Evening all, It's been a while since I last visited the site. Only because of selling my 2008 RR8 when my son came along (miss that bike!) However, I'm missing two wheels, and now find myself back in the hunt for a new bike, with 'Er indoors' permission lol. My criteria has changed and now a new bike, will need to commute me to work (41 miles) each way. My shortlist of bikes are of 3. 2019 Blade 2016 SP Or 2017 S1000R Sport. I haven't yet test driven any of these, due to Covid, but at 42 years old, will a blade hurt me on an infrequent commute into London, and have Honda ironed out their dreaded ABS faults/issues that have dogged the bike in recent times? Your thoughts are appreciated. Cheers. Wayne.
My 2 pence, I’d say none of those are suitable for a 40 mile commute into London. I had a 2010 blade which I used for the occasional spin into work (50 mile commute into Zone 1 London). On a good day it was ok, but slow speed filtering and constant stop/start with the riding position was miserable. For a litre bike, the fuel economy was actually quite reasonable though to it’s credit. Before I PX’d the blade, I used it for about 3 months solid of commuting (PX’ing October last year) and as much as I loved the bike, I was happy to pick up something more suitable for the job (an NC750X DCT) - now I’m not saying that’s what you should go for, but for commuting purposes, I’ve not looked back. I gather that you’ll want more than 54BHP, plenty of other options out there. Personally I’d go for something like a Yamaha MT09. Modern naked bikes are a hoon to ride and have usable power for the roads. I had a bad experience with my 2015 S1000R (2 breakdowns in 162 miles) and for me, I will never buy a European bike again unless I’m rich and it’s purely a toy. The servicing costs from BMW are ridiculous, and the bike is effectively just the S1000RR with some fairing removed and a straight bar added. It’s still very much a sportbike position. I’m not sure if they sorted out the vibey bars either. I got a refund on mine after said 162 miles and bought an MT10 SP. awesome bike, but thirsty as hell and perhaps not the best choice. £15 a day petrol.....
That's definitely my feeling about European bikes too; experience has taught me that they're wonderful fun, but not something to rely upon unless one has very deep pockets and doesn't mind it needing to spend plenty of unexpected time in the shop. As for commuting into London on a blade; I did so daily for many years on a heavily modified 2008 (although I always had a separate winter hack, something like VFR 750 being perfect) and I never found it hard on me (in fact I loved it very much - it was the best part of my day). Naked bikes are great in the city, but I don't like them at speed, or for any stretch of motorway. Personally, if I could only have one bike in my stable, it would always be something with a full fairing. I can only consider a naked after that. Long story short, I think you'll be fine with any on your list for the ride itself, but I would chose the SP because it is the most special on your shortlist. Honda have definitely sorted their ABS issue by switching to Bosch hardware, but I'm not sure what year and how many were replaced/etc; someone else here will definitely know more on that front. Good luck mate, exciting times for you!!
Cheers everyone for your input so far. Very interesting views and opinions. I have been told that BMW servicing is expensive, so they needs to be factored in I guess. I perhaps should clarify, that my commute in to London, won't be everyday. I work shift work, so It will maybe be 3 days in a 7 day pattern. Filtering on a naked bike will be harder due to the straight bars I think too. But aside from the commute, and being my only bike, it will need to be nice to go for a day off ride out too. My old blade did both perfectly, and fitted my needs back then, but that was once in a blue moon ride to work of 30 miles. Nothing like what I will ask of it, this time, if I plunge for another one. But, my view is upright riding doesn't do a sports bike any favours. A Fireblade is a great bike. But the dreaded ABS issues are what are concerning me. I'm not a Suzuki fan, and haven't considered a Yam.
Having had numerous Blades my opinion maybe a little bias, I'd personally go for the 2019 blade as the electronics allow for more control over anti-wheelie than the 2017 on I had which proved a handful out on track but powerful, great handling bike and mile different to the 2008 Blade you had, happy hunting.
I'm kinda agreeing with the newer bike. Due to being from an up to date set up, better rider modes, and given on occasion it will be ridden in nasty winter weather and rain, the modes may prove necessary. It will need to be comfortable overall. Reviews I've seen on YT have all said the newer bike is comfy. So maybe a newer blade is a better option. Would need to ride one though first.
