Another great bike for shortarses and a great buy for Wellingtonians

[Blackbird]

Just got back from meeting up with one of my regular riding partners, KB'er Jimmy B (Andy) at Whangamata. The tale starts earlier in the week when Andy rode his Honda X11 (the naked Blackbird) from Auckland to Wellington to pick up the bike he'd always wanted, the BMW K1200R. Andy doesn't do things by half so decided to head back home via Napier, East Cape, BOP & Coromandel. My kind of guy. He figured that he'd get to know it pretty well on a trip like that. Apart from destroying a rear tyre just south of Gisborne, he had a dream run and loves the bike to bits.

Now when I was looking for a bike to replace the Blackbird with something a bit lower to the ground, the K1200R was one which completely slipped under the radar. You might love 'em or loathe 'em but having seen Andy's in the flesh, I love them. They look really aggressive, and I can get both feet on the floor. However, Andy's well over 6ft and it's perfectly comfortable for him - all about seat and footpeg ergonomics.

Following him up the Coromandel Hill was a privilege - the wail from the aftermarket can was simply wonderful. And the thing handles brilliantly in the tight stuff. So there we are, another big bike worthy of a second look.

If any of you Wellington fellas are in the market for a new bike, pop along to Motorrad and have a look at the X11 which Andy traded in. Perhaps Mr Deuce or Hitcher would like to road test it . It's one of the fastest nakeds around and looks stunning in gloss black. It has an Ohlins suspension upgrade too. Might even tell a serious enquirer what price Andy traded it in for

[crazyhorse]

Nice bikes - and looks like great weather for riding too

[musicman]

If any of you Wellington fellas are in the market for a new bike, pop along to Motorrad and have a look at the X11 which Andy traded in. Perhaps Mr Deuce or Hitcher would like to road test it . It's one of the fastest nakeds around and looks stunning in gloss black. It has an Ohlins suspension upgrade too. Might even tell a serious enquirer what price Andy traded it in for

Is it this one?

[Blackbird]

Is it this one?

They didn't hang about! Yep, that's the one. Andy has really looked after it and I can verify how well it goes, having ridden it on the Loop. Somewhere, I've got the performance figures but from memory, 0-100 is under 3 seconds with a top speed of ~255 km/hr. Pretty sure it's only 5 speed though as the 6 speed Blackbird box was pointless on such a torque monster.

[musicman]

They didn't hang about! Yep, that's the one. Andy has really looked after it and I can verify how well it goes, having ridden it on the Loop. Somewhere, I've got the performance figures but from memory, 0-100 is under 3 seconds with a top speed of ~255 km/hr. Pretty sure it's only 5 speed though as the 6 speed Blackbird box was pointless on such a torque monster.

I've always liked the look of the X11, would've been so keen if I hadn't just bought a MT-01 three weeks ago!

[Blackbird]

I've always liked the look of the X11, would've been so keen if I hadn't just bought a MT-01 three weeks ago!

Ha! I only bought the Triumph a month ago and should have thought about the K1200R as a 'bird replacement. Not that I'm dissatisfied with the Striple, far from it. Hope you feel the same about the MT-01!

[musicman]

Ha! I only bought the Triumph a month ago and should have thought about the K1200R as a 'bird replacement. Not that I'm dissatisfied with the Striple, far from it. Hope you feel the same about the MT-01!

Oh yeah I definitely love the MT-01, it's awesome because I prefer V-twins but they're just not as fast (in top speed, anyway).