Mistake - sat on a 'Blade

[Bri w]

OMG, what have I done!?

Been thinking of getting something smaller than the VFR, and foolishly went into the local dealers. Sat next the VFR's were several 'Blades. What a difference in size! The Viffer looks like a tractor by comparison.

Had Mrs B with me so I dropped the hint about getting a 'smaller' bike, not telling her about the extra 200cc and performance.

She said yes!

Dare I splash the cash, or........... HELP

[JamesMio]

They're rather awesome bikes, but... If Mrs W likes going pillion she might not enjoy it so much on a Blade.!

[gruntygiggles]

Bri, having a blade doesn't mean Mrs. W won't be comfortable on the back. It could even be the opposite depending which bike you get. Stretchies current and ld blade were both the 929's which were the 2000/2001 model and I am more comfortable on that than on the blackbird wguich has a sofa for a seat.

I think the 954 would be pretty similar for a pillion, but by the looks of them, the newer they get, the less comfortable they are.

So.....spill, what year are you interested in, you can pick up some excellent examples at really good prices and if you want a mewer one that's in better condition than most spanking new bikes, I think ValleyBoy might be looking to sell his. If you don't know him......he's a clean freak with his bikes. They get total valet before going in the garage after every ride...and I mean a full clean!

Oh, also, don't let anyone tell you that they are too fast or powerful. I'm sure you know it already, but the power only really kicks in after about 6000revs, before that.....it's a very forgiving and lovely ride (applies to 929 as not sure about later models)

[Bri w]

Originally Posted by gruntygiggles

Bri, having a blade doesn't mean Mrs. W won't be comfortable on the back. It could even be the opposite depending which bike you get. Stretchies current and ld blade were both the 929's which were the 2000/2001 model and I am more comfortable on that than on the blackbird wguich has a sofa for a seat.

I think the 954 would be pretty similar for a pillion, but by the looks of them, the newer they get, the less comfortable they are.

So.....spill, what year are you interested in, you can pick up some excellent examples at really good prices and if you want a mewer one that's in better condition than most spanking new bikes, I think ValleyBoy might be looking to sell his. If you don't know him......he's a clean freak with his bikes. They get total valet before going in the garage after every ride...and I mean a full clean!

Oh, also, don't let anyone tell you that they are too fast or powerful. I'm sure you know it already, but the power only really kicks in after about 6000revs, before that.....it's a very forgiving and lovely ride (applies to 929 as not sure about later models)

Mrs W, Barb, doesn't do pillion, and sadly never will. She was involved in a RTA with a biker. Young girl came straight out of a side road into the side of the car and ...................................

Looking at a new one but would consider something less than 3 yrs old, and less than 10k miles, i.e. just run in.

Never had a bike with that performance but to be honest I find the VFR a bit slow and heavy for throwing around the twisties. Great for eating the miles on a tour but the smile isn't wide enough.

[gruntygiggles]

You'll love the blade then. Ger one out for a test ride and see what you think. Not sure what the low rev torque is on the VFR, but on the blade, it makes for a really forgiving ride. Lots of people think you only have to sneeze to chuck a wheelie which is just not true. You've been riding years, you'll just love it and yes, when it hits 6000rpm, BANG.....off you go and it feels great!

[Bri w]

Originally Posted by gruntygiggles

You'll love the blade then. Ger one out for a test ride and see what you think. Not sure what the low rev torque is on the VFR, but on the blade, it makes for a really forgiving ride. Lots of people think you only have to sneeze to chuck a wheelie which is just not true. You've been riding years, you'll just love it and yes, when it hits 6000rpm, BANG.....off you go and it feels great!

The VFR, typically of a V configuration has decent low rev torque, and goes well when the V-Tec cuts in at about 6500rpm. The performance of the Blade doesn't worry me, it's all in the wrist anyway. Just fancy something lighter and more chuckable.

And yes there's a few years under the belt - OMG, 34 years riding with the odd break. Maybe Hovis was right, it's a mobility scooter I should be looking at.

Yeh, I have this problem too, I made the mistake (thanks GG) of sitting on a CBR600 at the beginning of the month and I am now desperate for one!!

Do it...!

Originally Posted by Bri w

OMG, what have I done!?

Been thinking of getting something smaller than the VFR, and foolishly went into the local dealers. Sat next the VFR's were several 'Blades. What a difference in size! The Viffer looks like a tractor by comparison.

Had Mrs B with me so I dropped the hint about getting a 'smaller' bike, not telling her about the extra 200cc and performance.

She said yes!

Dare I splash the cash, or........... HELP

the viffer doesn't just look like a tractor it is a tractor

get the blade, they look brill

[gruntygiggles]

Originally Posted by Bri w

The VFR, typically of a V configuration has decent low rev torque, and goes well when the V-Tec cuts in at about 6500rpm. The performance of the Blade doesn't worry me, it's all in the wrist anyway. Just fancy something lighter and more chuckable.

And yes there's a few years under the belt - OMG, 34 years riding with the odd break. Maybe Hovis was right, it's a mobility scooter I should be looking at.

Yep.....you have 34 years so will be abslutely fine. I've had quite a few people tell me I'm silly for having a CBR400rr as a first bike, but I'm more than comfortable and have had a few extra days training to increase my wrist control. I 100% agree with you on that. I could go out tomorrow and get on a gixxer thou and it wouldn't do stupid things unless I did stupid things. Obviously it's just a lot easier to make a mistake when you have that much power.....but I'll be fine on the 400 as I am well prepared to just take my time, I'm in no rush.

As for you Bri, just get the blade. I said to Nic about the CBR600 that she'd sit on it and feel like she was at home. If you felt comfortable on the blade and it put a big grin on your face, get it. Hovis wasn't always right and he'd be beating you up for having started this thread rather than just buying the blade there and then...lol

[G]

The new blade can make anyone feel like a riding god... Infact it can make a mere mortal ride almost like a god too if the have the balls to trust it round the corners.

I had a go on one and they are devastatingly quick, so quick infact you don't realise. A quick blast through 1st and 2nd and you way above the top speed of an sv but because you've only used 2 gears it doesn't feel like it. You can leave it in one gear and never need to change.

For me i feel it would take the fun away from riding, the 600rr is pretty quicky but you need to work it... And that working t, is what makes riding fun for me right now.