Honder Blackburd
Discussion
I've had mine 2 years now and it's by far the most reliable vehicle (car or bike) I've ever owned. Insurance is about £220 (34yr old, garaged, full NCB).
My one is the carb version and it's got a very peaky engine, even compared to a 600! There's plenty of oomph below, but over 6k it goes ballistic
Injected versions are better low down apparently?
On twisty roads it can be quite hard work to hustle round the corners. I don't know if this is just because it feels like you spend a lot of time on the brakes hence it doesn't want to turn or what? I certainly know that I could ride my friend's 900 Triumph a lot faster on B roads.
Interestingly, year on year they outsell the ZX12 and Hyabusa combined, so they must be doing something right!
Overall, I like to think of it as the Porsche 911 Turbo of the bike world, stupendously quick & competent, but there are other more involving bikes. Can't think of anything I'd replace mine with.
My one is the carb version and it's got a very peaky engine, even compared to a 600! There's plenty of oomph below, but over 6k it goes ballistic
Injected versions are better low down apparently? On twisty roads it can be quite hard work to hustle round the corners. I don't know if this is just because it feels like you spend a lot of time on the brakes hence it doesn't want to turn or what? I certainly know that I could ride my friend's 900 Triumph a lot faster on B roads.
Interestingly, year on year they outsell the ZX12 and Hyabusa combined, so they must be doing something right!
Overall, I like to think of it as the Porsche 911 Turbo of the bike world, stupendously quick & competent, but there are other more involving bikes. Can't think of anything I'd replace mine with.
danhay said:
Insurance is about £220 (34yr old, garaged, full NCB).
- who are you insured with, mines nearly three times that! 39, full, NCB, datatag, datatool, garaged, etc. Agree - top bike.
Never had any problems. Kick the tyres and go!
I found tyre pressure affects handling, get them right and it's a different bike. A few years ago I caught up an R1 and another 'bird which were both getting there knee down in the twisties. Totally uncalled for, but it looked very impressive
Nacnud said:
danhay said:
Insurance is about £220 (34yr old, garaged, full NCB).
DanHay - £220 that seems a good price, who's it with?
Nacnud - 600? FFS that's expensive, who's it with, is it the best deal you could find?
Don't know what the going rate is for a Blackbird but these seem to be 2 extremes to me.
This year mine was £401 for Ducati 916, Garaged, Datatag & Alarmed. wrong side of 40 (just), Don't really understand the NCB as I had full NCB but was involved in a 'shared fault' crash 2 yrs ago & lost most of it, 9 pts on licence (but 3 have since expired).
As for the Blackbird thread, never ridden one, They look OK, do they have CBS, ABS etc. I know they're fast though.
DTM, Since you're a Kwack man why not get the ZX-10R, I would consider one if I was in the market, (in fact I'm tempted!) seems like everything the ZX-9R was (and wasn't) for the new millenium and it's f
n fast! :don'tforgetthatKwackintakeroar:
You know it makes sense!
>> Edited by cazzo on Sunday 4th January 19:57
Cheers chaps gave the kwack a stroke and a quick blast today 
, got blitzed by a blackbird in a straight line but then overtook him coming out of a R/H bend 
(he was not amused) . I want something that covers high mile distances with ease and the blackie is the only bike i can think of tha6t can do the task with ease , not only that but didnt it come top of the riderpower survey for a few years ???
Also whats the front headlight like for midnight hacks ?
TIA .
gave the kwack a stroke and a quick blast today , got blitzed by a blackbird in a straight line but then overtook him coming out of a R/H bend (he was not amused) . I want something that covers high mile distances with ease and the blackie is the only bike i can think of tha6t can do the task with ease , not only that but didnt it come top of the riderpower survey for a few years ??? Also whats the front headlight like for midnight hacks ?
TIA .
My premium is actually £275 so oops. It's with Highway Insurance, but I got it through H&R insurance services.
https://www.insurance2000.co.uk/hanson/default.asp?referrer=
https://www.insurance2000.co.uk/hanson/default.asp?referrer=
cazzo said:
DTM, Since you're a Kwack man why not get the ZX-10R, I would consider one if I was in the market, (in fact I'm tempted!) seems like everything the ZX-9R was (and wasn't) for the new millenium and it's f
:don'tforgetthatKwackintakeroar:
You know it makes sense!
the ZX10 looks like its going to give the fireblade , GSXR1000 and the R1 a verrry hard time , Kwasaki seem to be pulling all the punches this yeaqr and last with the new ZX6R but when i rode the new zx6 i found it uncomfy , i will try the ZX10 and see what its like , for the mother of all kwack intake roars get 1 ZX12R a big long stright 4th gear and just let it rip 
). 
