Hi everyone After loving my VFR1200 and putting 28k on it since March 11, I'd given up looking for any bike I wanted more. Until, that is, I was given a Blade as a loaner while the VFR was serviced last summer, and was amazed by what a fabulous bike it is to ride. I've been gnawing my knuckles ever since. This month's Ride mag tipped me over though, so I'm now picking up a beautiful low miles black RR8 on Saturday (when the sun's supposed to shine). Plan is to ride both for a few months and then chop both in for either a 2013/14 Blade or VFR12 (classic heart vs head dilemma). So, which is better? There's only one way to find out. Phil
Keep them both. I have a VFR800 07 model and a '11 blade. They compliment each other very well but no guesses as to which is the most fun to ride.
Yup, keep them both. Both new models will only be marginally better, so have the best of both worlds.... Simple really
Welcome, Phil. Get rid of the big 'un and trick the Fireblade with risers, rearsets, McGuinness screen and Dymags. Sorted. And I don't want a penny for that advice. I've always been big like that.
Welcome to the forum mate. See which one you ride more after the month. Then just keep that one. Win/win.
Hi mate, having just come off a new blade and onto a VFR1200, I can offer a guided view The blade gave me a bit of shoulder pain, but otherwise all round a better bike that inspired confidence. The VFR may hide its weight well but can't hide momentum, it's not a blade and to be honest the seat isn't as comfy as expected. I miss the air box noise, and to be honest, the blade was just as comfy and nicer fueling at low speed. I only changed to take the mrs, but she's still not that bothered. Air box noise and ride v v4 characteristics......the VFR is a great bike, but the blade will be back soon
I dont know about in Britain but the VFR1200 is a major flop in Australia, mainly due to its price, and small fuel tank. Priced around 25K when a 'blade can be picked up for 15K or so. We hardly see any VFR1200s on the road here, but plenty of 800s. if people want a big sports tourers they usually go for a beemer or ZX14 or Busa. Shame really because the VFR1200 was long anticipated and there are a lot of VFR fans that were disappointed that it is so big and heavy, really when the 800 is such a good bike just lacking 200ccs and can be picked up new for 13K or so.
Interesting.... this kind of reflects my experience when I rode the Blade last summer. In fact, it wasn't so much the speed of the thing (which kind of came as no surprise really!). It was the docile fuelling when poodling round town when I could simply stay in first, hand off the clutch and just roll on/off without any jerkiness. I expected to be nervous but the opposite happened. Twenty years of evolution justified. My car is a 911 - same principle. I haven't ridden one since. I'm due to pick my Blade up tomorrow early. Excited or what!
Hi Fez I was in Whitby weekend before last (little trip to visit daughter at Hull uni) and spotted a gorgeous new HRC colours 13 Blade parked up outside the station. Nice insect collection too, so not a dawdler. Wasn't you was it?
Collected bike early Saturday morning in glorious sunshine - first day of summer! Bit nervous at first of course but it felt right from the off. So much so, I decided to take a more scenic route home. Pulled into Farnham Honda to show it off to the guys there. (I have to say I've had nothing but good experiences there). Martin comes out to have a look at my new purchase, gets me to start it up, says the idle sounds a bit iffy and asks if he can take it round the back for a bit. It's up on the ramp while I'm enjoying a coffee and, 5 minutes later, he comes out to say that's fixed and could he just take the bike for a quick spin. Sure, I say. 15 minutes later, he comes back to declare all seems well but I might want to check the suspension settings per the manual. All no charge. I mean, Blimey! I take it home, get the book out and reset all front & rear settings to standard. Yesterday, took it down to Littlehampton with a bunch of mates from the club and the bike felt transformed. I used to think my reluctance to take bends at higher speeds was down to my own lack of skills/balls. Well, NOT ANY MORE! This bike is the absolute dog's. Get home exhausted but chuffed, flop in the chair and watch Honda take over the entire podium at the TT thanks to Michael Dunlop, John McGuinness and Cameron Donald. So, one damned fine weekend! And the whole summer still to come.
