Heads or tails?
Discussion
Age?
Had a 2000 model blade for 4 years from new (bought in April 2001) and have 21000 miles on it and it's been absolutely superb, still not bored of it and not intending to ever sell it.
Never ridden an R1 but it's the only thing (or possible a gsxr1000) that would tempt me away from the honda.
Mark
>> Edited by dern on Friday 7th October 15:19
Had a 2000 model blade for 4 years from new (bought in April 2001) and have 21000 miles on it and it's been absolutely superb, still not bored of it and not intending to ever sell it.
Never ridden an R1 but it's the only thing (or possible a gsxr1000) that would tempt me away from the honda.
Mark
>> Edited by dern on Friday 7th October 15:19
Complete opposite, had a 2001 R1 for 4 years done 18k miles and never let me down or missed a beat (bar carb icing in VERY cold weather) and just gets on with the job of being the fastest way between two given points. I in reflection of above might be tempted by a Blade, or a K5 Gsxr.
Still catchs you out every now and again, makes me laugh by the fact the acceleration physically stops me breathing when a nippy overtake is required.
Marmite or Bovril really. Yamaha has the edge of course blah blah...
Only advice would be to do it.
Either will make you pop out the garage, with some lame excuse to get out of doing the dishes and you'll catch yourself standing smiling at it.
This is best done after beer number three but before the fourth can that i find inveitably leads to you having to start it up. "just warm it up like, helps the fuids etc"
I have not experienced it for four wheels, but am told that certain models of TVR's can have this effect but to a lesser extent.
Still catchs you out every now and again, makes me laugh by the fact the acceleration physically stops me breathing when a nippy overtake is required.
Marmite or Bovril really. Yamaha has the edge of course blah blah...
Only advice would be to do it.
Either will make you pop out the garage, with some lame excuse to get out of doing the dishes and you'll catch yourself standing smiling at it.
This is best done after beer number three but before the fourth can that i find inveitably leads to you having to start it up. "just warm it up like, helps the fuids etc"
I have not experienced it for four wheels, but am told that certain models of TVR's can have this effect but to a lesser extent.
JustTheTip said:I'm not sure comparing the 2000/1 models will help you much then. The blade now has more power and I suspect that the FI snatchiness has been reduced and the R1 presumably now has FI... I'd go and ride them if I were you but I can't possibly see how you'd be dissappointed with either and I can't see how either would let you down reliability wise.
I'm currently running a CBR600RR, and am torn between the two. Will be either getting '05 or '06 models.
I only went with the blade in the end because I got a brand new uk bike *very* cheap coupled to the fact that I'd always wanted a blade - no brainer. If they were the same price I don't know what I'd have gone for.
Mark
Yes indeed the Blade (especially in Repsol colours 
) keeps you returning to the garage for an eyeful. One of the better excuses for getting out of the dishes. The beer fridge and sofa keeps me out of the house for hours staring/polishing/sitting/adjusting.
As for riding, I haven't tried this years R1. I went straight for the 05 Blade. It hasn't stopped delivering on all levels. People complain of a little brake fade. Too fat is what I say! Loose some weight and you won't notice any. It is also suggested that the power delivery is too boring. Then drop a tooth on the front sprocket and learn the art of permanent grinning. (06 blade has gone up 2 teeth on the rear in conjunction with higher revs to try and catch the Gixer Thou)
The bike is planted on UK roads and just gives the rider so much confidence straight out of the box. It allows you think about what you are doing more. Extra capacity to think about your surroundings.
On track, it's limits are lean angle and products thereof. It needs rearsets. I ground my old Alpine Stars boots into a nice wedge shape at the front where my toes (I ride with the ball of my foot on the pegs, even pushing up onto my toes) kept grounding out. The fairing has touched down on the right hand side as well. The only braking issue is when pushing repeated hard laps, the lever does come back towards the bar. They still retain the bite and feel though. Pirelli Supercorsas work really well and wear reasonably well too. I have done 4200 miles and still have about 3.5mm on the front. The rear lasted 3500, with around 2.5mm left it was swapped out for a track day at Donington. So, around 4000 for the rear would be realistic. The grip is phenomenal.
Yoshi RS-5 sounds great and goes well with a power commander. Pillions won't be comfortable after 60 miles.
The Blade is difficult to wheelie on standard gearing. 15t at the front allows the front to lift to balance point off the throttle in second. Originally this seemed only possible in first (very scary rate of climb!!)
That's about all I have to say about that.
