Am I too old for a Fireblade?

Am I getting too long in the tooth for sportsbikes in general and my classic Fireblade in particular? Is the fun to discomfort ratio becoming too adverse? Let me explain...
The Bike is a 1997 Honda Fireblade CBR900RR-V with 28k miles covered.
Cameras : GoPro Hero 8 Black
Insta360 OneRS

[@andrewjones2973]

No Alan, Definitely not, your never too old for a sports bike. I'm same age as you and have had my blade from new for 25 years now - still love riding it and would never get rid of it. Also have a little Honda NSC110 and also enjoy riding that in a different type of way. Ride on!!!!!! Thanks for the videos.

[@blueyondermoto]

That's the thing Andrew I think as an only bike the Blade wouldn't work but as one of two / three it does.

[@evansnape3878]

I am 71 and still love riding my Honda CBR 600 f4i - bar risers help a bit. I think that you may regret selling it. Looking forward to your next Fireblade video !!

[@blueyondermoto]

Thanks Evan, well its still in the garage. I was tempted to take it to the TT.

[@Diemerstein]

Hell yeah, love it, bet it makes you feel younger.

[@barrymoore7043]

F4i is an awesome machine!!!

[@karlos3611]

Really enjoyed this short vid...You are bang on the money with your views and thoughts... Your bikes are great its all down to the other stuff you mention about being castrated etc it questions and makes us justify what we do. We are thumped from every angle by laws the police insurance companies etc its all about making money out of us pure revenue boosting and nothing else... it takes the fun out of what we love and the cost of owning and running machines to most of us is getting way out of control. Obviously you will always get the numpties that draw attention and spoil it for everyone else. I recently renewed my policy to find it had doubled for no reason what so ever why are insurance companies affected by the economy crisis its just greed... I just spent a few quid on garage door security but all they wanted to know about was what size links were on my ground lock chain?? back to your question the answer is no of course your not too old you can have and ride any bike at any age its all about what you want to do. Im in my mid 60s i get out as much as i can i have owned most of the modern sports bikes and adventure bikes I'm swapping and changing all the time but i recently bought a Z900RS thinking it would limit the amount of riding i do but man its the total opposite i can't wait to ride it at every oppertunity went out with a mate last week at short notice and we ended up doing 450 miles in the day i cannot believe how comfortable the bike was what a machine great to look at very reliable half the price of some of the other bikes I've owned and most importantly easy and comfortable to ride for longer distances....Only down side would be wet weather i guess. Keep up the good work enjoy your ride😃

[@blueyondermoto]

Cheers Karlos enjoy that Kwacker too!

[@k24hybrid]

👏👏👏

[@NickelStee1]

Mate you look in great shape, an inspiration to others keep at it. And enjoy your bikes.

[@blueyondermoto]

Cheers James

[@tonieveritt7045]

You are never to old

[@blueyondermoto]

True, but you ache in places you didn't know existed before.

[@mickuk9700]

am 61 now and still loving my thunderace keep going pall

[@blueyondermoto]

Good to hear Mick! 👍have you subscribed?

[@mickwilton11]

@@blueyondermoto definitely have subscribe 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@bcuzicancuellar5478]

Great vid! I’m at the same place at 65! Could ride my FJR 1300 AE for 500 miles a day, 10-12 hours no problems back in 2015! Now, my daily driver is a 2018 Goldenwing DCT, non tour, but my preference are sport touring bikes, so I bought a 2010 VFR 1200F DCT, (170 bhp) for my 65th bday present, had the ECU flashed and OMG! I feel like an 18 year old again, like I used to on the FJR. My problem is that when I get on a bike, doesn’t matter what it is, I just want to keep riding. I can only do 200 miles a day on the Viffer, and after that, soak my body in a hot tub! It sux getting older…Ride safe, subscribed! 🙏🏻🏍🙏🏻😎😁

[@blueyondermoto]

It sure does! See my VFR video on my 300 miles day.

[@barrymoore7043]

I'm 60.and i just completed a 1500 mile ride on a 1981 CBX in 34 hours. You are 4 years older than i am, but i feel like I shouldn't have any problem on my 2009 Fireblade in 4 years from now. I prefer the riding position, as I think it is better to have my legs bent and my feet under me... rather than riding a cruiser style with my feet out in front. But, I will say that my RC30 is a little cramped. I enjoyed your video and appreciate your perspective. Thank you.

