So let's hear it (rumor mill on the 'new' xx)

SomeStrangeGuy · 10-11-2006, 5:30 AM

I will start this thread even though not an XX owner at present, to discuss what is in the cards for the new XX. What have you heard, what do you know, who do you know thats telling you what you know

Im just wondering since I have heard of a new version for the past few years, but nothing major has arrived. I mean dang Kawasaki even redid the KLR-650 for 2008..but no major updates or a new XX

Please discuss...

Warchild · 10-12-2006, 1:03 AM

From close analysis and careful scrutiny of Honda's approach to new models the last 5+ years, it appears obvious that they have grown a snatch where their testicles used to reside.

There will be no outright XX replacement. Indeed, in their 10 year produxction run, they only had ONE year of significant upgrades... back in 1999!!!

The remaining years have had trivial, incremental upgrades.... digital instruments starting in 2001....higher windscreen one year.... blah, blah, blah. Otherwise, it's just been paint changes. Big whup.

Happily, I am about to pass 90,000 miles on my 'Bird... just a drop in the bucket for this stone-reliable powerplant, so, I've many many years to go.

SomeStrangeGuy · 10-12-2006, 7:32 AM

Wow 90k..thats awesome WC

How you liking that FJR and what are your thoughts on the new Connie? Im seriously considering trading the zx10 in for the new connie. Never thought I'd say that but the new con is looking pretty cool.

OSIRIS · 10-12-2006, 9:47 AM

90K

nice going Warchild! I can only imagine how smooth the FI XX's are since my 97 was carb'd. Can you wipe the smile off your face yet?

Warchild · 10-14-2006, 2:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by somestrangeguy

How you liking that FJR and what are your thoughts on the new Connie? Im seriously considering trading the zx10 in for the new connie. Never thought I'd say that but the new con is looking pretty cool.

Ther FJR has served an excellent role, and I admit I had a pretty big hand in dragging it into the Iron Butt community and making is a mainstay in competitive Endurance Rallies, etc. It has essentially replaced the ST1100 as the main sport-touring platform... the ST1300 was never a real player due to its two main problem areas :brutal heat on the rider, and high-speed instability. Neither has been fixed since the bike was introduced in 2003, so the FJR1300 is the top sport-touring marque in LD circles currently.

That having been said....

The FJR is not perfect by any means, and has some of it's own challenges to overcome. The big one for LD guys is that modest alternator.... 490-watts, nominal. That's more than sufficient for everyday use, but for dudes needing auxiliary lights and full heated clothing running concurrently, 490-watts doesn't do the job.

Fortunately, earlier this year an aftermarket stator that brings the bike to 590-watts was made available (I installed the very first prototype brought into the country last April). And Yamaha really listens to it's customer base: starting this model year, Yammy upped the factory stator to 590-watts as well. Problem solved.

Still and all, the GTR1400 is getting a LOT of interest by the LD crowd, and I am one of them. Sadly, since I went completely ape-shit last summer and scored a new R1, my chances of picking up a GTR1400 when they are available later in the Spring of next year is pretty close to zero....

BrianR · 10-19-2006, 2:43 PM

since I went completely ape-shit last summer and scored a new R1, my chances of picking up a GTR1400 when they are available later in the Spring of next year is pretty close to zero...

Sorry to hear that - you will be welcome to take mine for a ride anytime...

Warchild · 10-19-2006, 3:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianR

Sorry to hear that - you will be welcome to take mine for a ride anytime...

Bastid!

You know I'll come calling for a test ride....

Helvet · 10-21-2006, 9:06 AM

I've seen the 2007 Blackbird in Cologne Germany last week. It's exactly the same as the 2006 model (in Europe), they just changed the colouring again. Now it's no longer a two-tone, but again completely in 1 colour: black (which is really no colour, but the absence of colours).
http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/5433/pict0013mo4.jpg
So, again for 2007 no changes......

However, there also was a special-paint version (not for sale):
http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/1926/pict0028qr9.jpg

EDIT: why don't the pictures work here? On all other boards these work.....

davesxx01 · 10-21-2006, 10:03 AM

Howdy Frank, glad you made it!

Pics work fine, if you use the correct tab.
Although I'm looking also.

