1998/early CBR900RR fireblade as a daily bike?

[Tall_Paul]

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.

[Tall_Paul]

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.

[Tall_Paul]

3DP said:

You also have the VFR800s that will do intergalactic mileage.

OK, so these are looking like a no-brainer over the CBR900RR.

£2k for a decent one, 45-50mpg and 200+ mile range, insurance is £240 fully comp or £140 TPFT...

Fuel gauge, comfort, big screen, and that V4 noise Nearly identical (i.e. good) headlights to the 'blade (important for commuting).

This http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/381968328253 is A LOT of bike for not a lot of money...

[Tall_Paul]

Don't they have a 22l tank? I'd expect a bit more than 140 miles from a tank!

brrapp said:

I don't know if you've got long legs or body, but I'm just slightly taller than you and couldn't fit a VFR. With my feet on the rests, my knees were sticking out past the scalloped bit on the tank, and that was a few years ago while I was still relatively flexible.

Cheers, will deffo have a sit on one - funnily enough there was one at the same place as the 'blade on Saturday but I didn't really look at it. It was yellow though, which I don't think I could live with

[Tall_Paul]

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

[Tall_Paul]

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.

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!!

[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

[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.

[Tall_Paul]

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

[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

[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.

[Tall_Paul]

Yeah a new set of of stainless downpipes isn't too much, fitting them is a hassle I believe though!!

[Tall_Paul]

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.

[Tall_Paul]

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.