Why buy a Blackbird?

Leftlaner

What a d!ickwad that seller sounds like anyway. I mean, if you really want to sell your bike, you wash it and polish it, and make sure eeeeverything is as nice and shiny as it gets .. right?

If he won't take your 2500$, walk away from the deal. Just my .02

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2000CBRXXrider

I bought an 00 Blackbird last night on EBay. Guy is 2 hours from me. Im picking it up today. I will post details and phoyos tonight or tomorrow.

TimmoNZ

well done! now go buy that other one for parts

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Leftlaner

Congrats!! Looking forward to the details and pics!!

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To be is to do - Jean-Paul Sartre
Do-be-do-be-do - Frank Sinatra

Strek

I think I might have seen it on ebay. Looks like you picked up a real nice bike. I'm sure you are going to love it. Its an XX.

2000CBRXXrider

Finally..........
I purchased a 2000 Blackbird last night and picked it up today. Primo condition. 4700 miles and I can literally find nothing wrong with. Not a scratch anywhere and no issues. Guy that i purchased from had ridden it 1 time since he bought it last summer. Said it was his first bike ever and he was scared of it. Nice enough guy but DUHHHH.....I will try and take it for a spin tomorrow. PProbably paid a little too much at $6500 bu with that kind of mileage and the condition, it was worth it to me. Now all i need is some hard bags and an exhaust system.

Leftlaner

The SW Motech + Givi combo works great for me. Do a search for SW Motech if you're not familiar with this system. Lots of good full exhausts or slip ons out there. I suggest you buy a well reputed brand such as Akrapovic, D&D, V&H, Two Bros, BlueFlame etc etc..

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To do is to be - Socrates
To be is to do - Jean-Paul Sartre
Do-be-do-be-do - Frank Sinatra

2000CBRXXrider

Welp, I took my title down and got plates today and took her out for my maiden voyage....All i I can say is WOW. Feels different than the VFR as its heavier and the front end feels like I have to work a bit more, but this is without a doubt the fastest bike I have ever ridden in my life. Im an expeienced rider and she scares me, but what a rush. I think i put more miles on it today than the previous owner had put on in a year. Put in some new gas and added air to tires. Oil is good....good to roll. Headed to Vegas for a week on vacation so she will have to rest in garage till i return.

Strek

Congrats on the bike. Have fun in vegas. You will have plenty of time to ride when you get back.

Birdmanxx

Why buy a blackbird? You know why now ... Life is too short to suffer things you only half enjoy!

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digger00

I was in a very similiar situation. Was looking at an 04 VFR - just about pulled the trigger and then a buddy of mine told me about a 99 XX for sale (5K) on the MNSBR forum - interest was heightened immediately as I have always been impressed by the bike. Perfect condition 11K miles... Corbin seat, Ventura bags etc. I was immediately sold. I have owned many bikes in the past and this one is a true gem. Stealthy, smooth, solid, and I think it is very nimble in the twisties...LBS is great on this bike. Best 2up bike I have ever ridden, no need to accomodate or downshift - she is tourqy all the way through - and all the power you'll ever need. Blew away a cocky rookie Hyabusa last week...and my adreneline is still not quite leveled out. Definately happy that I went XX!!! Hope this helps.

ArmyStrong

Where's dem pics??

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2000CBRXXrider

These ar not photos that i have taken. These are photos that the seller took but they do show the bike. Ive been so busy here at work trying to get caught up from vacation its been tough to get it out in the sun and get some good shots. Probably this weekend though.

Strek

That is one sweet looking ride. It looks brand new and with the low miles it really is new. I don't feel that you overpaid it. Not for one that looks like that and has such low mileage. I think that the XX looks great in that color and it's my second favorite color for the bike. Well if I was looking and I couldn't find a black one and saw one as sweet as that in that color I would go for it as well. Enjoy it.

2000CBRXXrider

Thanks Strek. Kind of my thinking as well. Guess the bike is worth what you are willing to pay.
I have found a set of Stainetunes slip ons brand new for just over $500 that i will be ordering this week and will also be ordering the SW Motech / Givi V35 hardbags this week as well. Pretty good day today as I sold the VFR this morning and now have some $ to buy a few goodies. May look at a seat as well but right now I cant say the stock seat is really that bad, especially compared to the VFR seat.

sv61

As for the comparisons between the Viffer and XX.....

The Viffer feels a LITTLE lighter, but to me, more narrow. The riding position (stock to stock) favors the VFR, to me.

IF they ever make a VFR 1000/1100, sign me up!

Now, you mentioned that the Bird is heavier steering. I believe you state that you have about 4700 miles on the bike. I would humbly suggest that you make sure the front tire is correctly inflated, and that it IS still worth having on the motorycycle. It MAY be time to switch tires, if they are the original tires.

While the XX does not turn QUITE as quick as a VFR, it should NOT steer heavy, IMO.

BTW, you got the fastest color as well.

That should fire the debates!!

DragonXX

It pains me to say this but the 'Bird's steering and overall front end engineering is it's biggest downfall. Riding any litre big bore and you'll soon find out quick enough !
Even up against the ZX12R, ZX14R, FJR and VFR, the XX still feels like a submarine around slow roundabouts.

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sv61

Isn't the world a wonderful place?

Two grown men of the same age, from different countries, riding a common bike, and yet there is a difference of opinion on the steering of the bird!

I LOVE it!

While I wouldn't call the steering of the Blackbird quick, it isn't that bad. For a bike it's size, it's steering is remarkably light, Honda like if you will.

I have experienced the bird being a challenge to turn (a submarine?? ), but generally speaking it is because the front tire is not inflated correctly, or the front tire is shite!

No, it will not turn like a GSXR, ZX-10, or CBR1000 (THANK GOD), but for it's 560 lbs, the Blackbird turns really good. Add the 6mm shim, and it gets better.

Frank851

To quicken up the steering on the XX one thing that is easy to do is to replace the stock "ball bearing" bearings on the steering stem with "tapered bearings" like those available from a company like All Balls Racing Products, see allballsracing.com . You will be surprised at the faster response the steering has with this set-up. For the 1100XX, all years, the part number from All Balls is 22-1020.

I have these bearings on my 1100XX and the steering is better than stock, but I like the faster response. Someone that does a lot of touring may not like the faster response that this set-up gives.

When you are installing the new steering stem bearings, don't forget to replace the steering lock washer. This would be a great time to save time and money by upgrading the front suspension with new springs and possibly heavier duty fork oil. If you have a shop do it the time should be about 4 hours of labor for the steeering stem bearings swap.

The All Balls steering stem bearings are:

• Designed as a drop-in replacment to upgrade OEM ball-type bearings to taper bearings.
• Kits come complete with both, upper and lower, taper bearing cups and cones and seals (both top and bottom seals are included in the kit)
• Tapered roller bearings decrease maintenance along with less wear and longer life.

By the way I do not work or have any affiliation with All Balls Racing Products, although they are made in the USA a few miles from where I used to live in PA.

I also agree that the front tire profile affects the steering response as well. I have noticed that my new Michelin 2CTs turn in faster than the OEM Dunlops that they replaced.

Hope this is helpful to those that want to have a faster steering response than stock.

Also, I would never have thought to use submarine with the XX in the same sentence, you should save that for "chopper", not XX.

sv61

Agreed.

When my bike hit 40,000, the stock steering head bearings had a small detent started. I went ahead and changed out the ball bearing based setup, with the tapered roller bearings. That one change WILL affect handling.

Positively IMO. If you tour, you will need to raise the ass, change the shock, or both.

Strek

sv61

I think that the XX handles and steers better then the ZX10. Just my opinion. My brother had one for years. We have often traded off while riding. We both feel that the XX steers quicker and easier with a lighter feel. I think a lot has to do with the tires as well. Tires play a big part in steer in feel.

sv61

Hey Strek, Good talking to you!!

When you say ZX-10, are you referring to the "newer" ones (the ones in the last half dozen years)? Or, are you referring to the ZX-10 from the mid to late 80's (the pre-cursor to the ZX-11)?

The Old ZX-10/ZX-11 steered much like my OLD CBR1000F. Predictable, but slow. The Blackbird was the first bike I rode that steered pretty quick, yet still remained stable.

As for the newer ZX-10, I would THINK that those would steer MUCH quicker than the Bird. I have NOT ridden one. I have ridden GSX-R 1000 and CBR 1000RRs, and both of those steered quicker. I just assumed, due to the type of bike, that the ZX would also fall into the quicker steering category.

Yep, tires can make a HUGE difference, no doubt! Whole nother thread!

magley64

for me, there was no comparable bike for the price, anywhere...

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sv61

Big Hell Yea, on that. IT is a wonderful bike with Achilles heel(s), just like EVERY OTHER MECHANICAL THING OUT THERE.

The FJR intrigues me. Not enough to trade the Bird.

The ST has always been too anti septic to me. This, in spite of the fact that one of my friends has owned an 1100 and a 1300.

The ZX-14 had great promise save two things: 1) They added stupid wieght to it, and 2) That dang Kawasaki name!

I haven't found anything that I feel would replace it.

Hayabusa? Can't get past the looks, or the riding position. The motor sure is attractive though!
ZX-14? It's the Kawasaki thing again. I am sure that K's build quality has come up. I'll let others tell me.
BMWK12 yada yada. Bike does interest me. But the wheelbase is silly, and the price for one of those things is crazy (to me).

Strek

sv61

Yes I was referring to one from the late 80's that later led to the ZX11 and 12. DUH on my part not to think of the newer more track like ZX10's. I still have a 1988 CBR1000F and my brother got the ZX10 a couple of months after I got my CBR1000F in 88. By the way there is a thread up currently for those of us who had or still have Hurricanes prior to our XX's. I've got to find a few free moments to post up some pics of both of my bikes. I also agree with you on some of the newer competitors of the XX. The ST is not sporting enough and gets a whopping in comparison testing against the FJR and the Concours. It generally gets good grades for reliability and fit and finnish. The BMW also gets beat up in those same comparsion test. Typically the Concours and/or FJR's come out on top. I have been on an FJR but not for a long ride. It's nice and has a more upright position then an XX.
The XX packs more of a punch and does handle much better. To me those bikes are tourers. Hard to think of them as sport tourers in my mind. To me those bikes would be ones that I would consider instead of bikes like a goldwing if all I was interested in was doing long distance touring.