The Suzuki K8/9 are great bikes but not as good as K5/6 they went backwards in design ! They fetch the same money my £4000 would go on a K5/6 although another £1500 on top of your 4000 English pounds will get you a 2009/2010 fireblade which is money better spent
Don't be nervous, they are a brilliant bike but not as sorted as the one's before or after without modifying they just got a little strangled by emmissions. I got my RR9 for £5500 in February (it just needed a few little jobs doing on it to get it up to spec). @Voleracing I had a K3 too, awesome tool! Ended up like this!
@exuptoy Looks like im always one model year behind you on the Suzuki scene Btw Suzuki do not crash well Take care
Sorry @f1nn, we hijacked your thread. Bike looks stunning and I for one, am very envious! Enjoy fella.
Ive had K1, K3, K5 and K7 (Isle of Man Ltd Edition) and was moderator for the very popular forum Gixxerjunkies. Yes the K7 on was strangled but removal of the heavy and restrictive exhaust system and properly set up made them a better bike than the previuos models without question (including the K5) Mechnically they are all excellent save for some elctrical gremlins, and badly routed harnesses. The finish however does leave a lot to be desired so you really have to keep on top of them..
It's interesting isn't it, the love of the K5/K6 and I'm sure it's a great bike. The K7/K8 was criticised at launch as it gained a little bit of weight, due to the twin exhausts and emissions gear and they increased the power, but moved it up the Rev range. The k7 is 7bhp up on the K5 but makes its 1000rpm higher. Non of that bothered me, as the bike was always going to be decatted and fitted with a power commander, so to be fair I'd not expect much difference, to the "legendary" K5/K6, after all it's the same engine basically. The power modes are unnecessary, and are never used on my bike, but essentially, A mode is the full monty, B mode is softened up to 50% throttle, then the full monty from there onwards, C mode is castrated everywhere, but interestingly is still more powerfull than a 600 with far more torque. As I've said above, standard bike vs standard bike I'd say the 2008 onwards blade is a better bike, but I feel the GSXR suits my riding on the road more.
All good information guys. Beckers, you say the finish leaves a little to be desired, can you elaborate please? If I'm going to view, I would like to go armed with as much info as possible. As for twin exhausts, I bet they sound amazing, sod the weight, first thing I'll be doing is banging a pair of Akra's on it.....that's if I don't buy a blade lol
It's true that the standard cat and twin exhausts weighed a tonne, but replace them with a pair a carbon Akras and the Decat Y piece and you've lost most of that weight. Some people don't like the twin exhaust set up, but I think it sets the bike apart. if one carbon Akra is good, two must be better right?
@f1nn & @Beckers as I said earlier a sorted K7 is an animal and most owners will replace the exhaust and get it set up anyway, but in standard form it needs work. The K5 is seen by many as the best (mainly previous owners) and I think there can be a little of the rose tined vision where that's concerned, so please don't take humbridge regarding my slagging them off because I'm not. Just saying they need work to get the best out of it. My K5 was running 2010 Blade Monoblocks calipers and the difference was night and day, but when I took out a 14 bike with BP forks, I got back on the K5 and within 500yds I'd stopped to see if I'd had a puncture!!! I have told anyone who'll listen that the 09 Blade I now have is a better bike than my K5 but it's all my personal opinion. My Blade with a 12 rear shock is better again, but let's face it ANY litre bike is too much for the road. End of! Buy what you can afford and enjoy it.
Hi just a heads up if you junk the cans on gsxr k7/8 you dont need a power commander the man with a dyno can remap your oe ecu
I wondered if that was you Dave on the Aprilia forum, I've booked a test ride on a new RSV4 at Via moto....looking forward to see how you find the prilla.
Forum tart me mate....bit agricultural low down but once she picks up jeez steers like a laser and so light, brakes top drawer as well.
http://www.wheelsmotorcycles.co.uk/aprilia/new-aprilia/bikes/Road/apr109rsv4rr2015.htm have somehow managed to secure some RRs these wernt supposed to be coming to the UK just the RFs
Wow....looks like I might be travelling to Peterborough 3k cheaper than Via Moto! I would never had paid the sticker price at Via, but I would never of had the balls to offer 3k less! I don't want to get too carried away until I've had a test ride but cheers for that Dave.
The RFs are virtually the same price from both dealers Ohlins/light wheels adjustable engine/swingarm mounts the RRs are lower spec which were not supposed to be coming to this country.
