Is a 954 RR for me?

[veeeffarr]

Recently I've been thinking maybe I should have a change from the VFR, I want something a bit lighter and just, well, cooler?

Was looking at TL's and VTRs, then got onto the idea of maybe I should go for a blade... The 954 is a stunning bike, and I plan to take a test ride.

I suppose the question is, will this offer much more excitement than the VFR, but still retain some usability? The VFR is overkill for my uses and feels a bit underpowered, lovely bike though, I just don't want to be on it until I'm 40!

[nick606]

underpowered ? how fast are you riding.

Have you though of the other 1000s like zxr , gsxr or r1. Or are you really after a blade

tbh i would go with a twin for the low down power but thats just me

[veeeffarr]

[nick606]

Would a 1000 be best for you though or could a cbr 600 do. I'm just saying as you don't need to be as careful on the throttle and the front wouldn't be a violent. You may find yourself enjoying the 600 more although it could be the other way around. You really need to do some test rides.

I don't want to sound like a cock but getting a 1000 instantly isn't going to make you fast its all about the rider. I can keep up with people on bigger bikes than me no problem but then i get absolutely destroyed by my mate on L plate with a rs125 (i know what your thinking but if you ever rode with him you would understand). I'm only saying this if you think you will be able to ride loads fast on a cbr than your vfr best it probably isn't going to be the case

[colin1]

Have a test ride to see if you like a 954 blade.

Something a bit more agile than the vfr is a good idea in my opinion, so some kind of sports bike.

Or, if its more about the image while still being comfy, you may find a fazer 600, or a fazer 1000 good.

Sportsbikes arent for everyone, so what if the sports bike crowd dont respect a vf750/800 rider.
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[----]

My uncle went from a vfr800 to his 954 blade.
He said the difference was huge in fun factor.
Power is awesome all through the rev range,but seems easily useable on the road.Not my kind of bike (dont like the sitting position) but they look cool as fleck

(*ahem) see sig
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DRZ-400sm

[veeeffarr]

[instigator]

I have a 929. It's alright, got it for £2k, 19k miles, loads of mods.

I wouldn't expect as good mpg as your vfr though.

[yambabe]

But you don't need a full-on sports bike to have fun in twisties. Apparently you don't even need a bike that leans..........

On the other hand if it's what you want there's no harm in giving it a go. The more comfortable you feel on a bike the better you tend to ride it imo so if you find something that you feel better on than the vfr you probably will enjoy the ride more.

Get some test rides.

(Oh and J says you want to come over for a go on the Daytona?)
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Sod falling in love, I wanna fall in chocolate.

[veeeffarr]

[MarJay]

I may have a 954 for sale soon at a good price. I did drop it (at fairly low speed) but its all repaired now. I'm just waiting for David Silver Spares to get off their arse and send me the tail unit I ordered five weeks ago.

I'll be looking for around £3250. Its done 15k miles and is not 100% mint, but its 100% mechanically sound and just has the odd scuff and needs a bit of a clean (which I plan to do before it goes).

The damage that it had was a bent clip on, scuffed/cracked fairing and tail unit and a scuffed end can.

I've got a mint OE end can off of ebay, and I've replaced all of the damaged fairing with new or nearly new parts. I've also replaced the clip on and the fairing bracket which was a bit bent.

The only remaining damage is a small scuff on the engine case and a small scratch on the tank. Apart from that, its all good.

Its just too much for me, and after I dropped it my confidence has been knocked. The main issue I have is that I'm small and only weigh just over ten stone. I've tried to adjust the suspension to my weight but I can't get on with it. If you're taller and/or heavier than me you'll get on fine with it. I will be putting the suspension settings back to standard before it goes.

Anyway PM me if you're interested or want more info... battery is low on the laptop so I'd better hit submit.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[mark83]

I've always liked all the blades (including the new one!!!!!)

However, something inside me is shouting.....

Twin! Twin!! Twin!!!
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Kawasaki ER6n -> Honda CBR600RR -> Honda VTR 1000 -> Moto Guzzi Norge 1200
Buy my Mercedes 350 Sport AMG Evo

[Wave2k]

I wouldnt get a blade, and if you want to get a twin youll have to get used the the un-smoothness of them at low speeds and comming from a V4 it will probably be severe.
Having said that give me a V-twin over an IL4 anyday of the week, 4's are just so refined and boring, even litre 4s.

Ducati 999, TL1000R, RSVR 04+ (06+ has ohlins), SP1 or 2.

The only twins worth having, firestorms and SV1000s are pants, SV1000 has the TL1000R lump, but they have sucked ALL the life out of it, boring as hell.

Of course 848s and 1098s are there for people who want to be pedantic, but those arnt really in anyones price range.

If all else fails 2004+ R1
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Ducati 1299 Panigale
2009 Corvette C6 z51
RS125->CBR400->RXS100->GSXR750K2->Ducati749S->CBR600RR5->TL1000R->DRz400->RSVR1000->Honda VTR SP1->CBR400->GSXR1000K6->Honda H100->CBR600RR3->Ducati1299

[njd27]

[instigator]

As wave said, I don't think a blade is for you. Not that I know you, but I doubt it would suit your riding style. Unless it's an utter bargain, I'd look at a twin or any other IL4 Thou' such as the gsxr. The blade comes last in the 1000cc IL4 stakes imo. Every year.

I don't know why people really but them.

[Mr Nice Guy]

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

A Blade will do everything your VFR can do but be a lot better in terms of handling imo (not so good tank range/fuel consumption). The riding positions arent that much different, I prefer Blades/big sports bikes.

The only problem is, if you want fun on sports bikes then 1000cc fours are oing too fast too quick and to get the high adrenaline rush by going to the top end youre doing stupido speeds for my tastes. I dont find much difference between twins and fours myself. Twins are better for the road because they can take up the slack when your lazy or on a road you dont know, if on a road you know then a 600 4 is probably just as good as a litre bike for the majority of people.

Based on your general posts about what appears to be a lack of confidence in riding I'd say buying a 1000cc sports bike would be a bad idea full stop for you.

[instigator]

[Alex A]

I had a test drive of one of these the other week out of curiosity (think it was a 929). Compared to my (much older) VFR750, it didn't seem quite as well put together to me - nor was the engine as sublimely smooth (if you have the 800fi non-VTEC, you'll miss those gear driven cams). And the CBR had noticably less grunt down the rev range - less pull in high gears from lower speeds, so less relaxed for commuting/town driving. I'd be too tempted to rag it to have any fun I think. Not as comfy either. It was undeniably rapid of course, but on public roads it'll be a long time before I even reach the limits of the '750, and I doubt I'd be any quicker on the 'blade - something to think about. The lightweight is probably one of the most appealing benefits, especially for smaller riders who might struggle with the VFR at slow speeds. If you just want to swop for the image/perception of other riders, then it's probably not the best reason from a safety or enjoyment perspective.
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Current: Ducati Panigale R / Ducati Streetfighter S / Suzuki GSX-R1000 L5

[veeeffarr]