Triumph Sprint 1050 or Blackbird ?

[Mrjoolz]

Once my trusty old ZZR600 packs up, I'll be looking to get another bike, and was looking at the two bikes mentioned

Thoughts on both please.

I commute 80 miles a day so want something for that but also that I can play with at the weekends

Thoughts ?
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Previous Bikes: TZR125, KMX125, RGV250, RD350YPVS, GXSR750H, GSXR600SRAD, R1 (2000), GSXR1000 (K1), ZZR600, CBR1100XX Super Blackbird

Current Bike: Suzuki GSX1300R Hyabusa.....

[Bendy]

Personal choice - try them.

I've ridden both (I owned an ST and am babysitting a Blackbird) and they both have their pros and cons.

Always thought the ST brakes were rubbish, but the Blackbird is deviously quick and you do have to watch the speedo cos its so subtle about it. Surprisingly chuckable for all its lard though.

ST has the 1050 burble, which is worth a lot of points. But the standard Triumph luggage is a bit pony.

Pretty similar in terms of ability, so its really a 'this one makes me happier than that one' thing. You will get a bird for a lot less money though.

[Mrjoolz]

I am leaning more towards bird actually. Was hoping to get the 2004 onwards model, as digital dash.

Are the later ones FI ?

Which are better FI or carbed ?

any ideas?
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Previous Bikes: TZR125, KMX125, RGV250, RD350YPVS, GXSR750H, GSXR600SRAD, R1 (2000), GSXR1000 (K1), ZZR600, CBR1100XX Super Blackbird

Current Bike: Suzuki GSX1300R Hyabusa.....

[Bendy]

They did change to FI, the one I've got downstairs (which is for sale, incidentally) is a 2000 so the first year of FI.

I doubt there's any real difference in the 'better' though, I certainly never felt my carbed CBR6 was at any disadvantage over the later FI ones.

[Mrjoolz]

what you selling it for ? Whats the mileage ?
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Previous Bikes: TZR125, KMX125, RGV250, RD350YPVS, GXSR750H, GSXR600SRAD, R1 (2000), GSXR1000 (K1), ZZR600, CBR1100XX Super Blackbird

Current Bike: Suzuki GSX1300R Hyabusa.....

[arry]

You'll get a lot more bird than Sprint for your cash, albeit finding a low mileage late sprint is a lot easier than finding a low mileage late bird.

Watch out for Sprints that haven't had their 12k mile service as it's an expensive one.

As mentioned, the panniers aren't really that massive internally and they leak, so it's not as straight forward as throw the boxes on and go - I still ended up with a back-pack for a couple of nights away.

The engine sold onto me the Sprint - I was originally going 'bird. The chassis is good, and I think the brakes are reasonable enough TBH (so not sure what Bendy refers to) so it's a good bike of its size but it's nothing to really sing about. The engine is the main pro, IMO.

Both really good, and really quite different bikes - so best advice has already been given; test and see what you like.

[Bendy]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2000-HONDA-CBR-1100-XX-Blackbird-Red-/280885258390?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item416610e896#ht_500wt_1182
- ended auction but pics and details in there.

Will take £2k for it

[arry]

[Bendy]

[Bezzer]

[jay12329]

The 2000 blackbird was the first of the FI, and has a smidge more power than the later models with the digital dash.
The linked brakes aren't even noticeable. If anything I suspect they help to make the bike more balanced when stopping hard. I had no complaints on the stoppers of the bird, but I agree with Bendy the ST always gave me the squeeky bum moment when trying to stop it in a hurry. 2 up the ST felt ok, but made the stopping even harder.

Exhaust on the ST is niiiiice as is the triple engine. The Bird is the engine you read about deathly smooth, quiet and the smoothest gearbox i've ever had the pleasure of using! The Honda will go on for ever, I still have questions on triumph build quality and longevity, even though I currently own a high millage 675!

(oh and its my bird Bendy has in the garage!)

HTH
J

[Walloper]

[Mrjoolz]

A new suggestion to Add !!!!!

ZX12R ??? These look awesome ! I will have about 3-4k to spend and have seen a couple of 2005 for about 4k with under 10K miles on them.

Service intervals at 8k not 4k (like blackbird)

Been reading reviews, and they look like a fun bit of kit !

Anyone got one ? Are they better than bird ? Thinking of changing within next 3 months hopefully
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Previous Bikes: TZR125, KMX125, RGV250, RD350YPVS, GXSR750H, GSXR600SRAD, R1 (2000), GSXR1000 (K1), ZZR600, CBR1100XX Super Blackbird

Current Bike: Suzuki GSX1300R Hyabusa.....

[MarJay]

[johnsmith222]

If you're considering the zx12r, you should look at the hayabusa also.

Do you have a thread on your turbocharged ZZR 600 either on here or elsewhere? It'd be interesting to see.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUZUKI-GSX1300R-HAYABUSA-FULL-POWER-/330782998642?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item4d04340072

[P.addy]

[Polarbear]

The gen 1 busa is not as comfortable as a bird and it has the six pot Tocicos . There again the bird has the linked brakes which I didn't like. Engine wise I prefered the busa, especially once I had fitted a TRE but they both have enough power to send you to jail for a long time.

Also, the busa doesn't do hard luggage. The only stuff I have seen on them looks crap.

I was quite suprised when honda stopped making the blackbird as it is a lovely bike. I prefer it to the VFR which I presume is what Honda regard as it's successor.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[johnsmith222]

[Walloper]

[Polarbear]

[Walloper]