Discussion
Bought one just under a year ago, great bike.
Handling is great even though the bike is heavier than you would expect.
Plenty of power for the road, it has the reassurance of the electronics but to be honest there is enough grip that they are rarely called in to action in the dry.
No denying its relatively expensive, and you could have a faster Japanese litre bike for the same money, but for me the litre bike power is excessive and the V2 is gorgeous...
Any questions fire away
Handling is great even though the bike is heavier than you would expect.
Plenty of power for the road, it has the reassurance of the electronics but to be honest there is enough grip that they are rarely called in to action in the dry.
No denying its relatively expensive, and you could have a faster Japanese litre bike for the same money, but for me the litre bike power is excessive and the V2 is gorgeous...
Any questions fire away
Esceptico said:
Gets good reviews and on paper seems like a lot of bike for the money (compared to full on super bikes likes the V4). I asked my local dealer if they had a demo bike but with limited supply they sell all that arrive from Italy so no chance of a test ride anytime soon.
A mate had a several hour test ride of one and ended up buying. He loves it.HughiusMaximus said:
Bought one just under a year ago, great bike.
Handling is great even though the bike is heavier than you would expect.
Plenty of power for the road, it has the reassurance of the electronics but to be honest there is enough grip that they are rarely called in to action in the dry.
No denying its relatively expensive, and you could have a faster Japanese litre bike for the same money, but for me the litre bike power is excessive and the V2 is gorgeous...
Any questions fire away
Interesting you say it's heavy, should be 200kg wet which doesn't seem too crazy, an 1199 was 190-odd!Handling is great even though the bike is heavier than you would expect.
Plenty of power for the road, it has the reassurance of the electronics but to be honest there is enough grip that they are rarely called in to action in the dry.
No denying its relatively expensive, and you could have a faster Japanese litre bike for the same money, but for me the litre bike power is excessive and the V2 is gorgeous...
Any questions fire away
Sounds like a great bike to me, lots of positive reviews when they were released.
HughiusMaximus said:
Bought one just under a year ago, great bike.
Handling is great even though the bike is heavier than you would expect.
Plenty of power for the road, it has the reassurance of the electronics but to be honest there is enough grip that they are rarely called in to action in the dry.
No denying its relatively expensive, and you could have a faster Japanese litre bike for the same money, but for me the litre bike power is excessive and the V2 is gorgeous...
Any questions fire away
Thanks for the feedback.
Handling is great even though the bike is heavier than you would expect.
Plenty of power for the road, it has the reassurance of the electronics but to be honest there is enough grip that they are rarely called in to action in the dry.
No denying its relatively expensive, and you could have a faster Japanese litre bike for the same money, but for me the litre bike power is excessive and the V2 is gorgeous...
Any questions fire away
Thanks for the feedback.
Krikkit said:
Interesting you say it's heavy, should be 200kg wet which doesn't seem too crazy
It's all relatve, it's not a heavy bike, but it's noticeably heavier to move around than the Daytona 675r i had before it.Once you are moving its fine.
It's not as nimble as a 600 but corners really well once tipped in.
I've been running one alongside a Fireblade (2015) for the past year.
Both sports bikes but he differences are quite stark.
Seat height is a lot taller than the Blade, but its significantly narrower. Plenty of leg room, short reach to the bars and its far more comfortable than I was initially expecting.
Its also lighter than the Blade but it holds its weight higher, as you would expect for a twin. You notice this wheeling it around, not when moving.
I do find it difficult to grip the tank with my knees effectively. First time I've felt the need to fit Stompgrip to a road bike, but even so it's still not brilliant to grip. I also never feel the need to shift my weight while riding, whereas on the Blade it feels natural to climb all over it. No doubt this is down to the difference in ergos between the two, but I definitely notice this.
I've had the suspension on both dialed in for my weight. The V2 still feels firm and loves smoother roads, whereas the Blade is a lot more compliant and composed over the bumpy stuff. The difference in weight could help explain this. I haven't taken the V2 to the track yet, but I get the feeling it would make a great track bike.