When I got my S1000R from Park Lane in 2017, they charged £100 an hour labour at the time. I'd expect it to have increased since then..... Regarding sports bike vs naked bike practicalities. I guess I am bias as I have always ridden naked/upright bikes. The blade being my first (and only) sports bike and I did relatively low miles (8000 miles in just over 2 years) I have never really found an issue with filtering on a naked bike. Occasionally in a very tight spot you might have to wriggle the bars left and right in order to get past without knocking someone's mirrors. The slimmer profile of a sports bike of course is an advantage, but then you have to fold mirrors in/out. Of course it's what you're happy to do as well. I've seen gaps which I've judged as being too small for me to filter through only for someone else to zip through effortlessly. I definitely find an upright position much more comfortable than the sports bike (which is probably why I was miserable commuting on the blade).
MT-10 SP - except for its raging thirst as mentioned by @Empty_Ten and the fuel gauge goes straight from Full to 1/2 empty in one stop I test rode the MT-09 yesterday. Nice little bike - just felt quite upright and small and light bike. Very capable but feels like a little bike. I would get the Suzuki GSX-S1000. £10,999 on the road. The K5 engine is very road user friendly. They put a bigger fuel tank on it - 2 litres bigger than the outgoing model. So decent tank range. I think it looks ace. It will go like stink that's for sure. Might even be able to get a throw over bag on it - I did with my old "F" model.
Was it the 2021 MT09 you tested Mattie? Standard bike or SP? Got anymore thoughts about it? I'm thinking of changing my winter/work bike (1998 VFR800) for something new. 2021 MT09 SP or Street Triple RS are top of the list at present.
Having never been a Suzuki fan, I've never looked at offerings from them. That bike looks comfy though, I have to say. Not to dis-similar from the Z1000SX in appearance. A few mates at work, have these and rave about them too.
Can only add my own experience, commuted into London on bikes for over 40 years, did 19 years on various Blades 12 months a year all weathers, perfect commuter IMO, occasionally bought a winter hack, then always realised what’s the point of being on a bucket of shite, when I’ve already knocked the life out of the Blade redisual wise with the high mileage, so always ended up back on the Blade, and I can say without any BS, hacking down a motorway at dead of the night hours on a fully faired bike when it’s sub zero beats any sit up and beg naked bike yet invented. As usual the only hassle with London commuting is theft and all the other wankers on the road, as long as you have secure parking it’s OK.
Tested the ordinary 2021 MT-09, not looking to buy one - but was up and the dealership and they told me to take it for a spin. The "commuting" aspect seems to be taking over the argument - in my head Quite interested in low speed speed throttle response with these Euro emissions bikes, because that can vary quite a lot for different bikes. How they trundle along at < 25 mph. It did hunt a little bit at a certain rev but nothing to worry about. Overall that was ok. Nice clocks, quickshifter, very light clutch, lots of go. Didn't really have a chance to try the brakes other than I do remember they did not come all the way back to the handlebar - so must have been alright ! Compared to my Monster the MT-09 feels a lighter smaller bike. The siting position is more upright, the foot pegs lower and the bars seem narrower and closer - perfectly OK. Seriously, would not mind this one for touring duties - even over the SP model - nicer colour IMHO. I am sure it will come with a socket to plug in electric thermal jackets or heated grips - even my Monster has a USB socket . Nice red colour so everyone can see you coming - (maybe )
Rode the standard 2021 MT-09 (not the tracer). Never ridden a Tracer. Sorry if I have confused things.
Thanks for the input. It's a good point, with the fairing aspect. In think I'm swaying towards another blade. My mate with an S1000R has told me, that upkeep is pricey, but his is a Sunday only bike, so doesn't put miles on it. Mine would be different. I'm going to go back to what I know I think. A new blade does look really nice, in either red or black. Don't need an SP version. Standard bike would do just fine. Colchester Kawasaki have 2 in stock at the moment. In both colours.
since 2008 the RR has gone from best the best litre road sportsbike to more trace focused bike. the biggest problem for me is the reach to the handle bar and resting on it being painful on my wrist in stop & go traffic. the next negative is the clunck & jerk when engaging first from neutral when the lights go green. last is my burning bum which gets BBQ'ed in warm weather If you can cope with these, then another blade is on the card but bear in mind unlike the original 2008, the new engine has gone chasing revs in preference to midrange. Only a test ride will tell you. I have also read about europenan bikes being unreliable compared to the japs. How about CRB 650F??
