98 Blade a little lacking in bottom end

Gezza26 · 08-18-2008, 9:28 PM

Hi All,

Does anyone else find their older generation 'Blade a little lacking in lower to mid range grunt? I came from a RGV250 (2-stroke gp replica) to the blade and was expecting huge amounts of bottom end from a big bore 4-stroke, but have been a little dissapointed. It's almost 600cc like in it's power deliver as it all comes up top. I find myself having to knock it down 1 or 2 gears to overtake, ect. I'm just wondering if that's normal? As far as I'm aware, all it has it a yoshi slip-on and it appears to run flawlessly. I'm considering adding a few teeth to the rear sproket, as my riding style rarely means I'm doing 200km/h plus, so i won't miss the lack of top end.

alcopaulic · 08-18-2008, 9:39 PM

I agree with you 100%. When i got the bike i was expecting a bit more grunt bottom end considering that the bore is larger, but it doesn't start making power until about 7k. So after a while i just got use to it, i drop it down alot more, chirp the tires if i have to, whatever, keeping it in that powerband keeps a smile on my face

And yes, over the winter I'm with you, I'll get a different sprocket, steering dampner, i believe a jet kit (since my cheap D&D pipe sputters and pops alot on decel) and i believe that's it.

cbr900racer77 · 08-18-2008, 11:09 PM

They don't make alot down low. As mentioned, they don't come alive til after 7K or so...

08silvercbr · 08-18-2008, 11:55 PM

On my 98 I ended up with a 15 tooth on the front and I believe a 46 on rear. Along with doing the 520 conversion it made a world of difference. Front tire would come up easy even at lower rpms.....although it kinda stinks if you do a lot of e'way riding. At 80 the rpms are conciderably higher. Just droping a tooth in the front for weekend play takes a few minutes and would help you, then switching back for longer trips.

jay14mk · 08-19-2008, 7:53 AM

i have dropped one tooth on the front and gone two up on the back. have also fitted a tail riser which lifted the back 50mm (looks great) hence all the weight is over the front wheel so it stays on the road !!!!

bursa · 08-19-2008, 10:54 AM

Same as all the others, mine is a bit sluggish off the mark (compared to later models) but then it goes nuts around 7,500RPM. I have a full system Two Brothers exhaust, K&N Filters and jet kit fitted to mine, which seems to make a big difference compared to my mates stock one. Dyno shows better power curve with this set-up, but not a great deal more peak power. Chews through tyres though and needs plugs changed more often with bigger jets.

frankclwks · 08-19-2008, 1:25 PM

Same as well, I just bought a 520 conversion with vortex sprockets which is supposed to make a big difference, also, on the same website they made the point that optimum gearing for this bike is 15 front with a 45 rear, supposed to bring gearing to 3.0 Hope its true, will post results when I get it.

Gezza26 · 08-19-2008, 10:17 PM

Well I just bought a 520 vortex conversion kit which is 15:45 ratio sprockets and gold x-ring chain. Can't wait for it to arrive and get it installed. The old girl should fly after that

Will post the results after it's installed.

alcopaulic · 08-19-2008, 10:42 PM

Yes, please post a review after you install it, I would like to know how it works out for you.

Gezza26 · 08-19-2008, 11:59 PM

Do you need a speedo healer or is this only for digital speedometer bikes? My bikes is a 98 Blade with an analogue speedometer.

jay14mk · 08-20-2008, 3:17 AM

you will need a speedo healer-have not got one myself,but it does throw your speed and odeometer readings out,dont do what i did,i always used to fill up after i had clocked up 95-100 miles,but ran out of fuel when the speedo read about 87-90..

fireblake · 08-22-2008, 9:39 AM

i have a rgv250r and going from that bike to my blade is a big step, way more power and grunt (and stability) so how you can say your disapointed, or that its like a 600?? a cbr 600 of the same era is nowhere near as quick i know as this was the bike i had before i got my blade, now if you had an r1 or ninja from the same era (had these bikes to)i could see where your comming from as these bikes have way more mid range and bottom end grunt, saying that the new gen of 600 bikes are alot faster and my blade has to be riden flat out to beat them on accelleration and only doing so with the last 3000 rpm of 2nd gear( neck and neck upto this point, 3rd says bye bye) and my blade also has 1tooth down on the front with 2 up on the back, the speedo you will have to get sorted as mine now goes of the clock (which isnt right about 190!!!)and she will easy red line in top gear, its also equiped with a dynojet kit, k&n filter, custom sports exhaust and a lightened/balanced crank, it doesnt realy start to pick up the power untill 6000rpm with the power band kicking in at 8000rpm so i too have to drop cogs to overtake unlike the ninja or r1( at legal speeds) i agree that it has to be "wound up" to get it realy moving but thats all part of the fun isnt it!!! i think this bike is alot more enjoyable and rewarding to ride than any of its rivals of the same era, hands down.

