Guys,

I'm 90% convinced that I need a 954, but as any bike I buy will be a compromise as I can't afford one for every scenario I'd like informed input from current CBRophiles.

My profile;

Riding nearly 20 years, mostly sportsbikes
last 5 years of ownership I've had Aprilia RSVR1000
Not ridden an inline 4 for about 8 years when I had a Thunderace.
Wife also rides (last bike 748), but we can only afford one bike (or "we" will when "I" get a new job )
Not had a bike since I moved to Australia from UK and we had to sell our bikes.
Life without a bike is now killing me and I'm driving my wife nuts

So, what do I need from a bike?

Track days
Sunday mountain roads, tight twisty & also open & sweepy often bad surfaces.
Commuter for 60km on motorway & city.
Comfortable for 6' 3, 95kg rider (corbin seat?) .
Not too scary so my wife will be willing to ride it - think she was a bit scared of my Aprilia.
Would like two up short weekend touring until we can buy her a bike also (corbin pillion seat?).
cost effective purchase as I'm not too cash rich right now.
As good as my Aprilia was (if that's possible!)


That's quite a tall order from one bike I know and I've spent too much time already surveying all the likely candidates.

The blade is out in front at the moment because they are cheap in Australia, and if I can only afford a jap IL4 then it's a Honda. (May consider Yamaha at a push)

 

well, i love my 954.

its really comfortable for a sportbike. it should have a bit more power than your aprillia, but its not unmanageable. my 954 handles better than my F3 did. it's really light. its going to have a lot more power than the 748, but if your wife takes it easy at first, she should be just fine.

as far as commuting, it doesn't get the best gas mileage. i only get about 35 miles per gallon (15km/liter). and as any sportbike with a seperate pillion seat, its not as comfortable as an older sportbike with the banana seats, but its not too bad, my wife's knees will be a little sore after a really long trip, but sort trips are no problem.

and 954's are a little old now, so you get a LOT for your money. mine's an '03 and it hasn't had a problem that i know of, so they do last. commonly, the fuel pressure regulator will go out. good luck and i hope you get back up on two

 

Thanks for the info.

The Aprilia was down on power but had an insane nature that most IL4s don't (especially as I changed the gearing - 1down on the front, two up on the back)

I want something a bit less manic this time.

I buy bikes by thorough and dedicated (obsessive) research, and I think I'm pretty much set on the blade now.

Spoke to my wife about it and she said the main reason she wouldn't ride the aprilia was due to it's size - the blade is quite a bit smaller so we should be good.

She was ok with the pillion on my Aprilia, and ZX6r so she's used to the more modern sports bikes.

can't wait

 

I too love my 954, took it to several trackdays, country road twistys, commuting. Nearly 60K miles and no isues. Added PCIII to smooth out the powerband, but it can get away from you if you're not careful.