My new bike 9 years & 100,000km later

**AllanB** · 22nd June 2014, 17:58

Originally Posted by Maha

I have had six bikes in that time, you are one of a small group that has not changed bikes since the day I joined the site. Must feel great when the urge not to change is less frequent.
Awesome stuff Brian.
I remember that huge ride to Okororie we did years ago, you had to show us they way through the back roads to Matamata.. nothing new on my earlier rides

I've had my Hornet since new in 2007. Still like it but can't afford to consider changing. That may be a big difference in longer term owners and yourself.

**Damantis** · 22nd June 2014, 19:09

I just bought a 97 Bird and am looking forward to putting some serious kms on it. Definitely going to check out the south island for a couple of weeks next February.

**Blackbird** · 22nd June 2014, 19:16

Originally Posted by Damantis

I just bought a 97 Bird and am looking forward to putting some serious kms on it. Definitely going to check out the south island for a couple of weeks next February.

Have you got a manual for it? I've still got a lot of my Blackbird info such as an e-manual, how to raise the rear ride height and so on. Could probably upload it to Dropbox if you want any of the info.

Cheers,

Geoff

**bushy** · 22nd June 2014, 19:41

Originally Posted by Blackbird

Have you got a manual for it? I've still got a lot of my Blackbird info such as an e-manual, how to raise the rear ride height and so on. Could probably upload it to Dropbox if you want any of the info.

Cheers,

Geoff

Hi Geoff, would that info be relevant to my new (to me) 2004 Bird? Is so would love to get a copy of the manual. Will PM you email address.

I have owned a lot of different bikes over the years and have to say early impressions about the Blackbird means it might stay in the stable for longer than most. I just need to get my radar detector mounted to it sooner rather than later

**hayd3n** · 22nd June 2014, 19:50

good to see ppl are keeping their bike's
my 600 is on 117,000 kms and im still loving it,

**Blackbird** · 22nd June 2014, 19:51

Originally Posted by bushy

Hi Geoff, would that info be relevant to my new (to me) 2004 Bird? Is so would love to get a copy of the manual. Will PM you email address.

I have owned a lot of different bikes over the years and have to say early impressions about the Blackbird means it might stay in the stable for longer than most. I just need to get my radar detector mounted to it sooner rather than later

I think it only goes to 2002 but a lot of it will still be relevant. I won't email it as it's over 100 Mb but may well upload it to Dropbox along with a heap of other 'bird info I've kept. Bear with me for a few days please as we're heading for Auckland first thing tomorrow for a few days - new grandchild on the way! If you're not aware of John (JAWS) Smith in the UK, he's the best Blackbird parts supplier bar none: http://www.jaws-motorcycles.co.uk/bird.htm . Nobody knows more about Blackbirds than John.

I had a detector and screamer on my 'bird too: http://geoffjames.blogspot.co.nz/201...th-having.html and here's how I used a laser for wheel alignment on it: http://geoffjames.blogspot.co.nz/201...-handling.html . (Modified slightly for my Street Triple)

**bushy** · 22nd June 2014, 20:21

Nice web site Geoff, and agree with all aspects of your bit on radar detectors. For me its about enjoying the ride at legal speeds and not having to constantly worry about creeping into the ticket zone (or walking zone) as it is so easy to do on the Bird.

Can do the drop box thing, have sent a PM. Enjoy Auckland.

Cheers, Matt

**Damantis** · 23rd June 2014, 08:10

Thanks anyway but the last owner gave me the Haynes manual an list of what services he Did on it and when in the ten years he had it

Sent from my LG-P705 using Tapatalk

**insomnia01** · 23rd June 2014, 08:11

Originally Posted by BigB

So I’ve had the blackbird for 9 years and just clocked up 100,000km and still love it

.

Had mine for 8yrs now 99' model

done a few GC, C1KC & a Sthn Cross Road rally

been all through the nth isld & now hooked on the sth

got most of the mods you have listed & current milage is sitting on 236,000km still manages to give sporties a shock siiting on their rear

**insomnia01** · 23rd June 2014, 08:17

Originally Posted by Damantis

Definitely going to check out the south island for a couple of weeks next February.

Early March I find is the best time, less tourist's & the weather is still fine.... the past few years I've been down for @10days & have only ever had 1 wet day which was still rideable, keep in touch if you like I'll soon be planning the next trip down there

**BigB** · 23rd June 2014, 12:32

Originally Posted by SMOKEU

Ouch! Did you have insurance fix it, or did it have to come out of your own pocket?

That sounds like quite a high repair bill. Was it repaired only with OEM parts?

Was insurance & very close to a write off, lower fairing $1100, exhaust $1300, sump cover $300 it added up really quickly

**BigB** · 23rd June 2014, 12:36

Originally Posted by Blackbird

Hi Brian,

Great to see that you've still got the 'bird. It's still one of the great mile-munchers and has legendary reliability. Some of the guys on the UK BIRD forum are well over 200,000 miles with little more than a cam chain tensioner change in terms of engine work. Had mine for 8 years and it's still the best all-round bike I ever had. You might be interested in the reviews that 2 of my riding partners did on theirs - I'm sure you'll agree with their views! http://geoffjames.blogspot.co.nz/201...-bikes_18.html

Cheers,

Geoff

Hi Geoff

Yeah still love it, had to learn to ride it again when I put the Yoshimura on such was the difference

**insomnia01** · 25th June 2014, 12:03

where did you purchase your hugger from ?? I'm possible looking at buying another one soon ( 2000 Blue like yours ) so I can pull my 99' apart & repaint etc, great all round bike......

**Gremlin** · 25th June 2014, 12:30

I'm all nice and fuzzy seeing all these bikes with good km on them.

CB919 (05) is just getting a birthday currently at 123k. Rear Ohlins serviced and going back in. Front suspension pulled apart, new springs, bushes, seals and outside coated to try and prevent the spots they often get. Bet the handling will be much improved.

1200GSA ('10) has done 92k (owned since Jan 11 when it had done only 4k because it was a demo). Ohlins mechatronic suspension just had it's first service. Mileage has dropped from 35k a year to more like 15-20k. I've come to realise NZ is a bit small for high mileage as I've done most of the significant roads all pretty recently... if only it was more like Europe or USA

When I traded my 990SM to the dealer for the BMW, when I told him it had done 63k in 27 months he thought I meant 6k

**BigB** · 25th June 2014, 12:38

Originally Posted by insomnia01

where did you purchase your hugger from ?? I'm possible looking at buying another one soon ( 2000 Blue like yours ) so I can pull my 99' apart & repaint etc, great all round bike......

Got the hugger from http://www.jaws-motorcycles.co.uk/bird.htm they have great stuff & as Geoff said are very easy to deal with