1998/early CBR900RR fireblade as a daily bike?

[PTF]

Tall_Paul said:

Thanks all, I'll be keeping an eye out for either a 98-01 VFR800 or a 96-99 blade.

Seems they both have their advantages and disadvantages:

Blade pluses:

More collectable/desirable
Potential for lots of upgrades (cbr1000rr front end...)
Better looking
More power
Better handling
Lighter

Minuses:
More to insure
16" front wheel (tyre choice)
Less comfortable

VFR pluses:
Cheaper to buy and insure
More comfortable
Sounds awesome!!!
Better weather protection

Minuses:
Heavier
Thirstier
Not as collectable

They both have decent headlights with dual H4 bulbs, easy to swap out for a couple of LED bulbs.

Head is saying VFR but heart would choose the blade, but the sound of the VFR could be the deal maker (or breaker).

Having this on every commute would make a dreary February morning seem great...

https://youtu.be/daaZ_sOqC44

Edited by Tall_Paul on Monday 6th March 12:07

FYI i've got a black 1998 VFR800 sitting in my garage. Just under 40k miles. Black. Has a rack on the back to take a top box.

It's not mint, but it's not a shed either.

I've stopped commuting by bike, so am shopping for something that's more of a toy like a 600.

PM me if you want more info

[Ho Lee Kau]

Tall_Paul said:

I don't need 150bhp for commuting, and they're a grand or so more. Plus I prefer the early foxeye styling, the angular later blades look like every other sportsbike of the day.

A non VTEC VFR800 is also a possibility, average mileage seems to be about 40k on them but as you say they'll do double that with ease. Still would prefer something with around 20k miles as I've done about 25k miles in just over 2 years on the cb400 (although that'll be less now as about 5k miles will be on the tuono). I may only keep the bike for a year but I may end up keeping it a few years, I don't tend to change bikes that often.

It's not bhp (which are anyway high up in the rev range), it's the torque. The 98 Blade probably has pretty much the same torque as 2002 model.
Anyway, why Blade, why not CBR600F 2002-2008 model? I love that bike, very good commuting bike, I commute on it daily, it takes everything in stride!

[Tall_Paul]

Ho Lee Kau said:

It's not bhp (which are anyway high up in the rev range), it's the torque. The 98 Blade probably has pretty much the same torque as 2002 model.
Anyway, why Blade, why not CBR600F 2002-2008 model? I love that bike, very good commuting bike, I commute on it daily, it takes everything in stride!

The cbr600f just doesn't do it for me, there's loads of basic commuter machines like a bandit/sv650/thundercat/xj6 divvy around for less than 2 grand, but like the cbr600 they don't really spark my interest. I know the VFR and blade aren't the last word in excitement either but they're a little more 'interesting' than most bikes, either rarity or engine/sound. I do a lot of miles commuting so need something I won't want to commit suicide on... :P

PTF said:

FYI i've got a black 1998 VFR800 sitting in my garage. Just under 40k miles. Black. Has a rack on the back to take a top box.

It's not mint, but it's not a shed either.

I've stopped commuting by bike, so am shopping for something that's more of a toy like a 600.

PM me if you want more info

Thanks, I'll need to sell my CB400 first once spring gets here so won't be in a position to replace it yet, will need to go through a dealer too as I need to stick a bit on a card

[kurt535]

Jazoli said:

Don't rule out a 929 'blade, they are very cheap now, I had one with 54k miles on it and it felt barely run in, only cost me £1500, no 16" wheel issues, fuel injection and all day comfortable.

+1; have one as well, low 10k miler. beautiful beasts!

[Jazoli]

Tall_Paul said:

What's the fuelling like on these? I know some early injection bikes had dodgy throttles.

Tbh though it's a little more power than I want/need for a commuter bike, 150bhp is nice when it's dry and warm but when it's 0 degrees and the roads are covered in a slimy salty greasy muck, 150bhp with no TCS could be interesting!!

I had no issues with mine and rode it plenty in the wet, as long as you fit decent tyres and are not a ham fisted baboon its fine, the throttle works both ways you know, and you don't get 150bhp at 5000 revs.

