2005 Fireblade RR-5

[tim2100]

Guys

after ride yesterday made the mistake of dropping into the bike shop.(A Honda Dealer)

Unfortunatly they had a 2005 fireblade for sale


55 plate with 2900 miles and one owner. Looks brand new however the suspension seems very very low and when sat I bounce on the bike it feels like it bottoms out. Could this just be the previous owner played with the suspension to much and has completly ruined the handling?

They have the bike up for £6595.

Is this a good deal and worth going for?

I am thinking of dropping a deposit on the bike on the condition that the suspension is put back to standard...

[Biker's Nemesis]

It does seem a tad expensive too me, I'm sure they were being sold new, last year for approximately £7700. Also think on that there is a new model coming out next year, so prices of that model will drop.

There will be nothing wrong with the suspension, as you have said, the previous owner will have been fiddling.

[y2blade]

dont bother its the most boring liter bike you can buy
i was biterly disapointed after riding my mates Repsol one

if your buget can stretch to an 06 model Fireblade then go for one of them instead, otherwise look at the K5 GSXR1000/ZX10 or 05 R1's

Edited by y2blade on Sunday 12th August 23:05

[tim2100]

Should explain they are also giving me quite a good price on my GSXR 600.

Y2blade, How can a 170bhp litre bike be boring?

I haven't riddem anything quicker than my gixxer.

Edited by tim2100 on Monday 13th August 08:35

[Biker's Nemesis]

tim2100 said:

Should explain they are also giving me quite a good price on my Gixxer 600.

Y2blade, How can a 170bhp litre bike be boring?

I haven't riddem anything quicker than my gixxer.

Arrggg, don't say Gixer, it's a GSXR, that's soooooo not cool.

It's not a 170bhp bike for a start, it's a 150ish, 200kgish Superbike.

What Y2blade means, (I think) is the way it delivers it's power is not as exciting as a GSXR, Zx10 or R1. I ridden them all and they are a really good bike, if you like them you will not be disappointed, especially after coming from a 600.

HTH.

John.

[y2blade]

tim2100 said:

Y2blade, How can a 170bhp litre bike be boring?

ride one and you will see EXACTLY how! i was ready to trade my RRY blade in for a 04 CBR1000RR when they first came out UNTIL i rode my mates REPSOL one....withing about 5 mins all i waqnted to was get back on my RRY

what a disapointement

i felt the same as you about the magazines slating it and saying it was dull and boring!! i though "how the can a 170bhp bike be boring"


just ride one!

[tim2100]

Biker's Nemesis said:

Arrggg, don't say Gixer, it's a GSXR, that's soooooo not cool.

corrected

[tim2100]

I'm confused, in what way is it boring?

Is it a crap power delivery with a linear power curve or 20bhp until 12400 revs and red line at 12500?

If that is the case is it fairly easy to ride? as i sometimes commute on the bike I don't really want a bike where if I think about opening the throttle it will try and throw me off the back.

[veetwin]

Buy the RR5, then change the gearing to 15/42 and enjoy.

Nothing between my old RR5 and my friends K7 up to 185mph; albeit he is 4st heavier than me.

I have a pillion seat replacement cover for sale if you need one!! It is off a Repsol blade and will need respraying.

Edited by veetwin on Monday 20th August 21:39

[veetwin]

Biker's Nemesis said:

tim2100 said:

Should explain they are also giving me quite a good price on my Gixxer 600.

Y2blade, How can a 170bhp litre bike be boring?

I haven't riddem anything quicker than my gixxer.

Arrggg, don't say Gixer, it's a GSXR, that's soooooo not cool.

It's not a 170bhp bike for a start, it's a 150ish, 200kgish Superbike.

What Y2blade means, (I think) is the way it delivers it's power is not as exciting as a GSXR, Zx10 or R1. I ridden them all and they are a really good bike, if you like them you will not be disappointed, especially after coming from a 600.

HTH.

John.

172 crank output
154 rwhp

as tested by most.

For a comparison GSXR-1000K7 makes

180 crank
164 rwhp

The problem with the 04/05 model was the gearing. Change the gearing and you will have the litre bike most suited to UK roads.

Also, 1 turn more front preload and 1 turn more front rebound and 1/4 turn on rear compression and rebound stops it pushing wide when driving hard from the apex.

Also, never ever fit anything less than Diablo CORASA or 2CTs. Standard Diablos are NOT up to he job.

Bin the exhaust for can and lose 6kg instantly; the standard can is immense. Then bin passenger footpegs and brackets. Also open the Air Intake flap. Google 'Air Intake Mod CBR1000RR' and you will find out how, nice simple job.

Always run 34 front and 40 rear on the road otherwise low speed acceleration over bumps will have the head shaking at you. Drop this to 32 front 31 rear for hard track work.

[y2blade]

tim2100 said:

I'm confused, in what way is it boring?

Is it a crap power delivery with a linear power curve or 20bhp until 12400 revs and red line at 12500?

