1998/early CBR900RR fireblade as a daily bike?
Discussion
From looking around when I briefly owned an 800 the 2000-2001 model pre VTEC had stainless downpipes as standard, there is a shield on the collector box which goes tatty and appears to be holed but the pipes should be ok. Those years easilly identified by having the HISS immobiliser ignition barrel & key.
podman said:
From looking around when I briefly owned an 800 the 2000-2001 model pre VTEC had stainless downpipes as standard, there is a shield on the collector box which goes tatty and appears to be holed but the pipes should be ok. Those years easilly identified by having the HISS immobiliser ignition barrel & key.
Yeah I'd prefer to get a HISS model for the auto fast idle and the other small improvements, didn't know they had a stainless system tbh. I'm not going to turn down a mint non-HISS model just becuase of this though. The clutch is meant to be lighter on the HISS model too, don't know by how much though. My other bike is a Gen2 Tuono and I have no trouble feathering the clutch on that through traffic so if it's as light or lighter than that I'll be fine.I'm looking at a 2000 (non HISS) bike tomorrow, mint condition and one owner all it's life. Then another (non HISS) model next weekend with a full stainless system, not as good condition but £400 cheaper asking price.
I don't think any of the pre-vtec VFRs had stainless downpipes. Mine was a 2000 model (non-rubber johnnie mirror stems) and that had rusty downpipes - like said above, a rotten cover/heatshield over the collector/cat which you can 'cut' off with a chisel still in situ.
I think I said this before,and having owned both, I'd still prefer a 96-99 913cc model blades to a VFR800i. Just a lot nicer to ride and just feel there's a little less to go wrong and easier to work on (no Fi, No linked brakes, IL4 packaging etc and a 98> Blade will have stainless down pipes).
Good luck with the search.
I think I said this before,and having owned both, I'd still prefer a 96-99 913cc model blades to a VFR800i. Just a lot nicer to ride and just feel there's a little less to go wrong and easier to work on (no Fi, No linked brakes, IL4 packaging etc and a 98> Blade will have stainless down pipes).
Good luck with the search.
graham22 said:
I don't think any of the pre-vtec VFRs had stainless downpipes. Mine was a 2000 model (non-rubber johnnie mirror stems) and that had rusty downpipes - like said above, a rotten cover/heatshield over the collector/cat which you can 'cut' off with a chisel still in situ.
.
Honest gov, the 2000-2001 VFR800 had a fair few changes to them, one of which was having a cat in the now stainless system, it will go manky looking but it wont rot out like the earlier bikes....thats why I bought a 2001 model..
I do agree thou, the Blade in the long term will be much easier and cheaper to maintain.
I love my old Fireblade - had it almost a year, commuted on ever day in all weathers and never missed a beat, love the noise it makes and the fact that when I take the cover off in the morning I get a whiff of petrol which reminds me of when I open the shed and I get the smell of petrol from the lawnmower - makes me feel happy 
jjones said:
Had both a 98 blade and a VFR800
For the VFR think more 130-140 tank range, that was moderately fast commuting use (10 miles A road, 10 miles dual carriageway, 6 miles city dual carriage way with roundabouts/traffic lights).
The V4 engine has a lot more character then the 98 blade (my blade had pipe+dynojet), the blade is obviously faster and sharper handling.
Maintenance is easier on the blade, the V4 engine is a pain in the butt if something like the thermostat needs replacing.
I can get an easy 180-200 miles out of mine, although it seems to appreciate a smooth approach. Get heavy handed and snappy with the throttle and it can drink a bit. My thermostat is buggered I think, so I I would expect the range to improve a bit once that is replaced. For the VFR think more 130-140 tank range, that was moderately fast commuting use (10 miles A road, 10 miles dual carriageway, 6 miles city dual carriage way with roundabouts/traffic lights).
The V4 engine has a lot more character then the 98 blade (my blade had pipe+dynojet), the blade is obviously faster and sharper handling.
Maintenance is easier on the blade, the V4 engine is a pain in the butt if something like the thermostat needs replacing.
Super Slo Mo said:
I can get an easy 180-200 miles out of mine, although it seems to appreciate a smooth approach. Get heavy handed and snappy with the throttle and it can drink a bit. My thermostat is buggered I think, so I I would expect the range to improve a bit once that is replaced.
Good to know!I've just put down a deposit on a 23k miles, 'W' reg 2000 plate (updated HISS model) VFR800, in red (of course!)
Extremely good condition, FSH, mint painwork, scottoiler already fitted, stack of receipts (owned by the stereotypical VFR rider, 50's/60's, bike meticulously maintined) for the princely sum of £1900. And it's only 3 miles from me!
I know I started the thread looking at 900RR's but I didn't really need something with lively handling, as I've got the Tuono for that
This will be perfect as a year round commuter/workhorse with a bit of character, and if I decide to have a week down in the south of Spain in winter It'll waft me down there in comfort.
Just need a bigger screen come winter and it's due an MOT in a few months which it'll fly through.
I've used 2 RRW Fireblades for commuting from Kent to London all year round (20k a year), with the idd trackday too - never had any big issues with either & no problems getting tyres for the 16" front wheel ( I use FWR) no issues with carbs etc - just serviced as per the schedule.
Im 6'3 & had loads of room and the build quality was great, much better than the Africa Twin that I sold my last RRW for.
Im 6'3 & had loads of room and the build quality was great, much better than the Africa Twin that I sold my last RRW for.
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