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| | #1 | |
| Join Date: May 01 2008 Location: Ohio Age: 43
Posts: 45
| Why buy a Blackbird?
This is my 1st post on this site. I am a member over at VFR World as well. This winter i was looking for a new bike (something other than a Harley) and found a heck of a deal on a brand new 06 VFR. I purchased it, added hard bags, and generally really like the bike. Im not a racer. I use it to commute and do some sport touring. Over the past few months and after I purchased my VFR I have discovered the Blackbird. What a gorgeous bike and I am guessing it rides just as well. This week I started tinkering with the idea of just going ahead and selling the VFR as I could make some $ on it since i got it for a steal and looking for a Blackbird. I found several on EBay but they are all very far away and Im not going to have one shipped and I dont have the time to go pick it up. Then yesterday it happend, I found one. Close enough to get. I had to double check what I was reading. Was this really a 2000, which is my favorite as far as colors go, with just over 4000 miles? Surely not! Well it is and its prestine. For sale for $5K. Wife won it in a divorce settlement and she gave it to her dad. Dad thought he would like it but said its just way too much bike for him. Right now I have a Harley Road Glide that I have had since 02 and mama says that one has to stay as she loves to ride on the back. I have the 06 VFR which i really havent established a relationship with yet but its a great bike. If I add the Blackbird that will make 3 and I really cant see the use of having the VFR and the Blackbird. Can anybody convince me the right thing to do is sell the VFR and get the Bird? I know people on this site will be biased just like the would be on VFR World. Many over there would be saying dont bother. They would say the Birds bigger, heavier, not as responsive, etc. What reasons would you use to back your opinion up? I really know nothing about the Blackbirds as I had never really looked at anything on them but I am mechanically inclined and just feel I will be happier on the bigger bike. Anything I need to look at closely before making the purchase? Thoughts? | |
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| | #2 |
| Join Date: Jan 04 2007 Location: Tulsa, OK Age: 46
Posts: 720
| Re: Why buy a Blackbird?
I think you'll find a many converts from the VFR on here. I'm one. I reluctantly sold a 97 VFR a couple of years ago and had both the VFR and XX for years. I loved the v-4 sound. both awesome bikes both from a time when Honda ruled all. Heck man my email have been XXVFR7@#####.net since 98. I miss the sigle sided swing arm and the v-4 but the more ponies I get witht eh 1100 and the over all badazz look of the XX just does it for me. xx'er for life!
__________________ Sua Sponte!
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| | #3 |
| Join Date: Mar 27 2007 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Age: 28
Posts: 328
| Re: Why buy a Blackbird?
Sacrifice the Harley!!! I can already tell you that some people are going to tell you to get rid of the VFR because of the V-Tec. Personally, I don't know that it would bother me. I think the biggest difference is that the VFR will be more comfortable stock for those long rides and the XX is going to be a lot more powerful. Also, the blackbird is only 30 lbs heavier than the VFR, so that argument really doesn't do anything for me. It sounds like you found one heck of a deal... IMHO, I'd prob go with the XX. But again, we're probably all a little biased on here
__________________ 16 valves, 4 pistons, 2 tires, and one twist of the wrist... I'm doing my part to keep the insect population down... are you? |
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| | #4 |
| Join Date: Nov 03 2006 Location: JC, TN
Posts: 123
| Re: Why buy a Blackbird?
I think you will find as far as weight and size, the VFR is not that much lighter and not that much smaller than the XX.
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| | #5 |
| ... Get A Good Lawyer ! Join Date: Dec 20 2007 Location: Gold Coast, Australia Age: 45
Posts: 2,726
| Re: Why buy a Blackbird?
SPEED !!!!! There are not many things that can outrun a 'Bird ................................ The space shuttle comes to mind and maybe a Patriot missile Seriously. I bought mine for it's quality, ride, performance and comfort for commuting ! ......... The FJR1300 was close !
__________________ " 'Birds of a feather, flock together " ![]() Quote of the month: "Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler." - Albert Einstein |
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| | #6 |
| Join Date: Nov 04 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Age: 48
Posts: 98
| Re: Why buy a Blackbird?
If you want more power than the Viffer or the "air cooled dinosaur", then the Bird will satisfy. But proceed with caution while "twisting the wick". I used to think that my 90" stroker shovelhead was fast. After riding my XX, I got a reality check and a shit stain in my fruit of the looms.
