Honda Blackbird or Kawa ZX12R?

[WINJA]

Is that a pit light or an inspection lamp?

YEAH , SHES JUST CHECKING TO SEE IF HER SEX CHANGE OP IS HEALING OK , BOOB JOB NEXT AND SHELL BE THE PERFECT GF FOR A HONDA RIDER

[Toast]

always choose a Honda IMO. They're simply better built. And if you get a chance - go for the injected model over the carbie one.

:

Having owned a 2002 Honda and a 2002 Kwaka...I actually reckon the Kwaka was better built in general. I think the Honda build superiority is a fading myth.

I'd go the Kwak here, goes I loved the 600 version, and the 12 is meant to be an animal. Returning to biking after a while off...would definitely go the 'Bird...

[Madness]

usually id say get the zx12 , but i like this blackbird

I think that might be a "Yerrowbird" and she's spotlighting her gravel-rash.
You're a sick fucker too, Winja.

[Biff]

Having owned a 2002 Honda and a 2002 Kwaka...I actually reckon the Kwaka was better built in general. I think the Honda build superiority is a fading myth.

Rispek to that view.

Can't say I agree with it though, in my own personal experience. Can't be arsed to explain my opinion this time of bloody night.
Different strokes...

[magnum]

get the kwaka,unless youre gay/cant ride for shit then get the hoonda.seen a blackbird on the track lately???

[jafa]

Thank you, magnum, for your wonderful nugget of wisdom. I'm not gay but I probably can't ride for shit compared to the vast majority of bikers, so I'm afraid I'm leaning toward the Blackbird at the moment. Of course if a ride on the kwaka scares the crap out of me then my opinion may change!

And thank you, WINJA, for the lovely Blackbird photo. I'll show my partner the pic so she knows what to expect...!

[jafa]

For anyone who is interested: the ZX12R won out in the end. OMG, etc.

[skelstar]

Awesome matey.
Did you ride a Blackbird? Gonna give a report of some sort?

[jafa]

Well, at the risk of being chastised, I'm afraid I didn't ride either the 'Bird or the ZX12R. I'm more than happy to provide a report though, for what its worth.

During my extensive (anal?) research I found both bikes were very closely matched *overall* - the 'Bird had pros where the ZX has cons and vice versa. Ultimately they're both very fine 2-wheeled vehicles (or ridiculously powerful weapons of pure evil, depending on your point of view). Choosing one over the other for a born-again biker noob like myself was more about which of the two made me grin the widest. Seeing (and hearing and feeling) the ZX12R actually made me laugh out loud. It was pretty obvious it was the bike for me.

Considering I'm by no means a connoisseur I chose NOT to put either someone else's bike or my hide at risk by taking them for test-rides. What I did do, obviously, was sit on each to make sure they 'fit'. In that respect I can report the following: if you have a fat arse the ZX12R will squash your nuts, whereas the 'Bird won't. Of course since I purchased the ZX I have decided I will either loose weight or surgically relocate my testicles, whichever is easier.

Well, its gone from a research subject to a green monster sitting in my garage, which is good progress. Unfortunately I still haven't gone for a ride - I get paid on the 20th May which is when I’ll be able to afford a swift visit to either Motomail or Cycletreads on the shore for a kit-up. In the meantime I'll have to live with sitting on the beast and going "brummm... brumm, brumm... brummm..." like a 5 year old for 3 weeks. Damn.

Maybe I'll provide a proper report in a month or so: "Born-again noob: Surviving the ZX12R"?

[skelstar]

Surviving

For chr1st sakes do.

[jafa]

Believe me, I'll be taking it *very* easy.

[Madness]

Lucky Bugger.

Enjoy your new ride & be safe! Can't wait for the report.

[Kwaka14]

I got a 12r about 5 months ago, took both for a ride and felt they were both fantastic bikes, the blackbird was a little smoother and easier to ride, but the ZX12 was so much more fun, The Blackbird felt a bit of an "old mans bike" in comparison. Just got back from the South Island and had no problems in a couple of 1000k rides on the 12. Think the Blackbird would be a bit easier over big distances though. Ride them both and try a busa too.

[sugilite:Me]

I was going to say buy the bike that has a soul.
I noticed though that Biff sums it up perfectly here, the honda is bland, boring and souless.
You made the right choice getting the 12. My friend has one and they are great bikes!

Blackbird - obvimously.

It's got far more power than people give it credit for. But it doesn't quite feel the same in terms of the way is lays the power down as a ZX12. It's power is far more pregressive, and neutral. It's also more of a milder mannered machine than the ZX12.

Welcominimum

[jafa]

Thanks for the comments – they’re spot on. I did consider the Busa but it was out of my price range... might move up to a new one in a few years if finances allow...

In all likelihood I won't be going on many long excursions so long-distance comfort wasn't top priority. My partner is allergic to bikes (she mutters incoherently when she's around them) so will never ride pillion. The furthest I'm likely to ride is Coromandel -> Auckland City along with the occasional blat on the Coromandel loop. Even though the Blackbird is an outstanding bike, the ZX12R was the right choice for me.