f1 04 vs 02

[macca]

just borrowed a 54 plate fi vara as a courtesy,some rambling  thoughts vs my o2,christ it is swift!maybe my o2 is running rough but i didnt believe some posts about varas easily doing 130 ,i can believe this one might .grey /black colour is horrible,all the silver grey looks cheap ,bike feels smaller,either tank is bigger or seat smaller,angular new fairing now knocks on my lanky knees.chrome/plastic knob above number plate is extra tacky.push the light switch on and ride around flashing all indicators as hazard warning that a clueless idiot is aboard a new bike, wonder if  a courtesy bike ever been flattened at roundabout less than a 100 yards from the shop.used to riding at 5500 revs 5th gear at  85(theoretically officer!),this one 6th gear at same revs probably get me banned,6th gear 4500 revs seems dawdling,reckon its just faster.nice to see that even a 1000 mile old new bike still hunts  at 3500 revs not just mine.super smooth though and spins up so quickly.courtesy bike that you cant keep overnight?how does that work if they dont fix yours?we'll cross that bridge when we come to it   ....they say enigmatically ....that will be a bus then.....the honda shop has had a flash facelift so i fear the worst come bill time.

[filmbuff]

So then having ridden both of them, which one in your opinion is the better bike?

[macca]

hard to say as mine is in for a misfire again and ive got a downer on it at present.im 6ft 8 and just dont fit on the 04 as well as my o2,like i say i bang my knees on fairing and i notice the peg to seat angle,if you ignore the colour schemes ,i dont think my o2(it only had 1400 on clock when i got it at 2 years old)ever went like this one did for smoothness  or acceleration .the clock figures start lower on the dial  than on mine and nailing it onto the dual carriageway i had to double take  and calm down by the time i computed what the  speedo was reading.if youre normal to 6'5'' i reckon the o4 is better bike but looks worse(what an odd thing to say about the blobby o2)

[filmbuff]

if the 04 is smoother then thats a good point. Although mine is 04 plate its a 2001 model, and although at just under 4000 miles it should be ridden in, its definitely not a smooth ride, and i'm still grinding the gears. The 2003/4 model is supposed to be heavier. Do you feel the difference when your'e riding. Also how fast have you taken the old model. I've taken it up to around 115, at which point its vibrating and seems pointless to go faster (personally think it is happiest around 75/80 mark. So would  you buy the newer model  in afew years time or look for something better suited to your frame, whatever that would be?

[macca]

ive gone about as quick as you on my o2 and similarly it did not feel it was comfortable ,its a good bike at 85/90 feels happy there with lots of roll on power without downshifting,but this new model felt way swifter and happier at high speed,gearbox on the o4 is nice and light but then my o2 box has got much smoother with miles.i dont think id buy the new model as it is smaller and the fuel injection just looks like an expensive fault waiting to happen.looks like a mid change style wise too.what  i mean is  look at the  original model fireblades and gixers,they look great, and the latest of both ,they look  great ,but the late 90s versions of both look like just style tinkering,same with the new  varadero.

[filmbuff]

So performance wise better...but less stylish...as have not seen one of the recent models up close can't comment on the looks...although gotta say from what i have seen of pictures think my silver tank black fairing looks better than same colour tank and fairing (except for the all black jobbie, which does look nice).
Anyone else with any views...

[dude2112]

 :coolsmiley: All black 05  PUUURRDY

[Norfolk Fat Boy]

I will be test riding new Vara next weekend 21/05/05 will let you know as I have 2000 carb model. I must admit that I have seen one up close and I feel the finish is not as good as the earlier Vara the side panels seem flimsey and just the quality of the overall finish. But will look even closer next weekend. My Carb Vara is quick and has  the ability to hit 130.