Poundstretcher

He wanted something Blech

dracki

your lucky i like blue nearly as much as Black

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Attitude,Charisma,Mojo & Spunk. Thats what you have on a BLACK Blackbird & there the fastest.the rest of you just dream about that

annoying Shewie,Lois & Poundstrecher one post at a time

dracki

& stop talking like your abo bro nieghbore across the pond down there, Nutterbutter

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Attitude,Charisma,Mojo & Spunk. Thats what you have on a BLACK Blackbird & there the fastest.the rest of you just dream about that

annoying Shewie,Lois & Poundstrecher one post at a time

uis048

Very rarely do Honda step from the well trodden path. For their period and the competion of the time, they (generally) make well constructed machines with comparable performance. They are also more than capable of cocking up regally:- Original VFR, the palstic maggot thing, (CX500?), any number of the smaller 250 - 400 twins , (add your own to the list).
But when they get something right, they are superb. The original Fireblades set motorcycling in a new direction and, (finally the point), the Blackbird, of its time, was like nothing elese. A grand tourer with clout. I don't suppose many of you have ridden the Yamaha Diversion 900. That weighed even more than the 'bird with a whole 96 BHP to propel it along, but it was good for its day if you wanted 500 mile 2-up comfort and a smooth engine. The ZZR 1100's were almost there, but suffered from handling woes and a buzz saw engine. There is a long list of things I find annoying about the design of the 'bird, but as a package, I would be hard pushed to name any other motorcycle that can be bought so cheap and yet delivers such a sublime performance package.

MotoRacerGabe

it's like anything new.
why would someone get a classic mustang when they could get a new one?
why would someone get a classic datsun Z when you could get a new Z?
or why get any old sports car when you could get any new one?
bike and cars are always getting better and better every year. of course a bike made in '97 is going to be outdated to todays standards.

the XX was first made in '97 and didn't change much. even after if got FI, it was pretty much the same bike. take a look at the GSXRs, ZXs, CBRs, and such; they change every 3 years or so. the blackbird stayed the same it's whole life.


i have ridden a new busa and zx14. i prefer my XX. the other bikes just dont feel as good.

deadman

Whats so great about a Blackbird, absolutely nothing,

But nothing else even comes close to it.

60 big sports bikes of every description and power lined up at the lights.

Three sets of lights later, One XX, one gsxr 1400 and a Busa, the only three left in the field. every thing else was left for dead,

When your doing 320 klms an hour, the 1400 and the Busa are 20 klms and 30 klms faster than the XX, Big deal. Brand new against a 10 year old XX.

Do 1000 or 1500 klms in a weekend, you will soon know which one you would rather be on.

My XX does these klms frequently and in total comfort, no aches, pains or cramps.

In OZ, most people know what a blackbird is, And they do respect this machine, because they know what it is capable of, It is one machine that does not get left behind by any thing else. Irrespective of size.

Yes, I love my Bird, it is one unique machine, and as you ride yours, you will eventually find out why, also.

Cheers,
Brian.

__________________
If ya not boppin, Ya in ya coffin. Rock and roll will soothe your soul.
Mods, 6mm Shim, 12 inch risers, Double bubble Windsceen, Homemade Ventura type packrack, Expandable to 82 litre, Rjays rack bag, Lowered rear end frame by 3 inches. Suspension is still stock, home made Cans, awesome.

thechamp55

Quote:
Originally Posted by Strek http://www.cbrxx.com/images/buttons/viewpost.gif
Was your bike given to you? I mean before I buy a motorcycle I do a great deal of research on the bike. I pick a bike that suits the type of riding I do. You know. One that I know that I will like. You point out that Race Rockets are lighter and faster. What a surprise to learn that piece of information. Yepper. Race Rockets sure are lighter and faster. Can't ride them for more then an hour at a time. Fun to ride. Yes. I've had the big touring rigs. Might as well be in a convertible. So its the sports touring bikes for me. The bird is the best performing best looking in that crowd. Best all around bike. ZX14 probably the closest. The zx14 ergos aren't as good for me. Busa is ugly IMO. Now if I was after more of a touring sports bike I would look at a concours or fjr. So how did you come to own an XX in the first place?


