Buying advice for a Blackbird

[Lost Again]

Hey,

Just after a bit of advice really. I've finally decided to bite the bullet and buy a new bike. I've been after something for doing longer distance trips for a while and with the monsters gearbox knackered and me and my mates heading to Europe 4 weeks tomorrow its the kickstart I need, loan hits my bank on Monday!
Off to look at Honda Blackbirds on Saturday as its what I really fancy now as a sensible bike to sit next to the monster. I know what to look for in general terms but was wondering if anyone knows of anything specific to these bikes I should look out for. Any current/ex blackbird owners on here?

Any advice appreciated, ta.

Ben

[sadbiker]

What a Honda.........

Can't help on specifics other than they have good reputations and should do what you want.

[stef]

what's wrong with touring on the monster ?
for a young lad like you, it cant be a problem !

[Lost Again]

what's wrong with touring on the monster ?
for a young lad like you, it cant be a problem !

I've been after something better for long distance for some time now. While yes the monster can be used for touring its just a bit of a pain. Clip on's under the yoke, minimal wind protection, not so great tank range, not much in the way of luggage options and because its a 600 its revving its tits off to get any decent sort of motorway speed. Also the mrs has been on at me for a while about wanting to go on a bike for the 1st time and the monster has no passenger pegs. (soon to be no passenger seat if my grinder gets its own way...)
Its a much better option to keep the monster as a playbike and have something more comfortable/practical for the long distance stuff.

Oh yeah, and the gearbox is lunched on the monster and I've already bought my (expensive!) ferry tickets for my hols. Unlikely the monster will be fixed in time.

[stef]

I've been after something better for long distance for some time now. While yes the monster can be used for touring its just a bit of a pain. Clip on's under the yoke, minimal wind protection, not so great tank range, not much in the way of luggage options and because its a 600 its revving its tits off to get any decent sort of motorway speed. Also the mrs has been on at me for a while about wanting to go on a bike for the 1st time and the monster has no passenger pegs. (soon to be no passenger seat if my grinder gets its own way...)
Its a much better option to keep the monster as a playbike and have something more comfortable/practical for the long distance stuff.

Oh yeah, and the gearbox is lunched on the monster and I've already bought my (expensive!) ferry tickets for my hols. Unlikely the monster will be fixed in time.

young people these days.. they dont make'em as hard as they use to !
personally, i quite like the higher bars of the oem 900 for touring, it's a lot of wind in the face, but you do get use to it. it's enjoyable after a while.
but having said that, yes, the 600 lump is on the small side.
luggage options ? do you mean no room for a vanity case ? imagine the number of Tshirts and boxers you can buy and throw away for the price of a black bird.. who needs luggage !


you could sell the 600 in bits, and buy a good 900 ?(sorry, not meaning to hijack the thread, its just that it is our role, as elders, to steer the younglings on the right path, and since this is a MOC...

anyway. i do like the black bird... it looks pretty cool.

[barbican]

Hey,


Any advice appreciated, ta.

Ben

Have you tried this lot

http://www.ixxra.co.uk/ipw-web/bulletin/bb/index.php?sid=a10469d7e2db0b34e615c5f47e72b3f6

[Scotty]

only advice i can think of is to not buy the one us mate is using at the moment (he gets through bike quite rapid like so it's proberly for sale already)

[Nickj]

Check it has both wings and a good beak overall a good all rounder, personally I'd favour an albatros for long distances though they are not so good in more urban settings... Ohhh ummm sorry talking carp again LOL

[Didge]

If you do go for a blackbird, make sure that's what it is......BLACK.
Call me a pedantic old facker if you will, but a red, blue or any other colour 'Blackbird', just doesn't sound or look right.http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/basic/wink.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org)

[Nickj]

Quite agree their Didge, a yellow one would be a canary... or possibly a lemon

[Roly]

Hey,

Just after a bit of advice really. I've finally decided to bite the bullet and buy a new bike. I've been after something for doing longer distance trips for a while and with the monsters gearbox knackered and me and my mates heading to Europe 4 weeks tomorrow its the kickstart I need, loan hits my bank on Monday!
Off to look at Honda Blackbirds on Saturday as its what I really fancy now as a sensible bike to sit next to the monster. I know what to look for in general terms but was wondering if anyone knows of anything specific to these bikes I should look out for. Any current/ex blackbird owners on here?

Any advice appreciated, ta.

Ben

I have a Monster S4 and a Blackbird (www.bikepics.com/members/rolanda) for the same reasons i.e. the Monster is great for hooning around and the Blackbird is a very comfy intergalactic missile for long distance touring. Not much has changed over the 11 year (?) history of the Blackbird: Started off with carbs, changed to Fuel Injection in 1999 and then got a clock revision to a digital readout in about 2001. Engine is bomb proof and the only real problem is losing your licence as you will be doing silly speeds without knowing it. Many owners fit a double bubble screen, bar risers and Scottoiler but you can checkout the custom options at http://www.jaws-motorcycles.co.uk/bird.htm. Black is indeed best but you might pay a premium. Check this out to see a Dutch guy having some Sunday afternoon fun http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGIwU9-sjzc

[Will]

If you do go for a blackbird, make sure that's what it is......BLACK.
Call me a pedantic old facker if you will, but a red, blue or any other colour 'Blackbird', just doesn't sound or look right.http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/basic/wink.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org)

Blackbirds seem to run very hot by default - so black might not be the best colour especially if you go touring in warm climates - silver looks smartest anyway. :-)

[Lost Again]

Cheers barbican, checked that ixxra site out and got some good bits of info.
And cheers Roly, good stuff on that Jaws site as well.

Turns out the one I'm looking at tomorrow is red, not silver or black, but it comes with full Givi hard luggage and Scottoiler etc. and seems to be a good price so we'll see what happens!! Either way 4 weeks today I'm off on my jollies on one bike or another!

[jerry]

blackbird is a great machine ,bullet proof fast etc but its a horribly smoothh souless 4 ......find something more interesting...vfr,,sprint

[neilbaldry]

ZZR1200?

or even an ST2 or ST3?

[giler]

blackbird is a great machine ,bullet proof fast etc but its a horribly smoothh souless 4 ......find something more interesting...vfr,,sprint

Or firestorm - found mine to be really comfy, honda build quality and
lovely v twin ofcourse. They are also now cheap - infact I wouldn't mind getting another, only it would mean getting rid of the monster.

[Didge]

Here's a black bird with soul. Sure to give a nice ride as well.http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/happy045.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org)



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