Alright chaps. First time blade for me despite riding thous for a few years now. Went for an 05 which I know some people saw as a more boring bike but underseat exhaust and last of the ‘big’ blades did it for me - keen to get to know a few members near by and hit some ride outs. Based south east oxford not far from H cafe . Might have a few noob questions here and there but will try to avoid anything particularly special.
Welcome. Personally I prefer the under seat exhausts. I know the benefits of lower exhausts but I still prefer them hidden away.
Welcome along, not near you unfortunately, but you never know. Don’t worry about asking anything off the wall most threads ultimately descend into @Lozzy fending off @bazzashadow innuendo for her and a mythical Di
the under seat exhaust was what first attracted me to the fireblade, never had one underseat though lol Looks good
No, not my style. I am straight down the line. The thought process makes sense to me because the 2004 model as the first of Honda's underseat exhausts was a new concept in the Honda lineup and the first of the 1,000cc Blades. New concept for Honda, but not new overall because it was Ducati's 748 (to the best of my knowledge) who first raised the pipes, later followed by MV Agusta's trademark 4-pipe underseat outlet. For one who eyes style, there is perfect symmetry with these bikes as there is with dual or quad pipes either side that does not exist with the now common single exhaust. Of course, I have put my money where my mouth is because I have both a 2004 Blade and the revered MV Agusta.
Wasn't the Ducati 916 the bike that led to all the other manufacturers following suit and going with under seat exhausts?? Pretty sure the 748 came after the 916 as it's baby brother!
Some light reading from a journo who didn't like them in 2012. Think he missed the point about the aesthetics though. https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/news/under-tail-exhaust-almost-gone-and-good-riddance
Fair call, Paulo, and the reason for my 'disclaimer'. I knew it was around that era, but not the specific bike. Also a fair call. I didn't even consider the two strokes way back in the 80s. Even my NS has one halfway under the seat and that's 1985! Still, what we've achieved here is to provide @blink with a plethora of underseats to choose as his second bike
I want a second bike, but probably nothing similar to mine. I also think i might not want to spend lots and lots, but that may change depending on my mood how about something good for green lanes with an underseat exhaust