Folks
currently riding rr7 fireblade after having the rr5 model and the 954rr previous to that (yes i like the honda’s LOL)
I am pondering upgrading to the 2010 ABS model fireblade. Just wondering has anyone rode the new 2010 model with and without the ABS extra.
Its an additional few hundred quid for the ABS so is it really worth it and will it benefit me?
Any info welcome.
thanks!
(done a forum search but couldnt find any info)
Not relevant to the 'blade, but ABS IMO is well worth it. The downside, little bit of extra weight, having to learn a new way of emergency braking, and no stoppies, or rear wheel slides.
I haven’t tried an ABS Fireblade but did a demo on the CB1000 (new hornet) with the ABS system which I believe is pretty much the same system and it seemed to be ok and couldn’t really be noticed in normal riding, though of course I didn’t give the system a full try out. In general the linked set up is a LONG way away from the older system used on other Hondas like the Blackbird.
I upgraded from an 05 Blade to the 09 model last year and can say for sure the motor is stronger and the bike is definately more flickable. The riding position isn’t too different either. My only minor gripe is the the rear end, I like its slimline look but it limits luggage carrying ability, anything too big overhangs a bit. I’ve always found the blade to have great feel from the front under braking.
As for the ABS version, it’s more money and if you intend to keep the bike for a few years more to go wrong too, but then its a Honda so it won’t go wrong. If its important to you the ABS version is something like 10 kilos heavier than the non ABS version.
I’m waiting on a testride on this from Honda. How long before you need to know?
I have an ABS Blade… but not for long…
After months of problems Honda are ‘swapping’ my ABS bike for a non ABS bike due to an “upgrade” which is not ready yet… Basically, there is a pretty major floor with the system but its not safty related hence no recall.
I have had a flat battery 5 times in 3 months. its my daily ride and even after being left for just an hour, the batt is dead.
This has puzzled Honda service and myself for ages and I’ve had 2 replacement battery’s…
After many calls to Honda Japan and Europe to find out what is wrong they came back with this explanation:
Below 6mph the ABS is active, but not calibrated - once you go over 6mph, the system does all its checks and self diagnosis etc.
When you drop down below 6mph, to park for example, the system cannot self diagnose itself. This causes a problem when you need to get the bike into a tight parking spot or awkward garage where you may go in and out a couple of times to get the angle right.
As the front and rear wheels are moving at different speeds when you turn the bars back and fourth, it tricks the system into thinking a wheel needs ABS pressure and therefore applies a little power where it thinks it needs it. This is not noticeable when you are moving it around.
However, even AFTER you cut the ignition, the system stays active and drains your batt in 30 mins.
This is a problem with ALL cbr1000rr ABS bikes and is 100% re creatable as an issue.
For me, its just not good enough as I’m parking in Soho every day (and paying the Bike Tax!! 
) and the spaces are mega tight due to a massive demand. I cant be hanging around waiting for the AA every week so I have agreed with them that they will swap me for a non ABS version. To be fair (ish…) its happend only 1% of the times ive parked it, but its still annoying as you just dont know if your going to miss something important by being stranded.
I’m really sad about this for 2 reasons.
But I am happy they have agreed to give me a brand spanker of a new blade 
So to sum up - If you have a small garage, or a tight turning circle - beware.
Riding it is great, the extra weight is not noticeable at all. You can sometimes notice the play in the brake lever changing while coming up to lights or whatever but its not an issue.
Cosmetically, the tail is a little more clumsy looking to make room for the extra gubbins underneath but only if you look really hard!
PERSONALLY, if i had my full money back i would seriously think about the Beemer as then I get the ABS plus TC goodies i wanted in the first place.
Hey Ho, life goes on.
Good luck man, its a wicked bike - just get your parking skills in order!
I have the same problem with mine 09 CABS Blade.
3 batteries burned in 3 months and never know when it will appear again.