He wanted something Blech
When I was in the Marines I had a friend who had never ridden before who wanted a bike. I shit you not, his requirements were that it was A)newish B) black and C) racy looking. He knew I had a Honda so eventually chose a 600RR (I tried to steer him elsewhere). He was fine though, regullarly traviling hundreds of miles a day. His only incident was when he tried to endo in a parking lot, but he had frame sliders and was unhurt. He enjoyed the bike but I still think he wouldve been better of on something else.

__________________
Everyone Dies. Not Everyone Lives.

Strek

Brian,

I agree with everything you have stated here. What I don't get is how someone (smr96) would get a bike and not have a real good feeling for if they are going to like it or not or even have to ask the question (whats so great about these bikes?) to others in the first place. I think most people give a fair amount of thought to a motorcycle purchase. Kind of think through if it will fullfil your needs in a bike. Does it suit your riding style? Will the ergos work for me? Do I like the way it looks? Do I like its performance? He stated that he was familiar with the bikes history so it seems that he did his research. That was the point of my question in my post. The one where I asked smr96 if the bike had been given to him. I can understand perhaps buying a bike and finding out much later down the road that its not exactly what you want. I mean I used to have a goldwing and I'd never make that mistake again. BUT At least when I got that bike I was looking for a touring rig and used it as a touring rig. I wasn't surprised by what it was, what it did or how it did it. I just came to the point where I wasn't doing as much long haul distance touring and didn't like the feeling that I wasn't on a motorcycle when I was riding it. I changed. The bike was what it always was.

BackStreet

"What I don't get is how someone (smr96) would get a bike and not have a real good feeling for if they are going to like it or not or even have to ask the question (whats so great about these bikes?) to others in the first place."

Let me answer this IMO. In 2003 I went looking for a bike and started reading all the mags, reading reviews online, looked at the numbers. Looked at several in person. Sat on a few. Talked to the dealer. None of them was a clear winner but I made a choice. With a lot of opinions, statistics, reviews, technological differences, etc. sooner or later you have to pick just one.

I second guess myself. I hope he is being honest and just asking us that question, "What's so great about these bikes?" I love mine and I'm not sure I can really answer that question.

smr96

Okay I'll admit that I'm fickle. Probably why I've gone through 12 bikes in the past 20yrs! This '02 Blackbird is lucky number 13. I've had cruisers, dual sport/adventure, supermoto, naked/standards, and sportbikes. I even had the Honda Silverwing (yes the "scooter") that I went straight from an '02 ZX6R to looking for something different. I read and follow motorcycling to the point that its annoying, so yes I knew exactly what the CBR1100xx was all about when I bought it and fortunately the guy I bought it from didn't! Most of you seem to assume that I don't like the bike, which isn't true. It's a bit piggish but with my long commute the extra heft adds stability and I'm one of the few that actually likes linked braking. I wonder how many of you bought your bike new? I mean as a new model on the dealer's floor, especially before '99 when the 'Busa was released because if you did you know damn well that you had every intention of owning the fastest production bike ever made. It seems that most have now relegated it to a mighty fine sport tourer which is fine but I don't think thats what Honda intended it to be. I don't think someone looking at a new Hayabusa or ZX14 would tell you they're looking for a sport tourer but on the same hand someone with a ZX12 or maybe even an older 'Busa would probably consider those sport tourers does that make sense? Anyway I've seemed to have opened a real can of worms with this post and you can't say that you people aren't passionate about your bikes!

thechamp55

I bought an 05 ZX-12R in winter 07. And I got my 99 bird about a year ago. When I made the first purchase I was actually torn between the two though I relized the Ninjas performance advantage. I just found a Kawasaki first, then the serendipity of the universe occured and I ended up with an XX anyway.
When I bought either I didnt do it to have the fastest machine out there. Ive seen a 408rwhp busa and an 1100hp Hennesey viper on the road, and both of those guys acknowledged they arent the fastest either. Point is there are monsters out there and I will never be the fastest.
I didnt really consider the ZX or XX sport tourers either, to me that connotates FJR1300 or Concours etc.
I think these bikes (and the busa a BMW Kbikes) are more in line with luxury GT cars, like the Ferrari 599, Bentley Continental GT, Mercedes SL etc.

__________________
Everyone Dies. Not Everyone Lives.

itsthemechanic

Well, the more recent super sport rockets might beat me on weight and power, but after 3 hours in the saddle they'll need a chiropractor. I'll also lap them on long trips because the 'Bird has a 24 litre tank.

The 'Bird is just a great all round package, does everything you throw at it.. besides maybe tow a boat trailer.

Strek

I sensed that you do your homework on bikes and you had mentioned that you knew the history of the bike. I understand about being fickle too. I mentioned that I had owned a goldwing. I liked it when I got it. Liked it for about 2 years. Stopped doing the coast to coast type of rides and didn't like it after that. Heck I was starting to not like it after year one. I've said it often. You're better off in a convertible then you are on one of those things. You get about the same effect and you can store more in the convertible. You can also get a better stereo and put the top up when it rains. Now those are just my own feeling after owning one. Some folks love the wing. I think the others here have provided some good reasons why the bird is great. Looks, power, versitility, reliability, more comfort than the race rockets, handles good for a bike its size and weight,
and it still runs with bikes that are 10 years newer.

I've owned three different bikes that were considered to be the speed kings at one time or another. Most of the time it was a short lived reign at the top of the speed food chain. My 88 CBR1000F held that title for about a month. Then Kaw came out with the ZX10. My brother made sure he got one immediately. Nice guy. I never purchased any of them for the speed king title reason. Seems that some bike will come along and knock it off its perch before too long.

dracki

you havn't opened a can of worms,they didn't understand what you ment,i bought mine new & it wasn't even on the show room floor,a blue bird was there but was sold so i couldn't even sit on it,but what i wanted was a fast & beautifull bike,there was no other bike on the market for 'me' at the time,other bikes were ugly(busa's) & more sporty than comfy(zx12) & since i once owned a CBR1000f & totaly liked it for its overall package i figured if the bird is all that & much better i can't go wrong

__________________
Attitude,Charisma,Mojo & Spunk. Thats what you have on a BLACK Blackbird & there the fastest.the rest of you just dream about that

annoying Shewie,Lois & Poundstrecher one post at a time

XX-XR

Out of 38 various brands of bikes I've had 2 longterm keepers 1990 CBR1000F and the XX. The Blackbird seems to do what I ask, it's not a maintenance whore and it's simple to work on, like a centerstand so you can actually change tires and you don't have to remove bodywork just to change oil. Mine has 40k never needed a valve adj yet and is all original except drive chain, front sprocket and I replaced the CCT even thou it was quiet... for $29 and 5 minutes it seemed to be worth having peace of mind.

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Gettin old aint for sissy's!

getsarge

The group I ride with (4 Harleys, a Katana 600, and the occasional R1 or GSXR600) stops regularly at about 45 minute intervals. I figure that's about right, my wrists have been shaken out and could use a good rest from being numb. The HD's complain about the same issue in their wrists.

What gets me is the guy on the Katana...real down to earth, would give you the shirt off your back type of guy...but he is all about speed (no doubt his gutless Katana feeds his misery). We passed an SRT Dodge Ram, he couldn't stop drooling...a corvette, more drool...his dream is a ZX14. I don't think he considers much about what he drives/rides, or what he fantasizes about while riding his bike...the only requirement is that it is the fastest.

Both the XX's that I've owned have been faster than I thought they would be, they're heavy, but smooth and solid. Best of all, it's predictable...I know that when I'm in a lean, I can give it as much or as little throttle as I'd like, and the bike isn't going to buck or kick.

