Fireblade SP

Author
Discussion

Biker's Nemesis

39,588 posts

215 months

Sunday 16th April 2017
quotequote all
Rawwr said:
You can fix the settings so that it's not active but meh, who has time for that? smile
You can do that with both sets of Ohlins on my bike I believe but I hate messing with electricity.

Rawwr

Original Poster:

22,722 posts

241 months

Monday 17th April 2017
quotequote all
mak said:
I can smell the newness from hear, now get some st all over it and cringe when you apply the 1st bucket of water and a sponge to the thing smile
That's why I use Vulcanet wipes. I think they may have been invented by Jesus.



Ho Lee Kau

2,278 posts

132 months

Monday 17th April 2017
quotequote all
graeme4130 said:
Ho Lee Kau said:
spareparts said:
HLK,
You portray your opinions as 'facts' and cross-post your same biased views across multiple threads. You voice those opinions of the latest superbikes against a baseline reference of a 15 year old bike: as good as the 954 was, it has been surpassed since then and is not a good baseline when comparing the very subtle nuances between the latest 2017 superbikes. You claim the current R1 is 'New and Different from Japan'. Well it isn't, and it was launched in 2015. You seem to get excited about your CBR600, but as good as it was, it really doesn't even merit discussion in this comparison. And importantly, your voiced opinion that the new BladeSP is a 'warmed up yesterday's dinner' is quite distasteful when the OP is excited about collecting his new BladeSP. So all-in-all, your strong opinions (based on approximately 3 years riding mostly CBRs if I'm not mistaken) and derisory opinion of the OP's new BladeSP really aren't that pleasant. It is sad you sully the OP's thread of testing, buying, then collecting his new bike with your opinionated drivel, and I suggest 'winding your neck in' as a good friend likes to say.
I say what I damn please, thank you very much.

I told you the facts, you told me something about my riding Hondas and comparing something to something.
Facts were facts, comparing was personal opinion.
What your problem is - I don't know. Suggesting to stop talking on a forum, you gotta be kidding, right? You can leave your politburo stuff to yourself.
In fairness, you didn't give him fact, you gave him your opinion
Everyone wants something different from a bike and everybody enjoys bikes at different levels
You have something you like about a bike, and a certain level that you ride at
If something appears the best to you, it might not to someone else and vice Versa
No, I did provide facts that Honda released themselves, frame is reworked, but same as on previous bike. Same goes for the engine.
Than we add spice on the top. And the price.
That's facts. Like it or not.

Now, I do like Honda quite a lot. Yes, I have old Honda bikes, but that shouldn't be an issue when saying I am Honda fan, should it? We do not need to switch to the latest and greatest all the time to appreciate the brand, do we?

I bought my bikes because I liked particular models, I really wanted F4i and I really wanted 954RR. I bought 2009 CBR600RR because, to be honest, not much changed from then on, why would I pay 5-6000 more for 2014 bike, just because of Showa BPF (and less power)?

I've ridden 2014 Fireblade, but I did not much like it, more power but just as bulky as my 2002 954. I don't need more power on the road.

I've ridden the new Fireblade SP, I really was looking forward to it, the first opportunity came - I did it, is that not Honda-love?
In any case, SP is a MAGNIFICENT bike! I totally see where 23500CHF go.

Like I said, PERSONALLY, I was not impressed by the bike, to much of the same, even on paper. Electronics make the greatest contribution these days, that is certain, and Fireblade chassis and engine were already probably the best for the street (well, there is also BMW and Suzuki), BUT, for that money, PERSONALLY, I would not buy Fireblade SP, even though it is freaking beautiful and will not drop a valve like RSV4RF.

