Going to buy a blackbird

[Bubbs]

I've been researching a while and It seems like the perfect sports tourer.

Opinions? Advice?

Can't stop looking at videos and pics. I think it looks good and a future/current classic for a sporty bike. Busa turns me off, think they look a bit rough. And don't like the stigma attached to them.

Anyone here own one? What's the weight like? How is it 2 up? Any issues?

Just trying to get fully clued up before parting with cash.

And the big question.. What beats it in the same category?
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Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.

[R6Armadillo]

I've owned one for just over a year now and love it, changed from an R6 as I was starting do do a lot more commuting.

I only really notice the weight when pushing it around, once moving it is fine. Not done much 2-up but do carry a fair amount of luggage on occasion.

Not had any issues with mine so far, it may be worth looking into adding a 6mm spacer to the rear suspension as this improves the handling and costs a couple of £.
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When Eric eats a banana, an amazing transformation occurs. Eric is Bananaman. Ever alert for the call to action.

[Polarbear]

Cracking bikes except for the linked brake system, but thats just my opinion.

Depending on your budget theres the ZZR1400 or for real touring the GTR1400 with shaft drive.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Bezzer]

Had one for 5 years, top build quality, top motor, never had a problem with the linked brakes.
Only thing I would say is if you're after a good sports/tourer then it's the one...if you're after an everyday do it all bike that's going to be used rarely for touring then think about it. It's a big heavy bus, can be hustled along but it's no good for popping down the shops or city commuting all the time.
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I used to be indecisive but now I'm not quite so sure.

[c_dug]

A zx12r may we worth a look also if you fancy something similar but sportier.
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[Fizzer Thou]

Several friends have had one at some time.Most of them bought the kit that removes the linked braking system as they did not get along with it.
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Just talk bikes.What else is there?

Always have a 'Plan B'

[ms51ves3]

[Skudd]

[T.C]

Agree with other comments about the linked brakes, they are absolutely fine and not an issue. If anything the bike is far more stable under heavy braking (when needed) then non linked.

Those who criticise the linked braking system (and I include journalists) are usually crap riders who have no idea of how to ride.

The only downside is that rear pad wear tends to be a little heavier for obvious reasons, but it is not excessive.

I am on my third Blackbird, all of them have been owned from new and my previous 2 were sold with over 140,000 miles on the clock, never had a problem, and if anything, the higher the miles, the better the engine got.

I had a holiday home in the Black Forest in Germany until recently, and it was the only bike of all those I have ridden (and I have ridden most bikes) where I could do 700 miles in one day, have something to eat and then go straight back out for a play.

The only change I make immidiately to my Bird is that I always change the standard rear shock for an Ohlins unit.

The standard handling is good, very good, but the Ohlins transforms it into amazing, and unlike the standard unit which tends to wear out quite quickly, the Ohlins is still good after 60,000 miles and can be rebuilt if it gets a bit tired.

A friend of mine has just purchased a VFR1200 which is intended as a joint repalcement for the VFR, Blackbird and Pan.

It is a fantastic bike, but I was so glad to get back onto the Bird.

Bear in mind that the heritage of the Bird really goes back to the old CB900F2B (which is still probably my all time favourite bike that I have owned), then the CBR1000 (Jellymould) CBR1000FK onwards which I had two of, and then the Blackbird, so it is a well tested and proven design, and all the major bugs were sorted on the Blackbird right from the start because of its development heritage, and has never had any major problems

Brilliant bike
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It is better to arrive 30 seconds late in this world, than 30 years early in the next

[hornetmike]

what about vfr 800 bit smaller all rounder.
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87 Honda CG 125 - 97 ER5 - SR 50 -81 Z250- 96 CBR 600 F- 94 GPX600R 88- GPX 400R- 87 GS 125 - 2006 Honda CB600F- 2003 ER5 - Honda CBF 1000 2009 - Honda CBR 600 RR 2011
Current BMW R1200GS 2010

[CB77]

They are superb bikes, very well built and reliable. The linked brakes are fine, but can be tricky to bleed without a friend or a vacuum pump, but how often do you need to do that anyway? Hardly ever.

Got between 30-50mpg on my old carbed one, depending on riding style - 50mpg 80mph motorway, 30mpg ragging its arse on the local A and B roads, and commuting in stop start traffic.

I sold mine because it was too much bike for what I needed, i.e the odd weekend blast for an hour or two, or short distance commuting. There was also a real risk of losing my licence because they are smooth and quick as you like, and it's very easy to find cars in the outside lane approaching like they are stood still. Which takes us back to the great brakes!

The only problem I ever had was whacking the wing mirrors on cars whilst filtering, for some reason. Probably because I'm crap at filtering...

[Gazz]

Sorry to be off topic here, but I own a Honda Dull-ville with linked brakes and I also dislike this feature.

When you apply the rear brake heavily with the footbrake you can see and feel the front of the bike dipping forward.

Furthermore, where I live there is a road that has just been resurfaced and at the end there is a junction and it is covered in tiny small stones from the road surfacing. I fucking detest riding up the junction and having to stop because of the linked brake system. I always press the rear brake but I shit myself everytime I arrive at the junction because I am waiting on the front wheel locking up (I have non-ABS model) and I will end up on the deck.

