Just bought a new bike :)

Sagalout

Sagalout

Sagalout

Soldato
Joined
13 Nov 2003
Posts
5,671
Location
Harrogate
Had a few issues recently with the Tiger, culminating in the diagnosis of a slightly leaking head gasket that would cost £500 to replace 8O

So, off to the shops I go, with a wish list of wanting something to tour europe in reasonable comfort, occasional silly speed but ultimately reliable.

Step forward the Honda Blackbird :)

A few stats for the bike fans:

Power: 168bhp
Torque: 88ftlb
Top speed: 180mph in stock form
Quarter Mile: 10.3 seconds, 135mph
0-60 - about 3 seconds depending more on launch skill

These are pics from biketrader as I didnt get it home until the hours of darkness but what a bike! Power is a bit like the ZX9R I had, with the difference beig that it almost feels like the ZX9 did at 10K rpm at just half that. Only done 30 miles on wet roads on the way home, but even that shows a hugely smooth, torquey motor. I was never a huge fan of the blackbird styling, but the matt black and gold really works for me (and goes with the matt black helmet :D)

Anyway, a few pics.....

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I'm not a huge fan of the baglux covers, but I think I'll keep it on over winter as my textile jacket has a few exposed zips.

Bike is mint as you'd expect for a 3 year old, well looked after machine, and I cant wait to give it a proper run out this weekend :)
 
I've never understood why some people don't like the Blackbird, I think they're exceptionally handsome, understated bikes. My dad used to have one and loved it, great for touring he said.

Good choice, looks nails in the matt black too :cool:
 
i love them bikes. :) great touring bikes.... big usable engines!

also remember getting wasted in the traffic light grand prix when i was on my CBR600 against one. :(
 
Mohinder said:
I've never understood why some people don't like the Blackbird,
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Linked Brakes, slow steering, feels heavy, bland styling.
Plus the type of people who it was first targeted at didnt go back for second helpings of "formally the worlds fastest production motorcycle" instead going to suzuki and Kawasaki for their next hugely powerfull bike.

I quite like them mind, apart from those horrible exhausts.
 
I dont like the look of the blackbird either, great power for its time, but have to say in matt black it looks quite nice, have fun with it :p
 
There's a good article about Blackbirds in the current Bike magazine, I dont think you'll be dissapointed with the Honda Marque, it will do what it's designed to for as long as you want it to.

Personally I found my test ride showed it was a bit more tourer than sport, which by the sounds of it is exactly what you want. Having sat on it I never test rode the Busa as like most Suzuki's it seems to be designed for short fellows rather than my 6'3" & 20+ stone (must cut back on them pies), I now ride a ZX12 having decided that despite it's being a Honda and all the postives that entails my Fireblade was too small for me and by god having ridden the Ninja, was it slow :D
 
atpbx said:
Linked Brakes, slow steering, feels heavy, bland styling.
Plus the type of people who it was first targeted at didnt go back for second helpings of "formally the worlds fastest production motorcycle" instead going to suzuki and Kawasaki for their next hugely powerfull bike.

I quite like them mind, apart from those horrible exhausts.
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I meant the styling - I've never ridden one so have no idea about the ride and handling apart from what I've read and heard. I just think they look great in an understated way. I like the way they don't scream look at me, they just get one with being an exceptional long distance bike with loads of power.
 
Mohinder said:
I meant the styling - I've never ridden one so have no idea about the ride and handling apart from what I've read and heard. I just think they look great in an understated way. I like the way they don't scream look at me, they just get one with being an exceptional long distance bike with loads of power.
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Well, they were never meant to be that, they were always designed with the idea that they were a hyper performance bike, thats why its got 168bhp, which at the time it was released was a hell of a lot, its gone the way of all muscle bikes though and become a long distance tourer as its got older.
I'd still have one though.
 
Congrats on the purchase.

You know, those Bird's like Busa's can be hustled around the twisties pretty well.

They ain't just straight line merchants rides as long as the pilot knows what he's doing.

Nice bike m8, enjoy. :cool:
 
Nice! There was a nice article on the blackbird in the new issue of bike. Makes a great bike to nip over to Europe on, comfy and fast.
 
The thought of a bike having the same power as my car had from the factory gives me a knot in my stomach :eek:

Enjoy it, but be careful - especially in this weather!
 
Yeah I read it. It hits the nail on the head really. There are faster bikes like the busa and zzr1400 (although 180mph is fast enough really!) and there are sportier bikes like the GSXR and comfier bikes like the Pan European. But the Blackbird for me personally has the best compromise of all them.
 
whats the power like compaired to the zx9 ?
ive never had the pleasure of riding the quacker
ive compaired the busa to an older gsxr 1000 and the difference was like wow
 
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