Hi Folks, I am buying a new 2018 1000rr Fireblade next week seeing a Honda have a 0% offer on finance until the end of March. I have planned to have a new pair of tyres put on the bike before I receive it, so I can have a 55 profile rear tyre. The dealer has advised me that a couple of other customers who have done this on their bike have had error codes thrown up, due to Honda needing to provide a software update that caters for a 55 profile tyre change. I am part exchanging an Anniversary Blade that was slow to turn on a 50 profile rear and I have always run a 55 profile to compensate for this. Is the new Blade as slow top turn on a 50 profile tyre? Does anyone have experience of fitting a 55 profile tyre on the 2018 model, regarding error codes? Any guidance will be appreciated- thanks
Hi mate. Might be worth having a read through this thread if you haven't already.... https://www.1000rr.co.uk/threads/2019-1000rr-sp.36595/ I'd be looking to do a deal on the 2019 blade if I were you. Sounds like there's a few changes that might be worth having. The dealers will be being very pushy at the minute trying to get rid of 2018 stock. Please make sure you are in possession of all the facts before you hand over any money. Good luck.
Many thanks Charlie. It seems that Honda have not allowed editing of the tyre size and sprocket size to calibrate the Traction Control and Torque Management, even on the 2019 bike. I am totally new to this type of Blade and assume that I should therefore stick with the 50 profile rear tyre to ensure there are no errors with traction control etc.? There seems to be mixed reactions to the fuelling concerns but I am reluctant to not pursue the purchase on the 2018 model. I will ride the bike in full power mode mostly all the time.
Hi there myth. Congrats on the prospective purchase. As a word of help, do some serious shopping around because there are some SPs available at very near the cost of the standard Blade. The enticement of the 2018 prices is VERY powerful! For street use, I am not convinced that the 2019 offers viable upgrades for the difference. From my perspective, and as owner of both a 2011 and 2018, I can state quite categorically, that the 2018's geometry is better for tip in and cornering, quietly adding that I would class myself only as an 'average' rider. As an aside, there could well be warranty ramifications if you do elect to venture outside of Honda's recommended specs with regard to tyre profile. I'd give the 50s a fair shot before considering any changeover. After experimenting with rider modes, I noticed very little difference between 'town' and 'windy roads' and have therefore left mine in full power also. Most of the issues/reactions to 'fuelling concerns' have been the noticeable difference in feel between the traditional cable method compared to ride-by-wire. In my case at least, it was merely a matter of adaptation. I still believe there is the slightest delay in reaction, but it is certainly manageable.
I cant believe Honda is still using the "buy this version and the Sportkit menu will unlocked when you give me the money". Sadly this is not true.
My sp tips a lot quicker than my 2014 blade I would leave the tyre size well alone....have you ridden one yet?
Many thanks for everyone's input. I haven't received the bike as yet but I have now chosen to stick with the 50 profile rear tyre after reading the different points of view.
I also ran a 55 profile rear tyre on my rr9 but since purchasing my 2018 SP, I've had no desire too change the standard 50 profile. I've not ridden it a great deal yet but I've had a few decent rides with no issues with turning the bike. It's nimble as you like and handles beautifully!!
It would seem changing the tyre, sprockets and standard exhaust will present issues with performance without the necessary software updates.......what I would say is try not to get to bogged down with all you will read on here and elsewhere. Yeah it's good too know, but just ride the tits off the thing......you'll love it!! The bike is better than any of us could ever ride it!
tyre profile is one of many reasons for a bike's handling. Ride height tyre pressure and the list goes on. From my experience the thread profile has the biggest impact. A more pointed crown will give you a quicker turn and high leans (faster cornering). I have run pilot power on my previous & current bikes since 2005 because of this feature. Although I have now gone to pilopt power 3 with a more rounded crown as the gravel track we call tarmanc roadsmad in my area do not agree me leaning the bike to the edge anymore. Surely the TC must have a learn feature as well as a range for different tyre rpm to compensate for production variation, tyre pressure and tread depth (5>>1 mm from new to legal limit) to name but few. Agree with paulo, ride it as it is first an avoide any potential warranty issue.
The only 'learn' is the 20 foot rollout when you initially ride off and he bike does a "spectacles. testicles, wallet and watch" run down to make surre the front and rear wheel speed sensors are present and the ABS and Ohlins suspension modules check in. Honda dos not do any run time calibration. The Torque Management system relies on absolute values. The Sport Kit HRC ECU (which is based on the same core code) allows you to make adjustments to the sprocket and tyre values in the menu and ride out the hot pits and be calibrated without doing any back calculations like other systems that do do self calibration on the fly. Sadly Honda think their customers are too stupid to pick the correct numbers in the menu so they lock it away from us.
Very strange situation. I can understand honda's position from your description of the level of detail the sport kit goes into. IT can be a can of dangerous worm to the initiated. You mention other makes have self calibrating system, so surely in the abscence of this, honda would or should make a dealer service plug in kit where they would change those setting based on what you've fitted.
The other manufacturers do not use the same logic as Honda. Hondas system is not based on a self calibration system like the other guys use. I like Hondas system, i heavily based on the RC213V-S system. I just don't like that they nerfed the ECU on the street bike. The other guys use a "travel in a straight line in 1st gear for x distance to learn the changes". But that does not allow you to hit the track hot. What really sucks is that the Sport ECU doesn't support the ohlins or ABS - or lights or side stand
It’s my bug bear at present, I wish there was something we could do, and it annoys me that Honda will sell you a bike with 2 completely different style tyres on it but still within there threshold on diameter, even re watched the Honda launch video of them at portimao track saying we are now swapping the bikes over to run the Bridgestone vo2 slicks our on track blah blah blah.
