Blade for first bike?!

[mic]

Have googled this and get a mixture of yes and no from various forums. An early blade might fit my budget.... But is it a bit much or does the 'right hand control the speed' therefore should be okay if taken steady?

Cheers

[Sako]

Try it if you want, but you'll not benefit from a more forgiving bike to allow you to learn to actually ride/corner.

[Mario_Kempes]

If you have to ask the question then you probably already know the answer.

It's not that you'd necessarily kill yourself. More that you'll learn very little on a 'blade. You won't be able to dominate it. To use any fraction of what it's capable of. You'll be terrified of it. Where's the fun in that?

And if you're not terrified of it then you probably will end up killing yourself.

[MarJay]

[MarJay]

Oh and 'the throttle goes both ways' doesn't actually apply to a stone cold n00b like yourself. It takes a fair amount of practise to get throttle control down to a tee, especially to be able to dampen unwanted throttle inputs. If you're tense on the bike and hit a bump, a small amount of throttle could easily be enough to spit you off. This is much less of an issue on a sub 600cc bike.
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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.

[Sako]

[BTTD]

[-Matt-]

Right - i went down a similar route you could say [not a blade admittedly], but i hopped from ped, to 125 to 600.

Firstly that 600 was restricted 2 years which gave me a LOT of forgiving time to get used to its weight, handling, feel and just day to day comfortable riding technique before it was 'let loose'.

I'd say as Mario mentioned - if you have to ask you probably already know the answer.

I've been okay on mine, but i ride very sensibly [not to say i ride WELL i'm sure i have my riding faults] but i'm not one for flaunting the ole' traffic laws etc given the chance - i take it easy, i go easy and to be fair probably don't use half the bikes potential 90 percent of the time.

Now if you're someone who you think given a bit of over-zealous confidence and adrenaline is likely to try open the throttle up in whats probably not the wisest situation given a bit of time to step back and think about it - its a bad idea.

If you can be mature and respect the fact you're 'fast-tracking' what a lot of bikers take a few years minimum to build upto and get used to, then yes its possible. But you have to keep that in mind constantly.

Also even in regards to my 'story', factor in i had 2 years on a scooter [not riding that great in heinsight as it was done on CBT training alone], and a further 2-3 years on a 125 - back then riding relatively sensibly too, so generally road-wise that helped me as well as basic bike handling.

As a completely new first bike - i'd be very cautious. If you can be sensible and mature about and feel comfortable and safe by all means give it a go. The alternative if you lapse though is a very very high probability of a severe/fatal accident - so give it a good hard think

[m3-paul]

I have been biking for years but only had really big bikes many years ago (gsxr1100s etc) and after that a break and then smaller two strokes.

Back in January I decided to get another four stroke, an fzr600. Was brilliant, an easy bike to ride with enough power and predictable handling. For an older bike it was a joy to ride. You could open it right out and not feel like it was going to kill you, it was all very manageable.

I have also been looking for an early R1 or mid to late 90's blade. I ended up with a mint 1997 fireblade.

Is it different to ride to the fzr600? Yes, massively. It turns in faster, feels more twitchy when pushing on and is inclined to lift the front when razzing it. Okay, so mine has altered gearing with a smaller front and larger rear sprocket so is very lively but all the same, on standard gearing it is still quick.

Would I recommend a noob rides one? No. However, it is your life and you know your level of skill and control. But, the blade will bite you if you fuck it up, no doubt about that. I love it and am tuning in to what the bike wants to do and what I need to do on the bike but I also know that if I take liberties it will kick me in the arse.

I am firmly in the camp of working your way up he horsepower ladder before jumping on to litre bikes up but as I say, your life, your choice but as much as you only get one life so make the most of it you also have one life that can be taken away due to inexperience and the wrong bike at this stage in your biking career.
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Yamaha TZR250 - love the smell of TTS!!!!
CBR900RR Fireblade - so much fun

[-Matt-]

Interesting to read your side of it Paul.

