I think the RX is $18k but the RS was about $40k.

Is it just me or does anyone else out there think this is not an attractive bike?

The EBR is not the sexiest bike. I think it is more "mechanical" looking with it's hard lines. I think the front brake is interesting. You probably won't pass another one on the road. On pure sex appeal the MV get my vote.

Agreed!!

yeah there's the eye catcher. GET IT! If it didn't live up to all the hopes on the track it still looks the part.

I think you're thinking of the 675 F3 Rook, the 800 F3 received stellar reviews, best MV ever.

http://ultimatemotorcycling.com/2014-mv-agusta-f3-800-review-perfect-balance/

* Last updated by: Kruz on 1/27/2014 @ 6:11 AM *

I was going to say something but Danno stole my speech though I do agree with you Kruz... I haven't left Barnes and Noble with a bike magazine in a year!

I feel your pain Dragking, where's the excitement! I've been looking at the 2013 CBR1000RR, if a great deal came around on one....

..and the SP is nice too, Brembos, Ohlins and blueprinted motor for the price of a base BMWS1000RR..

* Last updated by: Kruz on 1/27/2014 @ 6:43 PM *

Backroad carving duties? I'll go with an Aprilia Tuono or KTM Superduke please and thank you :p

Dang, I post a pic of the SP side by side with the base 1000RR and it makes the base model look lame by comparison. Brembos and Ohlins will do that! Dragmeister, I think the SP is going to be the bike to beat in 2014. No,it won't have the top end HP of the Beemer but I'm betting it will show the Beemer it's pretty little tail lights on track.
Hondas are all about balance and I got a feeling this is going to be the best ever. The dealers are taking deposits now, if I had the cash to throw down right now I would jump all over that thing!

I hope the rest of the Big Four follow suit and develop boutique specials like this as derivatives to their standard offerings. That would be sweet to see a ZX10R with Brembos, Ohlins and blueprinted mill for maybe a $3000 premium.

Call me crazy but I need to get over to Honda and get a test ride on a '13. Never ridden this latest Gen before, wonder how it will compare to my '07? If I like, maybe make 'me a silly offer on a left over unit. The SP is the one I really would like but they're probably getting above MSRP on those things, close to 20 grand out the door.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GMn0ihTM1IE

* Last updated by: Kruz on 1/28/2014 @ 6:24 AM *

I'm a little bit underwhelmed by the Honda! I'm not sure what the blueprinted engine is going to do for me and the suspensions update is something easy to do. Furthermore, on a bike well balanced like the blade I doubt it yields groundbreaking results. Best spent money is still the ZX-10 IMO but I would still choose an HP4 if I could. The 899 Panigale is sweet as well but I can't ride the bike if I don't live the lifestyle. I would have to own at least a GTR or an M5 before getting one.

Drag, the ZX-10R is the bike to have IMHO, the August 2013 Road Racing World liter shootout had the ZX-10R and BMW S1000RR separated by a mere 1 point and you can pick up a new 10R for about $12,600 OTD versus about $19,000 for the BMW.

From what I've read and experienced from riding the BMW versus the ZX-10R, the ZX-10R is lighter and more agile, has better TC and with the wire mod will run with the BMW on top end. Suspension is more road friendly with slightly softer settings. Parts are much cheaper too if you decide to go racing.

Cheap mods for the 10R are the wire mod, it's free and unleashes 15 HP at redline, 10 HP at peak. A 6mm shim under the rear upper shock mount and you have a real surgeon's scalpel.

The BMW has a slight top end advantage stock, has more engine vibration and the suspension is stiff. Also has a slightly top weighted feel and is slower to turn in.

I give fit and finish edge to the BMW and of course cache.

I think both are great bikes, can't go wrong with either one so it comes down to what you want and how much you want to spend.

I'm looking for a steal deal on a new 2013 CBR1000RR in the Red/White/Blue livery but will pass if I can't find a deal like Jagman did on his new 2012 version, $11.2K OTD.

I'm a little bit underwhelmed by the Honda! I'm not sure what the blueprinted engine is going to do for me and the suspensions update is something easy to do.

My understanding is Honda has been working on this special model since 2009 and there's a lot more than a couple Ohlins bits. They've retuned the swingarm, top yoke and frame for the new Ohlins and of course added top spec Brembo Monobloc brakes. They've also lightened the bike with special trick components.

