A moment of your time..

[Jimmy B]

Biff,

My problem is the opposite, I need a big naked bike to compensate. Thanks for the offer for your 05 Blackbird. Prolly out of my price range and my wife is spending quicker than I can earn it at the mo' so will likley execute the trade late 06.

[Blackbird]

You can pick up carburetted Blackbirds (1997/1998) for quite a reasonable price (< $8000) and even the 1999 injected ones are quite reasonable. The motors are absolutely bullet proof and have a huge lifespan. The early ones were sometimes a bit snatchy on and off the throttle because of the clutch cush drive rubbers but I think most were fixed under warranty. The early regulator/rectifiers sometimes fried themselves but once replaced with a later version, didn’t give any more problems. The cam chain tensioner starts to rattle around the 70000 km mark but replacing it is only a half hour job and inexpensive.

If you look seriously at a ‘bird, I can give you some info on a few mods you can do to improve them, especially fitting a ride height spacer under the shock to improve the speed of turn-in. However, all the bikes you’ve mentioned are top notch and you’d be pleased with any of them. Jim 2’ s advice about “heart, head, bum” is spot on.

If you’re ever in the Tokoroa or Coromandel areas, I’d have no problem if you wanted to try mine.

[dawnrazor]

You might want to factor into the equation service costs and consumables like tyres and chains, the Blackbird is likely to be harder on these but it service costs might be cheaper then the GS. Take a cross section of replacement parts like mirrors, levers and bodywork and compare replacement costs - we all fall over at some stage or another, its worth having an idea which bike might break the bank!!

[Jimmy B]

Thanks Razor, thats good advice and something that I hadnt really considered. While on the topic of running costs would a 'Bird cost about the same to insure as other 1 litre plus bikes or is it deemed by insurers to be of higher risk and therefore more expensive?

[James Deuce]

Insurance categories are defined by cc rating. A BMW R1100S is more expensive to insure than a Suzuki GSXR1000 becazuse of a combination of market value and cc rating.

I don't see that dawnrazor's anology stacks up either. A GS1200 will be much easier to live with in terms of costs than a Blackbird. Less fairing panels to remove to do an oil change for a start. There's $40-$80 saved, assuming you get your servicing done by a dealer because they don't have to remove fairing panels to get to the oil filter and spark plugs. Plus it is less hard on tyres.

Also if you do have a tumble or low speed fall it isn't going to cost a fortune on the GS, particularly if you fit crash bungs.

[Jimmy B]

Cheers Jim 2, I guess razor was making referrence to the extended service period for the 'Bird being every 30,000K once run in. I dont know what the recommendation is for the GS, if its the same then the point is immeterial I guess, regardless I think the GS would be a more economical proposition from a number of angles and is still very high on my shortlist

[Blackbird]

Thanks Razor, thats good advice and something that I hadnt really considered. While on the topic of running costs would a 'Bird cost about the same to insure as other 1 litre plus bikes or is it deemed by insurers to be of higher risk and therefore more expensive?

Andy, my '99 'bird is about $550 p.a fully comp with full no claims discount through the Honda Riders Club and I think the insurance value is ~$11000. My chain and sprockets have been on for over 35000km with little sign of wear thanks to the Scottoiler. You take your pick with tyres. You'll cut out an Avon Viper in 4000 km or less if you're trying hard. An Avon Azaro can last 8000 km or more as it's a harder compound. Major service costs at 30000 km intervals are ~$600. My fuel consumption on the 4000 km Southern Cross ride averaged 16.6 km/lt. In short, I don't find the Blackbird particularly expensive to run.

Cheers

Geoff

[dawnrazor]

I don't see that dawnrazor's anology stacks up either. A GS1200 will be much easier to live with in terms of costs than a Blackbird. Less fairing panels to remove to do an oil change for a start. There's $40-$80 saved, assuming you get your servicing done by a dealer because they don't have to remove fairing panels to get to the oil filter and spark plugs. Plus it is less hard on tyres.

Also if you do have a tumble or low speed fall it isn't going to cost a fortune on the GS, particularly if you fit crash bungs.

Firstly there was nothing analogous in my original post, I was just suggesting a look at the bigger picture can some times be useful when deciding between bikes.

Wasn't trying to be specific, but was encouraging a look at service costs, consumables, insurance costs for each option and see which comes out on top.

Chances are there won't be anything in it, but you won't know until you do the math.

I had an aprillia once that would rape my bank account every six months, it was heart breaking, especially when it put out 34bhp from a 125cc 2 stroke - shit I can smell it now, hmmmm 2-stroke. Anyway if i"d looked into all the BS that came with it I would have bought something japanese instead, actually who am I kidding I was twenty, it was Italian - chicks loved it.

So how does that stack up?

[Jimmy B]

Thanks Geoff, Insurance and running cost sound pretty reasonable to me and considering the amount of use the bike will get I can certainly live with the higher tyre wear. I have only ever insurered the CBRs and that was through a work scheme - All bikes above 750cc where tarred with the same brush and it was costing me circa $85 per month. I looked into it wth the XJ but figured it could get nicked, I could get another on my credit card and repay that cheaper than the premiums.

I am not planning to drop the new bike but I certainly have dropped every one of my previous bikes at least once. I guess this one will be no different and will worry about that if (when) the time comes.

Thanks again - Andy

[sexy beast]

Congrats on your first post JB and a late welcome to KB and also to Auckland. well I also go for the condition of the bike (structure in particular) and ks dont matter as long as the engine is sweet. but others here will be able to give you better advice. and happy hunting!

[Jimmy B]

Dawnrazor, I think I understood your post and I found it valuable. It is for reasons such as you have described that I have chosen to stay away from the more exotic bikes. Hell you can pick up cheap low K Ducati et al imports that are very sexy but I would hate to think what replacment parts and consumables would cost...

[Blackbird]

No worries Andy. Both Jim2 and dawnrazor raise completely valid points. As a matter of interest, I do my own oil changes, it takes less than half an hour and you apparently don't need remove fairing parts. I always take the right hand one off, simply to eyeball other components at the same time, such as hose clips etc.

I too have dropped the 'bird. The crash bungs prevented all but a few scratches but couldn't bear being reminded that I am a pillock. The complete respray of the side panel with all its translucent coats cost nearly $500.

[dawnrazor]

Dawnrazor, I think I understood your post and I found it valuable. It is for reasons such as you have described that I have chosen to stay away from the more exotic bikes. Hell you can pick up cheap low K Ducati et al imports that are very sexy but I would hate to think what replacment parts and consumables would cost...

No worries Andy. Both Jim2 and dawnrazor raise completely valid points. As a matter of interest, I do my own oil changes, it takes less than half an hour and you apparently don't need remove fairing parts. I always take the right hand one off, simply to eyeball other components at the same time, such as hose clips etc.

I too have dropped the 'bird. The crash bungs prevented all but a few scratches but couldn't bear being reminded that I am a pillock. The complete respray of the side panel with all its translucent coats cost nearly $500.

The VFR is nice as well especially the pre VTEC model, thats almost a classic now - Hayabusa would put some fire in your belly as well.

I can testify to the brilliance of crash bungs, Mr Black bird got off lightly - my 5kph drop has cost me close top a grand, crash bungs would have saved me over half that maybe. i HAVE THEM NOW - WHATEVER YOU GET PICK UP A SET, Oggy Knobs are a good make.

[Jimmy B]

Thanks Sexy Beast. I think the length of this post, but more importantly the nature and quality of the replys is fantastic and reflects the willingness of like minded poeple to share their experiences in order to help someone out. In fact I have had someone come through by PM who has supplied additional interesting information. Well and truly over and above any expectation I had when I signed up.

Best

JB