New Fireblade 1000s are in town [Archive]

14th April 2004, 18:57

It must have been love at first sight. I had no intention of buying a new Fireblade 1000 but that was before I laid eyes on the first two to arrive in town yesterday. Straight out of the crate and I bought the red one. If that's not scary a quick call to a friend and he rushed in and nabbed the other one.
Picked it up a couple of hours ago so I can't say too much yet on the performance etc.. But.. first impressions are hinting at some big smiles coming up once she's run in. That reminds me, book tomorrow off work for cultural reasons of course. I'll try and attach a pic but I'm not sure how to so this may fail.
MD[IMG]

riffer

14th April 2004, 18:59

A little birdie tells me that Kathleen might not have been consulted on this purchase...

Do I detect another "How do I reconcile this one with the wife" thread?

14th April 2004, 19:07

A little birdie tells me that Kathleen might not have been consulted on this purchase...

Do I detect another "How do I reconcile this one with the wife" thread?
Ah. so now you show yourself. I knew I should have joined this site under an anonymous name. Some unknown source has been speaking to the Missus. And I thought these forums things would never come back to roost or bite me in the bum so to speak. Did I not mention how charming, considerate and understanding her indoors is- now pass that on quick before the mortgage statement arrives in the mail.

Motoracer

14th April 2004, 19:09

Fark! You can't get much closer to the legendary RC211V with a road bike than that!

riffer

14th April 2004, 19:12

Ah. so now you show yourself.
Nothing too sinister Mark. I'll give you a clue - did you take the bike to get the chinese you bought my workmate's daughter?

14th April 2004, 19:26

Cheers Simon. Say hello if you see me up the hill ALL this weekend. Her indoors is so kind. ps, she is reading over my shoulder, what else can I say.

Marknz

14th April 2004, 19:28

If you don't mind me asking... how much was it Mark? And did you get your free leather jacket?

Ghost Lemur

14th April 2004, 19:51

Nice... Very, very nice.

Now, do you have the leathers and helmet to go with it? Or is that tomorrow when you go for a "litre of milk", Shhh? :D

riffer

14th April 2004, 19:52

Cheers Simon. Say hello if you see me up the hill ALL this weekend. Her indoors is so kind. ps, she is reading over my shoulder, what else can I say.
Gee Mark, wish I could get some riding in this weekend. Unfortunately, there's the remains of the gardening from Easter to finish, and Upper Hutt Under 6's Rugby Team 3 have their first game on Saturday, and as Coach I definitely have to be there...

Enjoy that hill on the weekend mate. Keep that rubber side down.

FROSTY

14th April 2004, 20:10

all i can say is --you lucky sod--enjoy ya new toy

14th April 2004, 23:15

If you don't mind me asking... how much was it Mark? And did you get your free leather jacket?
Retailing at $20,995 and I get a free Spyke touring jacket worth $995 that I don't need - any offers? I haven't ordered a size yet.
Sawyers looked after us since it was two sales combined, with good stuff thrown in and did me a good deal on my 929 Blade that's been out of action most of this year with mechanical problems. I'd just reached breaking point owning a bike I couldn't ride. I would have been keen on the new GXR750 when it turns up but would have needed a 'working' bike to make a trade.

15th April 2004, 06:00

Mark - how exciting!!!!! Who's the guy who bought the other one? Not Steve?

I'm glad you picked a colour that will go well with your red Mohawk.

We're going to Manfeild on Saturday, but may see you and Mr X on the hill on Sunday if it's reasonable weather. Looking fwd to seeing the new toy - I've only seen the black one so far.

White trash

15th April 2004, 07:59

You lucky bastard!

That's it, I definitely gotta get a 750K4 now to keep up with you pricks at the next fun day!

My wifes gonna kill you :laugh:

merv

15th April 2004, 08:17

Sawyers looked after us since it was two sales combined, with good stuff thrown in and did me a good deal on my 929 Blade that's been out of action most of this year with mechanical problems.

... and I thought Blade engines were indestructable - what was wrong with it?

15th April 2004, 09:58

... and I thought Blade engines were indestructable - what was wrong with it?
Long story. It wasn't the bike's fault really. Left side sump/crackcase cracked in an off. Several attempts at welds and sealing failed. Oil leak was unrideable.To replace crankcase would almost cost as much as the bike!. I got a secondhand motor from Oz ($3,000) fitted and that was a beaut but since then wiring problems ending with the ECU shutting down the engine. Nothing seems to be able to fix it.

16th April 2004, 05:30

Mark: who's bought the other one????????
(colour etc for effect, to get your attention - I NEED to know!!)

White trash

16th April 2004, 12:28

Mark: who's bought the other one????????
(colour etc for effect, to get your attention - I NEED to know!!)

Me too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

matthewt

16th April 2004, 15:09

Mark: who's bought the other one????????
(colour etc for effect, to get your attention - I NEED to know!!)

Two clues:

1) Used to ride a 999
2) Is known for wheelies

That should make it fairly clear for the Wgtn riders.

White trash

16th April 2004, 15:34

Two clues:

1) Used to ride a 999
2) Is known for wheelies

That should make it fairly clear for the Wgtn riders.

Its me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh I never had a 999. Bugger. :scooter:

matthewt

16th April 2004, 18:12

Two clues:

1) Used to ride a 999
2) Is known for wheelies

That should make it fairly clear for the Wgtn riders.

Slight correction, he still owns the 999. Lucky sod !!!

17th April 2004, 04:34

And he's got black Dainese Ducati leathers. Lives in Silverstream I believe. Has a brother who rides a Duc as well (a 900SS?)

Has been photographed in the Dom Post doing a massive burnout.

17th April 2004, 07:21

OK, Mr D picked up his blade last night (Fri) so we did a quick dash over the takas before if got dark. We are two stunned mullets! Words fail me to describe the performance, totally mind blowing stuff. Dion was running his in but somehow sneaked in 2 wheelies. I've done a few but its so well balanced its reluctant to lift. practice practice as they say. Here are the happy chappies.
ps: WT- I'll bring it in this week to WMC and introduce myself to you.[IMG]

White trash

17th April 2004, 12:41

No can do this week, Mark. I'm off for a week.

Why don't you, Dion and Steve come for a ride to Pukekohe with me on Thursday? Get some kays on the new bikes!

Motoracer

17th April 2004, 12:47

Sooo love that red! It would be so mean if they brought out a Rossi rep version of it.

17th April 2004, 13:28

No can do this week, Mark. I'm off for a week.

Why don't you, Dion and Steve come for a ride to Pukekohe with me on Thursday? Get some kays on the new bikes!
Thanks Jimmy for the invite but I doubt I can get off work (plus I've no leave left). The others might be keen. I'll pass it on. Dion tells me you are damn good on that rear wheel. We need to get together with a video. Dion's got an ace mini bike cam.
I just got back from riding and pleased to report the wheelies are getting easier. Enjoy your week off.
MD

White trash

17th April 2004, 13:46

Thanks Mark. Tell Dion I'm chasing his record.

If you're keen, we'll try to catch up next weekend or some thing. We've already at Manfeild a couple of times, I'm usually riding Johanns race bike (now Motoracers)

Fucken' horse power those things of yours have got, you'll be wheelying away into the distance from us apprentices on our baby sixxes :o

Where's my 750? :Oi:

Track days at Manfeild start next month, you fast guys'll be there?

I need someone to follow! :scooter:

White trash

17th April 2004, 13:47

Sooo love that red! It would be so mean if they brought out a Rossi rep version of it.

Paints cheap. todd Moffat would do the micky job with one of those!

White trash

17th April 2004, 13:54

Why the hell aren't you out riding that sexy machine, Mark?

Company just too good on the net I suppose.

Tony Sampson and his mate were just in the shop, Tony on his 04 R1 and his partener in crime Fireblade mounted. They don't wanna come to Puke with me either!

I'm beginning to think the Wgtn people are scared of Aucklanders or something! :disapint:

17th April 2004, 14:01

Thanks Mark. Tell Dion I'm chasing his record.

