Right then SP2 warts and all.

[tattie]

Got a mate with a Tuono and he loves it, he had a millie and a millie R as well as a couple of dukes and he reckons it is good, comfy and with the cans he has on at the mo sounding sweet.

The only time I had the luck to be on an SP2 it felt like you were sitting in it rather than on it (if you know what I mean)
Get the crack with Pete, he has had his one for a while now.

Cheers

A.M.

[Beamish]

Sounds good Tattie, cant wait to ride one. The Tuono was nice but not what I expected. I enjoyed the Buell XB12 test ride a lot more. The Prilla had power and noise but was lacking something.....just my opinion though.

[custard]

Too true about the sore butt and petrol munching!

[Zakalwe]

Too true about the sore butt and petrol munching!

I think that the petrol consumption is exaggerated on the VTRs TBH (bearing in mind that I go off the miles between refills rather than MPG )

My SP1 (with a custom map) used to flash the fuel light after about 105 miles of running (lowest I saw was 90 miles after a damn good thrashing). My 04 Blade gets a maximum of 105 before the light comes on (after a mild spanking )....bear in mind that I have lowered the gearing a bit so it uses a bit more revs in top gear. I also have a Speedohealer fitted, so i know the odometer is correct.

The best thing you can do with an SP1/2 is get a custom map sorted out by a good dyno man (I use Junction 33 Dyno Centre). The VTRs are set up very rich from the factory (Honda cacked themselves over reports of the engines running hot and the side mounted rads being a bit marginal), so a good map will actually give a bit more power AND MPG.

TBH, after 100 miles on the plank that is a SP1 seat you are probably in need of a break and a leg stretch!

[Jbrebel]

Shame the Blades not worked out as you hoped. I wasn’t aware of the oil consumption problems they were having. It's a good point to take away as my mate quite fancied one in the not too distant future.

As regards the SP, having not ridden one I couldn't comment really...

That’s not to say I wouldn’t like one I looked at an SP2 myself about 3 years ago. I would have loved it but couldn’t stretch to the 5.5g asking price at the time. They are a lovely bike-SP1 or 2 imo.

I know I've said it in prior threads but if I had to go back to anything with a Honda badge on it I'd have to get a SP. Agree with Zakalwe-the engineering and finish on certain parts is gorgeous

I hope it works out whatever you choose. It's pants when a bike doesn’t quite live up to your expectations. I don’t think you'd have that problem with an SP


Oh, and I'll not mention "character" again unless you buy it

[Dean O]

probably a coincidence but 20 miles later I had a cracked head.

Coincidence? You think?

in the absence of any definitive conclusion or even a single techie deeming it a likely probable cause, its no more than conjecture. personally, I'd like to believe redex was the cause cos then I could guarantee it wouldn't happen again :wink2

[Beamish]

Right then..........
I am just back from the test ride and its a bit of a shocker before I start it is just my opinions and experiences please dont be offended by my comments.
SP2
Positive- Comfy, beautiful gearbox, great noise, great looks, good handling and good brakes.

Negative- Less torque than the Blade everywhere (no really, I didnt realise how much the Blade had), heavy, on/off fueling

I had done about 50 miles on the Blade then jumped straight on to the SP so the differences stood out dramatically. I walked up to it and loved the look/shape/colour. Sat on it and felt far more comfortable than on the Blade instantly I thought the Blade was comfy until I sat on the SP! Starts it up and am loving the noise and vibe. Set off and stalled it Start it up again and off I trots........get out of traffic and give it some rice..........not too impressed......it is a lot slower everywhere I kept waiting for the wave of torque to come in that I thought would be there and it never did, anyone that hasnt ridden a new blade or this years litre bikes wont understand. I never thought the difference would be so stark. Suspension is hard but very nice, love the feel of the front end and start to enjoy the ride. Brakes are good but not up to monobloc tech of the Blade, its flickable but predictable and without the steering damper feels very good (not a damper fan although the lecky system on the new Blade is great). The engine power and torque start to make sense and its a good blend for real time road riding. All in all I really enjoyed my ride out, the SP2 has class. Am I going to swap.............. I really dont know......I am thinking long and hard....will report back soon.

[Beamish]

After reading my review again it reads as though I was expecting the SP to be as good as a 2009 Blade , I wasnt, I just didnt know what it would be like but I have to decide whether or not trhe SP2 would fulfill all my biking needs.
Do you know ......... I think it will
I am going to sleep on it then decide in the morning.

[Beamish]

Good honest writeup Jim, got to say I'm surprised at you comments about comfiness though, I thought your blade would have been way better. did the bike you ride have a power commander fitted ?

Have fun with whatever you decide though.

Std cans so have to guess at no PC , got to say Mike the suspension felt really good and it was only the weight advantage (or lack of) that gives the Blade the edge. My instincts are screaming swap and I usually follow instincts whether or not they are right or wrong

[marravtr]

i can defo say that only a week into owning an SP its prob the best bike ive had, and ive owned a lorra lorra bikes! i know my blade was only the RR5 but getting on the SP is like sitting on my sofa! good luck with whatever bike you go for matey

[Beamish]

Thanks Marra

[custard]

Do it! My mates all ride GSXR1000's and ZX10Rs, but it's always the SP2 that gets the looks ;)

[Dean O]

I'm more surprised at yer 'poor fuelling' comment than its comfiness Jim. SP1's are on/offy at low revs but the the SP2's have significantly upgraded fuelling specifically to cure it.
black's the best colour too

[Zakalwe]

Another thing to consider is that there will probably always be another blade (new one due in 2010??). This years flavour will be passe tomorrow.

The SP2 wont be updated, so it will become more iconic than a 'blade (yes, you could argue that the original Blade was an icon- wouldnt disagree with that, but no where near as iconic as a VTR IMHO).

If you want a bike that feels that little bit more special, then the SP is the one. Any blade from '02 onwards (or arguably any litre superbike) will be lighter, faster, make more power, have better brakes, fuel better, turn sharper etc. etc. etc. BUT THEY WONT BE AN SP1/2!

[Beamish]

Deano the poor fuelling is only a comparison to the Blade which is spot on (softer on an IL4 anyway I know) In no way is it bad, just more severe.

Zak you have hit the nail on the head and thats why the SP2 is number one on my hit list! 2-3 yrs time the SP will probably be worth more than the Blade regardless of whether or not it is a better bike.

Tim, mate, I lurve the Blade thats why i took so long to choose my 'dream' bike but I cant live with Hondas throw away comment 'they all do that!'

But more than any other reason is that when you press the starter button (even on std cans) it sounds like a 'real' bike. I caught a reflection in a building window as I was passing by and the SP looked great (shame about the dumb ass Yorkshiremen on its back )