Hi, new member from Perth and Kinross, I've had a 08 blade since July last year, amazing bike, three times cheaper than my R1200GSA and 100 times more fun, done 6k miles on it already.
Hi and welcome Phil, judging by your other post you've been busy working on the bike, hope you get the issues sorted.
Thanks to everyone for the welcomes. I'll put the bike back together and post a couple of pics at the weekend.
Was going to post some pics today, but bike still in bits. I decided to check the rear suspension linkage as the bike has done 30k and I'd heard this is something to check on blades. I was in two minds about doing it then read an article (think it was MCN) about how a connection rod had snapped on an Aprilia due to seizing up. I'm glad did, two of the collars were stuck solid, the one to the front was fine and could be removed easily by hand, the others needed a gear puller to be removed, So it's new bearings and seals, hopefully be finished this time next week,
Thanks, it's sorted now, had a run last weekend (on own in middle of nowhere, not that it matters my wife is a nurse treating covid patients so I'm getting it sooner or later). I have thought about taking it to shops, but it can only carry 2 mars bars under rear seat, so I'll just have to be happy looking at it for a while. Here's a pic
I'm trying to work out which exhaust I like more, yours or mines . I thought my 2008 was last year without ABS, never knew it was an option not to have it on later bikes..Like your pics next to Forth Bridges, that's my daily commute into Edinburgh (or was).
Thankfully, it was an option not to have ABS just have a look around on here you‘ll find plenty horror stories of why you shouldn’t.
Read the threads, potential to lose brakes on any bike is scary, more so on a sportsbike due to how you may be riding it. I've got 2 other bikes both with ABS, most of the other bikes I've owned didn't have it, I guess it could save me at some point but I've never activated ABS, years of riding without it has trained me not to need it if that makes sense. My GS has riding modes and I just keep it in dynamic, even in the wet as it feels sluggish in rain mode, I'm just more careful with throttle. A guy at work who passed his test last year told me he just grabs the front brake and let's the ABS sort it out, 33 years of riding have wired my brain not to do that
Hi Phil, bike looks in great shape. Yes I like yourself have had the odd trip out with back back to get some essentials. Weathers been great so difficult not to. Lee.