As far as I am concerned, after having ridden so many bikes, and having a beloved Honda F4i with 69000km on the clock for daily duties, given that RSV4RF is such a gamble as far as robustness is concerned, I'd go for GSXR1000R. Because it is REALLY a COMPLETELY new bike, even though it is Japanese IL4.
I've ridden SP, GSXR1000 (base!!!) and fully stocked S1000RR on the same day, and GSXR1000 was just the most exciting IL4.
And your country mate Lamb Chop Rides kind of confirmed it.

Rawwr, no disrespect, really I think you bought a fabulous machine that you will enjoy for years to come!

Ho Lee Kau

2,278 posts

132 months

Monday 17th April 2017
quotequote all
Rawwr said:
Sorry, been too busy riding it smile

Had a decent morning with it, pushed it a bit harder and it really is a wonderful thing. Using the roads I know inside-out, the difference is significant. All those little dinks, bumps and imperfections in the road where I'd been perhaps overly cautious on the previous Fireblade were just gone and I was able to get on the power a lot sooner than before as well as brake a hell of a lot later, letting the auto-blipper and engine braking take the strain of it, whilst the Ohlins kept everything balanced and in-line. Just that transition between hard braking and getting back on the power is all smoothed out and inspires a lot of confidence.

Power is a pretty decent step-up over the last bike and really noticeable over 6krpm. The previous bike had a perfectly smooth delivery but, relative to the new one, it lacked the upper-end punch.

The new dash is brilliant once you've configured it to the black background. It's really clear, even in direct sunlight. Changing the settings is nicely intuitive where, on the one hand, you can flick between the 'easy mode' settings quickly but if you want to fine tune stuff, you could spend a significant amount of time pissing about with the Ohlins settings.

Now obviously I'm not a great rider by any measure and I doubt I'll ever use half of its true performance but it IS an enjoyable, smooth ride which doesn't make you poo yourself every two minutes. It's very easy to ride and, more importantly, very easy to ride fast. There are obviously quicker and more visceral bikes but I'd be willing to stake important parts of my anatomy that more people could use more of the SP's performance than they could of the Panigale's (for example) performance.

Even on day 2, I know that this bike is a keeper and that's the first bike I've had where I've felt like that. It may not be 'new' but f*ck, Honda have refined it now to near perfection.
It's Honda, mate, that's why I really love Honda.
You said it yourself it is "head choice", didn't you?
If I were you I'd try the GSXR1000R as well, but Honda SP is likely more cost effective choice, having curve ABS and Ohlins (and golden wheels and 195kg wet mass)!

Ho Lee Kau

2,278 posts

132 months

Monday 17th April 2017
quotequote all
Rawwr said:
I set myself an important reminder note...

biggrin

truly important.
on my hills last Friday a guy crashed in the corner and died in a head to head collision with a buss. frown

R1 Dave

7,158 posts

270 months

Monday 17th April 2017
quotequote all
You say the GSXR1000 is the most exciting IL4, out of interest did you ride the latest R1? I've not ridden the Suzuki but I'd be surprised if the engine was more exciting or characterful than the cross plane Yamaha engine.

Ho Lee Kau

2,278 posts

132 months

Monday 17th April 2017
quotequote all
R1 Dave said:
You say the GSXR1000 is the most exciting IL4, out of interest did you ride the latest R1? I've not ridden the Suzuki but I'd be surprised if the engine was more exciting or characterful than the cross plane Yamaha engine.
I did, last year.
It did sound good, kind of Ducatish, and it is an amazingly agile bike, very racy.
I cannot say if R1 sounds "better" than GSXR, I did not ride them back to back.
I did not like the jerky throttle on R1, and it is more track oriented in terms of sitting position as far as I remember, while on GSXR I just felt at home right away.
I may need to re-ride R1 though.

Walter Sobchak

5,725 posts

231 months

Monday 17th April 2017
quotequote all
Ho Lee Kau said:
No, I did provide facts that Honda released themselves, frame is reworked, but same as on previous bike. Same goes for the engine.
Than we add spice on the top. And the price.
That's facts. Like it or not.

