Yesterday I traded in my 1997 Honda CBR1100XX after owning for 10 months and clocking up over 21,000kms on it, and now I am the proud owner of a 2003 Honda CBR954RR Fireblade (the last time I owned a Blade was 10 yrs ago). See pics attached of the bikes alongside eachother at the dealership in Hamilton.
Truth be known, I am sad to see the mighty Bird go, but not only was it getting high in the kms and was starting to deteriorate cosmetically, but I came to realise that I much desire to be back on a light-weight sportsbike. The Blackbird is a dry weight of 223kgs whereas the new Blade weighs in at a mere 168kgs! It took me a while to adjust to the heavy 1100 when I first bought it but I came to respect & understand my limitations on it. I have the same attitude towards the 954, the transition back to a lighter bike with nearly as much power will need to be a careful one because this machine is no doubt a weapon of destruction in the wrong hands!
I will always love the Blackbird and highly recomend it as an awesome all-round motorcycle, if you can handle the weight/power that is? If I was going to make any criticisms I would mention the linked brakes, and that in order to stop the bike quickly you really have to give it a handful and include using the rear pedal at times too. In comparison to the 954 they are very lacking IMO, but the weight of the bike has to be considered. Non adjustable suspension is another downside to the Bird.
I've only ridden a mere 200kms on the 954 so far but I am blown away with the power-weight ratio (front comes up extremely easy in 1st, easy in 2nd, and 3rd takes a tad more effort lol), brakes are excellent with only 1 finger on the lever, quite happy with the EFI instant performance(first fuel injected bike I've owned), much enjoying the digital gauge, and it's great to have fully adjustable suspension again which I've changed all back to standard settings and will set up accordingly after a few test rides. I chose the 954 after reading several testimonies from Blade owners on the Net, and I have liked the look of this model ever since it was released with its sexy swingarm, sleek tail with lovely clear LED lamp, titanium stock muffler, and generally the whole shape from front to rear just pushes my buttons! First on the shopping list for the new wheels is a tinted bubble windscreen, polished ali frame sliders & bar end weights, which are all on their way from the States. I won't be changing the exhaust or trying to make to bike more powerful for the mean time. [Edit:]Forgot to mention that I will be tidying up the rear end 'spade' asap!
Much looking forward to riding with some of you over the summer holiday period.
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Rugby - A Hooligans Game played by Gentlemen. 
Originally Posted by Zapf
Just teasing mate. Would love to know what you got for the Bird Zed. I, like Felix, would love to play with one too
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