About the only other bike that really interests me is Suzi's TL1000S. It's not comfortable, it's not solid, it kicks, bucks, screams, and with bags of torque - wants to wheelie every time you whack the throttle...but I like it. I wouldn't use it for an iron butt, but I would sure use it in town, around a track, and in the twisties.

I suppose I do indeed like the chubby chick from middle school.

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Semper Fi

DeathWish01

might not want to take it over a ramp either... or anywhere extremely muddy LOL

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Take Two X's For A Spin And Call Me In The Morning!

Mike Voeller

deadman

When I bought my XX, I knew nothing about it,
I had not been on a bike for twelve years. Every bike was new to me and I did not have a clue.

I wanted a big motor, excellent road handling, and a very reliable motor.
Nothing more.

I looked at the new Triumphs, as I rode a 650 Bonnieville fully chopped for 17 years,
They were 40 klms faster than my Bonnie 40 years later, My Bonnie, I had to put a new top end in every 10,000 miles, but it handled supurbly. and a million miles on it.
Not reliable.
1000 cc Duke, I looked at it, but tuning hassles and noisy motor. No go.

The Honda four 750, used to get 80,000 klms with even touching the motor. super reliable,

I looked at this Honda XX on the showroom floor, I do not like cafe racers,
and to me the XX is a cafe racer. I am an old codger,

This XX had 351 klms on the clock, two year old Demo model, and Honda were winning races, So obviuosly they had sorted their elastic suspension problems out, which the 750 four had.

The price was right for me, So I coffed up the dollars and was the proud owner of a two year old, brand new Honda Blackbird. I did not even test ride it.

It came with a full factory warranty, So if it blew up, I was covered.

The first thing that went was the crappy clip ons, Aches and pains and cramps. 12 inch risers turned this bike into a dream to ride.

I then found cbrxx on the net and then I found out what sort of bike I had Bought for myself. Very impressed with the write ups.

12 months later and 21,000 klms on the clock, and two sets of tyres, I am still impressed, I now have a bike that is capable of keeping up with me.

Very little keeps up with me, But it has always been like that, I just have to wait for people every 100 klms or so, Such is life.

It might not be the fastest, but who cares, not too many riders will ride flat stick on the open road anyway.

I love my Bird and will ride it for many years to come, I have no intention of updating, I have customized it to suit my riding style and am exceptionally happy with it.

Ride the Bird for your self, dont worry what other dick heads have to say, its your bike and they dont ride it, Just enjoy the pleasure it gives to you,

Cheers,
Brian.

__________________
If ya not boppin, Ya in ya coffin. Rock and roll will soothe your soul.
Mods, 6mm Shim, 12 inch risers, Double bubble Windsceen, Homemade Ventura type packrack, Expandable to 82 litre, Rjays rack bag, Lowered rear end frame by 3 inches. Suspension is still stock, home made Cans, awesome.

Nutter67

I had no intention of buying a bird (or even know what one was.....) when I was looking for a bike. I had been trolling the auction sites for an ex-police Beemer with 80-100,000km for AU$5,500. They were all interstate. Then I saw an ad for a second hand Firestorm and ZZR1200, and went down to the dealer to have a look. The Firestorm didnt feel right, and the ZZR felt very top heavy. There was a brand new bird on the showroom floor that had a build date of April 2007. I sat on it and it felt good. So good that I had signed all of the paperwork to buy it within 30 mins of seeing it - didnt even take it for a test ride. I didnt even know anything about the bike until I joined up here.

I wasnt looking for a hypersports bike, or even the fastest bike. I found a bike that suited my size and felt comfortable. I know that the bird can easily accomplish a sub two minute lap at Phillip Island, but I cant - yet. The bird can do more than I am capable of, not the other way around, and that is a safe way of keeping it too.

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Paul

Never let a motorcycle take you somewhere your brain didn't get to three seconds earlier

Doug66

What can one say when it's all been said. In years to come when 'classics' are mentioned, the Blackbird will be on the list.