These have really caught my eye lately and am seriously thinking about buying one, does anyone have any experience of these, if so, what are they like? I have read a few reviews and generally people love them.
Ive read the early ones have gear box troubles, not a smooth gear change. Think its worth paying more for the R version, Ive seen they are offering great deals on the 2012 models for 10k new!
My friend has bought one in the last six weeks. Very adjustable and a bit marmite looks wise. I personally love the angular lines but some hate it. The one thing most owners agree on is that they are massive fun to ride compared to most litre sports bikes. I think the servicing costs a little more as does parts but that's to be expected. They also use oil as a coolant for the cylinders spraying a mist on the underside (i think thats what the mechanic said) so expect to use roughly a litre per 1k miles. My mate keeps offering me a ride but as much as I want to I hate riding other people's bikes just in case....
I would have had one recently (Rocket centre) but as much as I like most of it but the front headlight length does me in !but by all accounts a great bike and very good value for money.
My mate got a cracking deal on the R and a good part ex on his gixxer. I do agree with Givover tho, the only one thing I'm not keen on is the headlight which reminds me of a horses face
I know a bit about them Race Easy to work on, cheap to service IMO, great to ride.. The old R is higher spec than the new and the new R is a low budget ver that now replaces the old base model. Had an old R on load for near two weeks, would love to say it was crap but I loved it and did not want to give it back, one of the best road superbikes Ive ridden!
A lad I work offshore with has just bought one in the red bull colour scheme but with out the red bull stickers, he loves the bike he's only had a 2 weeks and already spent ££££ on acra headers and exhaust....
Had one of the first RC8's and the bike was lovely to ride apart from the very sensitive throttle, you had to slip the clutch on roundabouts etc. different throttle tube and remap helped. The newer ones are much better though. The gearbox was just a mod which was external not a full gearbox out job. Needed a different Star shaped cog or something. Suspension., comfort , brakes and engine was great, sounded good with the full Akra As well. Bargain at £10k for a brand new 'R' model, they look lovely with the orange frame. Mine was a full Red Bull paint job, looked stunning.
Looks lovely that mate. Very nice .... Few of the lads have them that come out with us and on the whole love them... some have had issues which are well documented but they se to be getting better each year with upgrades etc. Also say the early models are a bit down on power compared to other 1000cc IL4's that are out in our group, but the new 2013r is putting out 175bhp isn't it? Bet that is some bike.
In Fastbike last month they did a 1000 shootout and they rated the new RC8R has a slipper clutch which the older models didnt. But did only make 150 bhp on the dyno so down a bit on the quoted power, 2013 blade made 163 I think on the same dyno. I would seriously consider one if I was in the market for a new bike, but think a new model is due very soon
Been in that group too Jimbo,good bunch of lads who ride well.The big lad rides his very well, keeping with the main group even though down on horses...Must be the bling on em,they are cool looking bikes.
Yeah kevs is nice, on straight line speed he suffers when proper pinning it but in the corners he can hold his own
RC8 round brands pulls 49.2 (base model RC8 134ish bhp) on a good day vs a superstock 1000 on a 47.7 (2009 R1).. personally Id say the RC8 could pull away on a good twisty road ***, as a matter of a fact I know so That said I ride a Fireblade.....lol (but should anyone want to loan me another I wont say no!) *** disclaimer:- poster has eaten rather a lot of cake, cake has 3" deep frosted icing so maybe a little hyper! Poster is rather sensitive to sugar!!
hmmm, not sure i'd agree with that mate, evenly matched riders, think the blade is plush enough to deal with corners and has way more poke comng out and on the straighter stuff leaves them behind. i'd say blade wins seen them pitched against the blades / r1's / zx10 etc a few times and reg the outcome, and a good spread of riders to say your not comparing riders but talking bikes lol then i havent riden one, but want too.... and everything is sooo subjective that the above statement means nothing, but is my personal opinion lol
You could look at 2013 times for a blade, same time of year (similar bright/dry - others were overcast/dry) BUT there is only ONE!!! and its a DNF overall but best time was 48.1.
Jimbo, blade forum so blade wins....lol I ride a blade so blade wins....lol YOU would have to try one mate, if you sell the blade for it, rc8 wins....lol **** disclaimer added for Jimbo