frankclwks · 08-22-2008, 6:00 PM

Hey guys, quick question. You guys are talking about a speedo healer, will I need one also? My blade is 02 with a digi speedo/analog tach.
Thanks!

Gezza26 · 08-23-2008, 7:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fireblake

i have a rgv250r and going from that bike to my blade is a big step, way more power and grunt (and stability) so how you can say your disapointed, or that its like a 600?? a cbr 600 of the same era is nowhere near as quick i know as this was the bike i had before i got my blade, now if you had an r1 or ninja from the same era (had these bikes to)i could see where your comming from as these bikes have way more mid range and bottom end grunt, saying that the new gen of 600 bikes are alot faster and my blade has to be riden flat out to beat them on accelleration and only doing so with the last 3000 rpm of 2nd gear( neck and neck upto this point, 3rd says bye bye) and my blade also has 1tooth down on the front with 2 up on the back, the speedo you will have to get sorted as mine now goes of the clock (which isnt right about 190!!!)and she will easy red line in top gear, its also equiped with a dynojet kit, k&n filter, custom sports exhaust and a lightened/balanced crank, it doesnt realy start to pick up the power untill 6000rpm with the power band kicking in at 8000rpm so i too have to drop cogs to overtake unlike the ninja or r1( at legal speeds) i agree that it has to be "wound up" to get it realy moving but thats all part of the fun isnt it!!! i think this bike is alot more enjoyable and rewarding to ride than any of its rivals of the same era, hands down.

RGV's are no slouches. Mine had high compression heads, race pipes, modded airbox and was geared for more acceleration. It was suprisingly quick up to 100km/h and not slow after that. The point of getting a big capacity 4-stroke was that I got a bit tired of the lack of low end around town and wanted something easier to live with. Don't get me wrong I love the Fireblade, but just wished for a little more down low. It is a rewarding ride, but I think a change in gearing could make it better. I guess I'll find out shortly...

MrOts · 08-24-2008, 7:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gezza26

RGV's are no slouches. Mine had high compression heads, race pipes, modded airbox and was geared for more acceleration. It was suprisingly quick up to 100km/h and not slow after that. The point of getting a big capacity 4-stroke was that I got a bit tired of the lack of low end around town and wanted something easier to live with. Don't get me wrong I love the Fireblade, but just wished for a little more down low. It is a rewarding ride, but I think a change in gearing could make it better. I guess I'll find out shortly...

If you want more grunt down low, get a twin!
I had a VTR1000F and now have a 98 Blade, miss the twin but have my blade geared at 15-48, its the most aggressive I can get away with for stunt riding while still being able to ride it on the highway.
As stock it was about 3000 at 100km/h now its about 6000.
Even just going 15-42 would make a noticeable difference to take off.

Gezza26 · 09-02-2008, 8:52 AM

Just an update on this one. I've had the conversion done. All I can say is HOLY SH#%^!! The difference in acceleration is amazing. 1st and 2nd gear power wheelies are easy. Also it just bridges the gap between low and mid range so much better. Everything feels likes it's in fast forward now compaired to how it used to be. My biggest worry was that id be clicking gears like crazy and the power would be over before i know it, but thats not the case. You can still hold onto each gear for a while. I think it's the way it should have come out from the factory. Highly recommended

08silvercbr · 09-02-2008, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gezza26

Just an update on this one. I've had the conversion done. All I can say is HOLY SH#%^!! The difference in acceleration is amazing. 1st and 2nd gear power wheelies are easy. Also it just bridges the gap between low and mid range so much better. Everything feels likes it's in fast forward now compaired to how it used to be. My biggest worry was that id be clicking gears like crazy and the power would be over before i know it, but thats not the case. You can still hold onto each gear for a while. I think it's the way it should have come out from the factory. Highly recommended

told ya