New to the forum old biker out of retirement

[turkish2011]

Hi good to be here and Merhaba from Turkey

Been away from bikes as long as I have lived in Turkey, decided all that good weather going to waste, so looking for something big to throw a leg over while I still can. I want to go touring across Turkey and the warmer parts of europe and the less troubled parts of the middle -east with my other half. There are only two bikes on my radar worth considering that are affordable, namely the blackbird and the zzr1100.
Having difficulty making the choice, a 97 kwack will set me back about 10,000 turkish lira (3,850 sterling) for the same money will be able to pick up a carbed blackbird maybe 98-99 model, I feel the injection models are expensive to fix and the hiss system gives me an uneasy feel, but cannot ignore the build quality. The zzr is just an old fast bike and if I get a decent one thats not been too badly thrashed then it may be the answer.

Ok forum, perhaps with your knowledge of these two jap legends it may be possible to give me some reasons why I should choose one over the other, or even if possible another machine to consider as an alternative, two conditions it must be fast (150 +) and comfortable for the passenger. I reckon the Honda has the edge in the comfort zone and the zed is not much faster but which is the better bike for more useability? All replies greatly appreciated!
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Life is not about how many breaths you take but how many times it takes your breath away

[SweenyT]

Hi and welcome!

I know nothing about the best bikes, etc but thought I'd say howdy. There will probably be someone along soon enough to give you some good advice.
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Current ride - 2005 Suzuki GSX-R600 K4 - 2x 2014 Honda NC750s long term courtesy bikes - 2003 Fazer FZ6 written off as idiot reversed into me - 2009 YBR125 - still have from new

[ClockworkJesu...]

Turkey, the country that gave us Christmas.

No idea about the Blackbird, but I was talking to a guy with a carbed ZZR1100 the other day.
He said he'd dropped it 4 times already just from manoeuvring it, since it weighs quarter of a tonne, and when it drops, it either drops by itself or pulls you with.

[FerretFing]

Welcome

[turkish2011]

Thanks for the welcome and the comment from the clumsy bike dropper, been biking longer than I should be and only dropped a bike once with her on board of course. Yes its a heavy bike, they both are, but its what I need to travel the distances I had in mind. The zed is the cheaper proposition with better fuel economy and less sophicated gadgets that could break down and cost a lot to fix like on the BB which undoubtly the better built bike and is gonna still turn heads 10 years down the line as will the zed if its looked after, no contest really unless someone wants to throw in another bike into the mix?
Btw, Turkey may have given you christmas with mr Nicholas but the buggers won't give me the day off! BASTARDS!!!!!!
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Life is not about how many breaths you take but how many times it takes your breath away

[Clanger]

You might be better off linking this thread to another in Touring section or general bike chat where more experienced riders post.
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss