Over 80,000 kms last 24 months

[IronPawz]

Honda fireblade ticked over 80,000 kms so I looked up purchase date and did some numbers. It was about 15 days off two years since I got it with 2kms on the clock. Average about 112 kms per day since it turned up. Commute is 150kms (round trip) plus all those track days etc.

It has had two wheel bearings (the second got water in it and died a little early). Loads of tires and general services (oil, filter, air filter). Might have had plugs with a service (not sure). Had two chains and one set of sprockets.

It runs and rides really well. Never had the slightest issue other than fair wear. Taking it to Taupo MotoTT this weekend. Loads of life left.

As for all those KM's loved them and looking forward to more.

[AllanB]

Good skills. Go the mighty Honda.

That would be a shit-load of tyres.

[Gremlin]

Very nice, jealous. I started with a roar when buying the BMW, but never really used for a commute (or had a commute that long). Now the annual mileage has dropped to more like 10-20k.


That would be a shit-load of tyres.
Once ran out some tyres in 2-3 weeks. Shop decided to have fun with the importer and said their customer was spewing. He could have finished the tyres in 2 weeks, but dragged them out to 3. Poor fella missed the obvious question and said he'd take a look when he came round. When he'd finished examing he could only conclude they were knackered and finally asked how many km I'd done. Shop casually replied about 7k, to which the stunned chap asked if I'd stopped anywhere.

Never did get a free replacement set :oi-grr:

[release_the_bees]

Very nice. I did around 20,000 km last year, mainly commuting.

Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk

[Owl]

Awesome.

I thought I was doing well with 50,000km in two years. Don't commute on it though.

[IronPawz]

Good skills. Go the mighty Honda.

That would be a shit-load of tyres.


It is. I should get some of the numbers from Honda and Bruce Lewis. I was running T30's. At the track they seem to melt up but looking back I might have just run them at to low pressure. It came with T20's which lasted less than 10,000km's and went square fast commuting.

Trying T21's which so far are not bad. They ride very well road and track.

[manxkiwi]

Perhaps you should consider changing your name to 'IronArse'! Ha ha. Good effort.

[Autech]

Honda fireblade ticked over 80,000 kms so I looked up purchase date and did some numbers. It was about 15 days off two years since I got it with 2kms on the clock. Average about 112 kms per day since it turned up. Commute is 150kms (round trip) plus all those track days etc.

It has had two wheel bearings (the second got water in it and died a little early). Loads of tires and general services (oil, filter, air filter). Might have had plugs with a service (not sure). Had two chains and one set of sprockets.

It runs and rides really well. Never had the slightest issue other than fair wear. Taking it to Taupo MotoTT this weekend. Loads of life left.

As for all those KM's loved them and looking forward to more.

Know a chick who's Repsol thou has clicked over 100ks, never any issues was used for commuting, track days and weekend fun. She was going to sell it when she bought her Yamaha MT-09 but kept it and eventually sold the MT instead!

Nice K's mate, for a Honda that is just run in! They build a damn good engine.

[SVboy]

Out of interest, what intervals did you change your fork oil and have your shock serviced?

[EJK]

Wow great effort. Convinces me to get a CBR1000RR.

[johcar]

I have a Triumph Tiger XCx that is just on twelve months old. 23k on the clock. I use it for my daily commute (about 65km round trip, 5 days a week) and nice long weekend rides. The Battlewings lasted about 16K km, and have put Metzeler Tourance on as replacements. Much better on the gravel, but still useful for commuting...

[IronPawz]

Out of interest, what intervals did you change your fork oil and have your shock serviced?

Unless the shock oil was in the first 50,000kms it has never been done. The shocks where setup by Dave Moss (the expert) once probably around 20,000kms at one of my earliest track days. I asked for lots of long distance but on the stiffer side and with the track also in mind. That made an amazing difference and still does.

I'm aware the fork oil probably should be done. Moss said the issue is we adapt and don't notice the degraded state of the bike. I just today had it around Taupo track and it was great. I've only ever ridden it on a track. Perhaps 20 times or more now. Medium or slow groups only.

[IronPawz]

Know a chick who's Repsol thou has clicked over 100ks, never any issues was used for commuting, track days and weekend fun. She was going to sell it when she bought her Yamaha MT-09 but kept it and eventually sold the MT instead!

