Tell me about Super Blackbirds

[ms51ves3]

Going looking at a 2000 model tomorrow. Been in a heated garage for the last sevens years and has covered about 5,000 miles in that time.

Mileage is up to 32,000 and it comes with a Spyball alarm, heated grips, Scottoiler and a double bubble screen.

He's asking £2,400, which seems reasonable, but mainly just want to know of any common problems with them.

Read up about the CCT which can sometimes cause issues, but that they can easily crack 100,000 miles with periodic maintenance.

Not sure what I'm going to use it for yet, could be just for fun, could be for my commute/work, depends how heavy it feels.

[jjdugen]

Big, heavy, smooth, lighning fast, reliable as clockwork, very, very expensive to repair after a drop.
Although no scratcher, I have seen them handle surpringly well. With this one, I just wound up drenched in sweat after the Hawes run, maybe better for the bigger man.......
I have only one reservation, this one nearly killed my brother.
We were touring through the Alps, (fully loaded), steep downhill with a sharp R/H bend approching. We braked right down to very moderate speeds, my 'blade no problem, his 'bird went into a violent weave that threw him into a rock face.
Looking at the evidence, the road had a flatter ledge in the decline, from the black tyre mark just after the flat it looks as though the linked brakes locked up the back wheel, causing the skid. It took a lot of money to rebuild it, my brother had three weeks in a French hospital emergency ward and four subsequent operations back in the UK. I wont go near anything with linked brakes, if I did, they would go straight in the bin.

[Alex A]

They're super.

Very little to worry about really. They're essentially a bigger, longer, faster, more sensible version of a 1990s Fireblade. Built to the same standard and just as reliable. Plus, there are many tidy examples as they don't tend to have been owned and neglected by novices/hooligans.

Engine is based on the 'blade too so can suffer with CCT rattle, but that's only really a superficial issue and easily/cheaply resolved. Other than that, stonking engine that will go on and on and on.

Only concern I'd have (assuming it's tidy all round) is the Spyball alarm. Used to have one on a bike and didn't have all that much faith in it not to leave me stranded. It didn't, as it happens, but it was a bit iffy at times and I've heard of others having problems with them.

Another thing you should consider, and this would go for any big sports bike, is that you'll find that you need to budget and spend a good deal more (surprisingly more) on consumables. And it's well worth seeing whether they're looking good when you take a look and haggle accordingly. Tyres, brake pads, C&S & bearings wouldn't leave much change from £500, if any. C&S should be good though if the Scott Oiler has been working properly.

Edit; I've also known brake discs to warp - definitely worth checking if you get a ride.

[Polarbear]

Nice bikes, quite comfortable. Dire linked brake system. For some reason it worked fine on the Goldwing but not on the Blackbird. Probably something to do with the difference in speed

Personally I preferred the busa despite all it's quirks but thats not to say I wouldn't have another Blackbird.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Frost]

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[stinkwheel]

I believe the main problem is them going far too fucking fast without realising you're doing it.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Polarbear]

[Clanger]

[Rowey]

[T.C]

I am on my 4th Blackbird, all of them I have had from new, the first one being in 1998, and then every three years after that or 100,000 miles whichever came the sooner.

My last bike I sold at 142,000 miles and it is still going strong, my first one was sold at 125,000 miles and it currently has 200,000 on the clock as it was brought by a courier, and all of them as far as I know are still going strong.

Linked brakes are brilliant and if someone says they are rubbish, they are either a crap rider or do not know what they are talking about. Braking is positive and stable at all times, the only thing that is more noticeable id rear brake pad wear is heavier than usual, but not excessive.

Most people who complain about the linked brakes are usually those who rag it on the track, but on the road, they are great, and most riders would be hard pushed to tell the difference between linked brakes and a conventional brake set up.

Rear shock tends to be shot qute quickly which is why I always fit an Ohlins rear unit which can also be repaired. Expensive but it really transforms the ride and handling is brilliant, although even with the standard shock it is stil pretty good.

Fairly easy to service yourself so long as you are comfortable with a tool kit.

It is the one bike where I can ride down to the Black Forest in Germany in one hit, have some tea and then go for another blast around the forest the same day, which is more than I can say for other bikes I have got to do on this trip (including a Pan).

But that being said, at 6 feet 5 tall it fits me perfectly. If you are short in stature, it can be a bit of a stretch to the bars, and it can feel slightly heavy at low speeds, but once above 30 the weight just vanishes and it becomes a very nimble bike considering its size.

I certainly do not have any problems showing much sportier bikes a clean pair of heels around the twisties, but on the Motorway it becomes a very rapid intercontinental blaster.

Brilliant bike.

I have ridden the Honda Press VFR1200, and it cannot hold a light to the Blackbird in my opinion, and that is saying something for a bike which is now over 10 years old.
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It is better to arrive 30 seconds late in this world, than 30 years early in the next

[sickpup]

[ms51ves3]

Went to look at it. Few scuffs and scratches, like where the fairing has touched down when cornering, but overall it looks good. Slight tap coming from the CCT but nothing really loud, and I could only hear it when I was stood at the front of the bike.

It's also got a riser kit, which is nice. Only issue is the bike is massive and I'm not

I have until tonight to make a decision as someone else is looking at it tomorrow

We agreed a price of £2,250.

[willis1337]

[Alex A]

[ms51ves3]

[kawashima]

I once read that if you can hear a strange engine noise, it may be due to cam chain tensioner. Some FAQ recommends replacing it every 20000km (as a criteria. not essential)
(When I was thinking TDM900 or VFR800, there was also CBR1100XX at honda dealer.) I wanted more upright position and I chose TDM but some shops sells handle-bar conversion kits for XX so I think you can make it more upright(closer) if you want (but not stylish!).
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own:2020 Serow 250
owned: 2012 YB125SP, 2008 TDM900, 2005 W650, 2002 LS125R, 2002 CB400SF, NS50F, C50 / Trip to UK(2009), Hokkaido touring(2013)

[pinkyfloyd]

Theys fast. Very fast.

The Busa is faster though.
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[ms51ves3]

[ms51ves3]

HPI check came back clear. He's going to put 12 months M.O.T on it and I'll be picking it up next week

https://i.ebayimg.com/00/$%28KGrHqEOKicE3F0%29wT0dBN5zrO7FRQ~~_3.JPG

[chris-red]

Ditch the Spyball, Everybody I know who had one had it break and need to be removed.
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[Seb]

[Alex A]

Fair enough

People do come up with all sorts of bollocks though when explaining scratches.

Congrats Chives. You've certainly got the right vehicle for retaking the tag distance crown

[Nb]

Nice looking bike, i wanted that colour when i was looking to buy a bird. I was too impatient and got a black one instead They are great bikes as others have said, not sure what bike your moving from but im betting when you give the bird the beans you will slide off of the seat a bit....
You dont need some fuel exhausts for it do you?
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Cbr1100xx blackbird gone, mk4 golf gt tdi chav now
Colin1 wrote 'Im grateful for what i can get, which isnt all that much.'
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[jjdugen]

Red ones are the fastest, fact!

[ms51ves3]

https://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a376/ms51ves3/TheBlueBullet.jpg