It's going to be quicker on the track than the standard 1000RR which is already a hard act to follow, especially on a tight track.

The motor mods are designed to increase midrange more than topend and fueling response is supposed to be superb. I predict this bike wins a few shootouts even with out the benefit of TC.

At $17,000 I think it's a bargain compared to the the HP4 at almost $30,000. I definitely would take the Honda over the BMW and pocket the difference. JMHO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQza_TWj8JM

The 899 Panigale is on my short list also.

I'm curious to see how the SP will do on the track but after watching some reviews, I doubt it will be a big jump from a well equipped regular Blade. So it takes up back to the eternal question: Do you buy an SP or get an older model and upgrade it yourself? I rather upgrade it at my own pace... I also checked the Special Brembo Brakes. They are "proprietary" to Honda, however, I doubt that they are better than the Brembo HP or the GP4 RX which are still being used in WSBK. I need to find out how big the Ohlins are. Are they made for 160-180 lbs rider or can they be adjusted for the 200 plus club? Ohlins or not if they aren't, they are not going to feel ideal unless you're an average size human. Another thing is the lack of TC. I don't care for it and totally understand Honda position. However, TC is here to stay and if Honda join the ranks a couple of years from now, they are going to look silly. That being said I can help being enthusiastic and hoping that the food chain in the liter class gets rearranged this year.

They are "proprietary" to Honda, however, I doubt that they are better than the Brembo HP or the GP4 RX which are still being used in WSBK. I need to find out how big the Ohlins are.

I've kind of been wondering the same thing about the stock "aftermarket" equipment packages. The ohlines steering damper on the old ZX-10 required an upgrade to be up to standards of a true Ohlins damper. CAn you trust that the stuff they are using isn't a cheaper version of the real thing? I mean, if it can be had for less than half the price, I'd do my homework before buying a bike for the aftermarket stuff that is included from the factory.

Also, it is very true there is a selection of models of Brembo calipers that will fit a given bike. If you are paying extra for it, you don't want to find out later that you would have preferred some other model.

WHO is gonna outride ANY of those bikes?WHO I ask?....I definitely like the Aprilla...but OMG...think of the upkeep and
"crash cost"...thanks but no thanks....zx14R for me....forever;)...btw...Hi Kruserman....glad yer posting again!

The heck with the supercharged jet ski motor for the next gen bikes....

I want this: http://www.enginelabs.com/news/nissan-unveils-lightweight-1-5l-3-cylinder-making-400-horsepower/

RE: What's Next?
01/30/14 10:11 PM
WHO is gonna outride ANY of those bikes?WHO I ask?....I definitely like the Aprilla...but OMG...think of the upkeep and
"crash cost"...thanks but no thanks....zx14R for me....forever;)...btw...Hi Kruserman....glad yer posting again!

Well Grn, I can't outride even my 600 yet though not for lack of trying on my part! Only a top pro, MotoGP level pilot would be able to ride a modern literbike to it's limits and then only on the track, not on the street.

But that's not the point, everyone is looking for something different, you've found it in your 14R, others find it in another bike and it's always fun to debate.

I like the variety, if I had the bucks and a big enough garage, I'd have a Leno size fleet of bikes. You really can't have too many IMHO, they're like kids, they all have different personalities.

Well I just read a report that the '13 CBR 1000RRs are still burning oil. You would think Honda could figure this out given that bike is now in it's 6th year of production. Hub WOTs the problem with the Big H?

* Last updated by: Kruz on 1/31/2014 @ 5:51 AM *

LOL I meant to ask you if you knew if they burned oil LOL No thank you.

@Rook: 90% of the time the exotic stuff put on bikes is cheaper stuff. Both the GP 4 RX and the HP, heck even Nissin make some top of the line brakes that fit the blade (see endurance fireblade ridden by McGuiness) so I don't know why they had to make some new ones... The bike is lighter though but I rather buy a base model and slap a pair of BST's on it. IMO the after market is so big nowadays that manufacturers are going to have a hard time keeping it up.

Yep, I have to admit the oil burning is a real deal killer. This may make more sense as I don't have a bike in the garage this size and good deals are all around on the left over GSXR750 2013 models. I'll admnit the look is a bit dated but as a trackbike this bike is tough to beat.

Here's something different, this 2014 Z1000 looks wicked!

* Last updated by: Kruz on 2/2/2014 @ 2:18 PM *

Looks like something from District 9.