Nice K's mate, for a Honda that is just run in! They build a damn good engine.

Yeah thanks, and my plan is to sell it and ride my newly legal 1983 Katana (with modern suspension etc) and a KR150R (while the Kat is painted and messed about with at times). I think it will work but I guess I'll find out.

The Honda. They are just such a great bike if your back can take it.
The golden rule is: If you back etc hurts then ride it more until it doesn't.
People say the Blade is lacking in personality because it does exactly what you expect it to. I can see the point I actually do miss personality. Like some demented 150cc road two stroke screaming its lungs out at 160km/r around Manfield. Or the fire breathing 1135cc Katana which is something that can be more refined over time (but never clinical).

As long as I don't have to sit upright to soon.

[madbikeboy]

If you service it, and have mechanical sympathy, it will run basically forever.

My Hayabusa has 60,000 k's - I've seen them with 200,000 miles, still on the original motor.

Good effort to the OP.

[madbikeboy]

I've only ever ridden it on a track. Perhaps 20 times or more now. Medium or slow groups only.

80,000 Km's only on the track?

Did you stop anywhere? :woohoo:

[IronPawz]

Wow great effort. Convinces me to get a CBR1000RR.

I'm not really a brand type but I personally never liked Honda in the day. I liked Suzuki's mostly. But I started to research and brought the Blade having never ridden one after weeks of trolling through the net. Never regretted it. Previously RF900 excellent bike a friend still ride it. Ducati Multi strada (the original one) ugly unreliable peace of crap (don't get me started).

The Blade has started within a few turns every time I use it which is all the time. It sits at work in the rain often (all this 'always garaged' crap is only important if you have older Italian electronics).

Just a great bike. If not already adjusted your body gets use to them soon enough (it can take perseverance initially for some). I never clean it (shop has at times) other than the chain but if I cleaned it up right now I bet it would look fairly mint.

[IronPawz]

80,000 Km's only on the track?

Did you stop anywhere? :woohoo:

Bad phrasing sorry. I've never ridden any bike other than the Blade on any track.

[IronPawz]

If you service it, and have mechanical sympathy, it will run basically forever.

My Hayabusa has 60,000 k's - I've seen them with 200,000 miles, still on the original motor.

Good effort to the OP.

I had a BMW F650 as my get back into bikes machine. I think it had about 80,000 to start and 130,000 when I traded it (still going needed some maintenance only). I head of them in Aussie with 300,000+ still going tour bikes. Mostly I'd like to credit the Japanese so great engineering and style. But nod to BMW for some of its mills. Seems most have court up now. Even Ducati I hear?

[nzspokes]

Unless the shock oil was in the first 50,000kms it has never been done. The shocks where setup by Dave Moss (the expert) once probably around 20,000kms at one of my earliest track days. I asked for lots of long distance but on the stiffer side and with the track also in mind. That made an amazing difference and still does.

I'm aware the fork oil probably should be done. Moss said the issue is we adapt and don't notice the degraded state of the bike. I just today had it around Taupo track and it was great. I've only ever ridden it on a track. Perhaps 20 times or more now. Medium or slow groups only.

I hired him for the day at a MotoTT day in Taupo, bike was epic after.

i did my forks on my 08 CBR1k during the week. about 1.5 hours to do it with some other faffing about. Bike has 30ks on it and the old fluid was sludge. Dave says every 10k for fork fluid and 20k for shock. Im sending my shock to RT in a week or so to be done and revalved.

[madbikeboy]

I had a BMW F650 as my get back into bikes machine. I think it had about 80,000 to start and 130,000 when I traded it (still going needed some maintenance only). I head of them in Aussie with 300,000+ still going tour bikes. Mostly I'd like to credit the Japanese so great engineering and style. But nod to BMW for some of its mills. Seems most have court up now. Even Ducati I hear?

I met an old dude in Kalgorlie who had more than a million k's on his early 80's BMW whateverthehellitwas. A million k's. He'd been riding between Kal and Adelaide for almost 30 years. I thought of so many questions I should have asked him, like hasn't he heard of planes, or why live in Adelaide, or is his ass made of steel. At the time I was thoroughly impressed, speechless even - aside from punctures, the thing had never let him down once.

