Just bought a new bike :)

Sagalout · 8 Jan 2008 at 20:02

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

)

Anyway, a few pics.....

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

Sagalout · 9 Jan 2008 at 16:01

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.

Sagalout · 9 Jan 2008 at 17:56

Oh it feels a lot more powerful than the ZX9

. To be honest I've only done about 35 miles on it so far, but some of that was on a fast A road. As mentioned, it feels like the power of the zx9's top end, but right through the rev range and in any gear. It just has all the power all of the time.

I did a datalogged 165mph at Bruntingthorpe on the zx9 and these will do 175-180, which requires quite a lot more 'oomph' for a small increase in speed. The screen is also a lot better than the ZX9 - with the large double bubble your in a perfectly cocooned air bubble whcih makes the speed deceptive.

The ZX9 is an awesome, underated bike though. If it wasnt for the touring ability of the 'bird I'd have bought another, but yeah, the Blackbird is in another league power wise. God knows what the 'busa/zzr1400 must feel like!

Sagalout · 11 Jan 2008 at 17:05

PyroboyUK said:
very nice choice! Always been a huge fan of the Blackbirds. Hope to own one after getting a few years NCB back. At 19 i dont think anyone would touch me with an insurance quote on a blackbird

But its definitely going to be the next choice of bike for me!

Actually theres a guy on BCF who is 19 with a Blackbird.

http://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=122418

If you read the 2nd page you'll see he buys one and his insurance is £720 TPFT - not cheap but when you consider the performance and what poeple pay for car insurance its not horrific!