[kurt535]

Jazoli said:

Tall_Paul said:

What's the fuelling like on these? I know some early injection bikes had dodgy throttles.

Tbh though it's a little more power than I want/need for a commuter bike, 150bhp is nice when it's dry and warm but when it's 0 degrees and the roads are covered in a slimy salty greasy muck, 150bhp with no TCS could be interesting!!

I had no issues with mine and rode it plenty in the wet, as long as you fit decent tyres and are not a ham fisted baboon its fine, the throttle works both ways you know, and you don't get 150bhp at 5000 revs.

I do clearly see the benefits of TCS but also, rather like car electronics, they could take you to the edge of the cliff without you really knowing until something happens

Asides, I completely agree if its wet and cold, gentle throttle is all the bike asks.

[Sea Demon]

Tall_Paul said:

Any reason why I shouldn't consider an early 'blade (96-99, a 918cc model) as a daily use bike to commute on?

I'm looking to replace my CB400 which is now approaching 50k miles, looking around I can pick up a '98 model (with the stainless downpipes and slightly more modern dash over the '96 model) for around £2-2.5k for one with 25k or less on it, should feel a fair bit more youthful than my bike even if it is a few years old. Prices seem to be on the up though.

Anything else I should be looking out for apart from rotten downpipes (on pre-98 models), reg/rectifier issue, and saggy rear shocks? The 16" front wheel isn't great but only due to lack of rubber, metzeler M3's are available - how are they for wet weather grip?

Obviously I'm a tall chap (6ft 3in) but I had a sit on one yesterday and it didn't feel too cramped, a test ride will of course be needed to confirm, it'll mainly be used for comnuting (not much filtering) and general use for when I don't want to get my Tuono Factory dirty I'll add a big double bubble screen (the one I saw yesterday had a powerbronze screen which was pretty decent) to give a bit better weather protection.

MPG seems reasonable too at 45-50mpg with gentle riding, only slightly less than the CB400.

I use a 1998 Fireblde to commute on, I love it - have had no problems at all, I just keep on top of the normal servicing.

Im 6'3 too and have loads of room, a lot more than my SV650 that it replaced - still using the 16" front wheel, doesn't bother me.

Cruises up/down the M20 every day and great around town, will do a couple of track days on it when the sun comes along.

Edited by Sea Demon on Wednesday 8th March 13:39

[Mr2Mike]

Shadow R1 said:

Just convert it to a 17" front.

On the 96 and 97 model years it's easy just needing a 94 - 97 vfr750 front wheel, the disks, bearings and spacers are all the same.

98 - 99 it's more involved, needing a vfr800 (none vtec) front wheel, then it needs machining down to the same width as the blade wheel, disk face to disk face.
You use the disks from the blade and you will need custom spacers making.

No machining of the wheel needed, you simply bolt on the later Blackbird discs to the VFR800 wheel and it slots right in.

Or you can go mad and add USDs and 2014 Repsol wheels like I did.

[Tall_Paul]

Mr2Mike said:

No machining of the wheel needed, you simply bolt on the later Blackbird discs to the VFR800 wheel and it slots right in.

Or you can go mad and add USDs and 2014 Repsol wheels like I did.

That's properly nice

You can fit the radial forks from the 1000rr with 929/954 yokes I believe too, along with any 108mm radial callipers, that would be a hell of a front end.

[Mr2Mike]

Tall_Paul said:

That's properly nice

You can fit the radial forks from the 1000rr with 929/954 yokes I believe too, along with any 108mm radial callipers, that would be a hell of a front end.

The 1000RR forks are a bit short, you end tightening the steering angle a fair bit. I had a set of GSXR forks with KTech valves etc. all ready to go in when I found one of the caliper mounts was slightly bent which was annoying. That said the 954 forks with Gold valves and uprated springs and the standard calipers with decent pads are excellent anyway, far better than I am.

Not quite finished in that pic, has a Harris/Ohlins steering damper now (and some mirrors!).

[Tall_Paul]

Looks much better without the fairing stay/bracket too, is that staying off?

[johnnyr6]

I would, as Jazolli says consider the 929. Still roomy enough to be comfy and very easy to ride on wet, greasy roads.