[@blueyondermoto]

Thanks Barry, the CBX was a great bike and very comfortable as was its spiritual successor the CBR1000F. There's a new video coming up of the Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello that you may like.

[@barrymoore7043]

@blueyondermoto Ah... good to know. Now that you mention the lineage.... I would agree with you about the CBR1000F. I have a 1988 version of this bike, and the riding position is remarkably similar. I had never thought of the connection before. Great info!!!

[@edwardthomas6956]

The nineties bikes were more often than not works of art when it came to colourful fairings... I am not sure that I should be acquiring an entirely black and sinister looking ZZR1400, even if finally the 2nd gen ZZR14 can now be obtained for just under five grand £ - long live the amazing technicolour crotch rocket art pieces! Lately I have been fancying a used Thunderace in mostly bright -cheerful red - whereas there is little point my spending big money on the latest track focused Fireblade when I would not want to crash it on the track

[@blueyondermoto]

The Thunderace is a very underrated bike.

[@jasonlazenby8895]

Never too old dude have fun

[@blueyondermoto]

Cheers Jason

[@rpik69]

Great thoughts! I have the same :)

[@blueyondermoto]

Well it's still in the garage

[@rogerwredford]

Interesting vid, mate. Got a 95 Urban Tiger myself… still a great bike. Both you and the Blade are looking good for your respective ages, though 👍 I know what you mean about comfort, though. I’ve just turned 50 and have sold my other dream Honda, an SP1 as it was just too much on the wrists and back. Had one at 30 and I, like you, used to ride that everywhere including a regular commute from Manchester to Birmingham. The Blade is just about manageable for 50 miles, and gets comfier the quicker you ride it. Fortunately I live in rural France with next to no speed cameras and light traffic… I think it would be more of a garage sculpture if i was restricted to UK traffic and speeds.

[@blueyondermoto]

Living in rural France, not jealous at all! ☺️ thanks for the comment.

[@motorradfreundekrumbachsachsen]

I have a '93 Fireblade and am 42 y/o and I have to say - similar to what you said - you can't go slow on a Fireblade of that age, especially with a racing wind shield! 140km/h is the minimum to equalize the weight pressure on the hand and the wind pressure on the Helmet.

[@blueyondermoto]

Grusse. See my "5 Things I Hate About My Fireblade" video.

[@presstodelete1165]

I did share your view on the anti speed enviroment but having moved to rural Scotland I have been able to forget that problem. I picked up a pair of Ducati sportsbikes this spring. I must admit I am a little younger tho, a 63 vintage.

[@blueyondermoto]

Steady now 😂

[@Unfunny_Username_389]

Very interesting - I've just semi-retired my zx9r and gone over to the proverbial dark side via a recently purchased 1150gs. The 9 is fantastic, btw. I put 80k on it in five years. Ergos are excellent - not a problem for my wrists, neck and back. But cramped for my legs. However the main reason for getting the GS is the roads I ride, which are mainly single track. The 9 will do that stuff, and shrug it off. But I need more suspension, really. I recently spent a long weekend on a friend's Aprilia Tuareg - wow, unbelievably good. Felt like a bmx. Absolutely incredible. But I could have three of my old 1150gs for one of those. Which doesn't seem right to me somehow.

[@blueyondermoto]

Proof well looked after old bikes are great value for money. It's one of my mantras! Enjoy the GS I've had 2!

[@cjpritchard]

I have a Fireblade and a VFR as well (both 98s) and I’ll be 60 this year. I’ve noticed too a few more aches and pains after extended rides on the Fireblade, but I still enjoy it and don’t plan on selling it anytime soon. I take the VFR on the long rides and limit rides on the Fireblade to my comfort window.

[@blueyondermoto]

As we all do. Keep Blading.

[@cjpritchard]

@@blueyondermoto I have considered selling the Blade several times, mostly to free up space, but I regretted selling the last one so I’m keeping it for now. Also, part of my motivation is the mileage is still very low and maybe one day it’ll be worth something. Right now it’s living room art!

[@cabbage681]

your never to old for a fire blade i'm 55 and love mine👍

[@blueyondermoto]

They are the most rideable of all the classic 90s and noughties sportsbikes.

