DeeKnow’s Grotto

It seems I've unintentionally gone from one sword wielding Jappa bike to another. The Ninja name has obvious manly roots but I'm not so sure about the origins of the name FireBlade. It sounds dangerously like one of those Asian manufacturer translations gone horribly wrong.

Dodgy names aside I think it may be time to proffer a possibly premature, but reactively energised assessment of the new oriental weapon of choice in the Borelli two-wheeled stable.

Its only day-two of course but in the three blue sky rural rides I've had so far on routes I know well around Hamilton I've clocked up about 300km and had an absolute God-damned blast on each and every one.

The Blade is a very different machine.

Its easy to dismiss the safe-Honda-purchase syndrome and guffaw at the linear power delivery, alleged comprimises made between performance and reliability or comfort and all that, but the undeniable fact of the matter is that this machine is a fucking awesome sports bike and you're welcome to take it out for a spin if you've got a differing opinion.

Unless you've previously owned or ridden a ZX10, 996, R1, MV, SP or Gixxer thou of course :-)

I swear I've been at meaner lean angles on the CBR in the 1st two days than I ever got to on the Kwaka in 18 months of sport riding, and that's been whilst scrubbing in a new rear tire. I haven't quite found a natural rythym yet but its clear that's not far away and I'm looking forward to some positively exciting times discovering the bikes' capabilities.

All I have to do is avoid the previous owner in case he has a coronary over the difference in standards of cosmetic bike maintenance, aka Cleaning period.

8:39:09 PM