Yes, Paulo. That was one of my concerns and priorities when viewing and sitting on the bike. I am not a short-ass, but at 5'9" do not share your 'Gigantor' status. I'd actually remarked to the salesman that despite being so much higher than the Blade, it felt about the same on touchdown. Certainly bamboozled me, but I guess one inch might be more negligible than I thought. I think I'd commented that the 'rider's triangle' seemed the same. All academic now. Pending price, I'm gunna get me a new Blade.
May I suggest waiting until you see how it gets on at the races - like the North West or even the TT ?
I agree Mattie, Also wait for the "New Model" defects to get sorted, I was lucky with my 17 blade other than the false neutrals, but I know lots had issues with the throttle. I'd very wary of buying a new model now.
Yes, you can suggest it. But I won't listen. We should not base our buying decisions on the events of the aforementioned race catastrophes because those bikes were so so radically changed from the street/production version. Remember, I have one of those very production bikes, and despite my not taking it to the extremes of road racing, I have never encountered one problem at all. It is fair to say that I pledge confidence (overconfidence?) to Honda's product, and I have no fear, or reservations, about placing my order, which I intend to do tomorrow morning. True, and I do like the R1. But I have always said that if the new Honda is no more than a new paint job I'd look to Yamaha or BMW. This bike does grab me - despite the black frame - so yes, it is largely a decision based on loyalty rather than price and practicality. Whilst I am aware of the 'never say never' cliche, this will be the last new bike I will buy. I must be conscious of maintaining sufficient funds for my waning years!
Don't worry Nige....if it depreciates as much as the sp2.....we'll have a whip round to keep you in Wurthers and carpet slippers
And @Spygoat wants my MV F4. Guess I'll have to start a 'nigelrb Will Thread' Just returning to the 2020 SP, I have noticed the cheapness and laziness of the exhaust hanger where the stock hangar is used and only the peg is removed. Looks crap. I hope an aftermarket 'proper' bracket will be made!
Some photos have shown the SP with complete passenger footpegs. At least it looks like you won't have to dismantle half the bike to remove them!
So if the new SP has got passenger pegs then I presume it's not got the lightweight subframe like my 16 one?!? Why have they bothered with pillion pegs on an SP!
Personally don't see what difference TT or wsbk results make? The margins in racing are minuscule, the Honda could be the best bike on the grid at the TT and still not record a win. Equally it could win every single race and be a bloody awful road bike/track day bike. The sensible advice is to wait until you can test ride a bike before you make a decision not search through race results. What's happening with your stable then @nigelrb to make way for the new bike?
Erm can I have your rr4 @nigelrb I'd bloody love 2 and no one else has claimed it so it really should come to me as ill look afterit in a way that suits your memory. If it helps seal the deal each year on your birthday ill take your rr4 round to your least favorite x wives house and do a burn out in the shape of a cat . Then obviously deep clean the bike and put back into the workshop. Or I could track day the hell out of it with her painted in a whiskers cat food scheme .
As you probably know, the RR4 is going - with apologies to @Gravel trap . My problem is, and it's a big one, is that with the Daytona and a Blade coming also it will mean that I am one bike beyond 'inside' capacity. This is causing me great stress because I do not want to keep a bike outside. Presently doing some working drawings on lounge room re-configuring that entails shifting a tub chair upstairs to a spare room. That creates reasonable space, but will leave a front wheel compromising my TV viewing. Of course this is a hazard that many of you will not face for a few years. The complexities of retirement and adapting one's lifestyle to one of hobbies and relaxation. I sometimes wonder why I did not choose to collect stamps or coins and thus would not be facing this dilemma.
Cheers for that @Brom66 . So the new one does look significantly smaller! In fact it fooled me into thinking that someone had scaled them inaccurately until I took a ruler to my computer screen and measured the front wheels of each. Defo both the same scale!
