Litre sports bikes... base price
Discussion
Hi
In the market for a litre sports bike recently, specifically an R1 or 05+ Blade. This would be a track bike/very occasional road bike so looking at the bottom end of the market.
There seems to be a base price of £3k on the blade, for the early/leggy ones. It has been that way for a while from what I can see. It’s interesting to see that some bikes that are half the age (2010/11) are down to the £5k mark. Is it worth spending that bit more?
The R1 is similar to a degree, but of course the desire for early models sways it somewhat.
Any thoughts? Anyone else been in this situation?
Cheers
In the market for a litre sports bike recently, specifically an R1 or 05+ Blade. This would be a track bike/very occasional road bike so looking at the bottom end of the market.
There seems to be a base price of £3k on the blade, for the early/leggy ones. It has been that way for a while from what I can see. It’s interesting to see that some bikes that are half the age (2010/11) are down to the £5k mark. Is it worth spending that bit more?
The R1 is similar to a degree, but of course the desire for early models sways it somewhat.
Any thoughts? Anyone else been in this situation?
Cheers
At that age it depends on condition whether it’s worth spending more for a newer model.
That being said there were upgrades to various models at various times which makes them better value. A k9 gsxr 1000 for example has showa bpf and monoblock callipers but doesn’t really cost more than a k5.
Likewise some of the zx10 models after the 04 are ugly and therefore priced lower for a better spec more capable bike.
Personally I’d go for a gsxr for reliability or a zx10 for thrills. As said the 08 on blades are sketchy reliability wise and the earlier ones a bit dull.
R1 is ok but the model before they went cross plane with the four valve heads drop valves for fun. The early cross planes were down on power if its 1000 down the road g that floats your boat.
That being said there were upgrades to various models at various times which makes them better value. A k9 gsxr 1000 for example has showa bpf and monoblock callipers but doesn’t really cost more than a k5.
Likewise some of the zx10 models after the 04 are ugly and therefore priced lower for a better spec more capable bike.
Personally I’d go for a gsxr for reliability or a zx10 for thrills. As said the 08 on blades are sketchy reliability wise and the earlier ones a bit dull.
R1 is ok but the model before they went cross plane with the four valve heads drop valves for fun. The early cross planes were down on power if its 1000 down the road g that floats your boat.
Thank you for the replies everyone. Not sure how to multiquote so will reply below:
Cheers for the 08-10 info - I will avoid.
Desire for a blade... not sure really. It was the bike to have when I started riding. I also swapped a Focus ST for a 12 plate Blade a number of years ago and always wished I used it rather than just sell on. I thought they were supposed to be very reliable too (although now I see that's different!)
Will have a look at GSXRs. A '98 R1 would be cool if I could find one. a 750 would probably be plenty for what I want
Just don't get the fizz with the older ZX models.
Cheers
Cheers for the 08-10 info - I will avoid.
Desire for a blade... not sure really. It was the bike to have when I started riding. I also swapped a Focus ST for a 12 plate Blade a number of years ago and always wished I used it rather than just sell on. I thought they were supposed to be very reliable too (although now I see that's different!)
Will have a look at GSXRs. A '98 R1 would be cool if I could find one. a 750 would probably be plenty for what I want
Just don't get the fizz with the older ZX models.
Cheers
I almost bought a new Gen 1 10R in 04. I was then on my first 98 R1 and had a “ tear up” with someone on a green 10R one day. But Divorce put a stop to my new purchase.
I would have kept both.
Looked at buying another early 10R last year, but there are some real dogs out there and they are known to crack their frames ( which Kawasaki Do Not want to know about - except to sell one a new frame @ £1,200 plus, if they have any left now, that is )
Almost jumped ship to a “tweaked” claimed 167hp Gixer K6, that a pal was selling. I had waited months to ride it and had the £ cash in my pocket, but after an after noon out on it, to say i was deeply under whelmed, is an under statement.
Its lack of low and mid range torque / grunt / and its “all top end” power, compared to my Akra can, Dyno Jet, etc well set up, 98 R1 put me completly off of it. It had to be revved hard to get it to go, which on the roads i ride, is no good for me. It was also cramped and not a patch on the R1s riding position. Build quality is not a patch on the 98/01 R1 either.
Looked at 05/06 “wheel barrow” 10Rs, but their styling after the the stunning Gen 1 and those dire under seat exhausts just does not do it for me!
Had 3 of the first F Blades, but the 2000 on models do nowt for me.
A 1098 is on the Wish list though.
The only other bike that i want to try is a 2010 - 14 S1000RR. But a low owner / low miles one, with a good service history is really £9,000 plus.
The almost forgotten 02 / 03 R1 is something of a £ Bargain. And is the most reliable R1 as well. A pal bought one new in Germany, its done 2,000 miles and i have first refusal on it.
Ive yet to try an 04/06 R1, but im not a fan of their colour schemes at all, particularly the wine red.
I would have kept both.
