Paging past and present Blackbird Owners (preferably anally retentive ones who keep records!)

Insurance cost has been a factor in every bike I bought apart from the
first one. Each time I've had to get a quote to see if I can afford it
before I got it.

There's been two bikes where it's influenced my choice of bike. When I
got the rs125 it worked out cheaper to get a new one with an insurance
deal than the second hand ones I was looking at. With the daytona it's
about the only big bike I can insure on the right side of a grand.

I suppose in all cases I've looked at what bikes I wanted and made a
shortlist from how much I like them (looks and how it rides where
possible[1]), then looked at the details. I'd love to say "I'd hate to
choose one bike over another because of insurance cost" but that's
generally what I find myself doing. I'd love to own a Mille-R, but the
insurance is ridiculous.

[1] cough.

 

Did? What have I missed?

<quick calculation>

Last mixed ride got about 40mpg, but I still need to seal that exhaust
joint.

 

You fucking retard! There's 4.5 (approx) litres to the gallon, so
6mpl = 27mpg

SO, it's conclusive - BBs are crap on fuel. Especially compared to
ZZR11s.

 

Seems to be it. I was looking at getting a 2000 or 2001 ZZR11, but when I
was looking they seemed to be as rare as rocking horse poo. Seems people
just like to keep them! That's why I ended up with the BB in the end.

 

You're fucking jesting yes ?

The ZZR11 is a lardy old shed. Have you ever ridden one ?

You'll be lusting after an FJ or a CBR thou next

Good man, YKIMS.

Cheers,

Paul.

 

Zymurgy says...

I owned three ZZR1100s, never got blown away by any Blackbirds or had
that "I can't catch him" feeling when riding with one either. Sure
they're no sports bike, but in the right hands can be almost as quick
point to point as anything else out there.

 

and what's wrong with a CBR thou eh? eh?

 

mups wrote

heh heh.

One in the keepnet, one to go ....

<fx: Settles back, patiently>

Cheers

Paul.

 

Yep, the steering and riding attitude of the ZZ didn't suit me. There
seemed to be an awful lot of fairing up front, and I was quite high up
off the bars (long armed gibbon that I am)

Weight seems about the same, but the ZZR is quite lardy around the
gunwales. The bird looks and feels lighter and slicker in the bends.

Power delivery wise, much the same really, but in order of perceived
quickness off the mark i've found (fastest to slowest)

GSXR-Thou
ThunderAce
Bird
ZZR-11

When I've ridden the FJ and the CBR thou i'll pass judgement !

The linked brakes is a jihad all its own, and will be done to death
again at some stage.

Just not today #

Cheers,

Paul.

 

I don't think the steering and handling of the ZZR suited anyone.
Front heavy old lard bucket just about sums it up.
I scared myself stupid a fair few times on mine when the whole
plot started getting very unruly if pushed hard. But the motor...
At the time, jeez, it was like a starship motor. Fantastic.

--
Alex
BMW R1150GS
DIAABTCOD#3 MSWF#4 UKRMFBC#6 Ibw#35 BOB#8
http://www.team-ukrm.co.uk
Windy's "little soldier"

 

Alex Ferrier says...

I quite liked the handling of all three of mine. I did about 45K miles
in total on them and by that tiem had got to know pretty much what they
would and would not do or allow. They were never a sports bike, but as a
sports-tourer they excelled.

I find the Thunderace better than any of my ZZRs, it is certainly
quicker to 120mph and feels lots torquier. On the whole, the Thunderace
is a sharper bike in every respect, but not quite as comfy over
distance. The ZZR engine was smoother, and not as vibey though.

I hate the Blackbird's linked brakes. For me they spoil what could be a
lovely riding experience.

 

I cannot argue. As an A to B kind of bike they were great.
However as a shallow, quick fix eejiot who wished to behave
in a less than appropriate manner on occasion. They were most
certainly not, full on sports bikes.

Ah, but the Thunderace, was a later bike. As is usual with such things...
the times they are a changing. I wouldn't compare a thunderace like for
like with say... a Blackbird or a Hyabusa. Which is what I'd assert
things like the ZZR and Thunderace (maybe a little more tenuously) were
the forerunners of.

I remember hitting 180 indicated down the A49 between Leominster and
Hereford
on my ZZR, thinking something along the lines of "**** me sideways".
I guess it's all just a bit old hat these days. (

I've never ridden a blackbird. (
<fx:hopeful> Anyone fancy giving me a go on one?

--
Alex
BMW R1150GS
DIAABTCOD#3 MSWF#4 UKRMFBC#6 Ibw#35 BOB#8
http://www.team-ukrm.co.uk
Windy's "little soldier"

 

Alex Ferrier says...

<snip relevant comments>

The T/ace is just a 1990ish FZR1000 Exup in new bodywork and an
additional 5 bhp. There's very little difference between the two bikes
mechanically. Its heritage goes back about as far as the ZZR's does.

 

True, true... but IMHO it was still a development step on
from the ZZR.

--
Alex
BMW R1150GS
DIAABTCOD#3 MSWF#4 UKRMFBC#6 Ibw#35 BOB#8
http://www.team-ukrm.co.uk
Windy's "little soldier"

 

Champ says...

I've got the 1990 Performance Bikes video bike test of the Exup vs
ZZR1100 here. Trevor Franklin looks very young in it.

The Exup whipped the ZZR on handling around the track, but the ZZR made
a much better road bike.

 

You and I prolly looked quite young in 1990

 

Champ says...

I look younger now, seriously. Shaving the tash off dropped 10 years off
me. When I was 19-20 my mates called me Grandad cos I was the only one
of our group to have a child and looked much older than I was. I look
much younger than all of them now.

 

Champ says...

Oh, they do

We've all seen *that* photo, stupid isn't the word. Maybe everyone
should have a photo like that, just so they can honestly say they really
do look better now.

 

# You say you want a revolution ...
http://www.sweller.co.uk/images/simon.jpg

 

Bonwick.