[@cabbage681]

Yep i have to agree. @@blueyondermoto

[@edwardthomas6956]

This channel is surely the answer to what I was looking for. I am in my late fifties and still an unreconstructed sports bike fan, well sports tourer fan maybe. I resent the end of the cheerful coloured missile with everyday road useability. Why must the vast majority of cars and bikes now be in black, grey or something staid?

[@blueyondermoto]

And Honda are generally one of the worst for dull colours (Fireblade anniversary for me being the exception).

[@blueyondermoto]

And glad you like the channel. More content on the VFR750 over the winter and more Guzzi including the brilliant V100 Mandello.

[@myrskylintu1]

Now over fifty with my VFR with standard bars i have no trouble with my back or neck, but the knee angle is tiring. I occasionally let my legs hang down like on a horse when i ride. Cameras are not a problem in my country on bikes, they don't detect bikes. Cars are driving like on a factory conveyor belt, which looks orwellian. Everybody just puts the speed control on, speed of cars don't vary at all anymore when they drive. Everybody has brake light on on downhills. Car drivers don't drive their cars anymore, they just steer.

[@blueyondermoto]

Thanks for your comment, as you probably know, I also have a VFR. The Fireblade is an even more acute angle for your knees.

[@Yamaprilia]

Been out on my 96 fireblade tonight. Its so comfy compared to a proper sports bike I would say its more a sports tourer.

[@blueyondermoto]

Really? Depends what sort of touring you're doing.

[@matthewjohnson4208]

Only my back🤣other than that, no other bike purrs like a sport bike👌🏻superbike👌🏻

[@blueyondermoto]

Stretching exercises!

[@marcodenarend4817]

No , your not to old. The blade is in your heart

[@blueyondermoto]

It's in for service at the moment Marco.

[@marcodenarend4817]

Thanks for the comment, same as you had to many bikes, sinds the 90e. Al racers. Got a mt 10. Sold it. Its not a R1. Now i have a XR like you but i like to ride more my grxr. Had also 2 blades 93 en 2007 hrc. My wife says she want a nother blade. Its in the blood en Will never died. Like you said for 15 min driving you feel the pain but not the smile on your face got away. I wish you many beautiful miles/ km's Greetings marco

[@blueyondermoto]

@marcodenarend4817 you've got a good wife there Marco 😂

[@SJC818]

Good honest review , im 53 i bought at 49 and have a 1998 900rrw live in the northwest just outside Liverpool, weather is glorious at the moment , so do you want to go for a ride tomorrow, we can all ache and moan and grin about these awesome machines, I have all the aches barring the wrists at the moment , and it will get me away from the wife ! ....we could do a vlog the chronicles of the ancient blade owners / sufferers 😂

[@blueyondermoto]

Would love to Steve but I'm off to the TT!

[@blueyondermoto]

Ps have you subscribed I need those numbers up! 😄

[@SJC818]

Will subscribe 👍 enjoy the TT .

[@blueyondermoto]

@@SJC818 looking to be great weather and racing

[@SJC818]

@Blueyonder Moto I know would love to go ! Dunlop is on fire 🔥

[@ronwhite8503]

Bar risers.

[@blueyondermoto]

It's an option, though of late after more twiddling with the suspension, it or I have improved.

[@Diemerstein]

Too old for a sports bike? Nope, I'm 54 and ride around on a Ninja, Honda Interceptor and love it. As for aches and pains, for me that is constant, but it's from my heavy weight lifting which I do 5 days a week..

[@blueyondermoto]

I've almost a decade ahead of you. Yes, sportsbikes do aggravate back pain issues fortunately it's not an issue for me.

[@Diemerstein]

@@blueyondermoto Well, you look pretty damn good for being 64, same age as my wife...yeah she robbed the cradle.

