I personally wouldn't say the blade is near the power it's chassis and handling can cope with at all. I would like 190hp at the wheel not crank which is closer to what I have. Even with that I don't think TC would have a major job to do and as for ABS, I see that as an accident preventor rather than a performance enhancer RSV4 factory next year unless the new blade is something new/special
I remember back in 2010 one of Fastbikes long-termers was a HRC RRA identical to my bike they lavished it in mods PCV with all 8 injectors getting the treatment, full system etc and it ended up upsetting the balance of the bike they said the chassis was getting tied up in knots with the extra power and torque and spoilt the bike! I can't remember if they upgraded the sussies or not but it was very much a case of if it ain't broken don't fix it! I think the Blade strongest forte is that every thing complements each other engine, chassis etc so as long as Honda keeps the philosophy of total balance the 2014 bike will be outstanding and will still dominate where It really matters events like TT superstock! Small changes sometimes have the biggest impacts!
That sounds like it wasn't set up very well mate. Mine has most of those mods and is much smoother and better to ride than before when bog standard. I do know though that you can get modding really wrong and I've had the odd bad remap on a car which can cause lots of issues. Being one of the best handling bikes I would think that would mean it would be one of the better bikes at handling 200+bhp unless my logic is wrong??
I'm sure the new Blade will be amazing but if Honda do get it wrong! I'll just keep mine because she is pretty amazing! I'll have to dig out that copy of Fastbikes to find out why the mod did have a bad effect on the bike! Oh I am pretty sad a have years worth of copies stored away! Anal or what
Why should I buy a new Fireblade and Upgrade everything myself?, if I can get all the features and more already factory installed and tested from - for example BMW , Kawasaki, Aprilia etc. - ! I spend a fortune of money on my Blade and I regret it already. If you want to trade it in, you just get the money what’s in the “book” and no dealer cares about “your” upgrades. If I buy – for example “a HP4 and would trade it in later, I still get more money out of it. Don’t forget the insurance! Some even don’t want to insure your bike if some after market parts are installed, which would be the case on the blade.
Some interesting posts on here. But in my opinion I`m happy with the bike the way she is apart from a few minor mods (Tail tidy, Exhaust, ASV levers etc ). My ability as a rider will be nowhere near most of you guys on here and that's why I love the blade so much because of its user friendliness and comfort. I have no desire for ABS or big bhp. there is more than enough there for me. I`m just thankful and lucky to be in a position to afford one in the first place really. I have a few mates who would give their left nut to own one but cant afford it. Yeah we all like to see change and new bikes and I`ll be looking out for Hondas new blade just to ee what it looks like but I`ll still be happy with my one. Most of the posts on here seem to relate to personal wish lists on their bikes as opposed to what Honda should be doing as standard Again just my 10p worth
The Fireblade is still the best selling 1000cc roadbike in the UK in 2012 and 2013......................................................
I dont know where you got the information from but the crap BMW R1200 GS is the best selling Motorcycle over 125cc. Metzeler shod BMW R 1200 GS is UK Riding high on BMW's R1200GS Triple Black - Telegraph
My local dealer is saying nothing about a new blade in feb 14 and no more 13 models are being made, I therefore suspect Mr Beckers might know something to this regard
To me the main reasons i bought my blade were these - The looks. Bar some Italian exotica, it is the best looking superbike on the market to my eyes. I even love the snub nose look. I'd take it any day over the pointy horrible ZX10 or the pissed up front face of the BMW (though from the side the bee em looks good. Lack of electrickery. Don't want it, never will. I think it has ruined the excitement of racing. MotoGP bikes don't even have a clutch now for gods sake. Maybe I'm getting old, but I like the riding and all that goes along with it. I also don't want a bike that controls how much power goes through the tyres or how and where to brake for me. It's more to go wrong anyway. Mid range usability. The extra 20bhp is next to useless to me if it's all piled up at 14,000 revs. I'd much rather have it where it counts. It is still competative and as some have already pointed out, I'd take a bike that consitantly win in road racing over something that is ridden over 18 laps of a super smooth track in the middle of Mediterranean summer. The new bike when it comes would not be a V4. CBR's are in lines and allways have been. If a new bike is a V4 it will probably have to come up with a new name. I think most on here that complain are either track types, where the can really use the bells and whistles or spec sheet braggers who must have the gizmo's for bragging rights down the pub. The 2 best road going litre bikes in my opinion happen to be the lowest tech ones out there. The Blade and the Gixxer
yep he does talk sense but I dont want sensible I want my litre bike to be all singing all dancing with the latest tech and gizmo's!!