If you're keen, we'll try to catch up next weekend or some thing.
Track days at Manfeild start next month, you fast guys'll be there?

:
Yep, should be there next weekend. Usually mornings- family stuff afternoons. Lots of Guys up the hill this morning. I meet Johann at some of the public days over the last 2 years until they banned race bikes. Don't talk about little Sixes- everytime he blew pass me on the racing 600 I'd check that my motor was turned on ! That must be the bike you mentioned. Bugger me it screams.
Are you talking about Vic. bike days starting soon or the public car & bike sunday sessions at Manfeild?

White trash

17th April 2004, 14:08

Car bike. They're the most frequent.

I'm off now. Talk to you cats later :niceone:

Harry

17th April 2004, 15:26

The other purchaser of the new Blade was definitely NOT Steve...

SPman

17th April 2004, 22:25

They dont last very long - look what 300ks does to them - they fall to bits. Typical Honda!:moon:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1645

Zed

18th April 2004, 00:06

pete376403

18th April 2004, 00:12

They dont last very long - look what 300ks does to them - they fall to bits. Typical Honda!:moon:

Suppose that will be a write-off with all the tupperware trashed?
I read somewhere that the average life of a sport bike in California was six weeks from out-of-the-crate to write-off. Wonder how NZ is doing on that score?

SPman

18th April 2004, 09:09

Suppose that will be a write-off with all the tupperware trashed?
I read somewhere that the average life of a sport bike in California was six weeks from out-of-the-crate to write-off. Wonder how NZ is doing on that score?
4 days on this one :rolleyes:

wkid_one

18th April 2004, 09:12

OOOUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCCCHHHHHHHHHH - that must have been a sad day.

Why are all the new CBR's only appearing in red??? Surely we are getting some of the others colours as well.

When the 954 came out - I tried to move mountains to get the silver and black one - however Honda NZ weren't able to import ANY this colour at the time.

Marknz

18th April 2004, 10:06

Feck! Is that one of ours, like one of the new Wgtn ones?

Hope the rider is okay... looks like the pic has been taken in his or her driveway so I'd have to presume they're alright.

SPman

18th April 2004, 10:37

Feck! Is that one of ours, like one of the new Wgtn ones?

Hope the rider is okay... looks like the pic has been taken in his or her driveway so I'd have to presume they're alright. Not one of yours - an Auckland one - lowsided in gravel coming off the Coroglen bridge - rider OK.

19th April 2004, 05:19

The other purchaser of the new Blade was definitely NOT Steve...
Hi there Harry. And welcome to the site. See you on the hill some time. I presume Mark etc will still let you ride with them??? (the "Harry" is a bit of a giveaway!!!)

White trash

19th April 2004, 07:26

The other purchaser of the new Blade was definitely NOT Steve...

Thats right! Stay true to the Sixxes, brother!

When do you want to go Litre bike hunting? Cool riding with you the other day and welcome to the site :D

Lou Girardin

19th April 2004, 20:31

Ist one arrived at AMPS today. Gorgeous, especially the new swing arm, a work of art.
But how much smaller are these hyperbikes going to get?
Lou

SPman

20th April 2004, 19:01

By all accounts, the ZX10R is smaller than the rest!

Lou Girardin

20th April 2004, 20:58

We also saw the new Thruxton and 2 new flavours of Voxan too. I love this job.
Lou

Lou Girardin

22nd April 2004, 09:33

Silver and black arrived today!

hondav2

22nd May 2004, 19:47

Took my harley to Dunedin for a service on friday and bought a cbr1000rr black and silver, get it on tuesday YeHaaaaaaaaaa, Keepin the hardley (will never sell it ) and keepin the vtr1000 till I learnt to ride the cbr. Cheers

Ghost Lemur

22nd May 2004, 21:18

By all accounts, the ZX10R is smaller than the rest!