[@blueyondermoto]

@@Diemerstein 🤣😂

[@FilipeDiogo49]

Mate, I'm 42 years old... I'm the same as you when it comes to personal taste on motorbikes. I think I'll only ever have this type of bike, I currently own a K9 gixxer 1000. I do understand what you mean about roads being castrated, but a few of us still ride fast regardless. (Within reason, of course) I do appreciate that the human body changes with age, but I know quite a few guys your age and older who ride our type of bikes, maybe they can't do 2 hour rides without stopping but they still ride, I mean my dad is 65 and he rides a Ducati 888! That thing will break his back and wrists if ridden more than 45 minutes. So, NO! No mate, you are not too old for the bike, you are just wiser and far more reasonable that you've ever been. Don't get rid of the bike, just adapt your new reality of your body to plan your rides. Take care

[@blueyondermoto]

Cheers Felipe

[@stephenjohnson7519]

I am 63 iam going to hold out for as long as I can I have a 2021 honda fireblade rrr 😂😊

[@blueyondermoto]

Keep going Stephen, though I detect some nodding agreement from you 😂

[@andrewcalvert2013]

62 with an R1 5PW, tweaked a little lol! Still thundering along! One of my pals, friends dad, 80+ years old and still embarassing bigger bike riders on his 636! Go figure!?

[@blueyondermoto]

I'll get my calculator....

[@fernandomagalhaes2957]

Sports bikes are no more adequate to our way of thinking bikes as pleasurable objects. Our ancient memories about them do not even correspond to our actual ambitions. Not a question of age, but a question of lived experiences. I am 71, by the way.😅

[@blueyondermoto]

We are in agreement, Fernando

[@fernandomagalhaes2957]

@@blueyondermoto you knew it...of course..

[@Peter-Alexander]

Oh wow this was exactly the video I was looking for!😊 Thanks! And no, I don't think you are too old for the bike. It's all in the mind😅 I recognise the neck ache though😢 My heart says go for a sportsbike, my mind says buy a Forza 😂 You are more fit than I am I think. Would you agree a CBR600R is a lot easier to ride in terms what you endure for the back and wrists? Or should I forget that one too and go for a Forza 750 😂. Cheers I like your videos!

[@blueyondermoto]

Hey don't knock it until you've tried it 😂

[@Peter-Alexander]

Yep I will just try them and see how it goes....😊

[@Peter-Alexander]

​​​@@blueyondermoto Hi Allan! Well as it turned out I bought myself a SC33 fireblade! If I am not mistaken the same as yours? The riding position is not as bad as I expected. But I really have to get used to taking corners, esp small round abouts with stones on the asphalt. But the bike is fenomenal! I just need a lot of practice, as I haven't been riding a bike for 32 yrs. 😅

[@blueyondermoto]

@@Peter-Alexander Take it easy and build up the speed and confidence in increments. 🙂

[@johndiehardmclean23]

Now for a complete 180...Am I too old at 45 for my Honda CB500F & BMW G310GS? 🤔🤣😂🤣

[@blueyondermoto]

Hell no!!! I'd love a little G310GS.

[@johndiehardmclean23]

@@blueyondermoto It's just hilariously good fun! 👍😎

[@mmotorcycles9497]

To cool to sell.

[@blueyondermoto]

It is indeed

[@cocosloan3748]

Are you 50 ? Just the right time to get Fireblade 👍😎

[@blueyondermoto]

No I'm 64!

[@cocosloan3748]

@@blueyondermoto You will have to endure the pain - what can I say 😁

[@rekluseman666]

Buy an MT10!

[@blueyondermoto]

Tempted by a CB1000R actually

[@rekluseman666]

@@blueyondermoto Trust me, try an MT10, CB1000R will bore the pants off you.

[@RT22-pb2pp]

Can you sling a leg over it, hold it up? If yes then you are not to old. Age is not the question it is can you physically get on and hold it up, once moving it is all fine. I am 60 so not a kid but I still ride and better than in my 30s, more experience less stupidity. Only thing I cannot do is dirt bike like I am 30 or run a race on street bike on track, physically cannot run that pace lap in lap out. But one lap I am faster now than ever before as my skill is better judgement better, just cannot run a full race at that pace.

[@blueyondermoto]

Yes I can still get me leg over and on the Blade too 😂

[@movem1]

I feel exactly as you, the Blade offers low visibility around any traffic because of the required neck positioning. I ride mine a few times a year far out in the countryside and on a rare trackday. I think about selling mine too, for an MT-10. Riding a Triumph 1200 speed twin mostly now with great satisfaction. Tough call as your bike is highly desirable vintage and should fetch a fair price. Keep it if you’re still doing track days.🫡

[@blueyondermoto]

I missed a track day just for pre 2000 at Cadwell Park on Friday unfortunately.