I have a 99 R1 which i've used for the past 6 years in all kinds of weather. Even with diablo supercorsa tyres it was absolutely fine on the wet wintry days as long as your sensible with the throttle.

And, for me anyway, it doesn't have the dreaded reserve tap.

Good luck, Johnny.

[Mr2Mike]

Tall_Paul said:

Looks much better without the fairing stay/bracket too, is that staying off?

It has a Harris/Ohlins steering damper kit on it now. It does look cleaner without a frame but you need something to support the mirrors.

johnnyr6 said:

And, for me anyway, it doesn't have the dreaded reserve tap.

Not my favourite thing either, though I've yet to run on reserve as I usually play it safe and fill up at around 120-130 miles. I have considered chopping the sender mount out of an old tank from a VFR etc. and welding it into the blade tank so I could have a fuel gauge. Only thing putting me off is that I'd almost certainly need to get the tank paint done again and the original is in very good nick apart from a small dent.

Edited by Mr2Mike on Wednesday 8th March 21:50

[rossb]

have 98 RRX - it's a friendly do it all bike. I have used it for when i have to go to meetings in london - its comfy/reasonably narrow for filtering/economical and will still register 160+ where conditions allow. It is really not worth anything but that means i am not too bothered parking it in an underground car park in town. compared to modern sports bikes its slow/heavyish/st brakes etc - but it is also supremely comfortable. Electronic rider aids consists of light and indicators only so easy to maintain - takes luggage or pillion easily. fond of mine

[Sea Demon]

Mr2Mike said:

No machining of the wheel needed, you simply bolt on the later Blackbird discs to the VFR800 wheel and it slots right in.

Or you can go mad and add USDs and 2014 Repsol wheels like I did.

What year VFR800 are we talking?

[Tall_Paul]

rossb said:

have 98 RRX - it's a friendly do it all bike. I have used it for when i have to go to meetings in london - its comfy/reasonably narrow for filtering/economical and will still register 160+ where conditions allow. It is really not worth anything but that means i am not too bothered parking it in an underground car park in town. compared to modern sports bikes its slow/heavyish/st brakes etc - but it is also supremely comfortable. Electronic rider aids consists of light and indicators only so easy to maintain - takes luggage or pillion easily. fond of mine

Tbh the only rider aid I would like is ABS, not expecting to get that on a £2k bike though.

Edited by Tall_Paul on Thursday 9th March 10:39

[Mr2Mike]

Sea Demon said:

What year VFR800 are we talking?

1998-ish. You want the wheel from the model without VTEC. They have exactly the same spoke design as the CBR900RR, but the distance between the disc mounting flanges is 7mm more than the Blade wheel. The fuel injected Blackbird discs fix this without having to machine anything, they locate the disc within 0.5mm of the middle of the caliper.

It was a while back I did this, but you may need to get spacers machined to centre the wheel correctly, though that's easy and cheap.

To be fair you can still get some good performance tyres for the 16" wheel even if the choice is quite limited e.g. Bridgestone S20, and I quite liked the way it felt on the 16s. It was mainly an inability to leave things alone and wanting some lighter and newer looking wheels that compelled me to change them.

Edited by Mr2Mike on Thursday 9th March 13:39

[Tall_Paul]

Well, the CB400 has been collected a couple of hours ago, and I'm pretty much settled on looking for a decent condition VFR800fi for £2000 or less.

If anyone knows of any for sale, let me know. There's not many locally to me (they're all oop north!!) but there's a couple I may be able to view over the next week or so.

The CBR, great as they are, pushes the budget up to £2500 for a decent one, and the VFR's are going for £1800 or so for a mint one.

[jackh707]

I would say hang around for a good deal in a RRW blade

I've got one in the garage, fantastic bike.

Engine is just beautiful and fizzy, lively handling brakes give loads of feedback.

I've never needed more power on the road.

And as previously stated vey practical, I occasionally commuted on mine in the past and did a fantastic job, perfect commuter IMHO.

Nice big fairing and long 6th means it cruises very nicely at 80-90 if required.

Very analogue feel, and I personally like the 16"front

[998420]

Worth mentioning the vfr has convoluted exhaust downpipes that rot, a vfr8 with a full stainless system is a much more attractive proposition than one without