Took the bike out for it's first outing. Still running in so was very sedate but was fantastic to be out on two wheels again. Loving the new bike, feel much more confident in the bends and the riding position is so much more relaxed, not a single ache or any need to stand on the pegs to stretch the legs. Need to try and adjust the rear brake lever, feels miles below the peg. Also fitted an EvoTech tail tidy and the legal small plate, which along with the EvoTech radiator guard I fitted a few weeks ago is all I have planned for now. Obligatory pic
The Blade's been the same for years. For running in the manual says no full power starts. 600m first service, do what you like. I filled mine up on Friday morning and did a 20 mile round trip to work and it's done around 40 mpg.
1. Surprisingly, it wasn't discussed. And in my enthusiasm to collect, I didn't raise the matter. However, the Owner's Manual (which is the same for Fireblade/SP/SP2 states: 'Avoid full-throttle starts and acceleration'; 'Avoid hard braking and rapid downshifts'; and 'ride conservatively'. You are right in suggesting there might be a 'rev limit'. I certainly remember them for both cars and bikes. I guess with today's technology and superior lubricants, and the fact they're run full bore in the factory inspections, means that limited running-in is redundant. 2. At the risk of sounding over-the-top, it is a magnificent ride. Having a good yardstick by which to compare it (2011 Blade) it is much more nimble and confidence-inspiring. I am not one for relying on electronics, i.e. Honda' torque control, so that is switched to minimum. It is perhaps the lightness of the trick Marchesini wheels and Pirelli Super Corsas that make its handling superior. It feels so stable throughout corners and a direction change within a corner is effortless. I'm not a rap for the 'throttle-by-wire' as it's called. It does not have the immediate responsiveness of a conventional cable throttle, although it is smooth in its operation. Perhaps it's better to say there's a short 'lag' in its takeup. Without referring to stats, the bike is 'supposed' to be a bit smaller than its predecessors, however, the riding position remains as the trademark cramped Blade position. I still say the 2004/5 is more comfortable. Power wise, it is brutal - but so is any 1000cc given handfuls. BUT, I haven't experienced the full extent of its 'brutality' because my conservative and 'restrained' riding have not seen it over 8,000 rpm, and despite having now done 300 miles, weather hasn't exactly been conducive to fully exploring this magnificent machine.
Yeah, Tezza; got a few things happening beneath the screen there. The mandatory gear indicator, HRC socks, supension caps look good, and then there's the trick switch left of the ignition. No one else has asked about that?
Ah, that might explain my 50 mpg. I'm hardly doing and town/city traffic. I have a loop to Worcester that is open road punctuated by a few 30 and 40 mph villages. I'm only assuming, DF, that you might have a bit of 'stop and start' stuff to contend with?
Mainly 40 limit dual carriageways and a 60 limit on the way into central Brum. I'm fairly lucky really, I only hit one village and its only busy on the way out, as I'm usually in work before 7. I tend to find no matter how I ride I usually fill up at around 120 miles. Whereas in the car, I've had the mpg down into the teens, but obviously the weight of the car makes a difference.
In all seriousness there's a difference with Nigel's SP2 to something like mine. He bought it as something special and it deserves to be looked after and coveted. For me, mine's transport for beating town traffic and for parking in the basement at work and not having to fork out stupid cash on city center car parking. Then when I'm lucky, I get to throw it around the country lanes once in while. I never get attached my vehicles, never really bother modifying or giving them names. I’ve only ever kept one bike for 4 years and that was when I was a kid and had no cash. Usually 2 to 3 years and they're gone, px'd for the next thing and that's where I get my enjoyment. If my local Aprilia dealer wasn't shite and my boy hadn't given me grief about pillion seats, I'd have bought an RSV4. Now if Honda do actually release an V4 1000 in the next 2 years, I might get the book of names out and have a christening.
I pretty much use my current blade for the same reason mate, would love a new bike that doesn’t see rain like the new sp or the rsv4, I even test rode the 1299 duke but I do big miles and use it every day rain or shine and can’t bring myself to ruin a 20k bike
What did you make of the 1299? I went in to look at the Supersport in Jan before I bought the Blade. She was definitely the ugly sister sitting next to the 2 Panagales. They offered me test rides on wherever I wanted when the weather improved, but the deal on the Blade was time limited and I don't think I could have lived with commuting on one.
With spirited riding it’s a weapon and all you would think/want it to be, fast, agile,and the sound is gorgeous but I would have commuted on it and I hated every minute of it, really snatchy throttle slipping the clutch everywhere runs very hot as your pretty much sitting on the rear cylinder head and exhaust. I heard there isn’t even laqueur on the tank on the 899/959
Sorry, Lozzy, missed your question yesterday. No, not that I've been told of. But if there is, I'll ask the dealer to leave it on - this is plenty powerful enough for me!
I put a small cable tie around the top on the hose nipping the black top/plug thing, I found mine leaked alittle. yours might be fine. Looking good
Ooooh indeed, it sits flush in the end I'm hoping. You have to have a racefit exhaust that is compatible with a baffle though so I think that eliminates the black edition's. I'll put another pic up later when I fit it.
Sweet. I’ve got a Black Edition and added the end cap to take a baffle (ha ha) but couldn’t fornthe life of me get the original end off, had to send it all back for Racefit to do for me