As i said i was restricted 2 years on my 600 which made a BIG diffrence, as sensible as i am riding wise i don't know how it would of panned out if i'd hopped onto it unrestricted let alone something with even more power.

I would add - firstly to highlight just how cautiously i do ride i've not once had the front lift up on my ZX6, but thats because i'm extremely careful, as i've accidently done it on my 125 on a few occasions - which isn't even an easy task at times, and believe me if you didn't remain aware of it the 600 would flip like a domino.

I would ask ultimately also having re-read the thread, why do you want a blade as your first bike. I do appreciate if you like the look and feel of sportbikes as that was what drew me to them, but why a litre blade, there are plenty of nice 600s or even 400-500 range sport bikes that aren't so manic.

Like Paul also said - you do only have one life to live, but you will live it very shortly if you rush into some things motorcycle-related without a good hard think

[j.silvs]

Kind of disagree here

First bike of mine is a gsxr

With most sports bikes they only become hooligans past around 6k revs.

It's actually smoother and easier to commute on than something like a supermoto with only a 400 engine. Throttle isn't as twitchy as some and they look cool.

I say get the bike you love and ride to your limits. If its a blade then go for it.

[janner_10]

Get what you want. Why be dictated to by strangers off the internet. If you like the bike then buy it FFS.

Take it easy to start with.
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Yamaha FZS600 (Now gone to heaven) > CBR600F4i (SOLD) > '99 YZF-R1

[jjdugen]

A 'carby' 'blade is no more powerful than most fairly recent 600's. However, that power is delivered in a smooth and linear fashion, no need to scream it to get moving. There is no real 'powerband' so it won't catch you out with a sudden and drastic increase in power. Its built so well and simply that they are a home mechanics dream.
Later 1000's from all the manufacturers played the more power, but higher up the rev range game that the 600's have been playing, but that wallop of power can be a handfull if you are not experienced.
Only downers with an early 'blade are the 16'' front wheel that can be twitchy, especially on worn tyres, easily replaced with a 17'' wheel from the 600's, and the reg/recs fitted as OEM equipment are a fail item, once again easily and cheaply replaced with better units.
There are many sites with in depth knowlege, many spares around at very reasonable prices.
Bang for buck they are a steal, If you want fairly lazy power that is not overly threatening then the 'blade is a very good option.
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The CBR900RR has been sold. Aprilia Falco worms its way into my heart.
Try Soi 23 on Amazon for a good read.... Self promotion? Moi?

[hazza]

I went from 125 Motorcross bikes -> 50's -> 125's -> 250 ->600 Bandit ->SV650. Now I'm a bit older and my insurer covers me to ride any bike my Father-in-law kindly offered me his GSXR 750 K7 for the day last weekend and I was very underwhelmed during 'normal' riding. Below 7k revs it was no faster than my SV650 but a hell of a lot smoother (actually forgot how smooth IL4's were) Obviously over 7k revs it was bat shit mental but I guess if you have the control to not thrash it everywhere then why not?

I personally think it's just too much of a bike for roads. By the time you are out of first you are in lose your license territory so what's the point?

Still want one though !
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3 Honda NC50's(Sold)-->'72 Puch Maxi S (Sold, want it back!)--> '90 Yamaha RXS 100 (Stolen)--> '87 Honda Cub 90(Sold) --> '95 Kawasaki Eliminator (Sold) --> '98 Bandit 600 (Sold) -->'07 SV650S (Current)

[RhynoCZ]

I'd start on a 600cc in-line four, more revs + less torque = more time for you to realize something's gonna happen very soon.

I've been on '99 Blade and I went slow and easy and still 240kph on straights and about 30kph+ faster than on my former NC27 in many corners which is wrong, more speed gives you less time to solve a problem or to avoid any obstacles + those fairings calm you down because there's no annoying wind that'd tell you you're going too fast. Great front brake and chassis though
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'87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[gorillaonabik...]

If you make a mistake on a blade, it will spit you off. It accentuates your errors and exponentially increase your chances of crashing. A 'soft' detuned 600 will allow you to learn and improve your chances of staying alive.

However, it makes life exciting...