[madbikeboy]

I hired him for the day at a MotoTT day in Taupo, bike was epic after.

i did my forks on my 08 CBR1k during the week. about 1.5 hours to do it with some other faffing about. Bike has 30ks on it and the old fluid was sludge. Dave says every 10k for fork fluid and 20k for shock. Im sending my shock to RT in a week or so to be done and revalved.

I know I have OCD. People might call that a problem, but I think most of them are sloppy. But, my OCD means I service this way:

Bike:
Oil change every 3,000 - 5,000 k's depending on the use. Every track day or race day means an oil and filter change.
Forks: Every second service. New seals are cheap. I can do a GSXR1000 during a track day briefing. Ask me how I know.
Shock: 20,000 k's. Frigging hate doing shocks, with my old thou, I had two, and I'd rotate them with a mate who'd service one for me.
Head set bearings. I seem to run through them, it's a GSXR wheelie thing.
Air filter. Checked every 3-5,000 k's.
Chain - depending on bike, but regular clean and dry lube. On my old thou, they didn't last very long, but the Hayabusa seems to give it an easy time.

I do a major strip (meaning wheels and fairings off, swingarm pivot etc) every second service. Down to changing the fluids (brake, anti-freeze etc).

I use a Snap On torque wrench. I buy oil filters (OEM) 10 at a time. I don't let anyone touch my bikes with tools in their hand. Come to think of it, I don't let anyone touch my bikes without tools in their hands either... I have a bike that hasn't had any hands other than mine touch it since 1990 something.

I have never had a major mechanical issue with any Japanese bike I've ever owned, (not counting fucking useless two strokes).

[caspernz]

I know I have OCD. People might call that a problem, but I think most of them are sloppy. But, my OCD means I service this way:

Bike:
Oil change every 3,000 - 5,000 k's depending on the use. Every track day or race day means an oil and filter change.
Forks: Every second service. New seals are cheap. I can do a GSXR1000 during a track day briefing. Ask me how I know.
Shock: 20,000 k's. Frigging hate doing shocks, with my old thou, I had two, and I'd rotate them with a mate who'd service one for me.
Head set bearings. I seem to run through them, it's a GSXR wheelie thing.
Air filter. Checked every 3-5,000 k's.
Chain - depending on bike, but regular clean and dry lube. On my old thou, they didn't last very long, but the Hayabusa seems to give it an easy time.

I do a major strip (meaning wheels and fairings off, swingarm pivot etc) every second service. Down to changing the fluids (brake, anti-freeze etc).

I use a Snap On torque wrench. I buy oil filters (OEM) 10 at a time. I don't let anyone touch my bikes with tools in their hand. Come to think of it, I don't let anyone touch my bikes without tools in their hands either... I have a bike that hasn't had any hands other than mine touch it since 1990 something.

I have never had a major mechanical issue with any Japanese bike I've ever owned, (not counting fucking useless two strokes).

That's not really OCD, that's just being thorough. If you have the knowledge/time/place etc, nothing wrong with what you've described above. Hey, at least you're not leaving a whole lot of things to luck aye? :brick: Makes me feel guilty that my fork oil is almost 10,000 kms old now...

To the OP, 80k in 2 years on a Blade is rather keen. Was at first thinking why choose a thou sporty for mostly commuting, but then the track day outings explained it. One bike does the lot for you. Not too many big bikes like yours see such big distances clocked on them. Good stuff :niceone:

[madbikeboy]

That's not really OCD, that's just being thorough. If you have the knowledge/time/place etc, nothing wrong with what you've described above. Hey, at least you're not leaving a whole lot of things to luck aye? :brick: Makes me feel guilty that my fork oil is almost 10,000 kms old now...

To the OP, 80k in 2 years on a Blade is rather keen. Was at first thinking why choose a thou sporty for mostly commuting, but then the track day outings explained it. One bike does the lot for you. Not too many big bikes like yours see such big distances clocked on them. Good stuff :niceone:

I can't leave anything to chance, I've already used eight lives and all the good juju. It's not that hard a job to replace the fork juice, and it's good to have the bike apart, it gives you time to check everything else while it's on the stands.