That it is. Smaller than a ZX6r :gob:

I think they're all damn sexy and I want one of each. :D

23rd May 2004, 07:10

hondav2

29th May 2004, 20:53

Got the CBR1000rr on tuesday, Bill Veitch took it 2 gore on his ute and I met him there. Fired it up , very sharp and crisp exhaust note compared 2 the heritage and firestorm, Got on, took off, feet in odd place, didnt like the 1st km , then i got past the 100km sign and it was all on, sooooooooo smooth, best gearbox ever made, Handling brilliant, Its a very easy bike to ride , revs a little higher than my vtwins , Everything about this bike oozers sex appeal, The black and silver is real sharp. Got to watch the speedo as it creeps up fast . Hopefully I will have the radar set up on it this week . Took the VTR out for a lap last night then took the CBR. It was like hoping off a hippo and getting on a gizelle. I will probably sell the VTR but not just yet, The VTR is a bike you have to ride and is a lot of fun but the CBR is the next step up. You dont have to ride it agressivly as it just duz everything so easily. Hopefully the rain will stop tomorrow and it will get out of the lounge. Might head up to Queenstown then to Cromwell and return via Ettrick, Heriot , Riversdale. Cheers

hondav2

29th May 2004, 20:57

Jacket arrived friday , real flash, had 2 buy some pants 2 match, Still like my old leathers lol. Cheers

wkid_one

29th May 2004, 21:13

By all accounts, the ZX10R is smaller than the rest!
Don't like em - look like shit on the road....CBR and R1 look better moving

Ghost Lemur

29th May 2004, 22:39

Don't like em - look like shit on the road....CBR and R1 look better moving

Can't say I've had the pleasure of seeing any of them up close and personal. It was interesting to read an interview with one of the lead engineers on it's development, he seems to believe there is still plenty of leeway in the size. So we could see even better things in coming years.

Got to agree the r1 is just pure sex (based solely on looks).

Sensei

29th May 2004, 23:03

Hey nice bike Mark !. Took one for a ride two weeks ago handled sweet as excellent brakes but power was disappointing . My old 93 GSXR1100 would have pissed over it for raw power .The Blade's are surppose to have 180hp ? I believe , felt more like 150hp . My 1100 put out 165hp at the wheel . Have tryed the new R1 04 of friends to thats got power to burn 2nd & 3rd gear drift's real nice Maybe the CBR needs a pipe & filter to bring out the beast in side which I feel is there but has been tamed Sensei NP

30th May 2004, 11:03

Hondav2 - hope the weather improves for you down there. Its crap up here. I went out this morning but driven home by rain. The CBR power is deceptive. Its there and comes on just as I like, nice and controllable but wont catch you out and dump you. Wait til you've run yours in and can get the revs up. From 6 thou things really start happening and by 8 its beautiful. Now I appreciate the adjustable rev indicator. Some punters & mags are saying it doesn't seem "that powerful" but I reckon its just a case of not living with the bike long enough to discover it. Whats enough? I saw 279 on the dial the other day arrive in seconds and I hadn't got down into a full tuck. If thats weak then call me a wimp but only if you can stay with me.
Sensei509 - nice to hear you are enjoying a few choice rides. If this weekend had been fine I would have swapped with a ZX10 and got a feel for the dark side. Maybe next weekend I can play Darth Vader
MD

Sensei

30th May 2004, 11:44

Hey Mark not meaning to put your sweet ride down dude these are only my opinion's from a short blast . Post feed back if you get a ride on the ZX10R . Haven't been given a chance to try one yet . Everyone here know's how hard I put a bike through my Test it out ride , & are a bit scared to let me ride their bike's . Don't know why have own every high powered bike been built & hotted them all up owell a Ride will come along one day & look forward to it. The ZX10R sounds mean as . Have only managed to get 315klm twice on my 1100R couldn't get 200mph /320klm f--ken felt like it thou . Sounds like all these new 04 bike's will get there or bloody close to it standard off the floor that's very kool if you like doing warp speed . Have been there done that so just enjoying my sweet 509 now . Enjoy your new toy .I hope to get a ride on my mates new red CBR1000 soon when it's run in . Sensei NP

wkid_one

30th May 2004, 12:53

I agree with Mark - having ridden them all - the Honda may 'feel' down on power - but that is most likely because it stll remains one of the best designed total packages - it is easy to ride hard right from the get go...whereas the Zx and R1 require more settling in time. The Honda acceleration isn't as brutal - which isn't a bad thing.

