Great photos Barney and having spoken to you this morning I think you have to find out what the vibration is prior to buying its not acceptable to have this on any bike .
I do like the extra Motorsport colour on the tank which they do on 2012 onwards you also would get a 3 year warranty with it compared to 2 years they used to offer.Noticed front mudguard is white where mine is in Motorsport colour. I wish bike makers would stop putting those shit rear number plate brackets on they make a nice looking bike them stick that on the back end . You look good on the bike Barney, Allblade was on about the vibration at 4000 revs on the mk11 seems an odd one but he said he has 4 mates all with the same problem. No issues with mine but its a 2011 model . Mmmm decision time what you going to do ???
Right I've just sent a lengthy email to the dealer , I can't make the decision on a 2 hr ride so I've asked if I can have the bike next Saturday for 4hrs , I'm in no rush to get one , even if I do , But I / we need and want another go , I think that's fair .....
Bike looks great in those Motorsport colours - I think BMW charge extra for that colour scheme though... Which dealer are you using?
Have you seen how much the matching leathers are for this colour from bmw £1400 -ouch!! They do the gloves,boots,helmet as well but also pricey
I thought I'd go have a look at these wonderous machines today. Off I went to Jeffries at Shipley. But it was closed. Bummer. Mind you it's not as if I haven't seen one before. HP4 in the window though, stunning bike.
Mate had his Mk1 Motorad wheels done white and I agree it looked stunning For Barney I guess my question would be this - if he is getting 8k against a c. 13k bike that's an extra 5k to change Could some money be invested on the Blade to improve it for a fraction of that £5,000 spend ? My thoughts would be: * HM Quickshifter for c. £500 or less if you locate a s/h one * Brembo M/C and maybe new pads to sharpen the brakes - not 100% sure on price of that * Talk with Kais about Ohlins TTX rear shock - again not up to speed on prices but think these turn up 2nd hand at times although new one with spring to suit weight 2 up worth a try * Re-gear the bike (like BMW did with the MK2 S1Krr) to sharpen up mid range at expense of the top end speed (not sure how often you go above 150 but doubt its very often) Then the curve ball test ride options before you sign 1. BigBang R1 - Don't knock it till you have you have tried on, some love it, others hate it 2. VFR1200 - Meant to be a seriously quick bike and very good 2 up by all accounts, it should be possible to swap your Blade for one of same age / miles for for a fraction of the cost Finally - there is a 'new' and as yet unknown 2014 Blade round the corner - what if that knocks the BMW into 2nd place just after you have bought one? - I would def. want to wait for the details of what it is before signing on the dotted line.
I certainly wouldn't be swapping until we see what all the manufacturers have to offer next year. Roll on bike show season. You're getting the exhaust "free" because BMW NEED that sale. I wonder why?
Yes I could spend hundreds and hundreds on the blade , But it won't stop me liking the BMW , or wanting one , We all have are own opinions , and greatly received ,
If anyone is looking for a deal on an S1000RR try Rick Watson at Allan Jefferies BMW (Shipley) Email : [email protected] DDI: 01274 535482. Tell him Ian Elk sent you. Cheers, Ian.
But don't go on a Sunday because they are shut. Is it just me that thinks a bike shop, as big as this one being shut on a Sunday is a bit daft? By the way put me down for an HP4, trouble is I am about £14k short.
Yes all the local dealers seem to shut on Sunday (Craigs Honda, Cobb & Jagger Triumph/Ducati, etc.) I think there is a waiting list for the HP4 but I am sure Rick would be willing to arrange finance on the £14k ;o)
Talking of the Big Bang Al .I was talking to a dude at the Midway on Sunday of similar age and experience as your good self Europe and Trackdays ect .I mentioned your recent thoughts on fuel consumption of your bike and he showed me his dash readout which was 47 mpg inc motorways and the ring he says that you may have been zeroing after each ride from A to B but he does it over a longer period ? So over say a thousand mile he would average 47 mph .So respect to the R1 .Having spoken to John at Hunts Honda he was adamant that there would be no great change to the 14 Blade .
