Hi there, It's coming up to that time in my life with the big 4..0... just around the corner (next month). For this momentous occasion, i intend to buy my first Blade. I currently ride around on my Triumph Daytona 600 which to be honest, is a lot of fun.... I've never had a go on a Blade, is it a huge step up and would i find her difficult to handle. (i've been riding since i was 30)? Also, I'm 6ft tall and the daytona is a good fit, would the blade be an ok size for me? Lastly, i'm looking to spend about 6-6500, is there any model you would recommend and is there any pitfalls i should avoid? Sorry for all the questions.. any help would be greatly appreciated. Bill ps thanks to fez.57 for answering my Blog on the same topic and advising me to post it here instead....
It is a big difference in power but as you say your not 17 and I doubt your gonna jump on and wind the power straight on. I'm sure you will be fine I'm 6'4 and find the 2004-7 a better fit but everyone's different so just see what fits you
Hi mate. I came from a Daytona 650...fantastic handling bike aren't they? The reason i traded up was i got tired of up and down the box, but for the twisties it was excellent. I too bought the Blade for my 40th! The biggest difference you'll notice is the torque.... you can pootle all day in 6th, and it still pulls hard. Size is smaller with the blade in comparison the D600, and is comfier and better mpg too as you don't need to cane it. The handling isn't quite as good as the D6 IMO ( i really rated the D6 for this), but the blade is more planted and easier to ride quickly, and easier to do big miles on. The blade is a better bike by far, easier to live with and is fabulous. you'll be fine... i passed my test in sept 2008, and bought the blade in jan 2011... no problems at all.
I'm 6' 2" and find the blade very easy to ride. I'm possibly cramped a little onto the tank as there is plenty of room behind he on the seat. Still, if I want a change of position, there is still plenty of room behind me on the seat... Go and try one. North Harbour would give you a shot on a new one (0%APR) without much qualms. Probably because they know it will sell itself. Even if you didnt want a new one the 2008 - 2013 doesn't seem to have much more than cosmetic changes and some upgrades on ABS (though I'm sure someone will be along to correct me) it will give you a feel for at least up to 4/5 years old models.
I'm 6ft 2 and had the RR7 before getting the RR9. Although the RR9 feels slightly smaller i think it's actually the seat height which is main difference. I much prefer the newer shape as it has far less weight at the top so is much more agile in corners. That and you're in the price range for a 08-09 blade
Really appreciate all the help and info.. North Harbour sounds a good idea, may have a wee peak in before work... Prob looking at a 2007 model or is there a massive difference between that and the 2008 one which i would be better paying the extra money for? Si, looks like we're on the same page, here's a wee pic of my Daytona after my pal had his hands on it. Needless to say, the number plate had to go....
As si said biggest difference is the torque, i personal find the blade pretty easy to handle, not up and down the box the same. i havent been out so much on it to be honest, however i find it easier to handle.... i'm sure if i got a handful i'd end up in a headge or something. if you had all that time on a bike you know what your doing size wise i am not tall ( 6ft) but built like a fridge........ short a square. is allot more comfort that the zx6r i had before...... i do have to do the KFC dance to see in the mirror right but every bike the same for me.
Did you not notice the huge weight distribution difference? I went from the RR7 to RR9 a few months back and they are totally different handling I think. If you sit on the RR7 and lean it over a bit it will get to that point of no return far sooner than the RR9 which has benefited from mass centralisation therefore having much less weight up top. Also no one is mentioning the slipper clutch on the 08 onwards models. The new slipper is a dream and silky smooth unlike the more notchy previous clutch. You don't get any kick out of the rear wheel when down changing at all on newer models. I'm not saying the 04-07 model is rubbish but when you look at the updates to the 08 onwards model it is literally a different bike!! And I'm pretty sure it's the most successful model to have raced from what I've read (?) isn't it McGuiness's 08 blade that still has the lap record for the Isle of man TT?
10 years riding, you will have no issues. RR7 compared to 08 onwards, RR6/7 fantastic bikes, just feel a little taller and not as grunty, ideal for a bigger rider, the 08 onwards, is just so neutral in the handling dept, its a step up from the RR6/7 IMO. Easiest Blade to ride yet. Either bike is great to own, on the money you have, will buy the later bike or leave a fair bit of wedge over with a RR7. Go ride both, you will not be disappointed.
I'm a 6ft plus chap myself and a little short for my weight and I have no problem with fit on my blade, in fact I'd say its probably comfier than the Thundercat I came from. Oh and I too treated myself to a blade for my 40th, took the edge of an otherwise depressing day. The trade up in torque and power is nothing to worry about, as others have said you're no kid and you've ridden bikes for a few years so just a case of taking it easier at first and feeling for the limits, (yours and the bike's). I thought the jump from a 600 would be massive but settled into quite easily and will probably never change this bike I love it!!
the blade is real easy to ride,I think the hype about riding a thou maybe makes some people think can they ride them easily. a friend of mine passed his bike test and his first bike was an 06 repsol. like anything with an engine it only goes as fast as you make it and only goes real hard when ring the neck off it.
Passed my test 1yr ago and had an RR7 as first bike and it was perfect! I didn't use any more throttle than I was comfortable with and she handled like a dream
my zx6 had the slipper clutch, weight distribution, the honda feels lighter at the topi.e the zx6r felt more top heavy..... i was after a rr6/7 had a test ride and i felt the weight on the bars like the zx6r.... could have been in my head not done enough time on the honda to be fair... but loving it so far
took the plunge and went into local Honda dealer today... Had a seat on a new blade. Felt great, so much lighter than i thought it would be. Good size too. Would a 2007 one feel similar? Next step, test drive..
can only agree with the other posters, got an 08, 56 years old 6ft and "stocky" can sit very comfortably and almost cruise it or take it a little more "extreme" . prior to getting a blade I hadn't had too much experience on sportsbikes but have found it a joy to ride. think you can pick up 08s for under £6000 easily. of course whatever you save you will end up spending on new shiny bits!
No it's a heavier bike and you feel it through the steering and it doesn't have a slipper clutch but is still an awesome bike nonetheless
I went from an sv650, to a 600rr, to a hyper 1100s, to a 2009 fireblade. Compared to all other bikes I'd owned the fireblade was on another level. I owned the 600rr for 3 years, then the hyper for 6 months... It was horribly slow which probably made the fireblade feel just insane. One thing is for sure, it's very easy to ride very fast, you'll have no bother on it. I've just ordered a another 2013 blade, just got to wait 2 weeks for it now :-(
I'm 6ft tall and my blade fits me a treat. I've done 400 miles in a day a few times, without needing to be put on a rack after. That's more than I could say for the Ducati 998 I had before. It's a cracking bike. Neutral steering, smooth power and great handling. I've got the '09 model.