) keeps you returning to the garage for an eyeful. One of the better excuses for getting out of the dishes. The beer fridge and sofa keeps me out of the house for hours staring/polishing/sitting/adjusting. As for riding, I haven't tried this years R1. I went straight for the 05 Blade. It hasn't stopped delivering on all levels. People complain of a little brake fade. Too fat is what I say! Loose some weight and you won't notice any. It is also suggested that the power delivery is too boring. Then drop a tooth on the front sprocket and learn the art of permanent grinning. (06 blade has gone up 2 teeth on the rear in conjunction with higher revs to try and catch the Gixer Thou)
The bike is planted on UK roads and just gives the rider so much confidence straight out of the box. It allows you think about what you are doing more. Extra capacity to think about your surroundings.
On track, it's limits are lean angle and products thereof. It needs rearsets. I ground my old Alpine Stars boots into a nice wedge shape at the front where my toes (I ride with the ball of my foot on the pegs, even pushing up onto my toes) kept grounding out. The fairing has touched down on the right hand side as well. The only braking issue is when pushing repeated hard laps, the lever does come back towards the bar. They still retain the bite and feel though. Pirelli Supercorsas work really well and wear reasonably well too. I have done 4200 miles and still have about 3.5mm on the front. The rear lasted 3500, with around 2.5mm left it was swapped out for a track day at Donington. So, around 4000 for the rear would be realistic. The grip is phenomenal.
Yoshi RS-5 sounds great and goes well with a power commander. Pillions won't be comfortable after 60 miles.
The Blade is difficult to wheelie on standard gearing. 15t at the front allows the front to lift to balance point off the throttle in second. Originally this seemed only possible in first (very scary rate of climb!!)
That's about all I have to say about that.
Great thread as these are the two bikes I've shortlisted for the 748s replacement in Feb.
Veetwin - I see you made exactly the same transistion - how does the torque of the blade (at low revs) compare to the 748? I've really got used to low down usable grunt and don't want another high end screamer like my old R6.
Interesting track review as well - I found that I was grinding my boots down at Silverstone last month and had to keep my foot tucked in to avoid it. Rearsets sound like a must for the RR as I presume the pegs are lower than the 748 anyway...?
Like the majority of people I plan to use the bike regularly and will probably need to commute on it as well as doing the odd trackday - would you say the RR fits this criteria? (Even if it doesn't, please assure me that it does as I need one badly!!).
As an aside, the only other bike I'm remotely interested in at this point is the '06 R6, just for looks alone:
Or perhaps the new Triumph 675. I feel the need for a bit more power though.
Veetwin - I see you made exactly the same transistion - how does the torque of the blade (at low revs) compare to the 748? I've really got used to low down usable grunt and don't want another high end screamer like my old R6.
Interesting track review as well - I found that I was grinding my boots down at Silverstone last month and had to keep my foot tucked in to avoid it. Rearsets sound like a must for the RR as I presume the pegs are lower than the 748 anyway...?
Like the majority of people I plan to use the bike regularly and will probably need to commute on it as well as doing the odd trackday - would you say the RR fits this criteria? (Even if it doesn't, please assure me that it does as I need one badly!!).
As an aside, the only other bike I'm remotely interested in at this point is the '06 R6, just for looks alone:
Or perhaps the new Triumph 675. I feel the need for a bit more power though.
Low-mid torque is much stronger than the 748 but in a different way. It is very linear but much smoother and where the 748 will run out of puff in each gear,the Blade just pulls like a train. When you re-gear it, it is like getting a tow off the Enterprise. In any gear at any engine speed. I won't knock the 748 though as it was a great bike!!!
I will say that the extra weight of the Blade on track was noticeable! We did the Ron Haslam race school last year on the 600; returning this year on the Blade was interesting. I only weigh 11st. so I relied heavily on countersteering. Especially through the Foggy Esses. It was reluctant to change direction as quick as the 600 because of the extra mass. If you want to do more track days then go 600 or 750 even. They will be so much quicker changing direction on the slower corners. My friend has a re-geared 03 R6 and before my re-gearing he had no problem keeping with me on the road. I haven't been out with him since so it may be different now.
I will say that the extra weight of the Blade on track was noticeable! We did the Ron Haslam race school last year on the 600; returning this year on the Blade was interesting. I only weigh 11st. so I relied heavily on countersteering. Especially through the Foggy Esses. It was reluctant to change direction as quick as the 600 because of the extra mass. If you want to do more track days then go 600 or 750 even. They will be so much quicker changing direction on the slower corners. My friend has a re-geared 03 R6 and before my re-gearing he had no problem keeping with me on the road. I haven't been out with him since so it may be different now.
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff