I visited the UK last month, where my friend of 40+ years just happens to work at a Honda dealership. We asked to test ride 2 bikes. We took out a 600 Hornet (IMO a surprisingly nice bike that runs the Street Triple pretty close but looks awkward) & the Fireblade on an extended test ride on narrow, twisty & bumpy B roads that I know extremely well.
Oh my gosh, what a machine! It has fanatstic sports suspension & the speed sensitive electronic steering damper is unobtrusive yet the bike never felt as though it would shake its head even accelerating hard out of bumpy slowish corners. The front brake is a one or two finger affair with great feel & sensitivity.
The Blade is by far the most powerful bike I've ever ridden, but the fuel metering is so good that the throttle is very easy to control. The engine makes a fierce sound as it spins up through the revs- a Honda with some character
h:.
In summary it is an immensely capable, very fast, very controllable and, above everything, an utterly sorted 1000cc sports bike! No, I don't want anything that fast, but it was an absolute privelege and pleasure to ride. My thanks to C.J. Ball of Norwich, UK, for the test rides.
DaveB.
Oh my gosh, what a machine! It has fanatstic sports suspension & the speed sensitive electronic steering damper is unobtrusive yet the bike never felt as though it would shake its head even accelerating hard out of bumpy slowish corners. The front brake is a one or two finger affair with great feel & sensitivity.
The Blade is by far the most powerful bike I've ever ridden, but the fuel metering is so good that the throttle is very easy to control. The engine makes a fierce sound as it spins up through the revs- a Honda with some character
h:.In summary it is an immensely capable, very fast, very controllable and, above everything, an utterly sorted 1000cc sports bike! No, I don't want anything that fast, but it was an absolute privelege and pleasure to ride. My thanks to C.J. Ball of Norwich, UK, for the test rides.
DaveB.
