Any thoughts on MY18 or MY19 Fireblades?

[TNJ]

I have currently got an 821 Monster on a cheap PCP deal which comes to an end in April. It has been a great bike and has been totally reliable and fun to ride but I fancy a change.

My riding is likely to change significantly this year - no more commuting into London - maybe a 2-3 mile local commute and then just pleasure riding. The compromise of a sports bike over the Monster is therefore substantially lessened. I also like the idea of some wind/weather protection which is non-existent on the Ducati.

I have therefore been considering a sports bike and have seen the - seemingly - cheap deals on earlier year Fireblades. Still brand new bikes but significantly less expensive than the new model litre bikes. The figures I have seen are £2700 down and then £99 a month for three years.

I don't want to get into the merits or not of the finance - I am happy to have a warranty, new bike and no concerns over depreciation and accept that I will pay extra for this.

However, I would be interested to hear views on whether these particular models are worth a punt or if there is a reason why they are so much cheaper (and still unsold!).

[jason61c]

the 2019 was greatly improved over the 2018.

[Jazoli]

They are cheap because the litre sportsbike market is on its arse, people aren't spending 16-17k on sportsbikes, they are buying 1250GS's instead, I don't think you will go wrong really but I've never ridden one, I don't think it's that great a deal as it's 50p/mile over the term.

[rat840771]

I have never bought nearly new, except for the Africa twin deal as it was so good.

In the past I have bypassed the depreciation and bought low mileage sports bikes, the last one was a 10 year old GSXR1000K7 with 3k on the clock, it was more than enough for me and I only lost £500 in 2 years when I sold it. My bike prior to that was a K2 and I made £600 profit in 3 years

I am tempted to buy a new bike, but i think a well used example would be the best option

[Prof Prolapse]

Jazoli said:

, I don't think it's that great a deal as it's 50p/mile over the term.

Is that really what it works out out?

Christ!

[Ho Lee Kau]

nice bikes and they dropped in price quite substantially

[TNJ]

Thanks for the responses all

Yes, it does work out at 50p a mile - which is quite painful! But I suppose no different to buying a car for £15k plus

And that supposes that the bike will be worth no more than the GFV at the end - my Monster has still got several hundred of equity in it, so the real cost is less

I will have a look at the used market as well

[Jazoli]

TNJ said:

I will have a look at the used market as well

I would, because a £6k bike will probably still be worth around £5k in 3 years time with an extra 12k miles on it and it'll be yours, unless you must have a shiny new sportsbike that'll be no faster on the road than anything made in the last 15 years

[NS400R]

Jazoli said:

I would, because a £6k bike will probably still be worth around £5k in 3 years time with an extra 12k miles on it and it'll be yours, unless you must have a shiny new sportsbike that'll be no faster on the road than anything made in the last 15 years

You are absolutely right.

That said, the outgoing Fireblade is a fantastic bike. Just don't buy one from Hunts...

[Triaguar]

NS400R said:

You are absolutely right.

That said, the outgoing Fireblade is a fantastic bike. Just don't buy one from Hunts...

Have looked at a couple of theirs. Why not? Thanks

Have looked at a couple of theirs

[Ho Lee Kau]

Jazoli said:

TNJ said:

I will have a look at the used market as well

I would, because a £6k bike will probably still be worth around £5k in 3 years time with an extra 12k miles on it and it'll be yours, unless you must have a shiny new sportsbike that'll be no faster on the road than anything made in the last 15 years

That's how it is. The only advance on the sportsbikes, as far as road use goes, are the electronic nannies, and if you ride a sportsbike in summer on dry surfaces and good tires they will never "come handy" anyway, imho.

[PTF]

Really like the idea of a 2017-2019 blade. But you'd be crazy to buy new even with a seemingly good PCP deal

I've been looking at the SP model. New they're £19.5k with £2k discount (deposit contribution) £3k deposit (ish) then £100 ish p/m from me. GFV is about £10k

BUT the dealer near me has one with 1k miles for £11,500

The initial depreciation hit on these is huge.

I am now looking at a 2009-2010 blade instead, partly bacause at 10+ yrs old it fits onto my classic bike fleet policy!

[NS400R]

Triaguar said:

Have looked at a couple of theirs. Why not? Thanks

Have looked at a couple of theirs

Let's just say that if anything goes wrong, their aftersales is dreadful. I'm currently sorting out some damage to mine after a service. Rude, incompetent, deceitful and headed for the small claims court if you don't get their act together.

Edit to add, this isn't the first time I've had run ins, but the third. They're dreadful.

Edited by NS400R on Saturday 1st February 09:16