Old Blade or New Blade

[TCFA]

Well newish. I like the style of the 09-12 model with the rounder nose.

But will the 900RR become a collectable, especially either the 92/93 model with the round headlights, or the 94 urban tiger paint scheme?

And are they still awesome?
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Then: Kawasaki ZZR250 > Suzuki Across 250 > Suzuki SV650 > Honda CB750
Now: Honda CBR600F and Triumph Tiger 800 XRT

[Rogerborg]

I find it hard to believe that you're seriously trying to make a choice between a 1992 and a 2012 Fireblade. The price differential is too big and there are far too many other bikes in the middle, Fireblades (Y U no 2002?) and otherwise.

So, are we just jawin' here? Shooting the breeze? What are you really asking?
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[wristjob]

are you after a bike to ride or just an investment?
or are you a traffic police officer who just has to have a blade because you all do?

[TCFA]

I guess I just like the style of both of them over the others. I know there's a big range in between and, at least from what I've read, they are all pretty damn good (esp from 2004 onwards).

I'm after an upgrade from my cbr600f, probably not until next year though. I'm considering lots of different bikes but only just started thinking about a blade.

Of course a '92 blade is 10 yrs older than my 600, but I understand they're still good bikes, and if there's a chance it will appreciate even just a bit, then that's good

In terms of the price difference, I could probably manage either one, but an extra £3-4000 is worth hanging on to

Do all traffic cops have blades? I think you're just generalising ..
____________________
Then: Kawasaki ZZR250 > Suzuki Across 250 > Suzuki SV650 > Honda CB750
Now: Honda CBR600F and Triumph Tiger 800 XRT

[Rogerborg]

[Slacker24seve...]

[stevo as b4]

Only thing I'd say is unless your mad, or really skilled or have experience of using the top end potential of most litre bikes over the last 15years, then to a complete nobber/wobbler (myself included), you wouldn't be able to use all of the 124bhp blades on the road, let alone the 170-180bhp more current ones.

For me, I like the build quality and fat arsed but polished and refined to the pinnacle of the first real design that is the 98-99Blade. It's considered sports tourer with attitude now, but it ticks many box's.
1, Big underseat lunchbox storage area

2, Lovely late 90's Honda build quality.

3, Improved suspension, brakes, midrange and handling over the early ones.

4, retains the Fireblade cult of the 16" front wheel and fake USD looking RWU forks.

5, Lots of nostalgia links to the earlier real cult models.

6, More of them around and they don't yet attract cult/classic tax of the 92/93 and the 98 R1 etc.

7, lightest blade of the first generation, yet feels bigger more roomy and has a bigger fairing too.

8, I quite like late 90's early 2000's sportsbikes, that my era for sports bikes, I knew more about these era machines and wanted them at the time. And they mainly all now have the big roomy feel of a very focused sports tourer instead of an extreme and tiny cramped sportsbikes.

9, The 918cc motor was smooth as silk, lots of lovely midrange and a linear delivery signing off at 11000rpm, not the stupid (midrange deficient) 14000rpm litre bikes of today that might as well be on the BSB grid instead of the Tesco run etc.

10, Lots of bike for the money and it's nice to have one of the also rans to the 98 R1, as for some people everything else was redundant and a waste of time back then, and I feel that's unfair especially as the 98 Honda and Kawasaki 900's had come on a long way and were massively better bikes than what went before.

[Mario_Kempes]

Really like the 2007 model. Neighbour has one with the HRC paintjob
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2018 Speed Triple 1050 R
'65 Vespa 150S

[MCN.]

The original blade is the only wild one.

[Kris]

Had a '94 foxeye with 17k miles. Great bike, if a little small for me. The quality was Swiss-watch like, as in it really felt well engineered and put together impeccably whilst being incredibly light. The power was enough for me and I had an awesome night-time blast down the Thanet Way at an indicated 160.

[edit] The '96 - '97 bikes are apparently the ones to go for. Unbelievable quality for the cash.
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NSR125RR - ZXR750H1 - ZX9R E1 - GSF600S - GSF600SK3 - VFR400-NC30 - SV1000N - ST1100-R - CBR900RR-R - GSF1200SK5 - GSF600SK1 - VFR1200FA - GSXR1000K2 - ZZR1400 D8F
www.prisonplanet.com

[TCFA]

Someone mentioned the 08 bike above. Is it worth spending a little bit more for 09 onwards to get the ABS?
____________________
Then: Kawasaki ZZR250 > Suzuki Across 250 > Suzuki SV650 > Honda CB750
Now: Honda CBR600F and Triumph Tiger 800 XRT

[P.addy]

[m3-paul]

I have the 997 RRV blade. I have also ridden an 09 blade.

Sure the 09 felt more modern, better brakes, more power etc but on the road I felt my 97 bike was its equal for my ability.

The only way I would benefit from the greater performance of the later bike is on a track, IMHO the 97 blade is that good.

Plenty of power, handles very well, is light and the quality is excellent. I like the older bikes styling, it ticks all the boxes I want from a bike and it sounds awesome .

Rose tinted glasses? Possibly but it really is a lot of bike for the cash. I paid £2000 for mine but it really is in mint condition.
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Yamaha TZR250 - love the smell of TTS!!!!
CBR900RR Fireblade - so much fun

[TCFA]

Was the 97 changed a lot from the 94?
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Then: Kawasaki ZZR250 > Suzuki Across 250 > Suzuki SV650 > Honda CB750
Now: Honda CBR600F and Triumph Tiger 800 XRT

[robs321]

Get a 954, best of both worlds!

[TCFA]

Is the 954 the 06/07?
____________________
Then: Kawasaki ZZR250 > Suzuki Across 250 > Suzuki SV650 > Honda CB750
Now: Honda CBR600F and Triumph Tiger 800 XRT

[P.addy]

[G]

[stevo as b4]

G, I agree with what your saying, and I would expect that current bikes with the electronics and rider aids mean that you can sample more of the power in short squirts, and meter out the drive more accurately in varying conditions/road surfaces etc.

But can any EFI bike especially the new fly by wire models, have that really good feedback and connection that you get with a set of well set up carbs linked to a cable?

Oh and out of interest for a noob, what are the landmark years for modern blades?

I know that the 04 was a huge step, and people talk about the 08 being something good too, are there any other years that stand out as exceptional compared to the rest though?

[G]

It wasn't the electronics/rider aids I was thinking for the most part, but the advancement in suspension design.

Some FI can be a bit jerky coming on to power - the early 675 one is, but a similar year GSXR is fine.

The 08 when they went to the fugly styling and went to an engine with massive midrange.

[Slacker24seve...]

[base]

[Slacker24seve...]

[G]

But nor is the early one by today's standards.

2004 ZX10R if you wanted a bike with a little more pep, maybe.

[Pigeon]

Tadao Baba rides a 954 because it was the last CBR I designed, and as a total package this was the best Blade I ever made. Lovely handling, engine and power delivery, it’s my favourite bike to ride.

I'd go for a 954 if looking.