954 Will it cut the mustard

[matlow]

After a short break from biking I have the funds to get back into it, my problem is that My last bike was an 09 blade that I loved, a lot. The snag is that my budget this time round is about 3k give or take. Now thats enough to get a decent bike but will it be a disappointment after the blade?
My thinking behind the 954 was that it's got a great reputation, was only in production for a couple of years, future classic?
Are the older 900's really that for off a modern litre bike?

Would a R1 be a better bet? Apparently decent mid range on the 02 R1
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Hornet 600, CBR600F, 929 blade, 07 R1, R1200GS, 09 Blade, 750 SRAD, ZZR1200, 954 Blade, KTM 990 Adventure, Ducati 749s

[Fruit'n'nut]

Used 954's still command decent second hand prices for a reason, I would have thought.
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Power Ranger

[robbieguy2003]

I reckon you might be surprised in a good way. I was very hesistant to take the GSX1250 out thinking it'd be pants compared to the RR, and that's not even a sports bike.

I'd have a guess at saying a nicely setup 954 might feel better on a lot of the roads bearing in mind the state of them. I feel from 2005 onwards most bikes started to get very track focused which hasn't helped with the condition of the roads, going for a bike designed to be a fast roadbike might be nicer.

I love my RR but on bumpy B-Roads it can get very skittish, being honest and looking at my riding the GSX works better for me 'most' of the time while the RR is only really fun on the right road at the right time.

All these things are opinionated though, are there any in dealers near you? Maybe give one a test ride.
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Current Bikes: Honda CBR 600RR - '07, Suzuki GSX1250 FA ST '11
Old Bikes: Suzuki Intruder 125 LC - '2001, Honda CBR 600F - '92, Honda CBR 600RR - '03

[MarJay]

Reading between the lines: "Wa Wa Wa, 130bhp is not enough. Wa Wa Wa, I need 170bhp"

Get over yourself. If you've had any kind of break from biking, the 954 will feel like a rocket ship and you'll love it.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[garth]

Just buy a K1/K2 GSXR1000.

Then with the change do some trackdays.
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You ain't a has been if you never was

[G]

[matlow]

[P.]

To be honest mate, I'm happy with a "130hp" GSXR750. Its not as mental straight line as a litre bike, but its far better than a 600 in terms of you dont need to keep it wound up for there to be power.

I doubt I'll ever use a litre bike again, very very happy with a 750. Also doubt I'll go near a 600 sports again either.

You mention weight and handling... again, I haven't had much experience with larger bikes, but the 750 pulls really well and handles like a 600.

[TUBZ69]

[MarJay]

Anyone who says they need more than 130bhp for the road is a liar.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[robbieguy2003]

[twostroketit]

I need at least 131 hp for the road.
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sup up your beer and collect your fags

[Spit-Fire]

if you can strech to another 500 squids you could get a k5/k6 gsxr, seen a few around as low as that, super light weight, and last thou produced before the emission law change if i recall
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they say the good die young... i say we just live faster

[Barry_M2]

[Alex A]

[G]

[minesweeper]

I ride a 954 all year round (sun/rain/snow) and it never lets me down or fails to put a smile on my face when I get liberal with the throttle.

All the bikes mentioned above will feel unrefined in comparison to an 09 blade but you can either embrace the bikes characters or let them drive you insane.

The 954 in its day won motorcycle comparisons constantly not by beating the competition in any particular area but by being the best overal package.
Visor down shoot out
https://www.visordown.com/road-tests/road-test-cbr954rr-vs-zx-9r-v-gsx-r1000-v-yzf-r1/4496-6.html

As always you should try to sit on each bike first as what suits 1 person will not always suit you.

Try not to let people on here put you off 1 choice or the other with useless comments "Blah blah bike is shit because i said it is.. blah blah i rode it round a carpark and it couldnt wheelie off the throttle in 4th.. wank wank blah blah u should ride what i say so we can all be sheep and circle wank blah blah"

sweep
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Rvf400, 955i daytona, 954 fireblade, cbr1000rr fireblade 06 Hm plant

[swiftb]

[Tenko]

If you like that bike, then buy it! A well ridden 400 will keep up with most things on most roads so don't worry about the 'lack' of power... Plus there is kudos for going well on something that isn't the latest bike imo.

[supZ]

the 954 is an utterly fantastic bike.

gorgeous, 'best handling of the pre central mass (under-seat exhaust) blades', and incidentally, the lightest blade ever made.

took mine to Scotland and back on a 1600 mile tour and she did me proud. handles the morning commute with relish and goes like fooking stink on the w/e blasts.

a fantastic bike; it truly is.


my baby..

https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4083/4951514398_09c5051257_b.jpg
https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4125/4950912121_b964c68d74_b.jpg

its funny, the CBR600 club im in all seem to be switching to 954s. i think there are about 8 of us now that have gone for them and everyone loves it
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CBR954RR - Daily toy
CBR600RR - Trackbike

[G]

Or...

[matlow]

Totally agree with the need and want argument, Think I've convinced myself with some of these replies it's what I'm after. And the good thing with older bikes after all is that it costs a whole load less to change if it doesn't work out, And there's something about a 954 in white that works for me.

As far as suzukis go, just not for me, I've tried a few and have put a few miles on a k5 thou and find it cramped and uncomfortable. Engine is a peach and I've never heard a better standard exhaust note on an il4.
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Hornet 600, CBR600F, 929 blade, 07 R1, R1200GS, 09 Blade, 750 SRAD, ZZR1200, 954 Blade, KTM 990 Adventure, Ducati 749s

[G]

I like my K6 thou for comfort, but I also found I preferred an RS250 to a (slightly modified) CBR600 .
However, the early GSXR1000s do have a fair bit 'bigger' feel.
I thought the blade was supposed to be pretty compact; but can't remember myself specifically how the ones from that year felt.

[P.]

[Seb]

Try a slow bike with decent suspension for a change, you might well be surprised. I find going for a thrash quite a lot more fun when I could actually thrash the bike and do the motor some justice.
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2010 Triumph 1050 Sprint ST