[coombehouse]

Originally Posted by Hoody

My bike uses oil, and when it is getting low it does not feel as smooth as when it is full. Sounds to me like the one you test rode was really low on oil. Don't think the dealer always check the oil level, when I was at the dealer who supplied my bike he was basically calling me a lyre. By saying he would like to be able to seal the oil orifices so no one can tamper with the oil, implying that I am tampering with the bike. Then he said, I will check the demo bike, trying to prove a point. It was just off the minimum mark, 'did I laugh', but still he dismissed my 900 miles per litre problem as if it was my fault. Honda dismisses the problem too, and says it is normal usage. 'I am ranting again', sorry.

............... Hoody

There is no need to put up with the oil consumption problems in UK. Find a new dealer - Honda UK will pay for replacement piston rings & labour etc. They still dont admit to a problem tho.
Nick

[timtech]

Originally Posted by PEM-954

Guy I know got an 08 Blade. He complained at the service interval he was using about 400ml per 1000 miles and all the Hondas he owned before never needed oil between services.
He was told Honda spec is up to 1ltr per 600 miles! I find this shocking and not right at all. They only hold a total of 3.7 litres of oil.
I test rode the 08 model and the engine sounded like a bag of nails when stood at idle (junctions etc) but sounded OK on the move - do they all sound like this or only the ones using a lot of oil??

When my 08 Blade was burning oil it had a rough idle especially when warming up - it would keep 'searching' between 1000-1500 rpm. Now I've had the piston rings done it is sweet as a dime Also feels like it has more power although that could be phsyological!

[Hoody]

I have a letter from Honda Uk basically telling me to p*ss off, and I will as soon as it is paid off, 'if I can afford to due to the amount of oil I have to buy'. I was thinking of taking them to court, and demanding my money back. Not because I am unhappy with the bike in any other way, but I have had this oil problem since picking up the first bike. If you know my story [hope you don't, it's boring] I received a replacement bike due to oil usage, but this one is worse and now they are refusing to admit to the fault. Trading standards said; 'oh yes that is totally unacceptable for road use, but offered no help at all when I said 'Honda will not do anything'. I have just finished four years of working seven days a week doing two roles (one of them was University, the other a job to pay for it) and the last thing I want or can afford to do is start a legal case against them. So as soon as I can I am afraid I will be trading it in, I do not want to ever go back to the dealer who sold it to me as I am utterly discussed with their poor customer service. From day one when I discovered it had no oil in it they were totally dismissive of any problem, and made me feel like it is all my fault and even stated 'it must be your riding', whatever the hell that is supposed to mean. ....... rant over.


............. Hoody

[mjpartyboy]

I hope mine continues to stay topped up.

In over four years of ownership I never had to top up my 04 R1's oil between services, no matter how many miles I did during that time or how I rode the bike (I still miss her a bit).

[Hoody]

My dad has an 08 R1 and constantly reminds me that his bike does not use any oil either, my brother has a 08 Fireblade too and now he is use to it, his too uses oil.

........... Hoody

[Bonefish]

Had my rings done 600 miles ago and she has not used a drop of oil so far.

[bob bobbleton]

Must admit mine likes a drink

900 ml every 1000 miles

smokes like the red arrows if you blip the throttle to 4 or 5000 rpm just after starting it up it's that bad it's embarrasing

dealer doesn't want to know says I've thrashed it

has 12000 miles on
has done 176 laps at nurburgring in 14 months
spa francorchamps - Belgium
zandvoort - holland
croft - twice

am thinking of p exing for a gixxer thou after Christmas when the dealers are quiet least that will have a warranty and not burn oil

really noted the comment that u can notice by vibes when it's low on oil
in fact at the ring mine is more vibey when the oil is less than half way !

Still it is the best/easiest bike I've ever ridden !

How do I get the dealer to do the rings under warranty !?