[nzspokes]

I know I have OCD. People might call that a problem, but I think most of them are sloppy. But, my OCD means I service this way:

Bike:
Oil change every 3,000 - 5,000 k's depending on the use. Every track day or race day means an oil and filter change.
Forks: Every second service. New seals are cheap. I can do a GSXR1000 during a track day briefing. Ask me how I know.
Shock: 20,000 k's. Frigging hate doing shocks, with my old thou, I had two, and I'd rotate them with a mate who'd service one for me.
Head set bearings. I seem to run through them, it's a GSXR wheelie thing.
Air filter. Checked every 3-5,000 k's.
Chain - depending on bike, but regular clean and dry lube. On my old thou, they didn't last very long, but the Hayabusa seems to give it an easy time.

I do a major strip (meaning wheels and fairings off, swingarm pivot etc) every second service. Down to changing the fluids (brake, anti-freeze etc).

I use a Snap On torque wrench. I buy oil filters (OEM) 10 at a time. I don't let anyone touch my bikes with tools in their hand. Come to think of it, I don't let anyone touch my bikes without tools in their hands either... I have a bike that hasn't had any hands other than mine touch it since 1990 something.

I have never had a major mechanical issue with any Japanese bike I've ever owned, (not counting fucking useless two strokes).

Thats what I consider normal servicing.

[CB ARGH]

Nice Ks mate.

[SVboy]

I know I have OCD. People might call that a problem, but I think most of them are sloppy. But, my OCD means I service this way:

Bike:
Oil change every 3,000 - 5,000 k's depending on the use. Every track day or race day means an oil and filter change.
Forks: Every second service. New seals are cheap. I can do a GSXR1000 during a track day briefing. Ask me how I know.
Shock: 20,000 k's. Frigging hate doing shocks, with my old thou, I had two, and I'd rotate them with a mate who'd service one for me.
Head set bearings. I seem to run through them, it's a GSXR wheelie thing.
Air filter. Checked every 3-5,000 k's.
Chain - depending on bike, but regular clean and dry lube. On my old thou, they didn't last very long, but the Hayabusa seems to give it an easy time.

I do a major strip (meaning wheels and fairings off, swingarm pivot etc) every second service. Down to changing the fluids (brake, anti-freeze etc).

I use a Snap On torque wrench. I buy oil filters (OEM) 10 at a time. I don't let anyone touch my bikes with tools in their hand. Come to think of it, I don't let anyone touch my bikes without tools in their hands either... I have a bike that hasn't had any hands other than mine touch it since 1990 something.


I have never had a major mechanical issue with any Japanese bike I've ever owned, (not counting fucking useless two strokes).

A man after my own heart.

[IronPawz]

I met an old dude in Kalgorlie who had more than a million k's on his early 80's BMW whateverthehellitwas. A million k's. He'd been riding between Kal and Adelaide for almost 30 years. I thought of so many questions I should have asked him, like hasn't he heard of planes, or why live in Adelaide, or is his ass made of steel. At the time I was thoroughly impressed, speechless even - aside from punctures, the thing had never let him down once.

Wow a million K's. I doubt I'll ever get there let alone on one epic bike. There is a BMW I see in the traffic with the rego MILL. It seems so totally appropriate gives me a smile every time.

[IronPawz]

I hired him for the day at a MotoTT day in Taupo, bike was epic after.

i did my forks on my 08 CBR1k during the week. about 1.5 hours to do it with some other faffing about. Bike has 30ks on it and the old fluid was sludge. Dave says every 10k for fork fluid and 20k for shock. Im sending my shock to RT in a week or so to be done and revalved.

Gods mine must be bad. I'll get that sorted also. Funny it feels ok even on the track but I've nothing to compare and have probably just adapted. Should gain me some time! That would be sweet giving my friend has come back after some months following an off and is starting to gain on me again!

[IronPawz]

That's not really OCD, that's just being thorough. If you have the knowledge/time/place etc, nothing wrong with what you've described above. Hey, at least you're not leaving a whole lot of things to luck aye? :brick: Makes me feel guilty that my fork oil is almost 10,000 kms old now...

To the OP, 80k in 2 years on a Blade is rather keen. Was at first thinking why choose a thou sporty for mostly commuting, but then the track day outings explained it. One bike does the lot for you. Not too many big bikes like yours see such big distances clocked on them. Good stuff :niceone:

I never actually did a track day till I was over 20,000kms and that was really a friend on a 250 (and now an R1) suggested it and we've been at it since. My RF900 almost killed me by cutting out (dead stick) in the 3rd lane (worst lane) going up the hill out of Wellington. That scared me, quite a bit (I dove in front of a truck to get off the road and not be pinned to lane 3 in heavy traffic). I rode a GSXR600 which just seemed to be begging me to nail it all the time. I road a GSXR750 and that was much better (not so in the rev's at 120). Then I started to read and the Blade just won out in terms of position (for an RR) and reliability (all online reputation). Finally it had more mid power (better street) than the Kawasaki (which was more aggressive all over). It was the fuel stats that ended it mind, the 1000's use similar gas to the 600's.