[ms51ves3]

[robbieguy2003]

I'd kinda agree with the non fans of linked brakes. In nearly all circumstances they're great and an advantage. But it's the times they're not that it's annoying.

For me I like using the back brake either as a control brake (slow speed work) or for tighting a line if I over-do a corner. By over-do, I dont mean Rossi it, just feel a bit hot, not near max lean but maybe a surface that doesn't feel too grippy so a bit of back brake is nice.

At the end of the day it's a preference thing (like most things with bikes).

The blackbird is a top bike and a kit costs about £100 to remove the combined brakes, so I wouldn't worry about it for a buying decision. Buy the bike, enjoy it and if the brakes annoy you, know it's not going to cost a fortune to change it to your liking.

I'm looking around quite seriously at stuff in this market at the minute. Initially I had Blackbird, Busa and ZZR1400 on my list but I've just added the Sprint ST1050 to the list. The ZZR still is my favourite but I was surprised at how much bike you get for the money on the other 3.
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Current Bikes: Honda CBR 600RR - '07, Suzuki GSX1250 FA ST '11
Old Bikes: Suzuki Intruder 125 LC - '2001, Honda CBR 600F - '92, Honda CBR 600RR - '03

[Gerrard]

Just bought my second Bird, first one was 2004 matt black, latest 2007 black.
Just about the best all rounder in my book followed by the ZX 9.
Not that you would want do it but I have done 1000 plus miles in a day on the Blackbird two up with luggage..

A great choice of bike.



[https://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy177/paul985/Bird1.jpg
https://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy177/paul985/BirdApril05.jpg[/img]
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Honda Blackbird the great all rounder.
Chillin near Malaga.
Marco Simoncelli 58

[Pete.]

[T.C]

[Polarbear]

I had the linked system on my 1800 wing and it was fine. on the BB i hated it. Badly intrusive.

TC, I listen to your legal stuffwith interest but please don't tell me, a rider with over 30 years experience and 0 accidents that because I dont like linked bracking I cant ride.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Noxious89123]

I've been pillion on one a couple of times. Lots of room, wide seat... Very comfy Goes like stink too!
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'06 Honda CBR125RW-6 ~ '00 Honda CBR600F-Y ~ '07 Honda CBR600RR-7 ~ Bikeless
'53 Ford Ka 1.3 ~ '03 Vauxhall Astra SRi 1.8 ~ '52 Vauxhall Astra SRi 2.2 ~ '53 Vauxhall Astra GSi

[Bubbs]

Hey thanks for your replies. I think I'm even more convinced. Dunno whether I can afford a 06/07 version, although I haven't seen any around in that age. All seem to be 98/99ish. Might have to take a look around for some newer examples.
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Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.

[jay12329]

I'm n the same position currently thinking about one. Been to see one and the only thing I found was quite a heavy clutch rattle, but apparently thats quite normal. Going back to test ride it soon

J

[NickD]

I ran my carbed 'Bird for 6 years, and never had an issue with the linked brakes, those who claim they do are talking out of their arse IMO... too much reading about bikes, not enough riding them!

If I'm honest I never found it fantastically comfy, with a plank-like seat as standard (I think the myth comes from the fact that most riders have fat arses), lots of good aftermarket ones about though. It was a long reach to the bars too (I'm 5' 11"), they do bar risers but they look like crap, I put a set of VFR bars on, which helped, but it was still a wrist killer in London traffic.

Engine was great, and other than the CCT, it only ever cost me routine maintenance.

Biggest problem I had was that I never loved it. Its' not a bike you can feel any emotion about, or look at and be proud of. It's a tool, efficient and well made, if a little ugly, but no more than that. It's not soulless, or dull as such, but it's an old man's bike.
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I was only doing what it said on my licence officer....
Tear along the dotted line!

[Polarbear]

The problem with the linked brakes as far as I an concerned is that on a high performance bike, when I slam on the front brake, I want both disks to operate, not one.

On my wing it wasn't a problem as I was rarely going fast enough to need heavy braking, I could use either the front disk or the back linked. On my BB if I wanted to brake hard I had to use both brakes and I dont find I have anywhere as much feel with the back brake pedal as with the front brake lever.

Why put it on a performance bike? What is the advantage over the normal system? I have a video from 2000 of a bike mag testing an R1, Busa, Blackbird, Ducati 1098 over the IOM TT track by IOM racers and they all slated the linked system for lack of control.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Gerrard]

The Honda linked brakes are set at 75%/25% braking which is how you should brake..
Dare I say it but some that can't get on with this type of braking system might not be riding the bike as it should be ridden.
For example.. a bike garage friend of mine said bikes do come in to his garage and the owner says the rear brakes aint working properly, when he checks the bike out the rear brake has seized through lack of use..
Thats how I think anyway.. and the simple answer is if you dont like the linked brakes buy a kit that will de-link them.

But for me anyway its still one of the best bikes ever.
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Honda Blackbird the great all rounder.
Chillin near Malaga.
Marco Simoncelli 58