New blade test ride

Have a 2008 Blade to test today...fugly. Pics to follow

I saw one in the flesh at the weekend and it is not as bad as it looks in the magazines. The front end looks odd as it is so blunt, but if you ignore the front (which isn't really "that" hideous), the side profile and rear three quarter profile is, I think, quite good looking. I really like the back end and the exhaust looks OK in my opinion. Honda have done a good job on integrating it into the profile of the bike and it looks quite cohesive.

The CBR600RR is still a MUCH better looking bike. I think if they stayed with the pointy front end like the 600 it would be better for it.

I'd like to hear your test ride opinions though. I rode one last year, and while it was an incredibly capable bike I found it uninvolving. Sure it was blisteringly quick and would pull from any revs, but that is not what I personally want. With a 600 you feel involved in the action. You have to keep it on the boil and use the gearbox. For the average person I am sure that the 600 is probably quicker point to point (unless it's a straight line). The increase in speed and acceleration was not a thrilling on the thou either. The mill is like a turbine with no real steps in the power delivery. It is just constant thrust. With the 6, there is a kick at 8 and another kick at 10.5.....makes it feel like it's going fast.

[northwind]

I really like it... The tail makes it look a wee bit unbalanced but the nose works really well I thought. Might need to blag a go on one, I've not ridden a Blade for ages.

I had the luxury of taking out an 07 blade first then the 08 blade later.

Design:

It's a shocker when you first see it but it grows on you. The rear brake lights are super cool...same type of lens unit as you see on the backs of new Audis and 5 series beemers - don't know what they're called.

The rear snow shovel - it is the ugliest thing I've ever seen on a bike. If I bought one it would be the first thing I'd replace. It just looks seriously stupid in the flesh. It actually looks like a bit of airfix kit that's been stuck on the back then been stretched past the rear wheel.

On the tank there are recessed honda badges as opposed to decals which I'm not sure about.

Mind you everybody hated the Audi TT when it was introduced - so maybe the new blade will have similar appeal.

Performance:

Fast!!! Just sheer raw power that pulls like a train in any gear. Scoobs summed this up pretty well above so enough said.

Handling:

I will have to report back in detail at a later date because of 2 things - brand new tyres and lots of icy/greasy microclimates in the shadows. (I have an extended test booked for a better day)

I did give it as good a test as possible but it was riddled with short shifting to prevent wheelies as I learned in the first mile when i gave it some beans in 2nd.

Steering is superb and almost 600 like. The bike itself is very light.

One thing that really stood out was the corner exit speed - just SENSATIONAL - never experienced anything like it - and it really felt fast. When I took out the 07 blade earlier it just felt sluggish by comparison.

For me 178 brake is just far too much for real world use on the tight twisties round my way. As Scoobs said it's too uninvolving and you have to be very light on the throttle most of the time. In a straight line it is just insanely fast for very little effort - if that's your thing. If I had the luxury of riding every time on the nurburg then I'd have one in a minute.

Personally I prefer changing gears, power bands and using the throttle on my 600

[carelesschucca]

its fugly, honda have been dropping their bikes out of the ugly tree recently... I was looking a a picture of the RC212V and it just looks wrong too me... But who am i too judge?

That is one BRUTAL looking exhaust. Still prefer the 07 model to look at. Going to the launch at Phoenix next week though...... went to Perth for the Ninja launch too. It's got WEIRD mirrors. By the time the show comes around, we'll have seen all the new bikes anyway.

Garry

[Stu]

Originally Posted by independentphoto

It's got WEIRD mirrors. By the time the show comes around, we'll have seen all the new bikes anyway.

Garry

I take it you mean the 10R. I think I finally get it - you fold back the mirrors for filtering/track? but the indies still work (cf. other much better looking bikes with the indies on the mirror backs.)

[Stu]

OK so i've got planned for Sunday freeish reign of a Honda dealership '07 & '08 bikes. What should I be doing to get the most from it (the '08 Fireblade is booked at 2pm). Esp. what advice can you give me to experience the front coming up under control.
Cheers

[STRAMASHER]

My missus never won it the nicht in that Honda compo.

So its gash. A complete dog, drawn by the hand of Stephen Hawkins.