929 FireBlade: what are they like to own and live with?

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Hi dudes,

I've been racking my brains trying to think of a sportsbike which is relatively comfortable, has loads of torque, and above all is small and light.

I realised that if I didn't restrict myself to twins, I had a whole choice of bikes that would meet my requirements. One of the ones that seems to fit it best is the 929 blade. The 954 is a little too uncomfortable (and expensive) for my liking, and the 918 is a little too big. I've been searching the web for reviews, but there appear to be virtually no used tests of the bike, only first ride tests written back in 2000/2001 when the bike came out.

So, to those of you who own or have owned a 929 blade, or know someone who does or has, what are your thoughts?

Any info will be useful, but I'm specifically thinking about practicality, the likelihood of me losing my license, and anything I might need to know if I look at one or intend to buy one.

Thanks!

Mark.
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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.

TUBZ69 · Trackday Trickster Joined: 17 Jun 2007 Karma :

https://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=https://www.motorcycledaily.com/929yellow.jpg&imgrefurl=https://www.motorcycledaily.com/929rrfinal.html&h=371&w=617&sz=60&hl=en&start=5&um=1&tbnid=eJIxlqBrCG_gAM:&tbnh=82&tbnw=136&prev=/images%3Fq%3D929%2Bfireblade%26svnum%3D10%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN

its a 1000cc superbike. so yea its probly guna be a licence loser...
go on, you know you wana Twisted Evil

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those who risk nothing, become nothing, achieve nothing....
c90 rvf 400, vfr 400, gpz 500, Gsxr 750, R1, Zx6r....

TUBZ69 · Trackday Trickster Joined: 17 Jun 2007 Karma :

https://www.motorcycledaily.com/929rrfinal.html

shorter more direct link...
____________________
those who risk nothing, become nothing, achieve nothing....
c90 rvf 400, vfr 400, gpz 500, Gsxr 750, R1, Zx6r....

craigs23 · Mr Muscle Joined: 08 Jun 2005 Karma :

Pretty dam good as far as I know. The 2000 R1 was the competitor of the day, which provided more power and less weight, but the softer Blade arguably gave a better all-round, more controllable package. Some say it was boring/bland because of those capabilities, but you're only blaming a bike for how capable it is in that regard. And how could 130bhp be considered slow when the average rider can't handle 100?

Fuel consumption wasn't silly those days, build was better than the latest 1000 incarnation, and it had a few other practicalities such as good mirrors, a comfy position (for most who rode them) and useable underseat storage (with a hinged boot). Their value today make a lot of sense, and because of its "boring" image, tended to be owned by an older generation of 1000cc hooligans. Early fuel injection was a bit switchy, also not sure whether Honda had ironed out their cam chain issues, but other than that, a pretty solid buy.

Best way of telling's a test.

tatters · Exxon Valdez Joined: 05 Jan 2004 Karma :

929,s are boring and crap

spend a few quid more and get a 954 blade which is better on fuel/more powerful/better build quality/more aftermarket bits available, plus it looks better.

https://www.bikechatforums.com/files/bladetat8.jpg

https://www.bikechatforums.com/files/blade5.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

craigs23 · Mr Muscle Joined: 08 Jun 2005 Karma :

How's the 54 better built than the 29?

(No doubt the 54 is the bike the 29 should have been mind).

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

tatters · Exxon Valdez Joined: 05 Jan 2004 Karma :

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Aikman666 · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Dec 2004 Karma :

FI?! EW

'99 model is where its at Wink

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Will work for petrol
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MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

matlow · Scooby Slapper Joined: 16 Dec 2004 Karma :

some people talk utter bollocks tbh. Heres my 02 929:

https://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k201/mrpoatohead/IMG_0031.jpg

photo taken last summer, as you can see its a puddle of rust with faded colours, not.

Swapped for a brand spanking R1 and i still miss the sure footed handling of the blade. my best mate has a K5 gixxer thou and the only place he could open any distance was on the straights.

The bike had no issues in the 2 years i owned it, around 100 -110 miles before the fuel light came on wasnt too bad on tires. The 929 was recalled for a fork seal issue but if the work hasnt been done its still free from Honda.

954 is supposed to be a better bike and i'm sure it was voted best second hand sportsbike in MCN, that said though the 929 is far from being a dog.
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Hornet 600, CBR600F, 929 blade, 07 R1, R1200GS, 09 Blade, 750 SRAD, ZZR1200, 954 Blade, KTM 990 Adventure, Ducati 749s

Deano · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Feb 2003 Karma :

I've heard of a friend of my dads complain that the fuelling on those are shits, just on or off power band and swapped it for a new gsxr750.

byke95 · World Chat Champion Joined: 25 Mar 2004 Karma :

Hi Marjay,

My streetfighter is a 929, I'm not to sure why some are giving it a hard time, even if it isn't as good as a 954 it's a better bike than most will ever own.

I've owned three sports 600s, a couple of nakeds and two supermotos: the 929 it by far the best I've owned. It's light, it's pretty comfy (in standard trim), reliable and will be more bike than you need for road riding.

On/off fueling? Not something I've experienced, the power delivery is sudden but this is predictable and something I love.

No aftermarket bits? Again, even if there isn't as much as the 954 but I've picked up many a bargain off FleaBay and the like.

Seriously, I can't think of a bad word to say about mine, it's been the only bike I've owned that I don't want to sell! There was a fuel line recall and front fork recall back in the day to make sure these have been done if you end up getting one.

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

byke95 · World Chat Champion Joined: 25 Mar 2004 Karma :

BooBoo · Derestricted Danger Joined: 01 Oct 2006 Karma :

I had a silver 929. I sold it last year with 20k miles. No reliability problems, brakes not as good as my current GSX-R 1000 K4 but it was easier to ride with better fueling. Finish was good, exhaust downpipes are titanium. I travelled to France on it, with no major aches & pains. A bit quiet personally with a standard pipe & screen a bit small.

https://farm1.static.flickr.com/55/165139829_cf8f81f488.jpg