In traffic from 6th at 100 you can just wind it on and it will accelerate. That is great in the commute. The RF was quite leaned forward so I was pretty use to it. Never even test road it. Got a REALLY good deal form CycleSpot (and I don't do motormart that is a long boring story). Never regretted it, loved it from the first ride - still love riding it. Soon I will give it up for the mighty Franken-zuki! With very little refinement and bucket loads of a different kind of fun riding.

[Ulsterkiwi]

that's some serious riding. Here was me all pleased with myself turning 20,000kms on my (not any longer) brand new bike a full month before the first year's rego is up. Looks like I have some catching up to do :eek5:

My wife has a Honda, apart from cleaning and basic servicing we do nothing to it, the bike just seems to keep on ticking, never misses a beat.

[IronPawz]

that's some serious riding. Here was me all pleased with myself turning 20,000kms on my (not any longer) brand new bike a full month before the first year's rego is up. Looks like I have some catching up to do :eek5:

My wife has a Honda, apart from cleaning and basic servicing we do nothing to it, the bike just seems to keep on ticking, never misses a beat.


Totally decent KM's. I ride to work 5 days a week (most weeks) and it is 75 kms each way. Do plenty of track days some of which are riding to Taupo (which is 300 kms). I don't tend to do epic rides like many do (might do some next summer). If mind I've not ridden for say 3 days I really start getting the itch.

Commuting through winter is not that much fun either. It is just starting to get to that time now but this year I'm going to get more science involved like heated jacket, hotties and wind breaker so should be a bit nicer. I just get sick of cold wet roads but I never really tire of riding, just the conditions.

[Ulsterkiwi]

Totally decent KM's. I ride to work 5 days a week (most weeks) and it is 75 kms each way. Do plenty of track days some of which are riding to Taupo (which is 300 kms). I don't tend to do epic rides like many do (might do some next summer). If mind I've not ridden for say 3 days I really start getting the itch.

Commuting through winter is not that much fun either. It is just starting to get to that time now but this year I'm going to get more science involved like heated jacket, hotties and wind breaker so should be a bit nicer. I just get sick of cold wet roads but I never really tire of riding, just the conditions.

Lol maybe I need to stop working from home for half the week and get the km count going.
Hear you on gear. Heated grips and hand guards are a no brainer. Goretex boots and Klim pants keep the lower half warm and dry. A good waterproof overjacket keeps the rain out and keeps the wind out, makes a world of difference with heat conservation.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[caspernz]

Totally decent KM's. I ride to work 5 days a week (most weeks) and it is 75 kms each way. Do plenty of track days some of which are riding to Taupo (which is 300 kms). I don't tend to do epic rides like many do (might do some next summer). If mind I've not ridden for say 3 days I really start getting the itch.

Commuting through winter is not that much fun either. It is just starting to get to that time now but this year I'm going to get more science involved like heated jacket, hotties and wind breaker so should be a bit nicer. I just get sick of cold wet roads but I never really tire of riding, just the conditions.

Hot grips, thicker (winter) gloves, a windproof/water proof over-jacket is a wonderful addition to leathers. When I lived in Wellington I rode to work most days, around 60 km round trip. Helped that I had to get changed into a work uniform, had a full locker room to hang bike gear etc. Probably the worst part was putting damp gloves on for a ride home, so solved that by having several pairs... Never thought much of hot grips, but once I got them, each subsequent bike I've fitted up with them.

[nzspokes]

Ive ridden my Blade to work a couple of times. Its a cold bike to ride. I wont do that often now through winter and keep commuting on the mighty 1250. Big screen, handguards etc.

I also struggle to restrain myself on it......

