Which is the best 09 Japanese superbike?
Sat, 22/08/2009 - 22:40
#2
I think the plastics are thin just to keep the weight down, it's a legacy of the relentless push for performance. I've not heard of the bodywork suffering for this on the 'Blade. The Fireblade has always been the failsafe superbike, whatever else the opposition is doing you're onto a safe bet with the Honda. Mind you, I've just picked up an R1 and that's just incredible!
Sun, 23/08/2009 - 17:22
#3
Good to hear from you Kevin. Have bought MCN for years and your contributions are always an eye opener to the real world and not just the shiny bits that most of us get to see and hear about.I'm an Engineer by trade[mechanical]and bought my first CBR600FL new in 1990.My first of three CBR600's.And now on my forth Fireblade.I have good links to C J Ball Honda Norwich. So more than happy with what the big "H" has to offer!.Fitted a new Baglux tank harness to the bike this afternoon and the tank cover flexes in and out while fitting the rear side straps.The word flimsy springs to mind but a great bike all the same. And must have the best Honda gearbox to date!.Never ridden an R1 or GSXR1000.Perhaps i should get out more?.
Mon, 24/08/2009 - 09:02
#4
Information i would like to track-down regarding the Fireblade RR8 is:Kerb weight.Does this include a full tank? Battery/Tools etc. Reason for asking is that for the first time on any Fireblade that ive owned i got blown around quite alarmingly in blustery conditions although i was wearing a paddock jacket over my leathers.The bike is very flighty and i weigh 12st4lb.Also i traded an RR6 in for this bike which had a cassette gearbox.Does the RR8 have the same gearbox layout.?
Mon, 24/08/2009 - 11:29
#5
You don't have to look far for the kerb weight, it's right here on my website:
http://www.ashonbikes.com/honda_fireblade_specs ... 199kg, although Honda doesn't specify exact details like how full the tank is etc. I imagine the tools would be removed for this too.
Bikes with good aerodynamics, ie with low drag, are often worst affected by crosswinds - it's probably as much due to this as the weight, although both would be a factor. Flappy paddock jackets do make a noticeable difference too.
Most modern sports bikes have a cassette type gearbox (including the 08 Blade), but this doesn't have any real relevance to the owner, all it means is that the whole gear cluster can be put in place or removed without splitting the crankcases by sliding it in from the side. It's handy for race teams who need to change ratios quickly but the main reason they do it is to make assembling the bike on the production line easier.
Wed, 26/08/2009 - 09:03
#6
Thanks kevash. The info you've supplied is great.But there is something else i hope you can help me with.The Tripmeter is so confusing.There's a tripA and a tripB.On both as i can see:When the reserve/fuel light comes on the dash/clock the trip goes to "00" and stays there.No counting is witnessed up or down and i'm left to guess mileage to the next fill-up.Then with a full tank the fuel light stays on for about a mile and then goes back to trip and picks-up where it left off.!But how do i gauge how many miles ive done on reserve ?. The Honda owners manual is just as confusing.Any help?
Wed, 26/08/2009 - 09:23
#7
It's faulty, the automatic low fuel trip should not just appear but also begin counting when the light comes on. Isn't the bike still covered by the manufacturer's warranty? This will be fixed as a warranty repair.
Meanwhile, if you push the button that switches between trips 1 and 2 after the low fuel light appears the system might revert to showing those trips, which would help a bit. By the sound of it, the way yours is 'working' is worse than no auto fuel trip at all, as you can't even note the mileage where the light came on and see how many you've travelled after that!
It's normal for the fuel light to stay on for a short while after you've refueled as it has a delay circuit to stop it flashing on and off when the tank is on the brink of its reserve level and the remaining fuel is sloshing around.
Wed, 26/08/2009 - 09:47
#8
Hi kev, That was quick! Yes the bike is still under warranty.Will have a word with C J Ball [Norwich] and see what they say.A friend has the same bike and he just pushes the top button which takes it back to the trip counter at the point of the light coming on.But i thought there must be more to it than that when the "00" comes on ! Hence the research after trying to work from the owners manual. Thanks again and i will visit the dealers and go from there.
Wed, 26/08/2009 - 11:20
#9
Sounds like the best thing, speaking with the dealer. I've assumed it's faulty because every bike I've ridden with this kind of thing has started a countdown or a count up when the low fuel light comes on. I don't specifically remember the Fireblade being any different, and what you're describing makes no sense either. If it's really meant to be like this then it's plain daft!
Sun, 30/08/2009 - 17:30
#10
Kevash.Ok, Will try to explain the trip counter on the RR8 Fireblade.Had a word with the most knowledgeable service manager i could find and confusion still rules !!. Took the bike into the reserve for about 20miles today and the "00" counter read "0.2" so i asked what the units were for tripmeterA and tripmeterB. Trip "A" says gal. Trip "B" says L. Still confused? Yes so am i.But the unit is counting up and apparently is not faulty.Will investigate some more and get back.Service desk were very vague as to what the units were and said "not been asked about the trip/clocks". Going to email Honda UK.
Thu, 03/09/2009 - 08:24
#11
Kev, News from Honda uk. Quote:The units displayed will mean different things depending on how the tripometer is set up.When set to mph and miles[as it should be for riding in the uk by law] then the reserve counter displays in gallons.When the speedo and trips are reset into kph and kilometers,then the reserve count up units are in litres.When the units are in gallons,the tank will be empty at "0.7".When the units are in litres,the tank will be empty at "3.5" although we always recommend that you re-fuel as soon as the counter reaches "0.0". So the main tank is 3 gallons and the reserve is 0.7 of a gallon making it correct.[3.7 gallon tank]
Mon, 28/09/2009 - 16:17
#12
Okay, well I've learned something new then! Never heard of a trip counting up to a number to show empty though... A bit poor that the dealer couldn't tell you this, they really ought to know, and if it's not clear in the handbook then it should be!
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Just bought the RR8 Fireblade.This is my forth Fireblade having owned an RRP[1994] an RRV[1997] an RR6[2007] and now the RR8[2008] They just keep getting better and better although the fit and build quality is still good the finish of the plastics and paint is thin.I done 4,000 miles in 10 months on the RRP. 106,000 miles on the RRV over 11 years. 7,500 miles on the RR6 in 10 months.And look to keep the RR8 as long as i had the RRV.! Thats the plan anyway!.