I have to disagree with your there Peter. Recently had an accident on my SP and one fork alone was £2000+VAT so I'm having Ohlins UK fit a new upper fork tube and that's going to cost nearly 500 notes :-(
i find that hard to beleive if i'm honest.i think the only time Honda blew the competion away was when they first released the fireblade.whatever honda are planniong on bringing out in 2016,pretty sure the other class leaders will match,if not (as as happened these last 4/5/6 yrs) surpass it. just my opinion mind,but they are so far behind in terms of power/electronics that the others will just keep ,moving ahead
It is amazing that Honda have survived as a motorcycle manufacturer and been so successful as they obviously in some peoples minds have not got a clue about what motorcyclists want.
People always want the next big/best thing! Japan has suffered with recession more so than us and that's been reflected in the updates of bikes, yamaha R1 hasn't changed since about 2004 in looks big bang engine aside. Suzuki hasn't really changed their bikes for a good few years either. So it been the European makers that have driven the market for a bit and the japs are playing catch up, guess honda are making sure the recoup development costs before releasing the next big thing
I agree SPS there are many people that want the next best thing, it is what marketing is all about, making people want a product.' Best' though is often a matter of personal opinion or best for a specific function/need/want etc. I just happen to think that Honda are not stupid and do not personally see that not making bikes with masses of rider aids is a flawed philosophy. Not everyone wants them and if people do then they can buy from a manufacturer that supplies what they want. I understand that people who race will want to compete on at least an even level or with a techno/power advantage, but this sector is relatively small compared to the rest of motorbike users. Honda IMO are a quality company and know more about what they are doing than laymen. I think it's simple really, if the Blade doesn't fit what someone wants, then buy something else, bitching about it seems pretty pointless to me.
Brilliant comment exfire!! One thing I cannot do is fault the Fireblade, if anything I really am a techno phobic and scared to death of all these aids that come with modern Superbikes. Honda do very well in the KISS, keep it simple stupid!! I started this post but who would really like a BMW/Ducati/Aprilia superbike once the warranty runs out? Imagine saying to the wife this time of year that you are spending £2k on your bike because it has an electrical fault!!
don't think anyones saying,but if your saying they are not falling behind in the litre class (which is what we are talking about after all) then those blinkers you wear are far too restrictive. Honda make great bikes theres no argument there,but are very stagnant,a great name will only last so long before people move on to the next generation,which like it or not,is more power and more electronic aids. the buzz around the biking community about the new R1M is a perfect example of this,you don't get that when Honda release a new colour scheme for it's 7 year old blade do you?
Scooby we all know your views about Honda and the fact you love having rider aids to make you be able to ride faster Not blinkered at all, you think rider aids are the be all and end all and IMO they are not, purely a difference of opinion. Racers are a small portion of the motorcycling world and some people, like myself like to ride a bike without rider aids, it is that simple. Just because someone races a bike it does not make them an authority on what is 'best' nor does it mean they are a better rider than someone else. Road riding is my thing, with all the risks that entails and all the skills it requires to keep safe and without any rider aids
Ok it's prob upset some people here but this is how I see it, yes some bikes have extras etc for example bm has quick shifter etc as standard however most People I know with one changed the shifter as it was crap lol So your still spending the same money upgrading it. Plus I have really enjoyed modifying my bike and have learnt a lot by doing it
IMO there are some great bikes out there and if I had the money I would probably buy one of each, even if they did have rider aids because I love bikes. The MV, Ducati and Aprilia I would buy on looks alone, the BMW and Kwak for top end power and the Gixer because they sound great and look ace in white/blue. I do not think that any of the thous are bad bikes, its a simple case of buy what you want, if you like it you keep it, if not buy something else or buy a bike and mod it to become what you want. I rate Hondas, but that has not stopped me from changing the exhaust system, wheels, brake system etc etc and adding other things I like. I just do not understand this 'falling behind' mindset unless specifically aimed at high level racing and lets face it, some people would be faster than some of us even if they were on a 600. For many of us on the forum, the Fireblade suits us and if it doesn't then we can buy something else...........simples. Personally think the SP is awesome btw.
I used to work for Nokia and met mobile designers etc. who stated that touchscreens would never take off and people would never accept a phone that needed to be charged every day like they did back in the 90s. World class industry leading company that dominated the market for years. Just took their eye off the ball for a little too long. I wonder if Honda are at risk of doing the same?
I,m a repsol man but do love the look of the sp and the exclusivity that comes with it. However don't like the proposed look of the repsol sp colour wise. For me the most perfect bike would have been Jamie's 2013 repsol with the ohlins he had on it. That was a fine looking machine.
