CBR1100xx Super Blackbird

**Primemeat** · 13th November 2006, 18:48

I have sold my GSXR and am looking to upgrade to a 98 CBR. This is the last carbied version???. Anyone care to tell me if it is a more upright riding position?. How many HP? Any good or bad comments would be appreciated....

**marty** · 13th November 2006, 19:37

upgrading? from a gixxer to a honda??

**Blackbird** · 13th November 2006, 19:56

It's the full horsepower version as none of the carbed Blackbirds or the early injected ones have cat converters. (99 was the first FI model). Not that a few horses down make much difference in reality. The '97 and early '98 birds suffered drive train lash due to the rubbers softening but most were fixed under warranty. All of the 'bird engines are nigh on bulletproof provided they've been looked after. Some of the early UK ones have done over 200000 km with no major work on the motor. Cam chain tensioner might need changing after about 70000km but it's only a half hour job to change it. The bird is no modern GSX-R in terms of handling but that can be sharpened with a 6mm ride height spacer. What it will do however is transport you, a passenger and luggage very rapidly for long distances with great reliability. (As long as you have an iron butt or aftermarket seat

) There are plenty of 'bird owners on here to give you advice on them. I've had mine for over 5 years.

Have a look at www.superblackbird.co.uk/ if you want more info. A good site with a good technical and specs sections.

Cheers

Geoff

**RiderInBlack** · 13th November 2006, 20:07

The first of the fuel injected Blackbirds came out in 1999 as far as I have been told. I have been advised that the fuel injected Blackbirds are more reliable and fuel efficient so am looking @ getting one that is at least post 1999. As for an up grade on ya GSXR, that depends on ya model/year and ya riding stile. BB are better on ya long distance touring, two-up, sweeping corners and long straights (as are Busa's and other bikes of that class). They are more up-right in body position than full sports-bikes but less up-right than a full on tourer or naked bike. They are fast but most newer 600-1000cc full sports-bikes will bet them around the tighter corners IMHO. So before ya get one think about what ya want it for.

PS: for me they would be ideal and the right step-up from "Roxanne" the 1990 CBR1000FL (which is much the same but from an older lineage and with less bells and whistles).

PSS:

on second thoughts ya better lessening to "Blackbird". He knows his BB stuff

**Toaster** · 13th November 2006, 20:24

I wonder......... the ol' Blackbird model must be due for a complete restyle soon...... anyone know?

**Blackbird** · 13th November 2006, 20:32

Originally Posted by Toaster

I wonder......... the ol' Blackbird model must be due for a complete restyle soon...... anyone know?

Rumours have been circulating for ages about a replacement being a V-Tec like the late VFR 800's but it was allegedly canned when it was clear that the Kwakka 1400 was due to be launched. There are also rumours about a V5 powerplant but who knows? The 'bird and 'busa have both been around for a fair while now but are still potent sports tourers that can boogie when required.

**Primemeat** · 14th November 2006, 16:20

Guys. Maybe I will just keep the gixer then......

**Zapf** · 14th November 2006, 23:50

Currently I am looking at a CB1300S for a similar job.

**ceebie13** · 15th November 2006, 11:23

Originally Posted by Zapf

Currently I am looking at a CB1300S for a similar job.

You have exquisite taste mate (although your colour choice is limited to no choice at all ie: Red and white or white and red) ...and personally, I never did like the half fairing on the "S" - something about the headlight. So I chose to go naked instead. Two-up at cruising speeds is no problem with the Givi just deflecting enough wind to make things comfy. And I'm a tall bugger too!

**Zapf** · 15th November 2006, 13:40

Originally Posted by ceebie13

You have exquisite taste mate (although your colour choice is limited to no choice at all ie: Red and white or white and red) ...and personally, I never did like the half fairing on the "S" - something about the headlight. So I chose to go naked instead. Two-up at cruising speeds is no problem with the Givi just deflecting enough wind to make things comfy. And I'm a tall bugger too!

I am actually quite fond of the red and white... and can certianly modify the colour with some custom vinyls

I have a 900Hornet at the moment, ok for 1 person. But with 2 up I find both of our helmets are wobbing sideways, some sort of interference in air flow between both our lids...(both XR1000's) Hence considering the CB1300S or XX

**Blackbird** · 15th November 2006, 13:54

Originally Posted by Zapf

But with 2 up I find both of our helmets are wobbing sideways, some sort of interference in air flow between both our lids...(both XR1000's) Hence considering the CB1300S or XX

Hi Felix, we had the same turbulence on our BMW 2 up but the Blackbird has been fine. However, since we fitted the double bubble screen, my wife has noticed an even bigger bubble of calm air. In my case, the load on the wrists has increased slightly due to less wind blast on the chest but it's not a big deal. My only real grizzle about the 'bird is that you get a numb bum after a tankful (300+k's) but that was solved with a rebuild from Trimmit and it's perfectly comfortable over any distance now and better for my wife as I had the pillion seat height raised a little to unbend her legs a touch.

Geoff

**Zapf** · 15th November 2006, 14:27

Originally Posted by Blackbird

My only real grizzle about the 'bird is that you get a numb bum after a tankful (300+k's)
Geoff

Thanks, is the numb bum issue from the vibration of the engine? or the lack of moving around? Also do you have any luggage racks on the BB?

**Blackbird** · 15th November 2006, 15:27

Originally Posted by Zapf

Thanks, is the numb bum issue from the vibration of the engine? or the lack of moving around? Also do you have any luggage racks on the BB?

The design of the standard seat leaves something to be desired. Maybe the average rider likes to stop for a while at a gas station but I like to press on! That's why I had it re-foamed and re-shaped for the Southern Cross last year.

I have the Ventura zip-together system, not the side-mounted hard Honda/Givi luggage systems. Don't have a tank bag but will probably get one at some stage.

**ceebie13** · 15th November 2006, 15:53

Originally Posted by Blackbird

....The design of the standard seat leaves something to be desired.

Some people (including a mate of mine down here with a Bird) swear by a sheepskin cover. Spoils the look of the bike IMHO. But hey...if it solves numb bum syndrome on long hauls then so be it.

**Cajun** · 15th November 2006, 16:12

Originally Posted by ceebie13

Some people (including a mate of mine down here with a Bird) swear by a sheepskin cover. Spoils the look of the bike IMHO. But hey...if it solves numb bum syndrome on long hauls then so be it.

sheepskin in long term is not good for ya seat, alot of people swear by it, but you compare a sheepskin to a full custom seat, you won't go back.

Honda foam is one of the worse foams of athe 4 big J brands, it usual has huge defects in it. and it soft form new, but after some milage that nice soft feeling is gone, due to them making it soft form new, isntead of giving it a bit of 'body'

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