I owned a Yellow/Purple 1997 "RRV" model for five years, and I can say with confidence that this IS the ultimate ride experience.
The bike was 2,500miles "old" when I bought it, and in perfect, standard condition, the only "extra" was a pillion grab rail and it looked stunning.
I admit, my first ride (a six mile jaunt home from the dealership) was a nerve-wracking affair - I`ve owned dozens of bikes over a 30 year period but none had so much been written about - it really was awesome and I was relieved to reach home without dropping it, I was petrified !
After gazing at it for what may have been hours (I don`t know!), I eventually plucked up courage to take it out again, a point from which an adoration for this motorcycle grew, the bike was quite simply, faultless, during my ownership - and I did clock up several thousand miles in all weathers.
The handling was quite superb, aided by the bikes nimbleness. The brakes were up to the job, and the performance was mindblowing. Rider comfort was great (the early Blades were somewhat cramped with higher footpegs and lower bars) with distances between fill-ups (approx 120miles) easily attainable without discomfort. The pillion passenger was less well catered for but the aftermarket grab-rail made life bearable - and after all, it WAS a sportsbike !
All switchgear fell easily to hand, the lights were good and the steering very quick. The bike needed a steering damper though, but I never got around to fitting one.......nearly to my cost on several occasions, however, the bike never let me down even when panic stopping from high speeds.
Power delivery was smooth and very deceptive - with the exception of a "flat spot" at around 5,600 - 5,900 rpm, the bike simply flew - the eventual top speed being governed by rider ability rather than the bikes capability. In retrospect, I would have fitted an aftermarket can, just to improve the sound of the bike, the stock system being pretty quiet. I ran it with BT56 tyres which I found superb in all conditions.
Its challenging writing about such a perfect sports bike, and even in company of todays more modern, lighter sportsbikes, the old-model Blade is still the one to which all others are compared. My current equivalent Suzuki is no better in any respect.
As a cautionary note though - don`t buy one until you`ve checked out insurance costs - they are horrendous.
Would I have another ? You bet !
More details
Purchase Price
£6,500.00
Performance
Excellent
Reliability
Excellent
Customer service
Excellent
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