What to buy?

**Teflon** · 20th May 2005, 21:26

I would look at a zzr1100.

**Skunk** · 20th May 2005, 21:34

Suzuki 1400 (GSX?) is another like the ZRX and XJR... (Go see White Trash for that one

)
Just rereading your first post:

Originally Posted by Hailwood

Looking for some advice from the collective intelligence on this site...am looking for a sports tourer to about $10k that will be comfortable two up..have looked at Blackbird and ZRX1100 and will ride XJR1300..any thoughts on these or other suitable bikes would be appreciated

Theres two nakeds and a high speed sport tourer in that mix. Not sure what you want? Or got the letters mixed? Why the Blackbird but no ZZR or Hire-bus-eh?

**Zed** · 20th May 2005, 21:43

Originally Posted by Hailwood

rode the blackbird with my wife..she was getting fairly buffeted and we were only doing 110kph. The XJR looks a little more restrained..any tips or things I should look for?

There are additions/modifications that can be done to any bike to make it more comfortable for you and your pillion, eg. Seats, suspension, touring screens, etc. You may find that you'll make some of these changes to whichever bike you purchase unless you are not intending to spend more money on it?

Were the tyre pressures on the CBR1100 that you rode today correct?

**Hailwood** · 24th May 2005, 08:57

I knew the collective intelligence would be useful here..lol...I have ridden the Blackbird, XJR1300 and ZRX1100 so far but will now also try to find a ZZR...Busa seems to be more than my budget and not a fan of Bandit..don't know why just doesn't do it for me..maybe I should ride one and find out....does the bubble screen make that much difference on a Blackbird? I am 6'1" and my wife is about 5'7". She was perched up fairly high with her head way above mine and was coping a far wind buffeting...not very happy about it!! I loved the feel of the Bird but was worried it might bite if you do something dumb or get it wrong..is this right?

Thanks for the input so far people.....

**Blackbird** · 24th May 2005, 09:14

Double bubble makes a big difference. I have a Pyramid D/B, perfect fit and does the business.

You're wrong with Blackbird stability - she's very sure-footed. In fact, a bit too much in terms of flickability in the tight stuff when trying to keep up with a 'busa or similar. I've made the standard mod of a 6mm ride height spacer under the rear shock to sharpen the steering angle and the improvement is quite dramatic without losing stability. Some people slate the 'bird as boring because it does most things well. That's a real plus as far as I'm concerned because I can simply get on with riding it without worrying about shortcomings. The linked brakes are fine for the road. The only thing I genuinely didn''t like was seat comfort on a long haul and fixed that with superb custom seat made in Tauranga. (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=10174)

There are 3 good websites for birds: www.superblackbird.co.uk, http://www.ixxra.com/ and http://www.atsv24.dsl.pipex.com/index.htm. You'll find good info on them. If you want more info on other things I've done to the bike or my 41/2 years on a 'bird, PM me. I'm certainly not trying to talk you into one, just give you as much info as you need to make a good decision.

Geoff

**vifferman** · 24th May 2005, 09:19

Originally Posted by Zed

I took the other half (who isn't really into riding) on a 4 hour trip the other month and she had no complaints about discomfort, etc, in fact the machine is made so well that I hardly knew she was on the back!!

You sure you didn't lose her off the back when you first took off? :spudwhat:

Originally Posted by The Bird of Blackness (well, [b

blue[/b], actually)]Double bubble makes a big difference. I have a Pyramid D/B, perfect fit and does the business.

Is it good? Did you ride the SuperDuperBird before you fitted it? No, I'm not trying to be smart, but although I find the standard screen on the VFR just fine, I have an opportunity to get a Powerbronze DB screen, and was wondering about it. From what I've read, as most double-bubble screens lift the wind blast higher up, it increases turbulence around the helmet. The VTR had a very low screen (windblast mid-chest), whereas the VFR is a bit higher and a lot wider, and the windblast is upper chest, tending towards bottom of the helmet. That's not what I want at all, unless the airflow is quite laminar. Given that most screens have a lip, I doubt that the airflow would be smooth.
So what's your experience?

**Blackbird** · 24th May 2005, 09:44

Had the standard screen until 6 months ago but thought the D/B might give me more protection for the Southern Cross. It certainly did this but the reduced wind blast on the chest also increased the load on my wrists a bit. Air flow round the helmet was fine. It improved Jennie's lot as a passenger but she said that turbulent flow is more noticeable at the sides if she sticks her elbows out or leans sideways a bit. I guess the air is deflected sideways as well. Different makes of double bubble have different characteristics so I can't comment on the Powerbronze. The only thing I know about them is that their iridium D/B and some coloured double oned have melted Blackbird instrument housings due to concentrating the sun's rays at the double curvature line!

Some 'bird owners who are more into touring use a screen called a Vario and swear by it. Can find some 'bird website links if you're interested for your viffer.

Geoff

**Big Dave** · 24th May 2005, 09:45

Originally Posted by Hailwood

Looking for some advice from the collective intelligence on this site...am looking for a sports tourer to about $10k that will be comfortable two up..have looked at Blackbird and ZRX1100 and will ride XJR1300..any thoughts on these or other suitable bikes would be appreciated

Triumph Sprint ST.
Tours well, comfy with 2 and still carves up. Delightful triple, good brakes, handling and way cool.

**Skunk** · 24th May 2005, 10:03

Originally Posted by Hailwood

I knew the collective intelligence would be useful here..lol...I have ridden the Blackbird, XJR1300 and ZRX1100 so far but will now also try to find a ZZR...

If the ZRX1100 is to your liking try the ZRX1200. I would recommend you don't get an 1100 if there's any chance of a 1200. This is for handling reasons not any 'bigger is better' reasons.
Have I said this before here? Old age is catching up...

**Zed** · 24th May 2005, 10:09

Originally Posted by vifferman

You sure you didn't lose her off the back when you first took off? :spudwhat:

No, because I did regular checks to make sure she was still there!

Riding at near *Nana* pace also prevented any chance of having to file a missing-persons report.

**zadok** · 24th May 2005, 10:21

Something nice and sensible.......
http://www.bikepoint.co.nz/DesktopDe...as=bikepointnz

Marty

**Quasievil** · 24th May 2005, 11:13

mate your in the same dilema as me.

I have looked at all of the above and really didnt like any of them, the Blackbird I thought was getting a bit on in its looks , the VFR well great reviews but I hated it, i turned my attention away to something not mentioned above and possibly better than them all ?

So again get down to Welly and see that skinny bastard WT and look at a triumph ST, the new one of course, this is a fantastic looking machine

let me know what you think

**Hailwood** · 24th May 2005, 11:20

I agree Quasi but the cost of the new one is outside my budget..shame cos I have read some good stuff on it

**Quasievil** · 24th May 2005, 11:48

Originally Posted by Hailwood

I agree Quasi but the cost of the new one is outside my budget..shame cos I have read some good stuff on it

Yeah I hear, same for me, Im hanging around the $14-$15 mark and unsure what to get, I might just get the new ZXR and look again next year with more coin