blackbird - personal experiences?

went test riding yesterday, and took a VFR, a ZZR1200, and the Blackbird out
for a ride. Very nice, all of them. But for me the Blackbird was the
winner - it had all the things I liked about both the VFR and the ZZR. The
only downside was the seating position - I would have liked it a little more
upright.

I notice there are a few blackbird riders on this forum - and I was
wondering what they have found good and bad about the bike? Any quirks?
Anything to watch for? Anything I should know before deciding to buy one?

Bruce
ZR750

 

I also tried a few bikes. Overall the Blackbird won hands down. Re the
seating position I got some Heli Bars which make it more comfortable for
those 2 hour plus rides. It is the smoothest, easiest and maintence free
bike I have ever owned.



went test riding yesterday, and took a VFR, a ZZR1200, and the Blackbird out
for a ride. Very nice, all of them. But for me the Blackbird was the
winner - it had all the things I liked about both the VFR and the ZZR. The
only downside was the seating position - I would have liked it a little more
upright.

I notice there are a few blackbird riders on this forum - and I was
wondering what they have found good and bad about the bike? Any quirks?
Anything to watch for? Anything I should know before deciding to buy one?

Bruce
ZR750

 

I wanted one for 2 years after I was given a 'test ride' for a day in
Townsville.
The day came to buy it (decision was made well and truly). Shogun Honda
here in Brissie was so apathetic about what was an exciting day for me that
I just kinda mumble thanks and left.
The test ride was good, except without trying I scraped the right footpeg.
The seat is comfy but a little too wide for those sporty riders who move
around a bit.
Anyway, I wandered down the road to Whales Kawasaki and took a ZX12 for a
long 2 hour test. What a hoot!
Bought it the next day from Midtown Kawasaki at the right price.
I still wonder about the CBR but for my riding style the ZX12 is better.

J

 

FFS!

How can you decide a bike is a winner when the only thing you do on it all
of the time (ie SIT), is not right?

 

because a pair of helibars (a VERY common modification) fix that quite
nicely

 

get some helibars

bit slow

 

I've had a '99 Blackbird for about 8 months now and am very happy with it.
Mostly used for commuting with the occasional trip further afield when I get
a
chance. The seating position seems fine to me. Overall I find it a very
comfortable
bike to ride, but I've never ridden a VFR or ZZR1200 so I don't know how it
compares to them.

Only drawback I find is not being able to lanesplit through itsy-bitsy gaps
due to
its wide mirrors - at car mirror height.

Mole

 

"B",
Go and have a look at the BlackBird Forum,
http://forum.superblackbird.info/
and as a rider of most things Honda, the B.B. rates higher than the
VFR(VTEC) and the seat is fine for me, and the higher VFR clip on's will fit
the B.B with out changes to the cables and hoses.
It is rumoured that the 1200B.B. may surface as a 2005 model later this
year, or early next year in 2005, meaning current floor stock may dry up
later in 2004. Prices have been discounted since last year, similarly the
VTR1000F.
Rob.
news:410350d1$...

 

The only people I've ever heard complain about the riding position on the
blackbird are people who ride more upright bikes. They try to sit upright
when they're riding it.. it only makes the bars feel further away. Lean over
and rest your guts on the tank and the bars are perfectly placed. Had no
trouble doing 800-1200km days on mine without handlebar mods. The ZX12R is
good for equally long days... with Helibars though.

Nev..
'03 ZX12R

 

hear hear !!

Grreat ride, the both of them

JasonBW - Wollongong

 

yeah, mine is for sale....
email me for detail...

jus10 AT bigpond dot net dot au

 

Hi

I have had a 03 BB now for 4 months bought it brand new. about 4 weeks
after I bought it I went for a ride into the city, the traffic was
murder and the temp was up around 110deg, anyway pulled over to get
some petrol and went to start it but the battery was flat!

The honda dealer picked it up and deep charged the battery, it hasn't
happened again although I haven't been in heavy traffic for too long.
I think it might have been the thermo fan sucking the battery dry
because it was constantly on? any other had this issue?

Besides from that it's an awesome bike, very smooth heaps of power and
comfortable, although it did take some getting used too the more lean
forward ride position after the FJ1200.

 

you need to learn how to bump start you do...

mh....
who bump started the viffer 3 times on the weekend.....leaving the ignition
on will do those things

 

that is very good to know!! I was looking at the helibars as a possiblity,
but wasn't sure what a difference they would make. what can you tell me
about them? more wind with them? difficult to get locally? expensive?

Bruce

 

a good point I guess, but I think my issue is that it was comfortable enough
for me in the time I have ridden it, but don't know how it goes on longer
trips. which is why I was asking for opinions from people who have ridden
one longer than I have. Things like helicoils are good to know about, as are
the VFR bars (both of which I have been looking at) in case that is a
problem for me.

And as someone else pointed out, the seating position takes some getting
used to after a more upright bike. since I am used to a more upright bike,
this is something else that was useful to know.

so does that answer your question?

thanks for your otherwise helpful opinion and response.

Bruce

 

The Helibars will make a small change at the handlebar a bit higher, a bit
further back and a bit wider, which doesn't sound like much but makes a huge
difference in posture. Difference to the amount of wind on helmet change will
depend on whether you're tall or short and what model your blackbird is
(earlier models had much shorter screens. They're impossible to get locally -
they do not have an Australian distributor - but you can buy direct from the
manufacturer in USA. Contact details on their website
http://www.helibars.com Price will depend on the exchange rate. $US239 (plus
postage) for the Blackbird bars. That converts to about $AU325 + postage at
current rates. I bought a set of their bars for my ZX12. Transaction
completed swiftly and smoothly via combination website, email, phone and fax.

Nev..
'03 ZX12R

 

Helicoils won't do you much good.

Helibars might, but consider:
You will be more exposed above the screen, therefore you might have noise
and turbulence problems;
All upper-body angles will change, and the footpeg position might be wrong
for you when your body position changes;
Will there be sufficient scope to alter your brake & clutch lever angles?;
Are the cables/lines long enough for higher bars?

 

Helibars take that into consideration and include any other components which
are required to fit the new bars. This is one reason for their wide variety
of prices on bars for different model bikes. eg. the price for the 12R bars
has gone up $US20 since I bought mine last year because they have a new kit
which includes a longer clutch cable, which wasn't required for mine.

Nev..
'03 ZX12R

 

That is an even better point. I laughed out loud when i realised what I had
typed. what about a helicopter? would that help?

Bruce

 

a bit slow?!

wtf is a yzf750r?