Looked at buying another early 10R last year, but there are some real dogs out there and they are known to crack their frames ( which Kawasaki Do Not want to know about - except to sell one a new frame @ £1,200 plus, if they have any left now, that is )
Almost jumped ship to a “tweaked” claimed 167hp Gixer K6, that a pal was selling. I had waited months to ride it and had the £ cash in my pocket, but after an after noon out on it, to say i was deeply under whelmed, is an under statement.
Its lack of low and mid range torque / grunt / and its “all top end” power, compared to my Akra can, Dyno Jet, etc well set up, 98 R1 put me completly off of it. It had to be revved hard to get it to go, which on the roads i ride, is no good for me. It was also cramped and not a patch on the R1s riding position. Build quality is not a patch on the 98/01 R1 either.
Looked at 05/06 “wheel barrow” 10Rs, but their styling after the the stunning Gen 1 and those dire under seat exhausts just does not do it for me!
Had 3 of the first F Blades, but the 2000 on models do nowt for me.
A 1098 is on the Wish list though.
The only other bike that i want to try is a 2010 - 14 S1000RR. But a low owner / low miles one, with a good service history is really £9,000 plus.
The almost forgotten 02 / 03 R1 is something of a £ Bargain. And is the most reliable R1 as well. A pal bought one new in Germany, its done 2,000 miles and i have first refusal on it.
Ive yet to try an 04/06 R1, but im not a fan of their colour schemes at all, particularly the wine red.
neutral 3 said:
The only other bike that i want to try is a 2010 - 14 S1000RR. But a low owner / low miles one, with a good service history is really £9,000 plus.
Ive yet to try an 04/06 R1, but im not a fan of their colour schemes at all, particularly the wine red.
If you thought a k6 gsxr 1000 lacked low down grunt you really, really wont like the s1000rr.Ive yet to try an 04/06 R1, but im not a fan of their colour schemes at all, particularly the wine red.
Wine red 5vy? You mean the ph favourite lava. It’s a bit like saying you don’t like mx5s over in GG.
trickywoo said:
If you thought a k6 gsxr 1000 lacked low down grunt you really, really wont like the s1000rr.
Wine red 5vy? You mean the ph favourite lava. It’s a bit like saying you don’t like mx5s over in GG.
I have bought / sold a few MX5s over the years. Great little cars, but not my cup of tea. Wine red 5vy? You mean the ph favourite lava. It’s a bit like saying you don’t like mx5s over in GG.
trickywoo said:
neutral 3 said:
The only other bike that i want to try is a 2010 - 14 S1000RR. But a low owner / low miles one, with a good service history is really £9,000 plus.
Ive yet to try an 04/06 R1, but im not a fan of their colour schemes at all, particularly the wine red.
If you thought a k6 gsxr 1000 lacked low down grunt you really, really wont like the s1000rr.Ive yet to try an 04/06 R1, but im not a fan of their colour schemes at all, particularly the wine red.
blade7 said:
trickywoo said:
neutral 3 said:
The only other bike that i want to try is a 2010 - 14 S1000RR. But a low owner / low miles one, with a good service history is really £9,000 plus.
Ive yet to try an 04/06 R1, but im not a fan of their colour schemes at all, particularly the wine red.
If you thought a k6 gsxr 1000 lacked low down grunt you really, really wont like the s1000rr.Ive yet to try an 04/06 R1, but im not a fan of their colour schemes at all, particularly the wine red.
I didn’t like the s1000 I rode because the build quality felt sketchy as hell. Massive buzz through the foot pegs, fragile feeling switch gear and a clutch cable stretched like a Turkish wrestlers jock strap with just a few hundred miles on the clock.
I ran a 2003 R1 from 2005 - 2010, 18k miles in that time including a few track days. Only issue I ever had was a seized exup valve and that was my own fault for riding in all weather's and not servicing the valve.
I then ran a 2005 R1 from 2010 - 2015, 15k miles. Never a single issue in that time.
I've now got a 2015 which I've had for 3 years and 10k miles, again not a single issue.
So my money would go on an R1
I then ran a 2005 R1 from 2010 - 2015, 15k miles. Never a single issue in that time.
I've now got a 2015 which I've had for 3 years and 10k miles, again not a single issue.
So my money would go on an R1
trickywoo said:
The Gen 1 I rode felt like my 750 at low / medium revs. That is why I said he wouldn’t like it because he thought the k6 had no bottom end when if there is anything that bike is known for in sports bike terms is a strong bottom end.
I didn’t like the s1000 I rode because the build quality felt sketchy as hell. Massive buzz through the foot pegs, fragile feeling switch gear and a clutch cable stretched like a Turkish wrestlers jock strap with just a few hundred miles on the clock.
No way the BMW has worse build quality than the Suzuki, and the clutch cable should be adjusted to have no slack from cold. I kept my K6 1000 for 7 years, and if I could have bought another new one for £8k I'd probably have done it. But my gen 2 S1000RR has much better power, brakes and handling. Plus shift assist, switchable ABS, traction control and heated grips. I didn’t like the s1000 I rode because the build quality felt sketchy as hell. Massive buzz through the foot pegs, fragile feeling switch gear and a clutch cable stretched like a Turkish wrestlers jock strap with just a few hundred miles on the clock.
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