At the end of the day - I would guess NO-ONE would use the horsepower these bikes have, on the road anyway....so talking total horsepower is a waste of time. Check out the dyno charts I posted earlier in the year.

Here Ya Go:

<TABLE width=455><TBODY><TR><TD>http://www.sportrider.com/features/146-0406-comp-hp-01.gifhttp://www.sportrider.com/features/146-0406-comp-hp-02.gifhttp://www.sportrider.com/features/146-0406-comp-hp-03.gifhttp://www.sportrider.com/features/146-0406-comp-hp-04.gifhttp://www.sportrider.com/features/146-0406-comp-hp-05.gifhttp://www.sportrider.com/features/146-0406-comp-hp-06.gifhttp://www.sportrider.com/features/146-0406-comp-hp-07.gifhttp://www.sportrider.com/features/146-0406-comp-hp-08.gifhttp://www.sportrider.com/features/146-0406-comp-hp-09.gif</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
http://www.sportrider.com/features/146-0406-comp-t-01.gifhttp://www.sportrider.com/features/146-0406-comp-t-02.gifhttp://www.sportrider.com/features/146-0406-comp-t-03.gifhttp://www.sportrider.com/features/146-0406-comp-t-04.gifhttp://www.sportrider.com/features/146-0406-comp-t-05.gifhttp://www.sportrider.com/features/146-0406-comp-t-06.gifhttp://www.sportrider.com/features/146-0406-comp-t-07.gifhttp://www.sportrider.com/features/146-0406-comp-t-08.gifhttp://www.sportrider.com/features/146-0406-comp-t-09.gif
ZX10

<CENTER>http://www.sportrider.com/features/146-0406-zx10-dyno-1-zoom.gif (http://www.sportrider.com/features/146_0406_zx10_dyno/#)</CENTER><CENTER>CBR</CENTER><CENTER>http://www.sportrider.com/features/146-0404-cbr-dyno1-z.gif (http://www.sportrider.com/features/146_0404_cbr_dyno/#)</CENTER>R1

<CENTER>http://www.sportrider.com/features/146-0406-r1-dyno-1a-zoom.gif (http://www.sportrider.com/features/146_0406_r1_dyno/#)</CENTER>

R1 - whilst having peak power that is supposedly brutal has the worlds biggest flatspot at a point where you would want it the most on the road! Esp on the Torque Curve. The CBR actually has the most regular torque curve of the lot - translating in to good real world power delivery.

Honestly tho - the ZX10 is by far the better bike to ride out of the lot!

30th May 2004, 15:07

wkid_one

30th May 2004, 19:22

Cheers Sensei, no offense taken. You're right about the warp speeds. Its fun to push the envelope once in a while but its a novelty that wears off, whereas the real joy is found playing in the curvy bits -hey, that works on the road and in the bedroom! Even better the road wont tell you its got a headache (sorry thats unfair. Er indoors is a nurse - always got a disprin at the ready)
Wkid, good to hear you like the CBRs and thanks for the charts. Or did you post them to show us unskilled computer users we need lessons. Like you said that R1 dip looks a worry and they show what a top job Suzuki did on the 2003 (or earlier?) motor that it doesn't need touching to beat the new comers. In the end they're all great and its personal tastes and real world riding that counts.
ps- totally pissed I'm not at a Manfeild public day right now. Mind you its wet anyway.100% correct. For 99.9% of the riders who ride them - they are bullshitting if they can tell the difference in performance between the bikes. Unless you ride them to the nth degree of a race track - only then will their true foilables become evident. For the average layman - you are probably lucky to be riding at 80% or greater of the potential of the bike. In fact - these bikes are probably sooo fine tuned that for the average rider they are more dangerous than useful if not ridden properly.