[IronPawz]

Lol maybe I need to stop working from home for half the week and get the km count going.
Hear you on gear. Heated grips and hand guards are a no brainer. Goretex boots and Klim pants keep the lower half warm and dry. A good waterproof overjacket keeps the rain out and keeps the wind out, makes a world of difference with heat conservation.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


I wondered about hand guards but don't see any that look like they'd go on the blades clip-ons. Would be quite an ironic thing for that bike but then it has heated grips (which I will never be without commuting and will put on my Katana once it is ready). I've drystar gear and a big plastic rain overall. Like a human sized condom. The overall is a pain so I wear a back pack every day (streamlined light and now just part of my armor) which has only that in it. If it rains or is really cold I wear that.

Wet gloves are a pain. I've decent arctic gloves but they are a few years old now a second pair sounds like the ticket once it really sets in this year. Shame because they where bloody uncomfortable for the first few 1000 kms (big heavy gloves use to make my hands numb).

[IronPawz]

Ive ridden my Blade to work a couple of times. Its a cold bike to ride. I wont do that often now through winter and keep commuting on the mighty 1250. Big screen, handguards etc.

I also struggle to restrain myself on it......

The upsides of the Blade are they are great in the wind (I've ridden a few things Blades just down blow about much). Also great in the loads of filtering I have to do (I squeeze through gaps daily that not many care for bound to get me in trouble at some point). at 60 minutes or so each way you dont want to give up much in the filter (I reach out and pull both mirrors in and out all the time to get more room).

Soon mind I will be on a 1982 Katana with various modernised bits. That is not as good in the wind (it is more upright given the different seat). I'll be looking to do something with the mirrors (not being able to pull them in really effects the filtering confidence). A hottie is a great addition but I'll give a friends plug in suite a go and if it is good I'll buy one (biking the expense just never ends!).

[IronPawz]

Hot grips, thicker (winter) gloves, a windproof/water proof over-jacket is a wonderful addition to leathers. When I lived in Wellington I rode to work most days, around 60 km round trip. Helped that I had to get changed into a work uniform, had a full locker room to hang bike gear etc. Probably the worst part was putting damp gloves on for a ride home, so solved that by having several pairs... Never thought much of hot grips, but once I got them, each subsequent bike I've fitted up with them.

We are mostly bike nuts at work so we organised lockers and I leave various sets of close and extra warm gear there. I answered the second gloves in the wrong response but that is a really good idea. I've killed plenty of boots (generally have to change them at the end of summer given they leak). My gloves are good but old now so a second pair well oiled/waxed and those old ones for wet spares makes sense. Good gear costs but it is so worth it when you are getting cold 20 minutes from home and you know you'd be worse without it.

I did some winters really hard initially and I so remember just fantasizing about the fire going when I get home. Much as I love to ride nothing takes the fun out of it like being cold and wet. Also the endless wet roads gets to me if it just rains for ages having to ride so much more sensibly, adding precious minutes to the miserable end of the journey. I'm smarter now and tend to be warmer.

I have people saying when I get gas now "you must be cold" and I think mate the cold has not got far yet. It gets WAY colder than it has so far this year. Frosty mornings... Brrr.

[nzspokes]

The upsides of the Blade are they are great in the wind (I've ridden a few things Blades just down blow about much). Also great in the loads of filtering I have to do (I squeeze through gaps daily that not many care for bound to get me in trouble at some point). at 60 minutes or so each way you dont want to give up much in the filter (I reach out and pull both mirrors in and out all the time to get more room).

Soon mind I will be on a 1982 Katana with various modernised bits. That is not as good in the wind (it is more upright given the different seat). I'll be looking to do something with the mirrors (not being able to pull them in really effects the filtering confidence). A hottie is a great addition but I'll give a friends plug in suite a go and if it is good I'll buy one (biking the expense just never ends!).

I ride to work on a Zuki 1250fa and have no problem filtering. But my mirrors are higher than cars so I just roll through. I get close with my bars.

[Gremlin]

After almost 11 years of commuting almost exclusively by bike I've gone the other way, and for the last 3 weeks I've had a company car.

It's quite amazing, it rains, you wipe it away (even has rain sensing wipers that are only half stupid), it gets cold or warm, you adjust the aircon. Of course you're sitting in traffic, so there is a radio thing where you can constantly change it to find a song you like. When you're bored at traffic lights, you can use the car to delete your emails!

Crazy I tell ya! :innocent:

[IronPawz]

After almost 11 years of commuting almost exclusively by bike I've gone the other way, and for the last 3 weeks I've had a company car.

