Fireblade to much of a jump?

[CaPo]

Ive been riding a few years now, first on an ns125r then the gpz500s which I currently have.
Its time to change for a better condition, better looking bike (the other 2 were pretty old and a bit tatty). Ive been looking at sv650's but have noticed I could get a Fireblade from 97ish for similar cost. ive checked insurance and thats not an issue but im a bit worried it will be a bit to much of a step up.
Opinions?

[MarJay]

[CaPo]

Ive had a look at a few cbr 600's but at that age they seem to be on a par price wise with the blade, but harder to find a good one. As I said, not worried about insurance.

[Devils Advocate]

Agree with marjay about the lighter,similar power,easier to manage points.
If you`re looking at the cbr.....try and stretch to an rr

[CaPo]

I love the look of the rr, but it would need to be an early one and aren't they a bit extreme with the riding position and all top end power?

[Zimbo]

Personally I would say that, as you've been riding a few years and have a lot of experience on a 500, an early blade isn't too much of a jump. Obviously you'll need to take it easy until you're used to the extra power and torque, but I'm sure you know that already.

[Devils Advocate]

[colin1]

i think the fireblade would be a better bike to get than an sv650, but i think you would be better off with a cheapish sports 600 like a tt600, thundercat, etc

I think 600s are more rewarding, as you ahve to work the gearbox to get at the power

litre bikes make it too easy
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[supZ]

only you know if you're ready.

take a test drive and see how you feel

no matter how powerful the bike is its you that controls the throttle
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CBR954RR - Daily toy
CBR600RR - Trackbike

[Yarri]

I had a jump from NSR to GSXR 600 and what can i say, most of the traveling done in city/town will be at low rpm 4-6k and thats just like NSR to be honest. But when you are to find a nice straight road thats where the power can be unleashed

I am looking to get R1 on Christmas and hoping that it will not get borring too soon
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Theory Car Passed: 22/07/2009 48/74 Car Test Passed: 22/10/2009 2 minor
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[craigs23]

I went from an RVF400 to an early Blade without much difficulty. In fact, it was an easier change than I expected, not much adaption needed, apart from around the bike's ergonomics - earlier Blades have a 'sit in' riding position, once you've got a grip around their podgy fuel tanks that is.

The Blade's torque gave the biggest impression of 'performance', but didn't really take off until around 7k or so. Great for cruising around on below that and relatively comfy (and practical) and would crack over 120 with ease when powering on (needing 3 gears, I seem to recall). Took a bit of concentration to muscle the old brute around though - and to keep the bike straight and true when cracking on down a country lane - their geometry, crude (by today's standards) suspension and way ward 16 inch front wheels got a little lively...

A modern 600 offers more performance, easier power delivery, better civility, chassis and brakes, at the expense of feeling a little too...hmmm.....refined?

[MarJay]

[Polo]

I went from a NSR to a Fireblade RRV (1997).

No issues for me - it only goes as fast as you tell it.

And I aint no straight line warrior
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[The Tot]

You'll like the flexibility and roadholding of late 90's blades. Think of it as a torquey, accommodating 600 and you'll be fine.
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The Tot 2019 Z1000SX - 2007 R1
Never argue with autism

[tatters]

Very nice bikes, l used to have two 954 blades very well built and mind blowing performace.

Though out of all the bikes l,ve owned over the years they both got crashed quite badly and left me in a state.

https://www.bikechatforums.com/files/bladetat8.jpg
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Past:NRG50,AF1125(x2),NSR125RR,ZZR250,CX500,VFR400,KR1S,ZZR600(x2),CB400N,YZF1000(x2),KH125,Z200,FX400R,CBR954RR(x2)GPZ500S,GT550,VFR750F(x2),RD350N,XR650R,CBR600F,CB250,KDX250,YZF750R,CRM250,400EXC,KLR650,TTR600RE,DR350S,R100GSPD,RGV250,VMAX1200,DL650,KZ750 Present:G650XC,C12,CRF450X,1190ADV

[Alex A]

Go for it.

I bought a mint '98 'blade a couple of months back, and I must say that it's pretty damn easy (unintimidating) to ride. The 16" wheel makes for extra responsive cornering, but is just something to become accustomed to and bare in mind when throwing it into a corner. The power is very linear and predicatble upto 6k revs, and in all honesty with the torque you have down low, you never need to explore the rest of the rev range at legal speeds. If you want to cane it, then it goes pretty mental above 7k or so. They're physically big and wide for sports bikes, but not that heavy (180kg dry so maybe 15-20kg more than an equivalently priced 600, if that). Lots of the space inside the frame is unoccupied, and it's all constructed with balance primarily in mind.

A sporty position but way comfier than sports 600s. Very solid and assured feel to handling and road holding too. You have to be pretty damn erratic on the throttle to upset it, so long as you fettle the suspension to suit your weight. It's a lot of power, but it's certainly some of the most friendly power I've experienced. There's good reason you still see many of these still in very tidy condition compared to the fast dwindling number of mint early R1s. They're a testament to Honda build quality and ability to make a very fast bike very rider friendly.
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Current: Ducati Panigale R / Ducati Streetfighter S / Suzuki GSX-R1000 L5

[CaPo]

A few mixed comments but most of what im hearing about the blade is kinda what I had in mind of it. Time for a test ride I think
If the fronts a bit too lively ive heard its pretty easy to fit a 17" front wheel so its all good.

[Bikeless]

Get the blade and fit a steering damper as they can slap a little powering over bumps etc.I went from a CBR400 to a 95 blade without any probs,best bike i ever had,

[G]

Depends the riding you want - blade is better for 'lazy' riding, while the 600 may make you use more 'skill' to get the same speed.
Providing you're sensible, an older blade shouldn't be a problem.

[MarJay]

[Robby]

I'll go against the grain here and say wait, and go for a 600.

A 600 sportsbike will feel very different to your GPz- think of something a bit like your GPz, but when you hit the redline on the GPz it has another 5000 rpm to play with. That's what my CBR6 is like compared to my old SV.

There's no need to jump onto the most powerful thing you can think of, on the offchance that you might be able to control it. I'm sure you'll still be able to scare yourself if required on a 600.

Then, when you're ready for a litre bike, you can get a '98 R1 and control time itself.

[the grim reaper]

Unless you're looking for quick lap times or revving the tits off your bike then I;d say get the Blade, they're much, much easier to ride quickly than a 600, the torque makes them way better on the motorway and for overtaking, as you don't have to cog down, just twist and go.

I've had loads of Blades and I'd have another tomorrow, they inspire confidence and are quick enough to lose your license, just like modern sports thou's.

If screaming frenetically round the roads is your thing then go for the 600, if more relaxed but equally quick riding is more up your street then get the Blade.

There's no replacement for displacement.

Cheers

Grim
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[craigs23]

[G]

[The Tot]

A 929 is a joy to ride in any condition. Just respect the fact that it has plenty of torque in compariosn to a 600 so you'll have that added benefit of top gear overtakes in the fast lane. I rode mine back to back with a CBR600 F-S and ergonomically, it felt similar, cept mine had a LOT more off-the-throttle shove.

The components work well and you can tell what it's doing in any situation. Chassis gives good feedback. Because they were regarded as somewhat of a failure in terms of getting shot down performancewise by the R1 and Gixxer in 2000, they go cheaper than many of the RR-T (98-99) models. I'd say it's a refined bike and I've used it in all weather for commuting without missing a beat.
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The Tot 2019 Z1000SX - 2007 R1
Never argue with autism