and finish.

I ride on the road and so really any bike in the last 20 years has enough power for me, they have just got easier to ride faster, even for average riders like myself. It may well be the last of a dying breed.

Things move on, I accept that and things like ABS and traction control might stop you binning your bike and thats no bad thing. But the way I ride and the fact I have ridden all my days without the gizzmos I am happy to continue to do so and was part of why I bought the Blade

Total Control - Might still be worth holding onto.

 

Just like the out-of-reach for the normal person top spec Ducati's when they're released, the BM will be a second hand, low mileage, half price trinket in a few years time.

 

My finance runs out in 2014 so I'm waiting to see why happens

 

So is the 2014 Blade going to be a completely new model and not just a tart up?

 

I would have thought so.

The 2013 model is the same as the 2012 model bar paint
The 2012 is the same as the 2008-2011 bar better shox and a snazzy LCD dash

They can't drag it out another year without a significant revamp otherwise it'll effect sales.

I reckon you can count on another 15-20 bhp
Traction control
Standard ABS
Diff Map/power settings for diff conditions plus a Track setting which may switch off ABS & Traction possibly
Possibly some sort of Active suspension as well but that's less likely as someones already pointed out due to target pricing points unless they bring out a 'Cooking' version and a BMW/Ducati/Aprilia/MV Augusta competitor?

 

Dave Hancock implied that we'll be seeing a new model. I for one hope (and trust Honda) that they'll do their own thing and wont add on unnecessary gimicks.

 

I appreciate your point of view but as I get older I am starting to appreciate technology more and more when it gives your life a little helping hand.

I wonder where would we be if everyone had poo pood the fella that grunted ‘ Hey look what happens when you rub these two sticks together’

Those that like steak tartar, that’s just fine with me but I want my steak cooked thanks for asking.

 

Horses for courses freedom!!

Personally, I think before you can lay the bricks, you should learn to carry them!! We all need an apprenticeship... And if every bike we ride from day one has all the gizmos doing it for us, we will never master the art of riding in the first place and it simply softens our skills.

We all become worse riders for technology doing it for us, no matter how safer it might be.

I'm no Rossi, but I credit my riding on doing a proper learning curve, 400, 600, 1000 and not an Eletronic aid owned... Yeah I've binned a couple of bikes, but that's been down to being a knob, not lack of skills or a missing computer that could have saved the day.

Who knows, when I get older, I might appreciate them lol

 

If it is a "New" blade that is coming out, and it does what it does best in being the most usable bike out there with enough excitement, then I will find it hard to say no to a new blade.

I thought long and hard about buying a new bike in the last week or so, but decided I would wait to see if Honda brought out a new 1.

 

I do love all the hype though... Then all they change is the headlights! Lol

I'm gagging to see the triple r1 (If they ever do it) that would be one seriously brave move to take...