[CR5DUB]

Originally Posted by MACI4LIFE

very unagressive.

[Bigdaddy75]

Originally Posted by MadnohB

Now, the funny thing........that rear that I did not like at all started to grow on me.......almost like a trademark of the bike

I think the whole thing has class. Thanks for the good write-up, who expected to find one on fireblades so soon! Wish I could get on the 08 .. Time to hit the dealers to see what they have in stock.

[spiral]

Move it mate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just traded in my old 929 for one and collected it today (Black and white) for now I'm speechless.......its so beautiful both to look at, I didn't think so at first then looked more it grew on me, saw three in the flesh at my local dealers and traded in straight away. The ride is something else, but i have so much to explore here over the next few days and weeks. For now its like I've always owned the bike its just an at home feeling straight away.

If you're thinkin about buying one my advice is go do it NOW. Doubt you'll regret it.

[MadnohB]

Congrats and enjoy ......ride safe bud

Looking forward to your first report.....pictures will also be nice

[spiral]

Gotta get a camera just to put em up but I will.

The thing is a beauty. Report on the way just as soon as I take a few days with the bike.

[low-rider]

congratulation spiral. have a good time on your new ride.

[King Kenny]

Congrats Dude - maybe see you out at the Wicklow Gap sometime?!

Saw the bike(red & black) for real today in the Bikeworld & have to say it looks far better in the metal. The thing is TINY & feels really light & small. Clutch is v-light too & bike justs feels comfy.

The tail section is the only real letdown for me. It looks ok from some angles but wrong from others. Overall its defo growing on me & I'm keen for a go on one...

[Bigtoe]

WOW some great feed back here. I can't wait to see how it does on the tracks here. We all know AMA is a Suzuki race and WSB is Ducati. Maybe Honda has something this year.

[slayer]

I read somewhere the battery is 2kg's lighter and if you don't start the bike immediately you might be push starting while your mates on there "older" blades are flying away!

[splatty]

Madnohb.........you look pretty tall like me.

Do you find the bike comfy even though you are well over 6 foot ( you look that tall ) ??

[MadnohB]

No, I'm not over six feet and yes I find it comfortable.....so far.

Plan on doing a longer trip (1200km) this comming weekend......???

Will report.

[spiral]

Well all I've done is 60km on some fo my fav roads along with the ride in and out of work (26km each way). Since I got it thats all I can do..... BUT I finish tomorrow morning.....so tomorrow or thurs that bike is gonna be taken for a long ride.....then I'll report on it. For now.... The bike is small but comfortable. I'm 5' 11'' and weight in at 72 kilos and I find it fine. I haven't really gone for it yet but like mentioned by Madnoh the slipper clutch is strange at first but brilliant. The clutch is nice and light and for a honda the gearbox is very slick......gear selection is easy and accurate.
The engine is amazing and when that valve in the exaust opens it sounds like a turbine has kicked in I love it. Like madnoh and most of the articles I've read its sounds weird on tick over a rattling sort of noise....like it needs a good service, but that is the only complaint, which isn't a comlaint at all. And my previous blade was the exact same and she never got abused in her life!!!!!!!

Any way a long ride is in order to test her out properly..like!!!!!

King kenny you on Irish forum too? Yep we should get a thing set up on this site for rideouts in Ireland...that'd be good.

[splatty]

Nice one spiral.

I think it is more like, all sports bikes are small these days.

When I first looked at the blade, I read lots of comments about how small it was and I am 6'2''. I did some digging and found out that it is pretty much exactly the same size as the K8 Gixxer100 give or take a few millimetres here and there. The blade seat height is actually taller, but the wheelbase and overall length are nigh on the same.

Like I say........Blade,Gixxer,ZX10,R1. They are all small. I dunno why people insist on just saying it is the Honda that is small. Nose and tail give it an illusion of being a lot smaller than the rest when it isn't IMO.

Even for my height, comfy ride. Nuff said.

I look forward to your report mate

[CR5DUB]

Originally Posted by slayer

I read somewhere the battery is 2kg's lighter and if you don't start the bike immediately you might be push starting while your mates on there "older" blades are flying away!

I have to call on this one. 1. Hondas start immediately. 2. The battery is 2.2 lbs or 1 kg lighter. 3. Your mates on their older blades are going to be flying away for sure ... in your rear view mirrors.

[JimmieD46]

Originally Posted by Robbo

I might have to put it back on til I can get something else as the cops round KZN just love fining the bikers for any bloody thing they can think of...

The problem with taking the tail out is that it brings everything with it, brake light, indicators, plastics... It also is screwed in under the front seat to the undertray plastics so that has to be loosened before you can pull it out, so once you manage to get the whole piece out you are left with one giant hole under the pillion seat... Looks awesome from every angle other than behind where you can see the hole....still looks better than that giant shovel though..