The heat soak through the seat is very real in the summer months.
Its doesn't have the outright grunt of a 1000cc IL4, but it's not playing that game. More than enough shove and top end for me. I do get to use more of the gears on the V2 as a result, but the QS/blipper make that a doddle.
The biggest difference between the two is the mirrors. Blade = amazing, V2 = meh
It sounds incredible with the Akras, even with the baffles in.
I really enjoy riding mine. Feels more of an event that the dependable Blade, but I'd choose the latter if riding any serious distance. It just fits me a bit better.
Both sports bikes but he differences are quite stark.
Seat height is a lot taller than the Blade, but its significantly narrower. Plenty of leg room, short reach to the bars and its far more comfortable than I was initially expecting.
Its also lighter than the Blade but it holds its weight higher, as you would expect for a twin. You notice this wheeling it around, not when moving.
I do find it difficult to grip the tank with my knees effectively. First time I've felt the need to fit Stompgrip to a road bike, but even so it's still not brilliant to grip. I also never feel the need to shift my weight while riding, whereas on the Blade it feels natural to climb all over it. No doubt this is down to the difference in ergos between the two, but I definitely notice this.
I've had the suspension on both dialed in for my weight. The V2 still feels firm and loves smoother roads, whereas the Blade is a lot more compliant and composed over the bumpy stuff. The difference in weight could help explain this. I haven't taken the V2 to the track yet, but I get the feeling it would make a great track bike.
The heat soak through the seat is very real in the summer months.
Its doesn't have the outright grunt of a 1000cc IL4, but it's not playing that game. More than enough shove and top end for me. I do get to use more of the gears on the V2 as a result, but the QS/blipper make that a doddle.
The biggest difference between the two is the mirrors. Blade = amazing, V2 = meh
It sounds incredible with the Akras, even with the baffles in.
I really enjoy riding mine. Feels more of an event that the dependable Blade, but I'd choose the latter if riding any serious distance. It just fits me a bit better.
tankslappa said:
I've been running one alongside a Fireblade (2015) for the past year.
Both sports bikes but he differences are quite stark.
Seat height is a lot taller than the Blade, but its significantly narrower. Plenty of leg room, short reach to the bars and its far more comfortable than I was initially expecting.
Its also lighter than the Blade but it holds its weight higher, as you would expect for a twin. You notice this wheeling it around, not when moving.
I do find it difficult to grip the tank with my knees effectively. First time I've felt the need to fit Stompgrip to a road bike, but even so it's still not brilliant to grip. I also never feel the need to shift my weight while riding, whereas on the Blade it feels natural to climb all over it. No doubt this is down to the difference in ergos between the two, but I definitely notice this.
I've had the suspension on both dialed in for my weight. The V2 still feels firm and loves smoother roads, whereas the Blade is a lot more compliant and composed over the bumpy stuff. The difference in weight could help explain this. I haven't taken the V2 to the track yet, but I get the feeling it would make a great track bike.
The heat soak through the seat is very real in the summer months.
Its doesn't have the outright grunt of a 1000cc IL4, but it's not playing that game. More than enough shove and top end for me. I do get to use more of the gears on the V2 as a result, but the QS/blipper make that a doddle.
The biggest difference between the two is the mirrors. Blade = amazing, V2 = meh
It sounds incredible with the Akras, even with the baffles in.
I really enjoy riding mine. Feels more of an event that the dependable Blade, but I'd choose the latter if riding any serious distance. It just fits me a bit better.
Thanks for that... it is an irrational thought that I am an old biker and feel I should have a Ducati before I hang up my helmet... think it will end up a romantic ideal and I'll finish up with another in line 4. Your last sentence seems to confirm that. Thanks again
Both sports bikes but he differences are quite stark.
Seat height is a lot taller than the Blade, but its significantly narrower. Plenty of leg room, short reach to the bars and its far more comfortable than I was initially expecting.
Its also lighter than the Blade but it holds its weight higher, as you would expect for a twin. You notice this wheeling it around, not when moving.
