Discussion
Thinking about getting a Blackbird & wondered if anyone has any experience of them?
I'm a fairly big bloke so the latest & lightest supersport stuff doesn't really fit or make sense (and I've not got the talent to make full use of them) so I thought a bigger more road biased bike might be just the ticket. I've liked the look of the blackbird since it came out but never got round to trying one.
Or alternativley a ZX12..............
I'm a fairly big bloke so the latest & lightest supersport stuff doesn't really fit or make sense (and I've not got the talent to make full use of them) so I thought a bigger more road biased bike might be just the ticket. I've liked the look of the blackbird since it came out but never got round to trying one.
Or alternativley a ZX12..............
as a busa and look more comfy than a ZX12r (vibey round yer b0ll0cks) from what ive read in tests you cant go wrong buying one , its a big VFR I'm 6'2" and have a Blackbird.
No problems fitting comfortably. Longest ride has been a fuel stops only 8 hour blast through the twisties to Cornwall and back; got a numb bum and ached for a week but it was worth it
When I got my 'bird the mags were full of comparisons and the handling was reckoned to be pretty reasonable. I've no complaints and have hustled with a 'blade getting their knee down in front of me.
The linked brakes are generally disliked by the magazines but I must confess I think they are OK. They don't seem to intrude when you are riding 'normally' and I'm convinced they saved my butt when I have grabbed a big handfull of brake in an 'Oh F
' panic situation. They are also supposed to be more confidence inspiring if you travel two up.
Reliability - kick the tyres, get on and go. Bulletproof.
And they sound pretty good too once you get a race can fitted
No problems fitting comfortably. Longest ride has been a fuel stops only 8 hour blast through the twisties to Cornwall and back; got a numb bum and ached for a week but it was worth it
When I got my 'bird the mags were full of comparisons and the handling was reckoned to be pretty reasonable. I've no complaints and have hustled with a 'blade getting their knee down in front of me.
The linked brakes are generally disliked by the magazines but I must confess I think they are OK. They don't seem to intrude when you are riding 'normally' and I'm convinced they saved my butt when I have grabbed a big handfull of brake in an 'Oh F
' panic situation. They are also supposed to be more confidence inspiring if you travel two up. Reliability - kick the tyres, get on and go. Bulletproof.
And they sound pretty good too once you get a race can fitted
Just for a laugh once I did an early change up into third and nailed it. Nice and gentle to about 80mph then it started pulling. By 90 I was having to grip much tighter with my knees. By 110 it was pulling like a train and I hunkered down to reduce the pull on my arms. At 130 mph I hit a small bump on the road and the bike rocketted forward between my legs with me landing a couple of inches further back on the seat.
I chickened out at this point and backed off!
I'm afraid I don't know what revs I was pulling at 130 in third as that might answer the question. However, at 130 it was pulling far harder than at any lower speed and it felt like it was good for an awful lot more mph.
I chickened out at this point and backed off!
I'm afraid I don't know what revs I was pulling at 130 in third as that might answer the question. However, at 130 it was pulling far harder than at any lower speed and it felt like it was good for an awful lot more mph.
i enjoy the feeling when the kwack hits 9k the pulls like a train to 14,500 WHHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEE !!!! 
I am 6 feet 5and weigh about 19 stone and I am on my second Blackbird. The first one (titanium) I sold with 146,000 miles on the clock the current one (black) is quickly piling on the miles.
As a comparison I have a sponsored Pan European, and after about half an hour my back is screaming for me to get off whereas on the Bird 2 - 3 hours at a time in the saddle really is no problem.
The last of the carb models (98/99) in my opinion are the best as the are so smooth and tractable, the early injected bikes ran very rich and lumpy at low revs, although the latest injected bikes are very good.
Linked brakes? I have never had a problem with them. In fact I have real difficulty in differentiating between linked brakes and standard brakes, and if you are in a playfull mode stoppies are still possible. The only noticable difference is that there is a significant lack of dive on the front end under braking. The only thing that is a bit of a pain is that rear pads do wear quicker than on a conventional braking system.
Servicing is straight forward and valve clearances are 18,000 mile intervals, and I fitted a K & N foam standard replacement air filter with a 1 million mile guarantee. It allows the engine to breathe a little easier but at £55 it has paid for itself by the second service.
Performance is awsome but deceptive, handling is perfectly acceptable and in the right hands will keep quite a few sports bikes a shock, build quality is superb, suffice to say I am off to try the new Vtec 2004 bird in Spain soon, and depending on how it feels I will be either placing an order for the new bike or a 2003 bike before they all go.