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| | #7 | |
| TEDZXX Join Date: Jan 22 2008 Location: Lockhart, Texas Age: 45
Posts: 1,742
| Re: Why buy a Blackbird? Quote:
What more can be said??? The Birds are everything the VFR's are and more. The horsepower difference alone should convince you to the Blackbird.
__________________ 02 Silver Bird, Throttlemeister, HID's, D&D Show and Go full system exhaust, Zero Gravity Double Bubble, Power Commander, Speedohealer, Corbin seat, Lowered foot pegs & more Mods to come!!! | |
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| | #8 |
| Moderator Join Date: Jun 25 2007 Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 4,556
| Re: Why buy a Blackbird?
I had a VFR as well. I liked it but... The BB is superior. Handles better. Looks better. Faster. The VFR had a higher center of gravity and it has that suck a$$ shaft drive. Still all in all the VFR a great bike with a great engine and I just don't like shaft drive myself. The BB is a better bike. I would buy the BB. take the clipons off of the VFR. Put them on the BB and then I'd get another set of clip ons for the VFR. I would do that so that you have them on the BB quickly and won't lose any riding time with the BB. When you get another set of clip ons for the VFR you could mount them back on the VFR and by then you will know that you now have two superior bikes and you can then sell the Harley.
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| | #9 |
| youfly2 | Re: Why buy a Blackbird?
ONCE YOU GO BLACK YOU NEVER GO BACK! |
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| | #10 |
| Join Date: Oct 09 2007 Location: Calgary ab. canada
Posts: 62
| Re: Why buy a Blackbird?
Smooth Sooooo Smooooooooooth and MOTHER F%$KIN FAST. I just took a 06 busa for a ride and can happily say that it is not nearly as refined as a xx. Take the xx, You Will Not Be Disappointed |
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| | #11 | |
| Moderator Join Date: Nov 12 2006 Location: Medford, NY Age: 40
Posts: 1,892
| Re: Why buy a Blackbird?
Others have touched on it pretty well already. I am a former owner of a 96 VFR that I had for 3 years and put on 36,000 miles. In a nutshell, the Blackbird is a VFR on steroids. The first thing you will notice is that your riding position is a little more extreme than a VFR, i.e. bars are lower and pegs are higher, but it is not uncomfortable. Also, the VFR is narrower between your legs than a BB. Once underway on the BB you quickly forget all that because the engine is the star of the show. With 40 more horsepower than a VFR you will be grinning from ear to ear. I say get rid of both bikes and get a BB. It is a bike that can truly do it all; solo sport ride, 2-up tour, and commute. Quote:
What are you talking about?
__________________ -Paul | |
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| | #12 |
| Join Date: May 01 2008 Location: Ohio Age: 43
Posts: 45
| Re: Why buy a Blackbird?
I have never seen a VFR that had a shaft drive either. Must be confused with something else. Im waiting on the guy to call me now so i can go get it. With any luck it will be in the garage tonight. It is raining here though so it may have to wait until this weekend. When I am able I will shoot some photos and post. I am hoping my wife warms up to it a little more than the VFR. She has yet to ride on the back and told me the other night she never would. Yeah she is a Harley girl through and through. She has just gotten to used to riding back there in ultimate comfort. I geuss if she doesnt like the BB, I can always get her on and with a quick hit of the gas she would be gone. Only kidding. Been married for 19 years and she lets me do what i want. I made the mistake of riding a sport bike last year for a while and found they can be so much more fun to ride and are truly better performers |
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| | #13 |
| Join Date: Feb 26 2008 Location: Northeast Ohio Age: 25
Posts: 422
| Re: Why buy a Blackbird?
If you get a corbin gfl, with backrest, and take her for a ride on the bird, she might forget all about the dinosaur, then you can sell it, get a 'wing, and you'll have a bike to retire on, LOL I'm getting a wing when I get to be old....
__________________ Šuane "Harley's don't have a "throttle" in the typical use of the word, think of it more as a "volume knob" on the right handle bar, the more you twist it, the more windows you rattle" |
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| | #14 | |
| Moderator Join Date: Jun 25 2007 Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 4,556
| Re: Why buy a Blackbird? Quote:
Yes I confused this with another bike that I had owned. A V65 sabre. If she is a harley girl through and through but you still like her then you could always look for someone else to join you on the BB and leave the wife at home or just ride it by yourself. Selling the Harley might force the issue. | |
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| | #15 |
| Join Date: May 01 2008 Location: Ohio Age: 43
Posts: 45
| Re: Why buy a Blackbird?
