Bulers
Novice Class
Posts: 47
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posted February 24, 2008 10:43 AM
200 miles on new Blade
Have completed 200 miles on my new Blade now and am hugely impressed.
Coming from a K5 GSXR1000 I reckon it's a little bit better in a lot of ways.
Also parked it at the local bike meet for a couple of hours and got a whole hearted thumbs up on the looks.
  
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fish_antlers
Administrator
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posted February 24, 2008 08:56 PM
nice! where you located?
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Bulers
Novice Class
Posts: 47
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posted February 24, 2008 11:36 PM
Surrey, UK, 20 miles south of London.
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fish_antlers
Administrator
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posted February 25, 2008 12:34 PM
got any pix?
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08blade
Novice Class
Honda Humper
Posts: 94
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posted February 25, 2008 04:16 PM
Congrats ya lucky bastid.
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fish_antlers
Administrator
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posted February 25, 2008 07:26 PM
pix!!!
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Bulers
Novice Class
Posts: 47
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posted February 26, 2008 12:53 AM
I'll try and do some pix later, in the meantime have covered 300 miles now so for what it's worth here's some more opinion. Just opinion remember, I'm not a pro tester or racer and haven't ridden the ZX10, before any accusations start flying.
Weight - It's clearly carring a fair bit less than my 'old' K5 1000 but it's not just the missing weight that I noticed but how it carries its bulk. Clearly mass centralisation is more than just a marketing man's wet dream. It really makes it feel like the bulk of the weight is directly between your knees. This makes the bike easier to turn than anything i've ridden before, including my track 750.
Power - Only been round to 8k at this early stage (first service at 600 miles). Tons of midrange, quite like the K5 but even more and very very linear. Below 3500 nothing obviously. Throttle response is better than anything i've had, no discernable snatch low down.
Riding position - feels very similar to the K5, maybe a tiny bit more stretch to the bars but nothing to worry sports bike fans. At 6'3" and 14 stone it's perfect for my 80 mile sunday morning circuit of twisty roads. Small niggle, at 90 mph the wind hits me just in the wrong place, not full in the face or on the chest but in between on the chin of my Arai which makes things a bit vibey, nothing that a new screen wont fix.
Handling - Brilliant, don't know how they keep making these things better but they do. The stock suspension is pretty firm (for british roads) but i like that. Steering damper doesn't intrude as i found the previous model did. Brakes, no problem for 2 finger stoppies. I understand what journos mean now when they say "look where you want to go and the bike goes there". A little push on the bars changes line instantly in the middle of a corner.
Anything bad - I'm not sure about the OEM Dunlops, have already spun the rear a couple of times, however, british roads in February are slippery so i'll give them the benefit for now, then get some pirellis. You'll need an engineering degree and full Snap-On tool chest to remove the pillion pegs. My big boots rub on the swingarm at the heel when toes are on the pegs.
Looks - make your own mind up, I have.
This is not a dull Blade. It will get you to your favourite place in relative comfort then fill your organs with as much adrenaline and your brain with as many endorphins as you can take. I love it.
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fish_antlers
Administrator
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posted February 26, 2008 09:03 AM
nice!
what color did you get?
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zxhoya
Zone Head
Posts: 631
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posted February 26, 2008 10:05 PM
Good job Bulers and congrats. Nice to hear a real world report on the blade, didn't even know they where available yet.
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''The angle of my dangle is inversely proportional to the heat of my meat'' Will Ferrell
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sous
Parking Attendant
Posts: 8
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posted February 26, 2008 11:55 PM
pict pict pict
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fish_antlers
Administrator
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posted February 27, 2008 07:21 AM
went by the local honda dealer yesterday... lots of shoppers but no new RR's to be seen 
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Bulers
Novice Class
Posts: 47
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posted February 27, 2008 12:28 PM
Pix as requested, Grey February days in England don't do much for aesthetics.
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fish_antlers
Administrator
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posted February 27, 2008 12:34 PM
niceeeeeeeee!
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zxhoya
Zone Head
Posts: 631
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posted February 27, 2008 12:52 PM
 Edited By: zxhoya on 27 Feb 2008 12:53
Very nice Bulers. You took the photos from the best angles (avoiding the front) nice.
Oh, Bulers you might want to have that hump in your back examined by a physician right away. lol
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''The angle of my dangle is inversely proportional to the heat of my meat'' Will Ferrell
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Bulers
Novice Class
Posts: 47
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posted February 27, 2008 01:38 PM
quote:
Very nice Bulers. You took the photos from the best angles (avoiding the front) nice.
Much like your Avatar, though i suspect the view from the front is pretty good too.
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fish_antlers
Administrator
The Truth is Out There
Posts: 21894
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posted February 27, 2008 01:43 PM
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zxhoya
Zone Head
Posts: 631
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posted February 27, 2008 01:46 PM
Lol. Keep us updated Bulers, I'm a Kaw man but respect the great effort by Honda.
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''The angle of my dangle is inversely proportional to the heat of my meat'' Will Ferrell
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