IMHO, but down to experience.
Blackbird - failed sportsbike that makes average tourer.
Quality excellent, performance okay for most - crap fairing.
Brakes - oh that'll be those linked things that you either love or hate.
Rattley Hyabusa -uhm...ever listened to the rattling of the Blackbird clutch?
Handling - hard as hell front end with lack of adjustment and limited ground clearnce (fairing)
Gearbox - poor snatchy change.
Sorry, had Bus and Blackbird, still got the Bus which is largely for touring and the odd bit of scratching. Horses for courses and it really depends on what you what you want to do on it.
Final note, tread carefully (pardon the pun)when anyone tells you about the tyre life is on a Bus or a Blackbird, the first liar always loses. Personal experience is that you can tour for 3 - 3500 miles, two up, quite enthusiasticaly without a tyre change.
Hope you enjoy what ever you choose..good luck.
Blackbird - failed sportsbike that makes average tourer.
Quality excellent, performance okay for most - crap fairing.
Brakes - oh that'll be those linked things that you either love or hate.
Rattley Hyabusa -uhm...ever listened to the rattling of the Blackbird clutch?
Handling - hard as hell front end with lack of adjustment and limited ground clearnce (fairing)
Gearbox - poor snatchy change.
Sorry, had Bus and Blackbird, still got the Bus which is largely for touring and the odd bit of scratching. Horses for courses and it really depends on what you what you want to do on it.
Final note, tread carefully (pardon the pun)when anyone tells you about the tyre life is on a Bus or a Blackbird, the first liar always loses. Personal experience is that you can tour for 3 - 3500 miles, two up, quite enthusiasticaly without a tyre change.
Hope you enjoy what ever you choose..good luck.
DennisTheMenace said:
DTM, Since you're a Kwack man why not get the ZX-10R, I would consider one if I was in the market, (in fact I'm tempted!) seems like everything the ZX-9R was (and wasn't) for the new millenium and it's f
:don'tforgetthatKwackintakeroar:
You know it makes sense!
Saw a ZX12 at the petrol station when I was filling the up the SV this evening. Lovely looking thing. Exchanged a knowing nod with the rider before he went on his way. Hmmm, maybe one day ....
I am on my 3rd Blackbird now, did 160,000 on my first, 120,000 on the second and I am currently at about 15,000 on my current bike.
For someone who is 6 feet five (as I am) who likes to ride in comfort with a turn of speed when required and has decent levels of handling, I have yet to find a bike to beat the BB. I did try bikes like the ZX12R, Huyabusa but the BB does everything I want of a bike, doesn't cost me a fortune to run and is cheap to insure (I pay £110 PA Comp).
It all comes down to personal preferences. If you want a different opinions on the BB then nip over to www.superblackbird.org and get some opinions from other long term owners.
For someone who is 6 feet five (as I am) who likes to ride in comfort with a turn of speed when required and has decent levels of handling, I have yet to find a bike to beat the BB. I did try bikes like the ZX12R, Huyabusa but the BB does everything I want of a bike, doesn't cost me a fortune to run and is cheap to insure (I pay £110 PA Comp).
It all comes down to personal preferences. If you want a different opinions on the BB then nip over to www.superblackbird.org and get some opinions from other long term owners.
T-C, how much engine work was required at those milages?
Denny, top bike, but I think you may regret the loss of flickability.. being straight line Stanley is ok, but being able to flip into a corner & flip back....
Having said all that, I got the Thunderace to out corner most 600's, simply out of sheer bloodymindedness (stupidity?). Got the Cruiser to outcorner a lot of stuff like Bandits & Monsters - again out of bloodyminded will power.
SO if ya fancy a B-bird, get one ! oh, and get it insured so we can swap bikes for 1/2 hour. Be a chuckle.
later dude.
Denny, top bike, but I think you may regret the loss of flickability.. being straight line Stanley is ok, but being able to flip into a corner & flip back....
Having said all that, I got the Thunderace to out corner most 600's, simply out of sheer bloodymindedness (stupidity?). Got the Cruiser to outcorner a lot of stuff like Bandits & Monsters - again out of bloodyminded will power.
SO if ya fancy a B-bird, get one ! oh, and get it insured so we can swap bikes for 1/2 hour. Be a chuckle.
later dude.
DennisTheMenace said:
What are they like to ride/own/insure/repair etc etc
and i like the titanium colour*
Thinking about chopping the kwack in for one
*im getting old !!!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA all that shite you gave me about owning a HONDER
Nice Bike, When i was working in France one of the contrators working for us had a one.
He loved it, didnt get on with the Dual brakes and disconnect them so they didnt come on together.
BB( still RAOFPMSL)
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