Harley was posted on Ebay yesterday and I informed her of it last night. If it sells great, I will buy something nice she will want to ride on the back of. Probably another HD. If it doesnt sell, so be it. It will be around all summer to ride on (when Im not out on the BB or the VFR). The VFR will be posted on Ebay this weekend as well more than likely. I got a very good deal on the VFR and also got a deal on the hardbags for it. If anybody knows somebody looking for a nice VFR please send them my way. I will save them some $ for sure.Nobody else is allowed to ride behind me, thats one of mamas rules. |
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| | #16 |
| Join Date: Feb 26 2008 Location: Northeast Ohio Age: 25
Posts: 422
| Re: Why buy a Blackbird?
where are u at in ohio? maybe you can get in on the group ride with myself, big arn and youfly?
__________________ Šuane "Harley's don't have a "throttle" in the typical use of the word, think of it more as a "volume knob" on the right handle bar, the more you twist it, the more windows you rattle" |
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| | #17 | |
| Moderator Join Date: Jun 25 2007 Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 4,556
| Re: Why buy a Blackbird? Quote:
Cool. I was just kidding about finding someone else to ride with. I don't think my wife would like it either. Is it a harley thing with your wife or the fact that she is more comfy on the Harley? | |
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| | #18 |
| Join Date: May 01 2008 Location: Ohio Age: 43
Posts: 45
| Re: Why buy a Blackbird?
Magley- Im down in the other corner. Southwest. With the wife its a little of both i think. Shes pretty comfy back there. She can take anything she wants to in the saddlebags. We can listen to tunes and just enjoy the open road. We dont usually ride with others, do poker runs, or any of that other crap. She has also grown up a Harley girl as she has rode behind me for almost 20 years and she grew up riding behind her dad. We had a pretty interesting discussion about the HD thing the other night. Dont get me wrong, I like em, but the other day we went to local dealer just to see what they had and it seemed like every goofball in the world was in there looking to buy something that they know nothing about and should not be messing with, but they have the $ and they want to be cool. I dont want this to turn into a HD bashing thread but the whole scene kind of made me ill. I started riding Harleys back in the 80s cause not many others did and it made me different. Now Im bucking the system again by riding something different than the rest. Friends that have seen the VFR say "What the He** is that"? The BB will surely get even more ?s Im guessing. |
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| | #19 |
| Join Date: Feb 13 2008 Location: williamsburg VA
Posts: 29
| Re: Why buy a Blackbird?
maybe try getting her on the back of the bird. my wife says its the most comfy bike shes ever been on and thats with the stock seat. ive had them all and will never ride anything but a bird from now on. they are truely the best all around bike. good luck with it man
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| | #20 |
| Join Date: May 09 2007 Location: Middle Tennessee Age: 51
Posts: 245
| Re: Why buy a Blackbird?
The Interceptor is a fine bike. I found an '03 for a good friend of mine several months ago for a steal-he bought it and loved it-until he rode my '98 'Bird. I rode it also-rides fine, very comfortable and has the Honda reliability, but the XX blows it away on all counts. FWIW, I have a Harley too and my wife won't ride any of them...
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| | #21 |
| Join Date: Nov 25 2006 Location: BC Canada
Posts: 4,392
| Re: Why buy a Blackbird?
Ahhhhh, the perfect topic for my 1000th post. After I sold my tractor I test road a Viffer. I enjoyed it but realized immediately that I would out grow it. This was during my "market research" for a new ride. I spied the Bird at my local dealer and fell in love. It was the same price in '02 as the VFR and was, in my opinion, twice the bike. And it is, again, my opinion. I never even test road the Bird, just bought it, ordered Heli Bars, 3 Givi bags, a Corbin GFL, Two Bro Tit slip ons, a PC iii, and two months later, rode from Vancouver to Toronto, through the States, and home. In four months I rode 15,000 kms. I now have 120,500 kms and she rides BETTER, than new. Many upgrades and a few farkles and a bit of bling later, she looks better than new. Buy a Bird, there is no better cycle, again, my opinion and of course shared by members of this board and every other Bird board. Cheers
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| | #22 |
| Administrator | Re: Why buy a Blackbird?
