Fireblade - which one?

[Esceptico]

I started biking in 1997 but after a fairly big crash in 1999 I stopped riding on the road until 2014. Now playing catch up on loads of bikes I would have liked to have bought.

I’ve never owned (or even ridden!) an R1 and never owned a Fireblade. I would like to correct that!

But which version of the Fireblade?

As it will be an extra bike and something I will probably only keep for a year (before swapping for another bike on the wish list) I wouldn’t want something too new.

For those that have ridden/owned them: which model would you recommend?

And yes before anyone says, I should make my own mind up by riding them but doing that not so straightforward (can’t see Honda giving me the keys to their collection!)

[Esceptico]

I love the Repsol colours.

2009 sounds good will have a look at what is available

I did read about PB’s project bike last year. Seems with a bit of work it was roughly as fast on track as current bikes.

[Esceptico]

TwigtheWonderkid said:

There's only one, an early one but with the foxeye lights, the 893cc lump, in Urban Tiger colours. Like mine.

I do like the look of the fox eye version. Friend had one in white, red and blue back in the day.

[Esceptico]

Jazoli said:

If you've never had an R1 either buy an R1 instead of a 'blade, or if you fancy a wild ride an 04/05 ZX10R.

More likely I will have an R1 and a Blade (not at the same time). Not sure which order.

[Esceptico]

Steve Bass said:

I had a 2010 HRC and it was typical Honda, did everything well but wasn’t in anyway exciting.
Was by far the best at huge wheelies however.

In all honesty im not sure why you want to tick off yhe ‘ownership’ list??? Trying to catch up and establish your credentials with a full “owned” list???
New bikes are so much better in every way. Your V4 was the epitome of modern machinery and nothing over 3 years old will compare.
And if you were spooked by a missing washer on a new bike you’ll st a cat at what you’ll find on an old bike

If I pay £3k for a twenty year old bike, which won’t depreciate, I expect a few problems. If I pay £20k for a new bike that will shed £3-£4K in a year I expect
trouble free riding.

Of course newer bikes are “better” objectively (more powerful, better electronics, etc) but on the road I am only ever using a fraction of their capability anyway so doesn’t really
make any noticeable difference. On track pretty much the same - I am the limiting factor, not the bike!

Buying bikes is generally an irrational,
emotional process. Otherwise the whole classic bike/car market wouldn’t exist.

In any case I am thinking that maybe having two sportsbikes in the garage probably doesn’t make sense. If I get a second bike it would be better to get something completely different to the GSXR. Not sure what though.