Cheers

bobby bobbles

[coombehouse]

Originally Posted by bob bobbleton

Must admit mine likes a drink

900 ml every 1000 miles

smokes like the red arrows if you blip the throttle to 4 or 5000 rpm just after starting it up it's that bad it's embarrasing

dealer doesn't want to know says I've thrashed it

has 12000 miles on
has done 176 laps at nurburgring in 14 months
spa francorchamps - Belgium
zandvoort - holland
croft - twice

am thinking of p exing for a gixxer thou after Christmas when the dealers are quiet least that will have a warranty and not burn oil

really noted the comment that u can notice by vibes when it's low on oil
in fact at the ring mine is more vibey when the oil is less than half way !

Still it is the best/easiest bike I've ever ridden !

How do I get the dealer to do the rings under warranty !?

Cheers

bobby bobbles

Just ask. or maybe ask another dealer. Our local dealer Bransons Honda in Yeovil is well aware of the problems & will do their utmost to help if they can as will any decent dealer as warranty work is good during winter. Dont tell them I sent you though!

[coombehouse]

Originally Posted by Hoody

I have a letter from Honda Uk basically telling me to p*ss off, and I will as soon as it is paid off, 'if I can afford to due to the amount of oil I have to buy'. I was thinking of taking them to court, and demanding my money back. Not because I am unhappy with the bike in any other way, but I have had this oil problem since picking up the first bike. If you know my story [hope you don't, it's boring] I received a replacement bike due to oil usage, but this one is worse and now they are refusing to admit to the fault. Trading standards said; 'oh yes that is totally unacceptable for road use, but offered no help at all when I said 'Honda will not do anything'. I have just finished four years of working seven days a week doing two roles (one of them was University, the other a job to pay for it) and the last thing I want or can afford to do is start a legal case against them. So as soon as I can I am afraid I will be trading it in, I do not want to ever go back to the dealer who sold it to me as I am utterly discussed with their poor customer service. From day one when I discovered it had no oil in it they were totally dismissive of any problem, and made me feel like it is all my fault and even stated 'it must be your riding', whatever the hell that is supposed to mean. ....... rant over.


............. Hoody

I do sympathise, I have read all you previous posts & its criminal. My wife had the same problem with her 08 Blade & Honda were very dismissive to both me & the dealer initiallyas was the Honda tech rep at the NEC. She totalled the bike earlier this year & bought an 09 HRC Blade which is fine. However as I have said previously our local dealer has said that Honda will now replace rings (without predjudice) on 08 bikkes that use oil. Try another dealer maybe.

[splatty]

That's good to know mate.

Mine is still ok, but is two years old in mid March.

Just waiting on a response from Honda to see if the will replace my white patchy exhaust with the new style muffler from the 2010 model.

Otherwise, I aint gonna bother.

[Hoody]

Coombehouse - That sounds like a plan, my brother has a god rapport with his dealer who I have met myself. They are a about 120 miles away from where I live, but it would be worth the trouble if he could fix my bike. I would even stop ranting about Honda

As for my exhaust, that has looked a mess since day one. Only problem is I have a mark under it what I did, but the paint has come way from the leading corner that was not caused by me and it is very patchy.

........... Hoody

[coombehouse]

Originally Posted by Hoody

Coombehouse - That sounds like a plan, my brother has a god rapport with his dealer who I have met myself. They are a about 120 miles away from where I live, but it would be worth the trouble if he could fix my bike. I would even stop ranting about Honda

As for my exhaust, that has looked a mess since day one. Only problem is I have a mark under it what I did, but the paint has come way from the leading corner that was not caused by me and it is very patchy.

........... Hoody

If you or anyone wants to buy an 08 standard exhaust then I have one which has only done 50 miles off my wifes smashed 08 blade. Its pretty much as new.
Nick
nickedwards@gawab.com

[Hoody]

I am looking at an aftermarket one personally.
........Hoody

[coombehouse]

Originally Posted by Hoody

I am looking at an aftermarket one personally.
........Hoody

My wife has the Akrapovic without the cat. Very nice fit & not too loud. Not road legal tho even with the baffle in so leave it out!! Not cheap though but very nicely made. Have seen an ebay special which didnt have the curly pipe & it was complete junk. Leave well alone. If you are using oil then you will see more coming out of the tailpipe as the cat in the std can burns a lot of it off.