I'm in agreeance w/everyone else. During my "research" I narrowed it down to a VFR or a Bird. To be perfectly honest, I said which ever one I found a deal on first, i'd get. I happened to get to test ride a vfr that wasn't a good deal, but I got to see how she fealt. It made me lean toward the BB cause I felt I wanted something bigger. A few weeks later I sat on a BB for the first time and it was a wrap.
__________________ Murphys 6th law of combat operations: If it's stupid but it works, it ain't stupid. ![]() |
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| | #23 |
| Join Date: Oct 30 2006 Location: Norway
Posts: 521
| Re: Why buy a Blackbird?
So.. Can we congratulate you as a new XX owner yet..?
__________________ To do is to be - Socrates To be is to do - Jean-Paul Sartre Do-be-do-be-do - Frank Sinatra |
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| | #24 |
| Join Date: Jan 24 2008 Location: Massachusetts Age: 49
Posts: 471
| Re: Why buy a Blackbird?
I bought mine 4 years ago this spring on my bro's researched recommendation (he has one). That season I rode over 9000 miles. Best bike I have ever been on and in the offseason its nice to just look at. |
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| | #25 |
| Join Date: May 01 2008 Location: Ohio Age: 43
Posts: 45
| Re: Why buy a Blackbird?
All right so heres the scoop. Guy has this advertised as mint condition. I meet him Friday afternoon at a Storage Warehouse and the bike is there under a cover. Pull it out into the sunlight Heres what i find- - scrapes and scuffs on right side, looks like they occurred when moving the bike in a truck - chain rusted - rotors rusted - battery is dead so wont start -gas tank at least half empty tires more than likely dry rotted - lots of cobwebs and crap on it What a disgrace to an awesome machine!!! Guy says "So what are you thinking?" I pretty much told him based on condition of the bike I think he has it priced too high. Ask him what her will take and he says 4500. I spoke to my Honda tech and he said be careful of it and that he wouldnt give him much for it either as i dont even know if it will run. There was oil in it, brakes work, except for the scuffs, paints in good shape. So I am at a crossroads here. I thought about calling the guy back and saying I will give you $2500 for it just to see if he would take it and if i have to put another 1500 back into so be it. The other option is to find another one. Anybody have any thought on this? I could use some advice.Also are there any channce of me finding a new one still at any dealer in the country? HELP! |
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| | #26 |
| Join Date: Mar 27 2007 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Age: 28
Posts: 328
| Re: Why buy a Blackbird?
Unfortunately, the only way you'd find a new one at a dealer in THIS country is if it has been sitting for 5 years or more. 2003 was the last year that Honda stopped selling them in the states. I would say make him buy a new battery and fire it up for you, but I don't think running it with old gas and oil is a good idea. Don't know what to tell you other than I think another will come around if you can wait for it. A guy had a stock '99 bird in perfect shape for sale up here in the Fort Wayne area, but he moved to North Carolina and unless he already sold it, he was taking it with him. Best of luck finding something.
__________________ 16 valves, 4 pistons, 2 tires, and one twist of the wrist... I'm doing my part to keep the insect population down... are you? |
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| | #27 |
| Moderator Join Date: Jun 25 2007 Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 4,556
| Re: Why buy a Blackbird?
I'd keep looking. You don't know if it will run. The other option would be to take a battery and see if it starts. Then negotiate from there based on the condition.
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| | #28 |
| Join Date: May 01 2008 Location: Ohio Age: 43
Posts: 45
| Re: Why buy a Blackbird?
You guys have confirmed what i thought, Thanks. I will keep looking. Theres more out there. If anybody sees something or knows of something please let me know please.
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| | #29 |
| Join Date: Jan 24 2008 Location: Massachusetts Age: 49
Posts: 471
| Re: Why buy a Blackbird?
It is mint to him becuz it was given to him and he didn't ride it. I'd tell him its gonna need a chain, front and rear sprockets, front and rear tires, oil and filter change, air cleaner change, battery, radiator coolant change, new plugs basically some serious maintanance. Offer him the $2500 and tell him no one will buy a bike that won't start and even if it did start its gonna sound like crap becuz it sounds like it has been sitting for a long while. If he says no wish him luck selling it and to give you a call if he changes his mind.
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| | #30 |
| Join Date: May 01 2008 Location: Ohio Age: 43
Posts: 45
| Re: Why buy a Blackbird?
exactly what i did.....let him stew on it for a few days. Leaving for Vegas anyhow in a few days so maybe when i return he will have a change of heart
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