I’m on the hunt for a blade

Discussion in 'New Members' started by jpr, Jan 10, 2019.

  1. jpr

    jpr New Member

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    Hopefully!

    Hey all Jon here. Been riding bikes for 11 of years cbr600’s and am looking at changing up to a blade. Commute into town currently so particularly interested if others commute on blades but having never done a track day (I know!!) want to break that duck too :)

    Just getting started on the search so will be trawling the forums learning about what to look for and what to avoid.

    Based near box hill in Surrey
     
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  2. Selmer50mark

    Selmer50mark God Like

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    Hello and welcome jpr
     
  3. raphael

    raphael Elite Member

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    Welcome mate
    Lots on here who commute and do big miles on there blades.
    Good luck with your search
     
  4. nigelrb

    nigelrb Elite Member

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    Hi, welcome, and congrats on the 'upgrade' choice.

    I haven't been affected, but the word is to beware (steer clear?) of pre-2017 ABS systems. This 16-page thread will assist:
    https://www.1000rr.co.uk/threads/im...-2009-onwards-model.11881/page-16#post-476228

    Otherwise, your budget will partly determine what you will buy. My view is that any low mileage, well maintained Blade is good, although later year models see small tweaks and improvements. The SP versions will offer better handling/braking characteristics.
     
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  5. exuptoy

    exuptoy Elite Member

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    Welcome.
    Owned an RR9 for a while and it was up there with the best bikes I’ve owned. I’ve gone to the dark side since with Triumph and then Yam with an MT10 but I still miss my Blade now and again as it was SO competent at everything.
    I don’t think I’d be put off by higher mileage either providing it had the history to back it up.
    Good luck in you search.
     
  6. dmc12

    dmc12 Well-Known Member

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    Hi Jon,

    Welcome to the forum - I'm pretty new myself. Had a CBR650F for a year and just added a 2007 Blade for use on track. Have you ridden a Blade before? Riding position will be pretty different to your CBR600 (which era did you have?) and might not be as easy/comfortable/practical for a London commute if that's what you've got. Doesn't mean it can't be done of course :)

    What's your ballpark budget? If you don't want the latest and greatest then the pre-ABS 2008 bikes can offer pretty good value if you don't mind the looks. (I do, which is why I went for the previous gen ;))

    I'm keeping my 650 to do the bulk of my road riding and will try to keep the Blade to the track. That's the idea anyway!
     
  7. exuptoy

    exuptoy Elite Member

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    I didn’t find the 08 on blade uncomfortable in any way, although a mate had one and couldn’t get on with the angle of the clip ons but of course that’s subjective.
     
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  8. nigelrb

    nigelrb Elite Member

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    Yep, love my 2011. Clip ons/handlebars are always subject to familiarisation. Once you're accustomed, they're ace. There is a small amount of room to adjust fore - aft, but the fairing and tank limits that movement to about half inch either way.

    Generally, any rider of a sportsbike is prepared to accept what they get. Otherwise, just go that horrendous route of helibars:rolleyes:;).
     
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  9. Boothman

    Boothman Elite Member

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    Welcome and as has been said avoid pre 2017 bikes with ABS
     
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  10. Old_boy65

    Old_boy65 Active Member

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    ... why horrendous? I’ve got Helibars - and they help reduce wrist and back pain :)
     
  11. nigelrb

    nigelrb Elite Member

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    Fair enough. Sincere apologies. I thought that might come back to bite me. My sarcasm extended to the aesthetics and need for some to cut away fairings. I would never criticise anyone who wants/needs to make mods to maintain their love of sportsbikes. For all I know, I could need them myself one day:eek:;).
     
  12. Old_boy65

    Old_boy65 Active Member

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    No need to apologise... it’s just time spent in the services has taken its toll on the bones/joints... so I had to find a compromise :)
    ps... did no cutting and tbh I’d challenge the casual observer to notice any difference.
     
    #12 Old_boy65, Jan 11, 2019
    Last edited: Jan 11, 2019
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  13. exuptoy

    exuptoy Elite Member

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    My matesspecific concern was the angle of the levers on the bar due to the fact they’re pinned. He’s not mechanically minded, I told him just grind it off!
     
  14. nigelrb

    nigelrb Elite Member

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    Agree. We used to do that in the 70s when most of the switch blocks had a locating pin to fir into the handlebars. When changing over to 'Ace' bars or flat bars, rather than drill a hole in the new bars, we'd simply snap off the pin from the switch!:cool:
     
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  15. bradt

    bradt Elite Member

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    Welcome and good luck with your search, most on here will recommend non abs versions but take your time in looking around the right bike will come along eventually.
     
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  16. PauloHRC

    PauloHRC God Like

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    Welcome to the forum.

    I had an 09 mint HRC edition with 7k miles, non abs for sale just a couple of weeks ago, ended up trading it in at Hunts. It's on their website now and worth a look as they will deliver it. Plus there are folk on here who will vouch for it's excellence ;)

    Good luck finding one anyhow!:)
     
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  17. 1000rr73

    1000rr73 Active Member

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    Hey, welcome to the forum.

    Winter bargain here - black 2013 non-abs blade with 10k Miles. I’d do it for a £6.2k fully serviced 300 miles ago. On the south coast. Drop me a pm if interested.

    I’ve had 4 08+ blades and can assure you this is a good one, mind you there are very few bad ones!
     
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  18. Dinger78

    Dinger78 Active Member

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    Hi and welcome to the forum mate, and good luck with the search. Just try and get out on one and see what you think, and go with what your happy with.
     
  19. jpr

    jpr New Member

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    Thanks for the welcome all :)

    Budget won’t be huge 6-6.5k and looking for something post 2010 really (although that is not set in stone)

    The plan is to head to Chiswick Honda and sit on a couple just to check riding position but at 6’2 it is never gonna perfect :)

    Thanks for the info 1000rr73 and paulohrc - but early in my search to be looking for anything quite yet but will be in touch later on to see if they are still available :)
     
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  20. PauloHRC

    PauloHRC God Like

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    Yep 6'2 here as well, while the 08-11 blades look Kind of small the actual dimensions aren't too cramped even for a 6 footer. What I found when I first sat on one is that the seat height was quite low and I felt really flat footed when my feet were on the floor. Takes a bit of getting used too but when your feet are on the pegs and riding everything feels ok.
     

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