I belong to the R1 Forum - and you would be hellishly surprised at the number of new 04 R1's that have been binned.....too much power, and too light.

I honestly believe - that a good 600 will take most 1000's in a road situation (provided the road is not mainly straights obviously). Whilst you are down on top end power, the useble power is similar and you are on a bike that handles better. My thoughts anyway - flame away

Re the charts - the R1 appears to have a massive fuelling problem (or gearing) between 5500 and 8000 rpm - meaning - the other thous should shit on it in a real world situation. GSXR has the same problem just not as severe. As does the ZX10. The blade has the best corrected torque curve of the lot and the most linear HP curve as well - probably indicating it has the smoothest ride of the lot (I will attest to that). Interestingly - the ZX10 manages to maintain a fairly even HP Curve even given the drop in torque at 3500rpm - however at that low in the rev range - it is hardly a concern.

hondav2

30th May 2004, 19:45

Hey Mark put 400km on CBR 2day. Cheaper 2 run than the vtr, will have 2 soften up the susp. as its to harsh on rough surfaces , really sings on smooth twisties, Next trip will b up 2 Dunedin for a survice, Keep it up rite mate. Cheers Toddy

hondav2

30th May 2004, 19:49

Hey Mark that adjusterable rev indicator , duz the light flash at what you pre set it at. also what oil do you use. Cheers Toddy

30th May 2004, 20:06

Hey Mark that adjusterable rev indicator , duz the light flash at what you pre set it at. also what oil do you use. Cheers Toddy
Hi Toddy. I've been out a couple of times with a rider on a black/silver CBR1000. Hard case having 3 identical bikes in a group.
When I got mine the orange light came on with no flashing at 10,500rpm I think. Anyway, I played around with the choices and have mine come on at 9.500 now. You can have it come on at 3 levels of brightness and also choose 'light on' or two speeds of blinking. I found the blinking was... well, too blinkin distracting. PM me if you have probs changing the setting. Maybe it was me but I had to check the manual twice to figure out how to set it.
Don't know what oil the shop put in but they seem to charge a bit much for the "quality" so I'll probably do the rest myself since its easy to get at the drain plug & filter. I go for castrol gtx myself (cheap bastard I can hear you all mutterin). I'll never try and change spark plugs again after the effort on the VTR - hidden by Houdini himself.
Keep in touch.

merv

31st May 2004, 12:57

Check these comments out on the Colin Edwards forum http://www.ceracing.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3175&sid=69c94814824417e020f09f2fe91024ed

merv

31st May 2004, 13:00

... and these http://www.ceracing.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3163&sid=69c94814824417e020f09f2fe91024ed

Lou Girardin

31st May 2004, 20:03

I haven't managed to scrounge a ride on our demo yet. But the one of the sales guys had 299 on the clock at Puke'. He still said the new RSV mille handles better.
Too much power is just about enough.

Coldkiwi

1st June 2004, 12:28

I haven't managed to scrounge a ride on our demo yet. But the one of the sales guys had 299 on the clock at Puke'. He still said the new RSV mille handles better.
Too much power is just about enough.
of course, you work at AMPS so there's a fair chance he's biased. Not that I'd complain mind because I'm a wannabe aprilia nutter too! As for looks, the inline boys can take a seat behind the RSVR factory as far as I'm concerned!! :niceone:

Hoon

1st June 2004, 14:27

I was at AMPS last week looking at the CBR1000R on the showroom floor. First thing I noticed when looking at the tyres was that someone had given it a good thrashing on a track.

hondav2

1st June 2004, 19:52

Hey mark use at least castrol GPS semi sinthetic, gtx aint the best for wet clutches ( Im a mechanic ) spark plugs arent all that hard to change on VTR,s just need small hands. I might run fully sinthetic in mine. I noticed GPS started to break down after 3,000km in my VTR so I usually done my oil changes about 3,500km. I made up my radar bracket today and have it fitted , just got to wire it up tonight.dont like riding without it. The local cop told me that small bikes with a lot of plastic are hard to get a lock on which is good .Have you guys got any trips planned down this way. Cheers Toddy