Looking to change my 13 plate blade. Should I go with the 2017 Blade (had reasonable trade in offer for mine against a Matt black one with the quickshifter) or should I go a different direction and get a 1199s (nice one available close to home but wont be around for long). All opinions read..... but not necessarily listened to
The new Blade is a marketing disaster. Honda must wonder how much worse can it get. They will be discounted deeply. Better still, right now don't invest in any new bike unless you have no interest in the money or are desperate. Choose an investment, delay the urge. I believe this time next year you'll then have the means to buy what you really want. A new Blade will be a terrible investment come the day it joins the used market. Guy Martin nailed it, it's a Jonah. Maybe not completely fair but it's your money and Guy's right.
You cannot compare the bike Guy rode with the road bike, he just didn't like it cos he found a false neutral, and he was way off the pace. The latter being him not the bike. Jason Ohalaran and Dan lindfoot who have done by far the most race miles have not had any problems, and they really rate the bike. And as they are coming from a far better position to comment than Guy Martin I'd take their word over Guy's If I were you Zanshin I would have a good long test ride and make your own mind up rather than listen to feedback on forums or social media from people who probably haven't even ridden one.
I have had mine less than a week (sp model) but covered 450 miles and this is my view on it so far: Handling - very light agile and handles lovely through the twisties change of direction is fluid . Power - still running in but the delivery is so smooth , my previous bike was an R1M which felt grunty but the throttle was all over the place this just feels silky smooth Suspension - this is where the bike comes into its own I really rate the suspension I would say its pretty much perfect So far I have only taken it out on the roads but have a track day booked on it in 2 weeks so will let you know what I think then !
Why are you still running in at 450 miles Mark ? manual says 300 miles. But i agree with your comments, cant comment on the ohlins suspension as I have the standard blade (with QS) but i set it up correctly and the handling is superb, I have been on track and it is very good.
When I spoke to the dealers they said it didn't matter about going over it's in next Tuesday for service
So do Suzuki not want you to compare the showroom GSX with Dunlop's? Isn't that why Honda races the Blade? It's pretty unfair to criticise Martin or McGuinness. Both riders told the truth before Twelvetrees and Honda produced the contract and told them to shut up. Martin's gearbox failed and McGuinness had a stuck throttle. They are not liars or cowards, or 'off the pace'. Before it nearly killed both of them, it was publicly admitted, it was the bike that was miles off the pace. No, I haven't riden a new Blade, nor have I had the pleasure of eC-ABS version either. Honda tell lies, and like other manufacturers occasionally sell poorly developed bikes. That's the truth, sadly.
I never said or implied that either Martin or McGuinness were liars or cowards and its a fact that Guy was off the pace after his lay off, he competed at some other races on other bikes and was well off the pace. And you really Think Guy Martin would do as he's told ? you really know that for a fact ? I think he told the truth and was admitting it just might have been him not the bike. John Mcguiness had a throttle stick yes, but he's not the first, and its highly unlikely the race bikes have the same throttle, the BSB bikes have the RC213V throttle. Now thats a fact !!! And why would you seriously compare a £100,000 race bike with a road going model costing £15,000, - £19,000 they are chalk and cheese but if you really want to compare, Dunlops GSXR broke down in the first race and Hutch'y BMW nearly killed him, but don't hear anyone harping on about that. In BSB 2 podiums at Snetterton and ahead of the BMW's and Kawasaki's so lets compare that, hardly off the pace there are they ?
Both John and Guy are under contract and have no freedom to continually undermine their employer. Any other pro would agree, they've dropped the hints for those who care to listen, and now you get back on message. My post was to express an opinion of swopping a solidly priced, well regarded, used bike for a new one that Honda just cannot shift without discounting. In my opinion, the Blade needs a relaunch next year, and by then the market for litre toys will be very tight indeed. Obviously you have a lot of money and emotion invested in yours. My advice to the OP remains, invest your money over the summer and do not buy any new litre bike.
No emotion mate its a bike and its only money and i'm not short of either, It just makes me laugh when people make an opinion based on hearsay and guesswork without substantiated facts. I speak as I find and from a more informed position I had a test ride on all the alternatives before deciding which one to buy. And i'm in a position to review the bike on real world use, not from bullshit on social media. So my recommendation to the OP still stands, don't listen to the bullshit just test ride one and see for yourself.
Wow...... and I thought the fact I was considering a Ducati would be the controversial part of my post.... had no idea there was such mixed feelings on the 2017 Blade. Unfortunately the bike I'm looking at is about 300 miles away so no test ride opportunity and may not find the time to try one out more locally before this one is sold.
Strange that the bad feeling seems to come from those that haven't ridden one. If you are used to a blade I'll be surprised if you could live with a Ducati, I certainly could not.
Hi zanshin on the Ducati front I have ridden a 1199s and you have to be in the mood the power deliver is like a mental Moto crosser hence a lot of its issues were smoothed out on the 1299s ....also a new Ducati v4 superbike is on the way so the last of the twin could de value or indeed may hold at some point.....no doubt you will get more emotion from the deep red paintwork but if it was me I would wait until next year new zx10r s1000rr on the cards also I think the aprilla is worth a ride...looks like a proper superbike should I am afraid for me the blade is good at all things but still a bit bland..front looks to small...I am back from saudi next wk and am going to ride them all including the GSXR 1000r.....I would do the same and decide for yourself what makes your heart go boom!
Unfortunately the bike I'm looking at is about 300 miles away so no test ride opportunity and may not find the time to try one out more locally before this one is sold.[/QUOTE] Just thought I'd through my two pennies worth in.... Long test ride sounds like a very good idea. In regards to it selling... another one will soon become available. Buy in haste, repent at leisure.
having done 800 mile on my sp cant fault it crescent honda have sold about 15 standad and 4 sp and could sell more if they had them so seem to still be selling ok
I think most can see past the bad publicity from the Northwest and TT My local dealer sold out quite quickly.
@Gaffa22 if you can't compare the new blade to what Guy rode why do you keep mentioning the BSB bikes and riders? They are as equally far removed from the road bike. The main thing I think Honda have got wrong is the price. £19k for an SP is just daft. Nearly £16k for a standard blade with quickshifter!? I paid 10k for a brand new, 0 miles outgoing non-ABS repsol. Is the 2017 standard bike 60% better? Is the SP 90% better!? I don't need to ride one to know the answer to that.
Just had a summer offer from my local dealer (think it's probably nationwide though) offering the SP on 5 year interest free, presumably you could wangle the PCP contribution in as well. Can't say I've ever seen a 5 year deal on a car let alone a bike.