It's quite amazing, it rains, you wipe it away (even has rain sensing wipers that are only half stupid), it gets cold or warm, you adjust the aircon. Of course you're sitting in traffic, so there is a radio thing where you can constantly change it to find a song you like. When you're bored at traffic lights, you can use the car to delete your emails!

Crazy I tell ya! :innocent:


You lost me at sitting in traffic. Still 11 years has to be admired. From out my way I'd be sitting in traffic for ever the parking and gas would be expensive and I'd likely have to walk a reasonable way at times in the rain. I load songs and change them on my Pack Talk device side of the helmet. You can skip forward and back. Got my trusty finger wiper. You have me on the cold but mostly I've that sorted (we will see when it gets REALLY cold).

11 years for me would be about 440,000 kms assuming I can continue to not get pasted. I'd be half way to a million KM's (adding in my previous kms).

[IronPawz]

I ride to work on a Zuki 1250fa and have no problem filtering. But my mirrors are higher than cars so I just roll through. I get close with my bars.

I like the idea of eletric ones that fold in with some easy to reach button. That would be nice as mine always seem right in the way. Perhaps it is a clip on thing, not so tall mirrors. Yeah I'm not so keen on normal bars, all that sensible riding position...

[IronPawz]

93,000 and the Fireblade is running fine. It is kind of rattly at idle until you pull in the clutch (I did kind of beat that clutching which is a slipper at the track many times by changing down harshly due to no idea and really should have been on the breaks harder). It works fine and its not that load but its not like new.

I rode the new 2017 blade and its just not that much better (everything was so tight like new which was nice). Naturally form the shop the suspension was all over the place and horrible compared to my Dave Moss setup state of fantastic (new stiffer fork oil recently also). The new one is pretty slick, more ducati like in the impression I got. Still what is my tradein at 93k I got that bike for a BARGIN new (they are dearer near new still now) and the new new one is like $28k so naa I'll ride her into the dust eventually.

In the two years and 5 months from new I've been through a few wheel bearings, loads of tires, break pads, two chains and one set of sprockets, fluids, a battery, a great many oil changes (nice and regular always well within service period) about 25 track days (in slower groups I'm not fast) and its just started every time and run perfectly (I get water in the tank and cup of meths it at least once per winter).

I will keep riding it through this season on the track and road. I'm leaving the clutch till my mechanic says it needs looking at.
Estimated average of 105km per day over 880 days (two years five months) and 93,000 (actually 93,275).

Blades, if your back and wrists can take it they are a great commuter!

[IronPawz]

Blade turns over 100,000 kms on the way home today. I got a photo of it at 99999 and 100000. Clutch has a bit more rattle at idle but other than that it runs fine with no issues at all so far.

Never did valve clearances after so much advice that they generally don't need it. Such a great bike! I will probably put another 40,000 on it next year.

[Southern scratcher]

Good effort mate! Who says Blades aren't a commuter bike eh.
I've had a few Honda's myself, all super reliable except my mid eighties VF750 which lunched it's cam chain tensioners at 20K.
The only bike I've owned that saw more than 100K on the clock was a 1977 Ducati 900SD.
And they say Ducati's aren't reliable! :no:

[Runty]

Blade turns over 100,000 kms on the way home today. I got a photo of it at 99999 and 100000. Clutch has a bit more rattle at idle but other than that it runs fine with no issues at all so far.

Never did valve clearances after so much advice that they generally don't need it. Such a great bike! I will probably put another 40,000 on it next year.Nice one - I traded my 92500 km blade just over a year ago (still running as sweet as ever) Got a 2012 version with 15000 km (actually it was exactly 15001km)
Only on 34500 now - I think thats my lowest annual kms in the last 39 years!!!
I better make up for it this year!!


Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk

[caspernz]

Blade turns over 100,000 kms on the way home today. I got a photo of it at 99999 and 100000. Clutch has a bit more rattle at idle but other than that it runs fine with no issues at all so far.

Never did valve clearances after so much advice that they generally don't need it. Such a great bike! I will probably put another 40,000 on it next year.

That's pretty impressive commuting use for a litre bike.

[nzspokes]

That's pretty impressive commuting use for a litre bike.

Agreed. Couple of hours on mine and I need a little lay down.

[AllanB]

Hmm I've managed 11,000 or so in two years :niceone:

[IronPawz]

107,500 now. Maybe 1000 on a KR150R also.