I Bought a Blackbird!

**Zed** · 14th March 2005, 13:21

Originally Posted by Coldkiwi

no doubt as he goes past us all in 3rd!

good on ya mate. We'll have to have a catch up soon.

All this talk about wheelies - this bike ain't no 'light' 600cc sports bike you know!

I think I saw you in the distance at Shell Westgate on Sat morning CK...have you got a flash new helmet? I was already on my way to test ride some bikes so I didn't double back to say hi. Sounds like you guys had a good ride as usual.

See you sometime soon then.

**Zed** · 14th March 2005, 13:24

Originally Posted by duckman

Nice bike Matt. I'm sure I'll see you on the next KB ride....

Thanks man. Looking forward to seeing your new steed too! How are you handling the drop from 1000 to 600cc?

**Sniper** · 14th March 2005, 13:28

Well done Zed, Well done.

Winja, shut up

**Blackbird** · 14th March 2005, 13:41

As you rightly say, she isn't a lightweight but the torque means that popping wheelies off the throttle is no problem. I'm not a big wheelie fan for a number of reasons but short-shifting away from a standstill in first and then opening it up in second is a real blast. Did it accidentally when I first had the 'bird at the traffic lights in Cobham Drive, Hamilton. It was my first ever wheelie and it was a big un too. I was alongside a car at the time and I think we both had brown trousers. My riding partner who was just behind me was still laughing when we reached the next roundabout

You might think that the 'bird accelerates hard from tickover, but you'd better be holding on tight when you hit 7000 rpm - it's like your whole world is dissolving! To be honest, I rarely bother with a lot of revs or lots of down-shifting because for normal riding, it delivers the goods so effortlessly.

Email me sometime if you're interested and I'll tell you about a few simple things like a rear end jack up plate which improves handling enormously.

**Zed** · 14th March 2005, 13:50

Originally Posted by Blackbird

As you rightly say, she isn't a lightweight but the torque means that popping wheelies off the throttle is no problem. I'm not a big wheelie fan for a number of reasons but short-shifting away from a standstill in first and then opening it up in second is a real blast. Did it accidentally when I first had the 'bird at the traffic lights in Cobham Drive, Hamilton. It was my first ever wheelie and it was a big un too. I was alongside a car at the time and I think we both had brown trousers. My riding partner who was just behind me was still laughing when we reached the next roundabout

Hmmm...I can't ever recall doing a good wheelie by accident?? I'm sure going to enjoy this flying 'Bird'.

Well it's all looking good for a pickup tonight around 6pm! I now have the cash in my pocket and the bike is insured (thru Protecta). Will knock off work and meet the wife at home only to quickly chuck all my gear in her car and make our way down to Huntly (about an hours drive from our house)...anticipating an awesome ride back to Auckland during the final hours light of the day!

**mangell6** · 14th March 2005, 14:03

Well done on the purchase, some fine tuning and you will both love the 'bird.

An excuse/reason for taking the long way home after picking the bike up . . . . .

There are road works on SH1 for kilometres on the way to Huntly so I would humbly suggest a 'trip' the back way home if possible, even for only a short time.

Mike

**Zed** · 14th March 2005, 14:09

Originally Posted by mangell6

Well done on the purchase, some fine tuning and you will both love the 'bird.

An excuse/reason for taking the long way home after picking the bike up . . . . .

There are road works on SH1 for kilometres on the way to Huntly so I would humbly suggest a 'trip' the back way home if possible, even for only a short time.

Mike

Thanks for the warning. The seller forewarned me about them there road works yesterday too. Maybe I'll let the wife tackle the 'works' on the way home in the cage while I take the SH22 route back through Tuakau/Ridge Rd, etc - yipee! :spudwave:

**sAsLEX** · 14th March 2005, 15:42

Originally Posted by Zed

Thanks for the warning. The seller forewarned me about them there road works yesterday too. Maybe I'll let the wife tackle the 'works' on the way home in the cage while I take the SH22 route back through Tuakau/Ridge Rd, etc - yipee! :spudwave:

Just watch out for the wildlife and natives at that time of day!! they will be all over 22!!!

**Holy Roller** · 14th March 2005, 16:08

Originally Posted by Jimmie

Hey HR

Can you still get those subtle Ichthus plastic thingies? Haven't seen a new one around for some time.

They come in several sizes and styles. We sell them in our shop in the Christian bookstore section that we have.
A couple of other bikes at work have them on them. Though cages seem to have them on their boot lids they certainly are a subtle way of declaring ones faith.

NC · 14th March 2005, 16:42

Originally Posted by Velox

Heh heh - I've got one on mine! It's great. According to me anyway

.

Nice one Zed!!! Must be so good to be getting back out there!

Hehe I know, yours is cute

**Coldkiwi** · 14th March 2005, 16:53

Originally Posted by Zed

All this talk about wheelies - this bike ain't no 'light' 600cc sports bike you know!

I think I saw you in the distance at Shell Westgate on Sat morning CK...have you got a flash new helmet? I was already on my way to test ride some bikes so I didn't double back to say hi. Sounds like you guys had a good ride as usual.

See you sometime soon then.

yeah, I had to buy a replacement for my KBC after it bashed the deck at pukekohe. Ended up getting a nice X-lite from mt eden at a very good price and I'm very impressed with it.

Yup, ride north was good and I had fun as well as behaving myself with the throttle hand!

**DEATH_INC.** · 14th March 2005, 20:03

Congrats,nice choice
A small word of warning though,take time to get used to it,they aren't as nimble as a true sportbike,and corners will come up real fast......watch that speedo heaps for a while 'till you get used to the speed you're doing,it'll be more than you think.

**dangerous** · 14th March 2005, 20:28

Originally Posted by DEATH_INC.

Congrats,nice choice
A small word of warning though,take time to get used to it,they aren't as nimble as a true sportbike,and corners will come up real fast......watch that speedo heaps for a while 'till you get used to the speed you're doing,it'll be more than you think.

On ya Death...... very good point, I find the same with the Busa I ride, but more so cos its so much smother than the twins I'm usualy on

I shat my undies (1st for everything) on a 12 an x drag bike but love the Busa and am looking forward to my 1st ride on a Bird this Friday, aye BB.

**Zed** · 14th March 2005, 20:56

Originally Posted by DEATH_INC.

Congrats,nice choice
A small word of warning though,take time to get used to it,they aren't as nimble as a true sportbike,and corners will come up real fast......watch that speedo heaps for a while 'till you get used to the speed you're doing,it'll be more than you think.

Yeah I know what you're saying man - I rode SH22 tonight from the Huntly secret roads to Rangariri then on to SH1 and just got home, the last hour was in the dark! I'm sooo glad that I'm familiar with 22 or else I might have ended up in the ditch cos like you say those corners approach real quick...what a buzz this bike is!