So today, before I start to look for a Blade, I had an itch I needed to sort so I booked a demo on a Speed Triple 11 plate from A1 motos in York. Great guys there and was busy this morning. I got the bike for 2 hours so set off towards Hull and back via Driffield Good bits Nice riding position and bars just that little bit forward for a sportier feel. great noise from the standard exhaust. pulled really well, not a bad gear change, light clutch but biting right up at bar. Rear tyre was a bit squared off, but didn't feel like the suspension left me any shortfalls Bad Bits I'm not sure what I expected with a triple, but after the first 30 mins of chuckling with the noise, it got a bit tedious and you find yourself running in a higher gear, which looses the benefit of the extra torque. I have always had 4cylinder Honda's and this felt a little agricultural and almost diesel like in comparison. Legroom was similar to Blade, I had expected a little more. The key thing was riding a naked, It was a while since I had the CB1000r and I just really struggle with them. I get people who buy them to keep your speed down, it was only 8deg and a bit windy, but anything over 65mph became noticeable with the buffeting and 75 wasn't hanging on, but you wouldn't want to ride at that speed for many miles If you want something to spend a quick hour on for fun, it's perfect, but I wouldn't want to hit many dual carriageways etc and spend a day on one. So I handed the keys in, no deal today with the sales exec and the search for a Blade now starts
I had a 99 Daytona T595 955i and loved it, I then bought an 02 955i Speed Triple which had had the full Ktech gold shim stacks front and rear and springs set to my weight, but you know what, it really didn't float my boat and I preferred the Tona. I think if your a sports bike devotee there really is no substitute for head down, arse up!
Used to think that, sports bikes were the only thing I've ever ridden. But love mine, it ticks all my boxes tbh.... Some times you miss the sportsbike, other times its so much better, but makes me crack up riding it, which for the road is enough for me
Watched Jimbo and Ricardo (ADV) keep or indeed lead the pace on a ride out with the rest of us on sports bikes. I used to feel exactly the same on the Evo Monster we have (Supposed to be Mrs V's), struggled to get with it and even felt more uncomfortable than the blade- but all at once it just clicked, naked’s can be loads of fun.