Now, I do like Honda quite a lot. Yes, I have old Honda bikes, but that shouldn't be an issue when saying I am Honda fan, should it? We do not need to switch to the latest and greatest all the time to appreciate the brand, do we?

I bought my bikes because I liked particular models, I really wanted F4i and I really wanted 954RR. I bought 2009 CBR600RR because, to be honest, not much changed from then on, why would I pay 5-6000 more for 2014 bike, just because of Showa BPF (and less power)?

I've ridden 2014 Fireblade, but I did not much like it, more power but just as bulky as my 2002 954. I don't need more power on the road.

I've ridden the new Fireblade SP, I really was looking forward to it, the first opportunity came - I did it, is that not Honda-love?
In any case, SP is a MAGNIFICENT bike! I totally see where 23500CHF go.

Like I said, PERSONALLY, I was not impressed by the bike, to much of the same, even on paper. Electronics make the greatest contribution these days, that is certain, and Fireblade chassis and engine were already probably the best for the street (well, there is also BMW and Suzuki), BUT, for that money, PERSONALLY, I would not buy Fireblade SP, even though it is freaking beautiful and will not drop a valve like RSV4RF.

As far as I am concerned, after having ridden so many bikes, and having a beloved Honda F4i with 69000km on the clock for daily duties, given that RSV4RF is such a gamble as far as robustness is concerned, I'd go for GSXR1000R. Because it is REALLY a COMPLETELY new bike, even though it is Japanese IL4.
I've ridden SP, GSXR1000 (base!!!) and fully stocked S1000RR on the same day, and GSXR1000 was just the most exciting IL4.
And your country mate Lamb Chop Rides kind of confirmed it.

Rawwr, no disrespect, really I think you bought a fabulous machine that you will enjoy for years to come!
One thing I don't get is you criticise the new Fireblade for being an evolution of the old bike(which was already very good but did need updating) yet you say how much you like the RSV4, which is also an evolution of the older model, the chassis on the RSV4 is pretty much the same as older generations, the engine and electronics have been updated, the chassis on the Fireblade is the same, the reason being, in the case of both bikes-if it's not broke don't fix it.

Ho Lee Kau

2,278 posts

132 months

Monday 17th April 2017
quotequote all
Walter Sobchak said:
Ho Lee Kau said:
No, I did provide facts that Honda released themselves, frame is reworked, but same as on previous bike. Same goes for the engine.
Than we add spice on the top. And the price.
That's facts. Like it or not.

Now, I do like Honda quite a lot. Yes, I have old Honda bikes, but that shouldn't be an issue when saying I am Honda fan, should it? We do not need to switch to the latest and greatest all the time to appreciate the brand, do we?

I bought my bikes because I liked particular models, I really wanted F4i and I really wanted 954RR. I bought 2009 CBR600RR because, to be honest, not much changed from then on, why would I pay 5-6000 more for 2014 bike, just because of Showa BPF (and less power)?

I've ridden 2014 Fireblade, but I did not much like it, more power but just as bulky as my 2002 954. I don't need more power on the road.

I've ridden the new Fireblade SP, I really was looking forward to it, the first opportunity came - I did it, is that not Honda-love?
In any case, SP is a MAGNIFICENT bike! I totally see where 23500CHF go.

Like I said, PERSONALLY, I was not impressed by the bike, to much of the same, even on paper. Electronics make the greatest contribution these days, that is certain, and Fireblade chassis and engine were already probably the best for the street (well, there is also BMW and Suzuki), BUT, for that money, PERSONALLY, I would not buy Fireblade SP, even though it is freaking beautiful and will not drop a valve like RSV4RF.

As far as I am concerned, after having ridden so many bikes, and having a beloved Honda F4i with 69000km on the clock for daily duties, given that RSV4RF is such a gamble as far as robustness is concerned, I'd go for GSXR1000R. Because it is REALLY a COMPLETELY new bike, even though it is Japanese IL4.
I've ridden SP, GSXR1000 (base!!!) and fully stocked S1000RR on the same day, and GSXR1000 was just the most exciting IL4.
And your country mate Lamb Chop Rides kind of confirmed it.

