Looking for another bike - your thoughts please

[RedBull]

Well, had my old GPZ1100A1 for 3 months. Wanted one since I was a teenager and found a mint, low mileage one - but didn't like it . Being used to more modern machinery I found I just didn't enjoy the ponderous handling. Sold it yesterday so am on the lookout for something else. I'm keeping the Ducati (probably forever) but want another sports bike to use alongside it. I had an EXUP when they were new and loved it, but want something different. Had a Fireblade in 1993 - the first version - loved it even more and fancy another. Max budget is £2500, and must have a pillion seat (which is why I need another bike to go with the Duke), but happily my Wife is OK with the typically poor seats on sports bikes.
So, my shortlist: Fireblade, ZX7R, ZX9R, Aprilia RSV,GSXR750, R1. Also considered an R6 but think it might be to short on midrange for regular 2-up usage?
Top of the list at the moment is the Blade, but what do you guys reckon - any advice on the other bikes (reliability, finish, running costs, handling, 2-up limitations etc.) and is there anything else I should add to my shortlist? I don't want an all rounder, I just prefer supersports bikes. Seen this one on PH and really like it Fireblade, but Leeds is a bit far for me to go and view. A shame as I could get it delivered for about £100 but don't fancy buying unseen, and as the ad is 45 days old it's probably sold anyway. Seems a good buy though, and a good idea of what I'm looking for. All opinions/ideas gratefully received.

[y2blade]

if you want the out and out supersports bike then see if you can get a early R1

but check it carefully for crash/race damage

[m3psm]

As a natural progression from EXUP then 'blade, I'd go for the ZX9R. Not as fast as the R1 but much more user friendly in my opinion and noticably quicker than an early 'blade

[FM]

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[dern]

You could probably get an rry blade for that. The 2000 bikes were ten a penny in 2001 because motorcyle shitty bought all the 2000 stock and knocked them out for 6500 quid for a brand new blade in 2001 (the 2001 bikes were 9 grand and were exactly the same except for the colour scheme). The prices have never really recovered so you should be able to pick up a bargain. I've had mine for nearly 7 years (yes I bought a motorcycle shitty one) and it's utterly brilliant and I honestly can't see myself selling it... mainly because that would involve cleaning it but also because it is the best bike I've ever had by some massive margin and because it still suits my every need (well nearly).

From biketrader... 2001 HONDA CBR CBR900 RR-Y 900 Fireblade Price: £2,750 ono. 8,800 miles, Red/white/blue, race can, baglux harness, will put new MOT on for buyer... and that's not even the cheapest.

Edited by dern on Monday 26th November 21:03

[y2blade]

dern said:

You could probably get an rry blade for that. The 2000 bikes were ten a penny in 2001 because motorcyle shitty bought all the 2000 stock and knocked them out for 6500 quid for a brand new blade in 2001 (the 2001 bikes were 9 grand and were exactly the same except for the colour scheme). The prices have never really recovered so you should be able to pick up a bargain. I've had mine for nearly 7 years (yes I bought a motorcycle shitty one) and it's utterly brilliant and I honestly can't see myself selling it... mainly because that would involve cleaning it but also because it is the best bike I've ever had by some massive margin and because it still suits my every need (well nearly).

well said..ive got an RRY and love it to bits

Edited by y2blade on Monday 26th November 21:22

[dern]

y2blade said:

well said..ive got a RRY and love it to bits

You did well to find a can that's even *bigger* than the standard one

[y2blade]

dern said:

y2blade said:

well said..ive got a RRY and love it to bits

You did well to find a can that's even *bigger* than the standard one

it was already fitted when i bought it...its the same length as the stock one!!! i know because the stock one gets put back on once a year

[RedBull]

Good stuff guys, keep it coming. I'm out all day tomorrow picking a car up from Glasgow with a 400 mile drive home - so doubt I'll get chance to post much, and then at the NEC on Wednesday. But all ideas and opinions gratefully received.
I really quite fancy an early R1 in blue, but I think my Wife will draw the line at the pillion seat on those - I've already shown her some pics and she's not keen. We know she's fine on the Blade from when I had one. Still, I'm definately keeping them in mind. I did have the TL1000R on my list in blue and white too, but looking at the market they seem a bit pricey compared to Blades and ZX9s of similar year and mileage. The thing is that the amount of ZX9s, GSXRs and Blades on the market seems to keep the pricing competitive and they do look better VFM.

[podman]

Another vote for a ZX9, i bought a E2 new in 2003, my brother had a RRY Blade at the same time, the only thing the blade did better was steer slightly easier and look nicer. As a road bike the 9 was much more stable and planted, my E2 kicked out a measured 136RWHP and could pass his RRY with surprising ease, a friends 2000 model R1 had more grunt but the 9 could stay with it, especially when it started getting frisky...

The pillion seat on the ZX is also a bit more plush than the blades.

Sadly R1's of that era and your budget, like the EXUP before them, can burn quite a bit of oil so choose carefully if you go down that route.They still look good thou' so I can understand having one of them on the shortlist.

Im going to stick my neck out here and say the RRY blade despite being capable and well built is the most "forgettable" of all the blades, I would much prefer the one in the PH ad and it seems a steal to me..for an advertised £2,600 it may be worth the journey..see if he has sold it mid December?!

[y2blade]

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikereviews/sear...

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikereviews/sear...

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikereviews/sear...

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikereviews/sear...

i'd buy an another fireblade RRY if i was in the market right now with that budget

best advice is to try and get a go on the bikes your considering then chose what suits/fits you best

none of them are "bad" they are all slightly differant

hth

happy shopping

Edited by y2blade on Tuesday 27th November 13:09