As a comparison I have a sponsored Pan European, and after about half an hour my back is screaming for me to get off whereas on the Bird 2 - 3 hours at a time in the saddle really is no problem.
The last of the carb models (98/99) in my opinion are the best as the are so smooth and tractable, the early injected bikes ran very rich and lumpy at low revs, although the latest injected bikes are very good.
Linked brakes? I have never had a problem with them. In fact I have real difficulty in differentiating between linked brakes and standard brakes, and if you are in a playfull mode stoppies are still possible. The only noticable difference is that there is a significant lack of dive on the front end under braking. The only thing that is a bit of a pain is that rear pads do wear quicker than on a conventional braking system.
Servicing is straight forward and valve clearances are 18,000 mile intervals, and I fitted a K & N foam standard replacement air filter with a 1 million mile guarantee. It allows the engine to breathe a little easier but at £55 it has paid for itself by the second service.
Performance is awsome but deceptive, handling is perfectly acceptable and in the right hands will keep quite a few sports bikes a shock, build quality is superb, suffice to say I am off to try the new Vtec 2004 bird in Spain soon, and depending on how it feels I will be either placing an order for the new bike or a 2003 bike before they all go.
a j said:
a j said:
Blackbirds.....150mph in second gear
You sure ????? there is 4 more cogs after that one and it only does 174 flat out
Well a mate had one and thats what he said.....so it must be right!
Your mate is guilt of a terminological inexactitude. Either that or he's got a very small...
Front sprocket!
I've got one too and can heartily reccomend them. Check my profile for real world performance stats.
They have always outsold the Huyabusa and ZX12R combined! I think this is because they are so usable in everyday situations. It's by far the most reliable bike I've owned. I get over 35mpg overall though I've heard that can be improved upon.
As for the linked brakes, unless you're a wannabe stunt biker, then there's not a problem. Yes the rear can lock when you've only got the front applied, but that's just it's way of telling you there's not much more braking to be had!
150 in 2nd..? When trying to really impress a pillion, I nail it from about 40mph in 2nd (front wheel and passenger stay where they should be!) It gets you to over 100 in seconds, but nowhere near 150.
They have always outsold the Huyabusa and ZX12R combined! I think this is because they are so usable in everyday situations. It's by far the most reliable bike I've owned. I get over 35mpg overall though I've heard that can be improved upon.
As for the linked brakes, unless you're a wannabe stunt biker, then there's not a problem. Yes the rear can lock when you've only got the front applied, but that's just it's way of telling you there's not much more braking to be had!
150 in 2nd..? When trying to really impress a pillion, I nail it from about 40mph in 2nd (front wheel and passenger stay where they should be!) It gets you to over 100 in seconds, but nowhere near 150.
Leadfoot said:
I am off to try the new Vtec 2004 bird in Spain soon.
Are you sworn to secrecy or will you be able to tell all when you return?
Not that I am aware of. Once I get back I will post up my thoughts, but my contacts who have already ridden the bike have suggested that it is not as good as the current Bird. Time will tell.
I ride a zzr1200 which is much more tractable than the 'bird, quite a few road test reports say the same. More toys on the 'bird but it doesn't handle as well.
A-J As for 150 in 2nd gear on a bird, I don't think so! My ZZR only does 105@11krpm and that's with a +1 tooth front sprocket.
A-J As for 150 in 2nd gear on a bird, I don't think so! My ZZR only does 105@11krpm and that's with a +1 tooth front sprocket.
Ridden a few B/Birds ,
Lovely bike ,but be wary of the brakes!
Some people get on with them ,some don't.
I didn't ,broken left collarbone to show for it .
Every bike feels different!
Known a few people lost it on approach to roundabouts,fairly low speed ,especially in the damp!
Quite a few people have modified to conventional braking or just sold on,the choice is yours!
Lovely bike ,but be wary of the brakes!
Some people get on with them ,some don't.
I didn't ,broken left collarbone to show for it .
Every bike feels different!
Known a few people lost it on approach to roundabouts,fairly low speed ,especially in the damp!
Quite a few people have modified to conventional braking or just sold on,the choice is yours!
Well it looks like i've been corrected 
The forementioned blackbird owner must be wrong? I've a feeling he did put a smaller front sprocket on and i've no idea what else he did, but he did say it would do it. As i didn't ride this bike myself i have to take his word.
Anyway still a good bike and its stood the test of time and doesnt look out of place.
The forementioned blackbird owner must be wrong? I've a feeling he did put a smaller front sprocket on and i've no idea what else he did, but he did say it would do it. As i didn't ride this bike myself i have to take his word. Anyway still a good bike and its stood the test of time and doesnt look out of place.
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