Discussion
Had a letter from the newly opened Honda dealer in Farnham (Surrey) Moto Select 01252 821281 the other day & yesterday I was in the area so I decided to call in. Now I am sort of thinking about changing the GSXR, and I really liked the look of the new blade, especially in HRC colours, so I asked for a test ride. It took a few minutes for them to get sorted, but I had just arrived unancounced. The dealership owner (Bob I think) accompanied me on the ride (fair enough) and he didn't hang around either. I had ridden an 03 or 04 blade & found the electronic damper too intrusive especially at town speeds, but Honda have sorted this now. We had a really good blast lasting about about 45 minutes taking in fast sweepers on dual carriageways & tight twisty county roads - a proper test.
Well what can I say about the blade. Fast, handles really well, good low down torque, great looking (now), very nice brakes & a lovely gearbox - a real quality product as you would expect from Honda but............. it was a little bit bland, the engine was so smooth and too quiet for my liking. I thought that when I got back on my K4 750 (with 31,000 miles on the clock) it would feel slow after the blade, but it just didn't. Sure I had to rev it harder, but it was just more exciting if not quite as quick - I am down 1 tooth on the front sprocket which helps of course. I'm not doing such big miles now, so my next bike will be 95% play thing & I think the Honda would become boring to ride at anything other than truly nutty speeds.
As for the dealership. Bob (I think) and Chris the sales manager were great - polite, friendly and very professional. The dealership is fresh & modern and if you want a Honda, I'd check them out.
Well what can I say about the blade. Fast, handles really well, good low down torque, great looking (now), very nice brakes & a lovely gearbox - a real quality product as you would expect from Honda but............. it was a little bit bland, the engine was so smooth and too quiet for my liking. I thought that when I got back on my K4 750 (with 31,000 miles on the clock) it would feel slow after the blade, but it just didn't. Sure I had to rev it harder, but it was just more exciting if not quite as quick - I am down 1 tooth on the front sprocket which helps of course. I'm not doing such big miles now, so my next bike will be 95% play thing & I think the Honda would become boring to ride at anything other than truly nutty speeds.
As for the dealership. Bob (I think) and Chris the sales manager were great - polite, friendly and very professional. The dealership is fresh & modern and if you want a Honda, I'd check them out.
I had the same letter, I am yet to pop down to visit them though.
As for the blade, I can't say that I would upgrade. I have used the same method of making the 05 bike as quick that you have by re-gearing. As did Honda plus a few selected tweeks to enable the engine to rev slightly higher. All I can say is that the 'boring factor' translates as safety and stability and allows you to explore the limit more on both track and road (although it is highly debatable whether that is a good thing on the roads).
The blades front end and I have the closest relationship you could imagine, it never lets me down, it is rock solid even over all the sh*tty British road surfaces.
As for the blade, I can't say that I would upgrade. I have used the same method of making the 05 bike as quick that you have by re-gearing. As did Honda plus a few selected tweeks to enable the engine to rev slightly higher. All I can say is that the 'boring factor' translates as safety and stability and allows you to explore the limit more on both track and road (although it is highly debatable whether that is a good thing on the roads).
The blades front end and I have the closest relationship you could imagine, it never lets me down, it is rock solid even over all the sh*tty British road surfaces.
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