Also posted on 1000rr.net by Hayabusahunter
http://www.1000rr.net/forums/showpost.php?p=1797449&postcount=64
Oh Darn!!! Now it’s worse. Got home today after 150kms and did the “front brake” check. Oh no, the fault is back. So I take the bike for a spin around the block up to 60kph and return home. Turn the bike off. Do the “front brake” check again, it’s still there. Go back out again for another ride, this time up to 100 kph. Return home. Still not gone. After a bunch of swear words after replacing my battery two days ago for what I suspect was the same fault where I may have forgotten to do the “brake check” I am starting to go into over drive with this bike. So before anything else I grab the video camera and film it this time. Even got to record the whine sound and the clanking when I pull on the front brake. So here is the video in all it’s glory. The first video I know of someone capturing it happening. Sorry about the crappy quality but I recorded it in my garage before I had to disconnect the battery to stop it continuing. Yes, disconnecting the battery and reconecting it stopped this fault. So, here is the video. I am open to suggestions before I take this bike back to Honda tomorrow for a refund.
Kent Motorcycles in Canterbury has a non ABS repsol blade… but hands off i want it…
Can the dealers not do a transfer so you can keep the repsol.
But looking at the dates, i take it you already have your ‘new’ blade. shame
Well I have an 09 non abs blade with 900 miles on the clock. I find the brakes good and as yet never felt that I should have bought the abs model.
I’ve never ridden a blade or even a bike with ABS but wouldn’t riding a bike without ABS allow you to continually develop better braking skills rather then relying on electronics?
no matter how ‘good’ you are on the brakes, when/if something happens emergency wise and you panic and grab a fist full, on a non ABS bike you’ll just lock up and potentially loose the front/rear, whereas the ABS bike will minimise the chances of bad things happening. i doubt very much it’ll stop you stacking it completely though
Second that. I’ve had ABS on each of my my bikes since 2002 doing around 11k miles a year. It’s gone off, what, about 5 times in all? But when it kicks in, it saves your arse as well as the damn stupid pedestrian/deer/cyclist that caused the trouble.
I do realise too that it won’t save me no matter what, but at least I’ll be going slower when I hit something.
To me, unless there’s a problem with a specific bike’s system like the 'Blade’s, having ABS is a no-brainer.
Well done Hayabusahunter for getting this on film!! The only cure i know is to go over 6mph for a couple of minutes and when parking, dont wiggle the forks or bike back and fourth. Someone else has said if you cut the bat it also stops the problem - you could get a switch installed… but that is a pretty rubbish solution for a top of the range Honda.
Secondly, i want to see some pics of your bike in good light! There looks to be a fair few goodies strapped to that.
Yes, so I’ve now had my black non abs 2010 for 1600 miles and its running fine. It has taken me quite a while to feel that this is MY bike as i loved the Repsol so much, but i’m now very happy with it - especially when i was at the ace on friday and about 6 Repsol blades were parked up…
In a way im glad that other people are experiencing this and also find it totally unacceptable. Honda made me feel a bit of a moaning old c*ck but i’m glad i kept pushing for a new bike.
When negociating with Honda DO NOT TELL THEM YOU WENT ON ANY TRACK DAYS! Apparently this really damaged my argument… Really though, its a supersport bike designed for the track you kn*bs!!
I’m happy to support anyone else who is going through this and tell the dealers that i was given a new bike due to this problem - which basically proves its a faulty design.
And back to the thread question - to be honest, i preferred braking WITH abs.
cheers
You will see at that I am still having dramas with my Blade at http://www.1000rr.net/forums/showthread.php?t=69868&page=10
I have listed photos of my Blade at http://www.bikepics.com/members/bamster/09cbr1000rr/
Posting cut and pasted from http://www.1000rr.net/forums/showthread.php?t=69868&page=11
Thank you tetsu. Your insistence, and an opportunity with the missus and kids gone for the weekend, meant that I could use her side of the carport. So twice today I rode into the carport and then commenced to do a five point turn to face it back the way I came in. My previous attempts was zig zagging up my driveway that did not work.
Guess what, London Biker (zeepony) and you are right!!! I can now replicate the fault for my dealer!!! It did it both times I came into the carport today.
When I was going forward I let the clutch out each turn to drive me forward. I also snapped the brakes for each forward stop on the five point turn. Bingo, the fault was replicated.
I might also add that the first time I did it was when I had ridden home for work (so bike had been sitting for 8 hours and ridden about 90 seconds so it was still rather cool).
Interestingly though, I was able to rid the fault by accelerating quickly and slamming on the front brake all within the length of the carport. I could hear the problem was gone before turning off the bike. A check of the front brake confirmed that short burst and heavy braking had rid the fault.
I will try and get it on video to show how to replicate the problem in the next couple of days.
It is starting to look like a software issue if it can be replicated in this manner considering that temperature, and riding style are ruled out.
