16 vs 17 Fireblades - worth the extra outlay?

[Jakey123]

So I'm back at my bi annual stage of fancying a sports bike. Usually fancy one, buy one, realise they are irritating for road use, sell it and buy a naked bike again. And repeat...

I've always liked Hondas, had a 954 before and loved it.
Gsxr750 k7 more recently and a fair few nakeds in between.

But back to wanting a blade, I'm 6ft4 so not considering 600s due to size.

Looks like 17 onwards SPs can be had for £10k ish now.

I can't find much comparing the pre 17 bikes to 17 onwards (electronics obviously the main 17 on difference)

Anyone got any input or experience?
Worth the extra circa £2k for a 17 model or are the previous ones still very good bikes?
They aren't too far apart in price with older low mileage bikes holding there money quite well!

[nomad63]

I`ll just leave this here for you, to whet your appetite:
It`s a 2015 model that I no longer own (I`m much the same as you - Sportsbike - Naked - Sportsbike - Nak....etc...)
It was a fabulous machine, but ultimately, having just turned 60 this year, it was too uncomfortable for me. Brilliant bike though !

[Biker's Nemesis]

I had a 2013 Fireblade back in 2015 for track, I don't know if the current model is of similar dimensions but it was one of the most uncomfortable bikes I have owned. I am also 6ft 4".

[hunt123]

I'd say it's worth the extra for the rider aids and more bhp, plus the sp's imo look lovely with the gold wheels and polished swingarm.

[Jakey123]

Biker's Nemesis said:

I had a 2013 Fireblade back in 2015 for track, I don't know if the current model is of similar dimensions but it was one of the most uncomfortable bikes I have owned. I am also 6ft 4".

I don't find any of the sports bikes 'comfortable'. Think it's just a given at our height!

What did you change to, out of interest?

[Biker's Nemesis]

Jakey123 said:

I don't find any of the sports bikes 'comfortable'. Think it's just a given at our height!

What did you change to, out of interest?

I came from a 2004 R1 that I had on track for 7 years. an 03 600RR that I used for 3 years before that.

I bought a new 2016 R1-m back in 2016 that I used on track until last year.

With the Fireblade I used extra padding on the seat and bought 2 sets of footpegs, using the adjustable plates to move my feet further back and lower. I also bought risers and adjustable bars to move the handlebars upwards and forwards and it was still tight for me.

[Biker's Nemesis]

First pic April 2015




2nd pic June 2015 after I changed all the bars/footpegs.

[S2r]

Surely the answer is to buy a fireblade and a naked bike, that way when you don't have to keep buying and selling bikes (says the bloke with a 748 and a Monster )

[mak]

S2r said:

Surely the answer is to buy a fireblade and a naked bike, that way when you don't have to keep buying and selling bikes (says the bloke with a 748 and a Monster )

Not really relevant, he might only ride 300 miles a year. I love looking at sports bikes, hence the 959, after 40 miles on the thing im heading home . There's a 1290r gen 3 on the ramp I bought it new. I could ride the 1290r all day without problem, any modern super naked is the way to go if you still enjoy riding on the road.



Some people cant be arsed or have a lack of time, both the 959 and 1290r have a total mileage use of 300 miles this year I'm thinking the same as the original poster. I might as well just have a sports bike to look at with the odd occasional ride out to remind me of why it sits there not used but at least its pretty to look at .

I've also been tempted by the 2017/2019 sp model. The only difference I could find is slightly different software on the wheelie and traction control. Nice bike to look at though

[Biker9090]

I'm deciding between a SDR1290 and a 17 Blade to replace my VFR next year.

As I understand it the pre 17 blade had a LOT of ABS issues which were cured in the 17 onwards

[Jakey123]

I have a naked bike.
Use a 96 CB500 to commute daily 😂

Previously had an MT10, I liked it.
But a few trackdays the crude electronics annoyed me, was eyeing up V4 tuonos but had a V twin previously and don't like the lack of quality on them (not looking to debate, I just don't like the brand!)

So kinda came back round to sports bikes, have now started nosing at late 'big bang' R1s, they seem a bit larger in size as highlighted above so maybe a wiser move