If that is the case is it fairly easy to ride? as i sometimes commute on the bike I don't really want a bike where if I think about opening the throttle it will try and throw me off the back.

just get a ride on one

make up your own mind..for me it felt bland engine wise too linear no steps in the power delivery and felt very heavy/too-planted on the road like the tires are filled with lead...i prefere a bike that feels like its getting involved with the ride

the 04/05 blade is TOO perfect TOO refined...the 06 model is much more what a 1000 sports bike should be


prob ideal for you from what youve just said

Edited by y2blade on Monday 13th August 13:06

[YamR1V64motion]

you can easily get a 2006 model for that money, if you wait a bit later in the year you might be able to get a non sold 2006 model for the same amount as i imagine the dealers will be getting twitchy about clearing thier stock ready for the new one.

[tim2100]

veetwin said:

Buy the RR5, then change the gearing to 14/42 and enjoy.

Nothing between my old RR5 and my friends K7 up to 185mph; albeit he is 4st heavier than me.

I have a pillion seat replacement cover for sale if you need one!! It is off a Repsol blade and will need respraying.

Thanks Vee twin.

How different is that to the standard gearing?

YamR1V64motion said:

you can easily get a 2006 model for that money, if you wait a bit later in the year you might be able to get a non sold 2006 model for the same amount as i imagine the dealers will be getting twitchy about clearing thier stock ready for the new one.

When looking on Autotrader in my area (Midlands) It was the cheapest model at less than two years old. When widening the search, most other bikes at a cheaper price where 2005 & 2006 bikes with quite high miles.

How much different is 2005-2006?
Tim.

[y2blade]

tim2100 said:

How much different is 2005-2006?
Tim.

they are very differant to ride..the 06-07 models feel "alive" (more like a 1000cc sports bike should feel) they have lower gearing and rev a little higher so top speed stays the same..yet still very easy to ride steady on but more rewarding when you are in "attack" mode


i keep saying it but "just ride one" there is no such thing as a bad 1000cc sportsbike they are all slightly differant,find the one that suits!


they are all very good

[veetwin]

tim2100 said:

veetwin said:

Buy the RR5, then change the gearing to 14/42 and enjoy.

Nothing between my old RR5 and my friends K7 up to 185mph; albeit he is 4st heavier than me.

I have a pillion seat replacement cover for sale if you need one!! It is off a Repsol blade and will need respraying.

Thanks Vee twin.

How different is that to the standard gearing?

Tim.

Standard 04/05 gearing is 15/40.

Have a look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_CBR1000RR for a comparison between the two bikes.

[tim2100]

Cheers For replies guys.

I think that although referred to as boring I think that it is all relative and coming from my GSXR600 it is going to be a big step up and if it isn't enough then I can move onto GSXR1000 etc.

When I have sat on R1 & ZX10 & 999 I have found them extremely uncomfortable at standstill so would hurt after some time so it is either the GSXR or Fireblade.

I have placed the deposit on the bike so just waiting for confirmation on the finance and when I can pick it up.

Its going to make a fantastic Wedding present for me

[veetwin]

2005 R1 - Too vibey, couldn't see anything in the mirrors above 5000rpm, seemed reluctant to turn in and fidgety on high speed corners, tall gearing proved difficult to wheelie in second for some reason.

K7 GSXR Thou - Great bike, very similar delivery to my RR5 (regeared etc.) better riding position than the blade, almost akin to a sports tourer, same fuel consumption as the blade (both lights were coming on at the same time on our run to Sachsenring), wheelies better in second and third due to slightly higher redline and bigger balance point (the blade's mass centralisation and long swingarm does it best to keep the nose pointing forward not upward). Low speed handling is better on the blade, mid to high speed cornering gives the same confidence on both bikes; extremely planted, no fuss at all. Knee down is easier on the GSXR as you seem to be lower to the ground, the blade is very upright and forward (similar to my old 748 but bigger tank width). Braking is better on the Honda, great initial bite and no fade using EBC HH pads in the front. Never used the rear on either so no comment. The GSXR seemed to have less initial bite.

ZX10R - Never had the pleasure of riding one. All I know is just buy a steering damper!!

[y2blade]

tim2100 said:

Cheers For replies guys.

I think that although referred to as boring I think that it is all relative and coming from my GSXR600 it is going to be a big step up and if it isn't enough then I can move onto GSXR1000 etc.

When I have sat on R1 & ZX10 & 999 I have found them extremely uncomfortable at standstill so would hurt after some time so it is either the GSXR or Fireblade.

I have placed the deposit on the bike so just waiting for confirmation on the finance and when I can pick it up.

Its going to make a fantastic Wedding present for me

cool mate im sure you will love it

[blade7]

Way too much dosh, if there are any left you could get a brand new one for that.

[Biker's Nemesis]

veetwin said:

2005 R1 - Too vibey, couldn't see anything in the mirrors above 5000rpm, seemed reluctant to turn in and fidgety on high speed corners, tall gearing proved difficult to wheelie in second for some reason.

Really, hand on heart here, not noticed vibration bad enough to not be able too see out of the mirrors' likewise with the handling. Maybe, if it was a new bike fitted with Dunlop's, or had a under inflated tyre, or some one had been fiddling with the suspension, I wouldn't know about the Dunlop's, as on both my 04 and 05 one's I had Bridgestone's fitted before I picked them up.

Yes they do have a tall first gear 105mph, but the rest of the gearbox is pretty close ratio, mine comes up and stays up in 2nd and 3rd no problem at all.

John.