Rawwr, no disrespect, really I think you bought a fabulous machine that you will enjoy for years to come!
One thing I don't get is you criticise the new Fireblade for being an evolution of the old bike(which was already very good but did need updating) yet you say how much you like the RSV4, which is also an evolution of the older model, the chassis on the RSV4 is pretty much the same as older generations, the engine and electronics have been updated, the chassis on the Fireblade is the same, the reason being, in the case of both bikes-if it's not broke don't fix it.
It's not illogical. RSV4 is an Italian bike with a V4, simples.

IL4 I can find anywhere, I prefer GSXR1000 out of modern IL4 bikes.

Also, given how big Honda is, and given their history, they could have made something a bit more exciting, imho.
The rumours of a Honda V4 sportsbike are still circulating...

Biker's Nemesis

39,588 posts

215 months

Monday 17th April 2017
quotequote all
I was going to say that (I am) I wished there was an ignore function on here but I suppose I would probably be in the running for the top spot.

Rawwr

Original Poster:

22,722 posts

241 months

Monday 17th April 2017
quotequote all
But then you wouldn't be able to hear me calling you a bender?

Steve Bass

10,351 posts

240 months

Tuesday 18th April 2017
quotequote all
Biker's Nemesis said:
I was going to say that (I am) I wished there was an ignore function on here but I suppose I would probably be in the running for the top spot.
The King is dead... Long Live the King

Biker's Nemesis

39,588 posts

215 months

Tuesday 18th April 2017
quotequote all
Rawwr said:
But then you wouldn't be able to hear me calling you a bender?
True and I would miss that greatly.

Rawwr

Original Poster:

22,722 posts

241 months

Tuesday 18th April 2017
quotequote all
Biker's Nemesis said:
True and I would miss that greatly.
That's because you're a bender.

Biker's Nemesis

39,588 posts

215 months

Tuesday 18th April 2017
quotequote all
Steve Bass said:
The King is dead... Long Live the King

No chance, I intend to keep picture weing and gently rubbing those who take themselves far too seriously.

It's just about the only enjoyment I have these days.

Mr OCD

6,388 posts

218 months

Tuesday 18th April 2017
quotequote all
Like this bike so much I've just booked a test ride.


Gunk

3,302 posts

166 months

Tuesday 18th April 2017
quotequote all
Biker's Nemesis said:
It's just about the only enjoyment I have these days.
Don't tell us you've stopped choking the old chicken!

Walter Sobchak

5,725 posts

231 months

Tuesday 18th April 2017
quotequote all
Ho Lee Kau said:
It's not illogical. RSV4 is an Italian bike with a V4, simples.

IL4 I can find anywhere, I prefer GSXR1000 out of modern IL4 bikes.

Also, given how big Honda is, and given their history, they could have made something a bit more exciting, imho.
The rumours of a Honda V4 sportsbike are still circulating...
To be fair though, the rumours of a Honda V4 superbike have be circulating since the RC45 went out of production, it's a rumour as old as the hills and no one pays it attention anymore, what would be surprising is if Honda actually went out and did it.

I really like Fireblades and I think Honda have built what they needed to build by the look of it.

jjones

4,437 posts

200 months

Tuesday 18th April 2017
quotequote all
Will look amazing once you get a tail tidy on it biggrin

Very, very nice.

Steve Bass

10,351 posts

240 months

Wednesday 19th April 2017
quotequote all
Biker's Nemesis said:
Steve Bass said:
The King is dead... Long Live the King

No chance, I intend to keep picture weing and gently rubbing those who take themselves far too seriously.

It's just about the only enjoyment I have these days.
Good man,

We've invested too much time and Jaffa cakes in you to just let you go like that... smile