[Hoody]

Thanks for the advise, the Akrapovic full system plus a power commander would be around the £1500 mark I think. Very expensive and I would only consider spending that much if I was not burning oil. Think I will keep the very second hand looking exhaust to match the very second hand engine lol



Hoody

[coombehouse]

Originally Posted by Hoody

Thanks for the advise, the [FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Akrapovic full system plus a power commander would be around the £1500 mark I think. Very expensive and I would only consider spending that much if I was not burning oil. Think I will keep the very second hand looking exhaust to match the very second hand engine lol [/font]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif'][/font]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif'][/font]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']............. Hoody [/font]

I think the can & link pipe retails @ £620ish & a PC 5 is about £280 plus I reckon £200 for mapping so £1100 should see you right. The blade headers are fine for road use & save a little.
You dont want to know what she has spent on the rest of the bike - its crazy but she earns it so i guess its ok.
Nick

[Hoody]

Any pictures, or is there some on here already?

[coombehouse]

Originally Posted by Hoody

Any pictures, or is there some on here already?

I have just posted some here
Jane's HRC coloured 2009 Blade

Nick

[mjpartyboy]

I haven't used my bike for several days so thought I would start it up, let it tick over and then check the oil. To my disappointment it was really low, but I thought I better start it up again and let it tick over for longer to let everything get hot and then let sit for a few minutes before checking it again. This time the oil was just above the high marker. Phew. For now.

I was told Honda used a dipstick on these new Blades because it was lighter than a viewing glass. I reckon it was because they didn't want owners to easily see the oil level going down.

[RICK-ITFC]

Originally Posted by bob bobbleton

Must admit mine likes a drink

900 ml every 1000 miles

smokes like the red arrows if you blip the throttle to 4 or 5000 rpm just after starting it up it's that bad it's embarrasing

dealer doesn't want to know says I've thrashed it

has 12000 miles on
has done 176 laps at nurburgring in 14 months
spa francorchamps - Belgium
zandvoort - holland
croft - twice

am thinking of p exing for a gixxer thou after Christmas when the dealers are quiet least that will have a warranty and not burn oil

really noted the comment that u can notice by vibes when it's low on oil
in fact at the ring mine is more vibey when the oil is less than half way !

Still it is the best/easiest bike I've ever ridden !

How do I get the dealer to do the rings under warranty !?

Cheers

bobby bobbles

Hi Bobby sorry to here about prob, just thought i would ask, ref Nurburg... are you a Northlooper!!!

[splatty]

Guy I speak to on another forum has just got Honda to agree to change the rings on his 08 blade after they conducted an oil usage test.

Sounds like dealers are finally agreeing to sort the issue, if you have one. Get them bikes in before the warranty ends if you are affected.

[bob bobbleton]

Yes, I am a northlooper.
Surprisingly, I'm Bob Bobbleton.

Entry into lap counter thread across 3 trips : 120 laps.

Strike rate record me thinks

Bobby Bobbles

[bob bobbleton]

Also,

other forum, Ive seen suggests that sometimes after new piston rings they burn MORE oil !!

My local dealer has just gone bankrupt, and the other dealer (Numpties I absolutely hate with a passion) although only 4 miles away, they are purely useless.

Mine will have a 12000 mile service done. Then I will try the oil test with the dealer and see what comes. Wont be back on it till April, warranty runs out in June.

Think I'll just keep it and keep pouring oil in it till it fails............

Got offered 4795 for it off George Whites against a Gixxer thou at 8395
Translation - George White - Dick Turpin

Bring back the weather for Bobby to make the bobbles !!!

Bob B

[Hoody]

I am thinking more down the lines of getting a Honda specialist to look at it, there must be someone out there who really knows what they are doing with the 08 engine, and for a few quid will put it right? It is pointless asking Honda themselves as they say my bike if fine


.......... Hoody

[929ADAM]

I'm looking to get an 08 1kRR soon, due to the price (8k new), but have been worried about this oil consumption problem.