I do find it difficult to grip the tank with my knees effectively. First time I've felt the need to fit Stompgrip to a road bike, but even so it's still not brilliant to grip. I also never feel the need to shift my weight while riding, whereas on the Blade it feels natural to climb all over it. No doubt this is down to the difference in ergos between the two, but I definitely notice this.
I've had the suspension on both dialed in for my weight. The V2 still feels firm and loves smoother roads, whereas the Blade is a lot more compliant and composed over the bumpy stuff. The difference in weight could help explain this. I haven't taken the V2 to the track yet, but I get the feeling it would make a great track bike.
The heat soak through the seat is very real in the summer months.
Its doesn't have the outright grunt of a 1000cc IL4, but it's not playing that game. More than enough shove and top end for me. I do get to use more of the gears on the V2 as a result, but the QS/blipper make that a doddle.
The biggest difference between the two is the mirrors. Blade = amazing, V2 = meh
It sounds incredible with the Akras, even with the baffles in.
I really enjoy riding mine. Feels more of an event that the dependable Blade, but I'd choose the latter if riding any serious distance. It just fits me a bit better.
Thanks for that... it is an irrational thought that I am an old biker and feel I should have a Ducati before I hang up my helmet... think it will end up a romantic ideal and I'll finish up with another in line 4. Your last sentence seems to confirm that. Thanks again
tankslappa said:
I've been running one alongside a Fireblade (2015) for the past year.
I also never feel the need to shift my weight while riding, whereas on the Blade it feels natural to climb all over it.
Its funny I found the opposite - I found it doesnt reward 'lazy' riding and I have to move around on it to get it to turn like my daytona did, especially on initial tip in in tighter bends.I also never feel the need to shift my weight while riding, whereas on the Blade it feels natural to climb all over it.
Admittedly thats when I'm getting a lick on, and the daytona is a tough bike to match from a handling perspective.
Agree with you on the need for tank grips, I fitted eazigrips and they did the trick.
The heat soak is a double edged sword, its quite pleasant in the Spring and Autumn on cooler days, but it does get vey noticeable if you are in slow moving traffic on a hot day.
HughiusMaximus said:
Its funny I found the opposite - I found it doesnt reward 'lazy' riding and I have to move around on it to get it to turn like my daytona did, especially on initial tip in in tighter bends.
Admittedly thats when I'm getting a lick on, and the daytona is a tough bike to match from a handling perspective.
Agree with you on the need for tank grips, I fitted eazigrips and they did the trick.
The heat soak is a double edged sword, its quite pleasant in the Spring and Autumn on cooler days, but it does get vey noticeable if you are in slow moving traffic on a hot day.
Yeah I wouldn't call it lazy, it begs to be thrashed and it feels like I'm using it harder than my Blade. But for some reason I feel locked in with the riding position, I don't feel the need to move around it as much. That's not a negative or positive really, just different perception between the ergos. I do have the comfort seat fitted so that may be having an effect.Admittedly thats when I'm getting a lick on, and the daytona is a tough bike to match from a handling perspective.
Agree with you on the need for tank grips, I fitted eazigrips and they did the trick.
The heat soak is a double edged sword, its quite pleasant in the Spring and Autumn on cooler days, but it does get vey noticeable if you are in slow moving traffic on a hot day.
Another thing i forgot to mention is the side stand.
Every previous bike I've owned, the side stand has just needed a quick kickdown with the left heel. It's virtually impossible to use the same technique with the V2, no matter which boots I've worn (and I presume the 1199 and 1299).
You have to bring your foot underneath the left peg and use the inside of your big toe to try and catch the side stand plate.
Sounds like a trivial point to make, but it was incredibly frustrating for the first few weeks while I worked this out. Even resorting to having to use my hand, or getting off the bike first. It caused me to lay the bike down on a garage forecourt because i thought the stand was down when it wasn't (first bike dropped in 20 years riding
). Only damage was a bar end and grazed mirror, and a torn hamstring trying to hold it past the point of no return I know other owners and they've all mentioned the same thing about the side stand.
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