I have been giving this a bit more thought and as I am going to be 50 in a couple of weeks time, my next superbike will probably be my last (will have to grow up at some point and take some responsibility for my well being) so assuming the money is still rolling in it will probably be a Panigale S or MV F4RR and go out on a high before I have to move over to the dark side and buy a ditch pump like the FatBob or V rod Muscle. Fact of life I am not getting any younger.
They must come up with something special, otherwise the blade will be history in a couple of years. BMW and Kawa are taking over already, others are on the way ( MV-F3 etc. ). Or they will take one of our custom blades and bring it out as the new blade for 2013....
The blade will never be history dude, think how many bikes have over taken it yet they just come back stronger.... If they do a v4 - I'll put a deposit down before riding it - fact! Specially If it looks anything like the images about:
Interesting! I definitely think that they will come out with a new V4 Blade. I like the one from the picture and if the technical specs are as good as BMW etc. I will put down a deposit as well. Could be a group discount for the 1000rr forum....
Personally I don't think they will change the blade to a v4. Technology is so expensive I think they will run a second flagship bike, just like what they did for the rc30/45 They can use that as a development bike for wsb, and bling it right up which will filter down onto the blade a few years later. The v4 will be 18k for sure, if you call that the new blade, they loose out a massive section in the Market as it'd be too much money for most.
I think they will have to do something drastic next year otherwise they will lose customers, we all love the blade but other companies are trying harder, producing better looking innovative bikes for the money, the sportsbike Market is shrinking and those of us left buying them have more choice than ever of some amazing bikes, I love my blade but I am not so brand loyal as to buy one if there is a better bike out there. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
You might be right! It's businesses on the end and the blade is still a good selling bike, right. Also I remember the RC30/45 and that was very expensive, but very special bike. I am really looking forward to it.
Ha ha to true Benn - the decent rsv4 factory which I'm sure would be similar spec'd to anything Honda do is more like 16k isn't it? If honda do it, I think they will go all out and it'll be Panigale s money IMO. Time will tell, but I've read elsewhere that they will call it the rvf1000rr which suggests the lower spec blade model will remain.
I would never have anything but a full on sports bike. Except a super motard as a second bike for a laugh. Years ago I was at devils bridge, bike meet in N.yorks/ cumbria, when I saw my first real life duke 916. The bloke what got off was a 60 odd year old retired dentist, struggling to walk with arthritus. He told me when the day comes he cant get on a 'proper' bike he will give up. He was not gonna mamby pamby about on a 'settee' bolted to two wheels. I will never forget his words and agree fully. So, its a sports bike for me all the way, dunno what tho, like the new 1199, but money wont allow dream on, lol.
I am very tempted to go down the BMW S1000rr route if my blade sells but only because my brother is offering me his for decent money.
I think my next bike will be another fireblade, though I'll wait till they give it a proper upgrade before deciding if it's worth it. If it was a V4 and didn't cost the earth as stated then there wouldn't be much thought in it either. The deposit would be down as soon possible.
I'm tempted by the RSV4 and BMW but if I went rsv4 it'd have to be the factory although I don't want anti wheelie. The BMW although looks good theirs always been something missing, plus both have been out a few years now as have the blade and the GSXR 1000 ok they had recent tart ups but basically the same bike so I'm hoping that come November I'll see something at the bike show that will scream BUY ME so I will lol
If triumph ever made this: It would be my next bike. I loved my 650 daytona, handled brilliantly, and I'm a triumph man at heart. I could b swayed by a panigale if they are reliable, or a v4 blade though.
I Would Love a triumph superbike, Mainly to support the British industry, I had a daytona 600 and loved it too.