Should I shy away from the 1kRR and just put the money into my 929??

[Hoody]

929ADAM - IMO the 2008 Fireblade is awesome, test ride one you will be blown away. The bike is so fast, and controllable. You really do have to tell yourself to behave, or you will loose something. The front end is rock solid, and really inspires confidence. The only thing I worry about is rolling off the edge of the tyre, or spinning the rear up. I think that is me, not the bike due to a high side a couple of years ago. But the bike uses oil, and when you have spent £10k on a 'motorbike', you would expect it 'not to use oil'. I would say it is like picking fault with perfection amongst its direct competition


............ Hoody

[929ADAM]

thanks hoody. . . 8k brand new off the floor is hard to pass up for such an amazing bike.

anyone going to need a MINT set of fairings? cuz they'll be coming off as soon as i get it.

[nickwood]

I've lurked on this thread for over a year without making a comment-so here goes. My 08 oil burning Ratblade used vast amounts of oil from day 1. Now its settled down to a steady 1 litre per 1,400 kms. My dealer, the only one on my island, sympathises and admits there is a problem-not just with mine but several others-but no-one really wants to start breaking open factory assembled bikes and, as sure as eggs, make the problem worse. What to do, yanni?

I've gone through the bereavement cycle- anger, denial, depression, acceptance, etc. and after 11000kms and 18 months I've finally realised that I can live with it. It's a brilliant bike. Goes like stink (indicated 295kph). Handles like its on rails. Makes me look good on the track even tho' I'm not. So what's the beef?

I'm going to run this Ratblade until it blows up, or I die (of old age, not heroics). However if I decide to change it I want any Honda corporate suits who might be monitoring this site to understand that I will never, ever buy another Honda. Not because its a bad brand but simply because they would not officially admit to a problem and issue guidelines/assurances/fixes etc. I would even pay to have it fixed myself if Honda would announce just what the fix is.

My next bike(s) will be Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha, Vespa...anything but a f***ing Honda.

Rant over.

[coombehouse]

Originally Posted by nickwood

I've lurked on this thread for over a year without making a comment-so here goes. My 08 oil burning Ratblade used vast amounts of oil from day 1. Now its settled down to a steady 1 litre per 1,400 kms. My dealer, the only one on my island, sympathises and admits there is a problem-not just with mine but several others-but no-one really wants to start breaking open factory assembled bikes and, as sure as eggs, make the problem worse. What to do, yanni?

I've gone through the bereavement cycle- anger, denial, depression, acceptance, etc. and after 11000kms and 18 months I've finally realised that I can live with it. It's a brilliant bike. Goes like stink (indicated 295kph). Handles like its on rails. Makes me look good on the track even tho' I'm not. So what's the beef?

I'm going to run this Ratblade until it blows up, or I die (of old age, not heroics). However if I decide to change it I want any Honda corporate suits who might be monitoring this site to understand that I will never, ever buy another Honda. Not because its a bad brand but simply because they would not officially admit to a problem and issue guidelines/assurances/fixes etc. I would even pay to have it fixed myself if Honda would announce just what the fix is.

My next bike(s) will be Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha, Vespa...anything but a f***ing Honda.

Rant over.

I must say I felt exactly the same - great bike but Honda implying I was stupid did wind me up. I too was prepared to fix myself & probably would have done (replated bores, aftermarket pistons + rings etc) had my wife not broken it. The 09 replacement is fine.
What have learned - be wary of buying a radically new model bike in its first year from any manufacturer.
As for Honda they have done this before with VF series bikes as well as CX500's back in the 80's as well as other models with dodgy camchains. At that time they also denied there was any problem until public pressure was brought to bear.
At that time the motorcycle magazines played a major part in the expose but this time round they have been suspiciously quiet possibly reflecting on the hard times they may be having with ad revenues down etc.
Fortunately these occurences are rare & now the manufacturers have extended their model cyle life then hopefully they will have more development time to ensure these problems are ironed out.