I've never liked the trailer hitch crap the mfr's put on the sportbikes,either,but really didn't want to start grinding away at the undertray,and clip at wires too.Then I found this really neat co. in the UK called EvoTech-Performance,that makes Tail Tidys to replace the fender.Got one for my '02 954.I really like it-very professional looking stuff .They said they are working on one for the '08.Great people to work with,as well .

[ddawgnd]

Originally Posted by splatty

Nice one spiral.

I think it is more like, all sports bikes are small these days.

When I first looked at the blade, I read lots of comments about how small it was and I am 6'2''. I did some digging and found out that it is pretty much exactly the same size as the K8 Gixxer100 give or take a few millimetres here and there. The blade seat height is actually taller, but the wheelbase and overall length are nigh on the same.

Like I say........Blade,Gixxer,ZX10,R1. They are all small. I dunno why people insist on just saying it is the Honda that is small. Nose and tail give it an illusion of being a lot smaller than the rest when it isn't IMO.

Even for my height, comfy ride. Nuff said.

I look forward to your report mate

Quite the load off my shoulders as I am also 6'2"!

[Bigdaddy75]

Originally Posted by MadnohB

Plan on doing a longer trip (1200km) this comming weekend......???

Will report.

Nice 1200 K's on the new blade your weekend is looking decent to say the least.

[splatty]

Originally Posted by ddawgnd

Quite the load off my shoulders as I am also 6'2"!

Exactly mate

I test rode one and then placed an order ( just over a week till delivery now ).

Then I started reading people's reports and started worrying I had made a mistake and would look like a giant riding a mini-moto. Fact of the matter is these days the bikes are getting smaller for extra weight loss and from MotoGP input etc.

On the launch night a guy there ( roughly the same height as me ) commented on how comfortable they are and how I didn't look big on it. I think I just got a bit hung up on lots of journos going "Man, this bike is small". Nobody has gone on about the other litre bikes being tiny and yet they all are the same size. Go figure ?

I loved my test ride. Got back to the dealer and ordered it. Do it mate

[ddawgnd]

Originally Posted by splatty

Exactly mate

I test rode one and then placed an order ( just over a week till delivery now ).

Then I started reading people's reports and started worrying I had made a mistake and would look like a giant riding a mini-moto. Fact of the matter is these days the bikes are getting smaller for extra weight loss and from MotoGP input etc.

On the launch night a guy there ( roughly the same height as me ) commented on how comfortable they are and how I didn't look big on it. I think I just got a bit hung up on lots of journos going "Man, this bike is small". Nobody has gone on about the other litre bikes being tiny and yet they all are the same size. Go figure ?

I loved my test ride. Got back to the dealer and ordered it. Do it mate

Theres no doubt that I'm gonna be ridin one come June!

I went yesterday to our local Honda dealer (which is also a yamaha and kawi dealer) to see if they had the '08 in yet and they said they've been having trouble getting one....gotta love small towns!

On the upside, I'll be moving down to Texas later this month and with warm weather comes bikers, so the new Fireblade it will be!

[.OrgOwner]

Looks like we are in for a rush of new members as people change over from other brands to the new Honda

[soon2b954]

Originally Posted by .OrgOwner

Looks like we are in for a rush of new members as people change over from other brands to the new Honda

So when are you putting in your order for one?

[marbs]

nice writeups... still iffy on the looks of the bike but it IS growing on me.. especially in the black & white!

time will tell might have to go for a test ride when they become avail here

[MadnohB]

As I said, we took the bikes to the mountains last weekend.

To repeat some words (again) that almost become my greeting over the last three weeks……….I’m still smiling……and the smile is growing ever bigger and bigger.

Now, I normally don’t do long trips with the super bike, for that I use my BMW K1200S so a fair bit of nervousness set in before our departure - 400km to the destination. No problem at all – ok I traveled without any luggage on the bike but still, I was pleasantly surprised.

The first part of the trip was straight and boring but what an experience it was once we hit the twisties…..we bonded within 20km. Not necessarily better than my ’07 – let’s face it, the ‘06/07 is as close to a perfect bike as you can get – but…………so different.

Where I often use words/phrases on the ’07 like planted, faultless, best handling super bike in real world conditions, the ’08 can best be described as exciting, exhilarating, confidence inspiring, lively an oh so easy to flick. Boy, this bike will truly let an average rider look good and a good rider brilliant.

400km Of arguably the best roads locally and…….this bike is amazing. I know, I know, a new broom is suppose to be a good cleaner but given my bikes prior to the’08 ie. a ’06 and a ’07 Fireblade, man, I’m not suppose to be impressed – almost to an overwhelming degree – that easily.

Well I was and still am……1 200km of pure pleasure.

ps. If someone is wondering why the '07HRC is still on the pictures?, my youngest son traded his '06 in exchange for the HRC

[robert mcvey]

as soon as the weather gets better i am going for a test run really want to see what difference the slipper clutch makes.