ConqSoft · 10-21-2006, 10:11 AM

(Inline images are disabled because sometimes people tend to post huge pictures that throw off the formatting of the site, plus it can make the threads display very slowly for users that aren't on broadband. So, they show as links and people can click to view.)

Helvet · 10-21-2006, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ConqSoft

(Inline images are disabled because sometimes people tend to post huge pictures that throw off the formatting of the site, plus it can make the threads display very slowly for users that aren't on broadband. So, they show as links and people can click to view.)

On our Dutch Forum we have a bot that automaitcally resizes the image to the maximum allowed size. Very handy.....

ConqSoft · 10-21-2006, 12:20 PM

If you attach an image here, it will resize and create a thumbnail.

For remotely linked images, you can only do it via CSS or JavaScript, and it doesn't work well in all browsers. Plus, even though it's shown smaller, the user still has to download the full image.

Warchild · 10-21-2006, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helvet

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/5433/pict0013mo4.jpg

ACK! You Euro dudes suck.... WHY do you guys get to have factory hard bags, and we never, ever had that option?!

Stupid Honda, missing the market...AGAIN!

We poor slobs pretty much on have the Givi or Hepco & Becker options...

And, in fact, I am about to finally break down and score some Givi's for my Night Train ... the same tiny, slightly gay-looking ones that BrianR has on his XX: the black Givi EN21. They are the smallest (read: thinner) of the available bags... for the application I intend to use them for, I don't really want big-ass, massive E36 cases hanging out in the wind.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helvet

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/1926/pict0028qr9.jpg

Ooooo.... oooooooo.... while I don't care for the orange colors, the paint job otherwise seems quite fitting for a Warchild bike...

ConqSoft · 10-21-2006, 12:42 PM

Warchild, David Silvers Spares can get you the factory bags if you want them. I was considering them, but they had less capacity than the Givi E41's, and the cost of the 2-Bag OEM set was the same as my 3-Bag Givi setup.

BrianR · 10-21-2006, 4:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warchild

the same tiny, slightly gay-looking ones that BrianR has on his XX: the black Givi EN21.

That would be something like this...

Have seen several on Ebay lately Warchild. You might get a deal there yet.

ConqSoft · 10-21-2006, 4:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warchild

I don't really want big-ass, massive E36 cases hanging out in the wind.

If you think E36's are big, you wouldn't like my E41's.

http://www.cbrxx.com/honda-cbr-xx-ge...-top-case.html

AnimalMother · 10-22-2006, 5:37 AM

Dang, thats one clean bird

Metzi · 10-27-2006, 2:34 PM

I have read that the next Blackbird will have a 1200cc power plant, V5 engine config with 200 horsepower at the rear wheel and totally new styling.
There will be more HONDA moto gp technology on the Blackbird than the current CBR1000 whilst still retaining its sports tourer tag

Hey don't ask me, it's probably all crap but I hope not

ConqSoft · 10-27-2006, 2:38 PM

If they re-do the XX, I think it will be more than 1200cc's now, since the other big boys are out there.

Metzi · 10-27-2006, 2:50 PM

Even better.

Sorry I didn't mean next Blackbird I meant the next GENERATION Blackbird.

haWHYnXX · 10-27-2006, 3:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metzi

I have read that the next Blackbird will have a 1200cc power plant, V5 engine config with 200 horsepower at the rear wheel and totally new styling.
There will be more HONDA moto gp technology on the Blackbird than the current CBR1000 whilst still retaining its sports tourer tag

Hey don't ask me, it's probably all crap but I hope not

Would be the best thing Honda has done in this class for at least 5 years.
But yeah, it's probably all crap.

Helvet · 10-27-2006, 3:15 PM

I hope it wont be a V-engine.
We did a poll here in Holland with the Blackbird Owners Club, and 80% of the members was not interested in a V-engine..... (and I strongly agree).

haWHYnXX · 10-27-2006, 3:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helvet

I hope it wont be a V-engine.
We did a poll here in Holland with the Blackbird Owners Club, and 80% of the members was not interested in a V-engine..... (and I strongly agree).

Somehow, I saw the "V5" in his quote, but didn't equate it to the engine.

My last was a VFR, but every other bike I've owned was an inline and I too am partial to it. Definitely wouldn't be trading my '00 for a new BB with a V.

BTW, nice to see you here Helvet.