1996 Blade

[L3nny]

I mentioned to a friend of a friend I would probably get a blade as my next bike, thinking I would change in a year or 2. He said a bloke he works with has a 96 CBR900 918 which he is thinking of selling.

I haven't seen it yet so it could be a shed but my mate says knowing the bloke it's likley to be in good condition.

Anyone know what kind of money such a bike would be worth?

Is it a good idea to go from a 5 year old SV which is as good as new to a 14 year old Blade.

[rictus01]

Might be of some use

http://www.parkers.co.uk/motorbikes/...=53&deriv=3694

Cheers Mark.

[Red Herring]

The early Blades were a bit of a headbangers tool, not quite as civilized as todays offering. Might be quite a change from your SV...
The Blade mechanics and build quality are excellent though so provided it's been cared for and hasn't got stupid miles on it there could still be a deal to be done.

[L3nny]

It's got 32,000 miles on it which compared to the 7,000 on my SV seems a lot but everyone I speak to say that's bearly been run in.

What do you mean by headbangers tool? Is it difficult to control or do you just have to be careful with the throttle?

Price is a bit more than I expected for a bike of that age but I suppose they are becoming classics now.

[Red Herring]

They were just a little nervous with quite a bit of power (for those days) and quick steering, not helped by the 16" front wheel. That milage isn't to much to worry about, I've got several mates with over 40k on theirs and they've been regularly tracked as well.
Do get a sit on it though, it's a bit of a weird seating position with splayed bars and a wide tank.

ps: forgot to add, with that milage it might be worth having the suspension serviced, as above it's marginal even when in good nick.

good 16" tyres are getting hard to find
me i wouldnt touch it i would go for a newer one with a 17" front wheel

[fastdruid]

I still have a hankering after an original blade. In white and blue (and pink!)


or urban tiger.


Druid

[5hort5]

The tiger is a classic in the making if not already

[Spanner Man]

Good morning all.


The 918cc Fireblade was probably one of the best sports bikes Honda made. It was a little more civilised than the earlier 891cc Blade, yet still pretty quick.
Good ones are holding their value, & even going up when they're particularly good. 32K is not a lot on one of these, providing it has been looked after.


Cheers.

[Red Herring]

Thanks Spannerman, I think I might have sent L3nny up the garden path so to speak over models/years. I've just clicked the 918 was the second generation Blade that was indeed a little tamer. Still as you say a cracking bike, I had a 1999 one which unfortunately still holds the record as the only road bike I've ever destroyed....(lost the front at the Ring big time, very lucky to walk away), which probably accounts for why I don't like the front!