Blade any probs?

[slick]

Going to look at a Blade at the weekend, anyone know of any 'known issues' that I should look out for? Any easy way of telling official NZ imports from grey imports? Are any restricted?

On top of the usual I will check fork seals, wheel bearings, consumables etc,

It's a '96 model with average mileage, no mods and sounds well looked after. Thanks for any help

[sedge]

Is it that one off trademe ?... heh heh... I already asked him if he wanted to trade a ZZR

[slick]

Yes it is the one off trademe, good price I reckon. I've said I'll take it subject to viewing and test ride. It's out near Hamilton, so i don't want to waste my time going to see it from AKL.

[sedge]

you're supposed to reply 'Nah, I had alook at the one on trademe and it was shit, wheels fell off it etc'

I thought it was a good price too... not that I need another bike, but hey... something a little lighter and nimbler would be nice. My GSXR is OK, but it's a bit raw for an everyday bike. The ZZR is awesome... in its fatness. ah if only I could make it handle better... and get some ground clearance.

A blade would just hit the spot I reckon.

Sedge.

[MrMelon]

I reckon the ZZR would look good with an outboard!

[Blackbird]

The earlier ones tended to be a bit flighty under acceleration over bumps but that can be cured with a damper. Engines are typical Honda legendary build quality provided they've been looked after. The fuel injected ones (post 2001 I think) are hugely better than the carburetted ones. Performance Bikes magazine has done a comparison of the different models. Might not have it any more as it was a while back, but if I have, I'll PM you.

Cheers

Geoff

[Jackrat]

A good friend of mine bought one of the first Blades.
It was quite a revolutionary bike at the time(bloody exellent)
It did have one problem but.
He came over the brow of a hill at 160kms an a little old lady in a little old cage pulled out in front of him.

Not what you ment huh!!

[sedge]

I'm gonna kick your arse MrMelon ... Again !

I had a look at it today... ya know, from the back it does kind of look like it's got a fish tail and on the sides there's these little sort of flipper things... and it's got a mouth like a fish at the front... Aw crap... It IS a whale.

Heh heh... How about we skive off early from work and shoot up the Takas one day next week, show those blade riders the power of the mighty Kawasaki beasties.

New blade owners welcome of course.

Sedge.

[MrMelon]

I told you!

Sounds like a plan

[Teflon]

Should take it in for a compression test.

If it's still got a original regulator, should replace before it fucks out ( kawasaki one).

Rode a 95 blade not long ago, fuckin wicked.

[sedge]

I actually looked at a 97 blade just before I got the ZZR... was a damn good bike, light, good handling, just enough grunt, comfy, nicely put together... would have bought it if it didn't have 70ks on it already... (I do 30k a yr)

I don't think you can go wrong with one of these, I would get it checked out tho, compression check, look at the rotors and see how thin they are etc.

Good luck.

Sedge.

[Two Smoker]

I'm gonna kick your arse MrMelon ... Again !

I had a look at it today... ya know, from the back it does kind of look like it's got a fish tail and on the sides there's these little sort of flipper things... and it's got a mouth like a fish at the front... Aw crap... It IS a whale.

Heh heh... How about we skive off early from work and shoot up the Takas one day next week, show those blade riders the power of the mighty Kawasaki beasties.

New blade owners welcome of course.

Sedge.

Do you mind if a slow GSX-R600 rider comes too???

[Marmoot]

I got a 99 Blade.
Still ok and quick after 3 heavy crashes, so that must tell you something.
The only thing buggering me is the over-slacked chain rubbing against the sidestand......I need to tighten it up.....

[Blackbird]

In the next edition of Ride Magazine which is out anytime now, there's a big article on Blades of every year, strenngths and weaknesses, performance and so on - saw it advertised in the current issue.

Geoff

[hondav2]

Only prob with mine is I fell off in my drive way, bugger. Another prob is its real nice to ride over 140kmh. I got my faithfull VTR1000 for sale. Real tidy , only advertised it on K.B. Dont want to sell it but would let it go to a good home. Cheers Toddy