Yes bought a Tyco race rep 1 of 15 on the road apparently although they do say 75 were made! They washed it with neat RTF everything apart from the painted bodywork came back with white streaks in, after I kicked off in there showroom asked for a full refund or a straight swap for another they had, but was told I was too fussy to own a BMW !!! by there Motorrad Sales Manager. It was only after I managed to contact the no.2 of Ocean BMW, which resulted in a hour long after hours meeting with him they agreed to give me a full refund.. GUTTED
Now THAT is when BMW really looked the business! Big loss to Bee Em though, because one can never be too fussy to own a Honda. And that is why, 'You meet the nicest people on a Honda'.
Morning N 50 miles is 3hrs 15min includes 3 hills across South Downs,,,,,Exton hill...old winch hill and buster hill...only just stared putting the 3 rd one in.....
In my teen years I used to do 100-mile days on my 'Phillips' touring bike. Had the Sturmey-Archer 3-speed hub, integral dynamo lighting, and a hand pump that weighs probably as much as your complete bike! Not sure whether it's an 'age thing' or not, but really not sure I've got the bollocks to take it to the roads now. No probs on the Blades of course, but the fear of being cleaned up from behind haunts me.
Hey all. You've just got to read the translation from Japanese on this review from Japan. https://moto-ace-team.com/cbr1000rr-r-specification/ Small sample: 'However, as a frame design, we want to make the width as small as possible as the projected area on the entire surface increases and the aerodynamics become worse, the width becomes wider and the response deteriorates as the moment increases.'
Not good but at least you got a result after a lot of hassle, guess the valeter isn't working there anymore.
Just googled Yuzuru Ishikawa the Honda dude who was the project leader behind the new Fireblade - to see if he is some kind of Honda version of Ford's Caroll Shelby Found this very interesting exclusive interview with Bennets:https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesoci...ireblade-boss-yuzuru-ishikawa-v4-winglets-hrc I told you they were out to win races with this bike...
Cheers Mattie. Agree wholeheartedly, and was impressed with your parallel with the VTR SPs. I think we can accept that the Japanese mindset of pride has ruled the design and performance of this bike as a championship winner. Honda does have a lot of lost ground to make up. Whilst there are a few of us on the forum who have committed to this bike (just as you will drop your Yam for it next year) we would all hope for its racing success, but also that not every Tom, Dick, and Harry end up buying one. Like the VTRs, they might become a very sought after item in some years. Of course I speculate there, but I can see our fellow collectors like @gary1966 , and @dessp2 , and @Selmer50mark , just busting to get their hands on one!!
My mate got a brand new HP4 when they came out, purchased with cash. Numerous times the abs kicked in when cornering and evening when on the straights once almost highsiding him. Returned three times, wheels swapped, sensors etc. He had no faith in the bike in the end. They would not reject the product as not fit for purpose. Only 1050 miles on it. Eventually the offered him a Motorrad version and a few trinkets to even the score but would not give him a new HP4. He sold the Motorrad in the end with 1100 miles on it at a huge loss. All because he didn’t have finance or credit card company back up. He spends huge money on cars/vans/bikes etc. Lost a good customer in the end as he’d never go back.
Yet another sad story resulting from poor customer service. I am sure BMW has long been in the top tier of automotive manufacturers, but I wonder if had this been a BMW car rather than a bike, might the outcome have been different? Of course I realise it's all relevant as the HP4 is an expensive bike as are their cars, but all the same, the biking 'fraternity' always seems to be a 'second class' clientele when it comes to disputes/disagreements.
I have an idea ....if Honda have lost their minds and concentrated this new blade on the racetrack where does that leave folk who want a Honda sportsbike for the road?....Time to bring back the Blackbird I reckon! Put last years motor into something comfy, roomy and quality looking. Will sell like hot cakes.
First of the new blade looks great and with the winglets it makes it look fatter and more like an older blade and the paint scheme is a cracker, ropey looking top yoke the only let down, i am confused the SP comes with pillion pegs and seat and at that price the cowl is extra. The prices are crazy. I am certain Honda have thought sod practicality and lets win races. I cant blame them and for a flagship superbike i can see why it might matter and for the ego of the brand. That aligned with the tight ergonomics seems to be the message. Makes fitting a rear seat and pegs even stranger, I truly love Honda and want them to survive whatever i takes. One point of curiosity, the outgoing blade has 189BHP and the new Blade 214bhp, yet both are 1000cc, my take is that like all the progression in BHP has always meant poorer torque lower down in the rev range and all the power at the top end, So where do we think the fine line is between creating a great useable road bike VS a dedicated track machine most of us could still not maximise its potential. I say this knowing that every blade has always surprised us on how flattering and usable they have all been but that was why they refused to join the rest in a BHP competition until now. It is a funny old world, i remember when they tried to make the limit 125bhp i am amazed how they have even got to 160+BHP and kept the current bikes so useable. Engineering genius .
I read on Bennetts bike some where the new one 16kg heavier and 25bhp more so I have worked out I lose 8kg and save thousands as power to weight ratio will be the same roughly be the same as old one 195kg...and power will be way up the Rev range ideal for the track which it has been bred for,,,,if that's the case why pillion pegs why no seat cowl standard and should have adjustable rear sets as standard,,,
Yes best performance upgrade for most middle aged gents is simply reducing physical weight instead of spending thousands on reducing mechanical weight or performance parts Good luck with the training good plan...
Why not sell it with a cowl and charge extra for rear seat and pegs for the strange ones who need to take a pillion!
What I found with the R1 is that the difference in torque figure is not the whole story. The R1 for example has titanium internals and a small flywheel (likely the same as this new Blade) - as a result the motor spins up really easily - easier than just the torque value would suggest compared to a normal bike with similar torque. The flip side is that there is not that much rotating mass when you roll off the throttle - you do not just drift on like a Rolls Royce ! it can be a bit more abrupt than something with a big rotating flywheel. But I still rather have it that way. Power is Torque (work) by time (revs) - so a torquey plodder will not have so much HP because it does not rev very highly. If you want more power out of it - make it do more revs per minute. So this new Blade has all these titanium bits and likely a lightweight flywheel - it will go like stink I can promise you With lightweight internals it will have no shortage of road usable torque in normal revs if it is anything like my R1. Who knows whether it will be as smooth as the current Blade - but even if it is not, that will not be a bad thing. I am sure it will be fine. You guys are in for a treat
