Time for an upgrade

**stevemcc** Mon May 20 2013, 20:05

Had a great ride out today and ended up at Blades Motorcycles Swindon.
They have quite a good selection of bikes in at the moment so took advantage and had a seat on a few.

So the question is do I pursue a 2008 Honda Fireblade, a 2008 Kawasaki ZX10R or a 2008 Yamaha R1.
I should have about 5-6K to spend and there seems to be a few about of each model.

I havent had a ride on any yet but I did like the look of the all black R1, it felt slightly longer than the other two, however i love the look of the white and black Fireblades.

Any Thoughts?

These are some pics I've borrowed of Autotrader but these are the sort of bikes i'm looking at.

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**0ldcat** Mon May 20 2013, 20:15

If you're ever going to think of using throw over panniers . . . and you just might . . . . the winja and R1 hi level exhausts will be a problem . . .

Otherwise all three are rather lascivious beauties naughty

. . . and it'll be horses for courses . . . my penchant is towards the blade, but I'm bias as I've owned two in the passed (03 models like snowcats).

**Carlos_1977** Mon May 20 2013, 21:44

Got too be the more reliable Fireblade and yes im bias as well as I own one
My butty got a 2008 r1 and it pops out of gear now and again.
Got a chocolate box as well I gather
Don't know much about the ninja so cant comment

**mrfrance** Mon May 20 2013, 21:48

I like the look of the ninja, looks a bit more muscular.

**JDM** Mon May 20 2013, 22:06

With regards riding can't pass judgement personally but just something about blade nose makes it little fugly, ninja, mate has and loves it, he's always had kwaks, but I would go for R1, stunning looking in black and gold and sure would do everything required and more!!!

Whichever you choose I am sure will give full on grin factor!!!

**ellie** Mon May 20 2013, 23:14

Love the blade, stunning looking bike.

**stevemcc** Mon May 20 2013, 23:23

Must admit i'm leaning towards the Blade,
Ive always loved the 2008 White/Black colour scheme as in the picture. The other 2 bikes have sort of grown on me in the last few visits to various bike shops.
Just need to get this bank holiday out of the way doing family stuff and then its time for shopping.

**Snowcat** Mon May 20 2013, 23:32

I'm leaning toward the blade myself but then again I'm a little biased, looks stunning in them colours and the build quality of the Honda is renowned.

I envy your position and the choice you have to make and I'm sure whatever you decide will be the right choice

**Robcat** Tue May 21 2013, 14:23

Well I've had nothing go wrong with my R1 in nearly 25k miles. Blades, well they have there probs(engine bearings + cam chain tensioner/ electronic gremlins too) kwak's, bullet proof engine but keep on top of keeping it clean.

The best ride would be as its been said before, is the blades engine in a R1 chassis.

It's what rocks your boat really. R1/Ninja in all black looks bulky to me.