I owned a '97 blade (I think it was '97 - difficult to remember as the late 90s were a bit of a blur) and I bought it because it made my heart beat faster. It rocked but get it wrong and it will bite you in the @ss.
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FZR400 (blown engine), ZXR750 (blown engine), ZX6R (accident), CBR600 which had engine issues after which I learned to change gear..., CBR900, CBR924 (stolen), CB600, CB1300 (everything blew up), BMW K1300GT (written off, hit from rear while stationary), Bandit 1250 for a couple of months, Triumph Sprint ST 1050 (nicked) and somewhere in there, I wrote off a Ducati 748 at Cadwell.

[woo]

ride what you want cos if you crash a blade or yamaha yzf 125 the bike will still be fucked and so will you

lifes too short to be worrying about this and that and working your way up, if you can take a short cut take it.

I worked my way from 50cc-125cc-400cc-600cc-1000cc
this was made due to money if i had the money i would have loved to jump straight to 1000cc the rest in between for me was looking back now a waste of time
bearing in my mind i get no enjoyment from thrashing the life out of a small cc bike i find it a chore hence why i will only ride 1000cc bikes as i like TO BE LAZY and have the torque right there whenever i want

real issue is the smaller cc may be more forgiving if you cock up whereas the 1000cc will not forgive

as for knee downs if thats your thing go for it but me i have no interest in that i just like to ride each to their own i guess
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Elen sila lummen omentielvo!

[Musketeer]

Assuming that you are not an idiot.. get 600cc.. they usually behave up to 6-7k rpm so there is enough room for steady riding if you want to take it easy. You also benefit from better brakes and suspension which is a big plus for safety reasons. They are usually lighter too so makes walking around with the bike a bit easier.

If you are into sport bikes I don't see how 500cc can benefit you. Heavy, poor brakes, poor suspension. I would rather take older 400cc route.. i.e. ZXR400.. they get really old now though.

Overall going straight to 600cc and taking it easy is the best option in my opinion.
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Current Bike: Yamaha XSR900 Previous bikes: Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade, Kawasaki ZX-6R Ninja, Aprilia RS125 2-stroke

[hazza]

This adds nothing to the thread but something I noticed when I went out on the GSXR 750 is that new era big sports bikes feel like 125's with a mahoosive engine. They are tiny! It feels as if you are sitting on the front wheel you are that far forward.
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3 Honda NC50's(Sold)-->'72 Puch Maxi S (Sold, want it back!)--> '90 Yamaha RXS 100 (Stolen)--> '87 Honda Cub 90(Sold) --> '95 Kawasaki Eliminator (Sold) --> '98 Bandit 600 (Sold) -->'07 SV650S (Current)

[Minty]

Went from 125cc to 97 Blade and havent died yet.

Have dropped it both sides within a month of getting it though.
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My fingers smell of your mum.

[Rigga]

My problem was I needed something big and comfortable, being 6ft 5 a small 600 or whatever was out of the question. So I got the blackbird and haven't looked back so far, I do take it steady though.
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Current bike: Honda CBR 1100xx

[bikertomm]

I'd suggest having a test ride on a half modern 600 first.

Fairly sure it will entertain you enough..
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07' Honda Hornet now full powaah! My guide on performing an oil change!

[RhynoCZ]

I was thinking, have you ever been on a motorcycle before? I mean, do you realize how demanding it is to ride a sports motorcycle for a total beginer + most of people out there sit on it the wrong way so they are in pain all the time. My mate actually sold his bike because of that.

I can recommend you CBR600F, an used one of course. F2, F3 or F4 would do the work just fine, depends on your budget. And I can guarantee there's no way you're gonna use more than 60% of what it's capable of for the first season. CBR600F comes with fairings and bars at the same level or a bit above your knees, so it's very comfortable but you can still feel like Rossi when you twist the throttle wide open and it's got decent brakes and suspension, not really a track material, but still good enough.

Or get the Blade, it's up to you after all, you just asked because you had a need to share something with us and we understand that
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'87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[1cyl]

[MarJay]