OMG!

[Beamish]

Just returned from a test ride of the 2009 Fireblade.

Unbelievable, more power than you could imagine, light as a feather, brakes and chassis amazing, front wheel will come up to order in first 3 gears then clutch up in 4th (silly speeds ) and IMO looks pretty cool in HRC colours. Am I going to buy one...........Might do, I am going to try an 848 whilst the blade memory is still fresh then decide. I would be less likely to lose my licence on an 848 and the Duke looks amazing (the best looking bike ever IMO) Plus residual values on the Duke will be better. Is it a better bike than the Blade? Not a chance, the Honda is THE best bike available for less than 10K and I dont reckon the 09 R1/Aprillia/BMW will be a better all round road bike. The 08 Blade coloured bikes are now selling for 1K off list and I am hoping that Stu gets back to me to see whether GWs can offer a better deal. Can I afford one..........no not really but **ck it I am getting older and I want one whilst I am still earning a reasonable crust, you never know whats round the corner.

[Stu]

I'll have a look in the morning and see what deal I can get for you!

If you can pm me your number I'll give you a call with the fgures as don't get chance to go online often at work.

Cheers

[Pete.L]

Can I afford one..........no not really but **ck it I am getting older and I want one whilst I am still earning a reasonable crust, you never know whats round the corner.

Atta boy! :wink2
Sometimes you just wait and wait and wait and then, before you know it, it's too late

Go for it

[stormingjoe]

see you took it easy

[Seeker 77]

What have you got at the mo'? My mate has got the 08 blade. He let me have a go a month ago, really impressed with the speed but had absolutely no soul at all. And this from a man who has had a couple of litre fours: GSXR and R1. I found it dull and a little slower than the GSXR. I rode my TLR back from UK to Germany yesterday, through the snow I know that bikes are all about what is special to you but i have to say that i am in love with it. It is nowhere near as fast as the GSXR or R1 but what it has that thrashes them all (SP1 included) is soul and character. I cannot speak highly enough, despite being overtaken by Audi S8 outside Dortmund at 165! It is really special.

Go for the 848, at least it is a twin with some soul. Having had the fastest things that money can buy i have decided that speed isn't everything. Follow your heart, not your head, you know it makes sense!!

[sirch345]

Go for the 848, at least it is a twin with some soul. Having had the fastest things that money can buy i have decided that speed isn't everything. Follow your heart, not your head, you know it makes sense!!

I'd agree with you on that Mark A mate of ours who owns a Blade says the same thing. Also he can't help but ending up going at licence losing territory speed wise all the time, even though he has tried many times

At the end of the day Beamish it has to be what you want though. Everybody has different ideas of what they like, which is good IMO, it would be no good if we all liked the same thing. I've ridden Blades before, although admittedly not an 08 version, but although they did everything really well and were quick, they didn't appeal to me. Mark (Mellis) could be right they were lacking in soul

Mark,
Glad too hear you go back safely through the snow (must be mad ) and that you are really enjoying the TL so far

Chris.

[Beamish]

Mellis the Blade I took out yesterday would wipe the floor with the GSXR1000 (55 plate) I had ridden previously, I am talking with me on each bike in turn not a macho bullsh** race. Its just so easy to ride very fast on the road, I have a blade at the mo but have ridden lots of bikes (not a TL though). I agree with you about it not having that certain something that most twins have but it also would be less likely to let me down on a cold morning or left at the side of the road in the rain wishing I had spent 2K less and bought a boring Blade instead. I am undecided, if Ducati will play ball and make me feel like they are doing a good deal then 848 it is but as Stu will no doubt back me up, the so called unpopular 08 coloured Blades are going for nearly 2K less than list.
I just do not know. I am awaiting the nod from A+L (mort deal) to become clear before selling my soul and right arm.

I will and do listen to all advice and just for the record although I ride fast I am not a speed friek, I love cornering quickly and powering out of the bends,that is where I get my kicks. The Blade and Duke both excel in those areas.

[Seeker 77]

Interesting what you say about the blade being better than the GSXR. Maybe it just feels slower!!! Either way mate i am sure that you will have a blast on whatever you buy. The 848 and the blade are both awesome machines and leave me feeling very jealous...... Good luck with it mate!

[Beamish]

Totally confused now! After lots of research I now discover that the oil consumption prob on the Blade is an epidemic, plus poor build quality and the 848 has radiator leaks, Volt Reg fails and false neutral issues! For gods sake they are asking for 9K for these machines! I am going to confront both dealers to hear there side of the various stories plus some reassurance that they will fix ALL problems if they occur. Any doubts and they can poke it!

[Seeker 77]

TLR?

[Beamish]

TLR?