My reasons not to buy a Honda Blackbird!

**yod** · 15th September 2008, 00:29

Originally Posted by Bikern1mpho

And I do not think that it is naive to judge a bike on its battery.

any vehicle will have a focked battery if it's left sitting around without use for long enough

it's a relatively common occurence at vehicle dealers, i looked at an ST4 several months ago...woudlnt start due to a semi-old battery...still a sweet bike though

**Gremlin** · 15th September 2008, 03:05

Originally Posted by yod

any vehicle will have a focked battery if it's left sitting around without use for long enough

Tell me about it... my 10's battery isn't holding charge overnight now.

First start each day has to be a bump one, getting better at doing it by myself

**Str8 Jacket** · 15th September 2008, 10:21

I thought you rode nimpho? I wouldve made my man push while sat on the bike and started it. Just like I had to do at 6am this morning, on a Honda....

**Morcs** · 15th September 2008, 12:32

Originally Posted by Bikern1mpho

If I am going to go travelling on such a bike I do not want to have the potential of getting stranded in the arse end of nowhere cos the battery is fooked. It is one thing to be able to carry jump leads in the back of a car so you can jumped started (as I did for someone only last weekend) but it is another thing to be with a bike with a flat battery.

it really isnt that hard to bump start.. so theres no getting stranded in the middle of nowhere...
Im 69kgs and can bump start my 210kg thou easily enough...

Simply put - its a honda, so the battery is the weaker link, not the bike

**zeocen** · 15th September 2008, 14:59

I can't believe what I am reading! My bird was the epitome of pristine mechanical and electrical brilliance! I only traded down due to starting to work 7 days and could not warrant the bike that would mostly be used for commuting.

I loved every minute, nay! second! on the 'bird. When I get some freedom back, and a bird replacement hasn't come out I may well go back to one!

Sexy fat minxes that they are.

**yod** · 15th September 2008, 15:15

Originally Posted by zeocen

I can't believe what I am reading! My bird was the epitome of pristine mechanical and electrical brilliance! I only traded down due to starting to work 7 days and could not warrant the bike that would mostly be used for commuting.

I loved every minute, nay! second! on the 'bird. When I get some freedom back, and a bird replacement hasn't come out I may well go back to one!

Sexy fat minxes that they are.

indeed...never a truer word spoken

am keen to see what honda bring out as a replacement...a blackbird/vfr V5 hybrid would be just the excuse for that 'necessary' upgrade

ssshhh....don't tell the wife

**xwhatsit** · 15th September 2008, 15:45

Originally Posted by Ixion

I reckon, don't buy a bike with a battery. Never have seen the need for the damn things. Waste of money space and weight I reckon. Proper bikes don't have them .

Hooray!

If you must have a battery and electric starter, at least fit a kick-start as well to the machine so you can start it without pushing a 200kg+ lump around the car park. When did Honda start dropping the kickstarts off their fours? Silly. It's not like the gears and lever weigh very much.

**Bikernereid** · 15th September 2008, 19:01

Originally Posted by Str8 Jacket

I thought you rode nimpho? I wouldve made my man push while sat on the bike and started it. Just like I had to do at 6am this morning, on a Honda....

We know who wears the trousers in my and OWNERS relationship and obviously as you can see it AINT me

Seems to be a bit of a HONDA theme going on here.

I can't afford to ride at the mo. We are a one bike, one cage couple.

**Scouse** · 15th September 2008, 19:28

Battery doctor is the answer to all your troubles I have one conected to the s3 permenantly as the small light weight gell batterys dont hold that many amps

**AllanB** · 15th September 2008, 19:55

Hmmm so wants your point???????

Rode a bike that you did not enjoy - so what?

There's dozens of bikes I would not purchase, this does not mean there is anything wrong with them, just not my "thing" or suitable for my requirements.

Or darn ugly

As to the battery - shit half of the used bikes sitting in dealers are likely to have the same battery issue - and a 'quick charge' will not start a engine on the electric - it takes a fair bit to turn over a big-bore engine.

Most modern bikes are quiet - and the big mile eaters are usually such - there is little comfort in riding 4-7 hours with a rowdy pipe roaring in your ears, its just tires you out. If you like the bike and want more noise you can then use that as a deal maker.

If you find a bike you are interested in and planning on test riding in the weekend book in the ride with the dealer, tell them to ensure its charged up and tyre pressures are correct. I've been pissed off before on test rides with a bike running 20psi in the tyres and having to pump them up myself. If you turn up and it will not start, well that's a reason to complain about the shop.

The main thing you forgot to mention was - how did you bum look on the Blackbird?

**Bikernereid** · 16th September 2008, 02:04

Originally Posted by AllanB

Hmmm so wants your point???????

Rode a bike that you did not enjoy - so what?

There's dozens of bikes I would not purchase, this does not mean there is anything wrong with them, just not my "thing" or suitable for my requirements.

Or darn ugly

As to the battery - shit half of the used bikes sitting in dealers are likely to have the same battery issue - and a 'quick charge' will not start a engine on the electric - it takes a fair bit to turn over a big-bore engine.

Most modern bikes are quiet - and the big mile eaters are usually such - there is little comfort in riding 4-7 hours with a rowdy pipe roaring in your ears, its just tires you out. If you like the bike and want more noise you can then use that as a deal maker.

If you find a bike you are interested in and planning on test riding in the weekend book in the ride with the dealer, tell them to ensure its charged up and tyre pressures are correct. I've been pissed off before on test rides with a bike running 20psi in the tyres and having to pump them up myself. If you turn up and it will not start, well that's a reason to complain about the shop.

The main thing you forgot to mention was - how did you bum look on the Blackbird?

We did let the dealer know the day before that we were going in to take the bike out the next day!!

I would have thought that the battery should have been ok after we took it out and shouldn't have had to be push started before trying to get back to the garage. But I am not a mechanic.

I have done rides of nearly 1000k in a day and didn't mind the noise. I guess one mans meat is another mans poison. I just prefer the bike I am on to be like a bike and not a car. I have a car for that.

As for my butt it looks awesome on any and every bike

**Swoop** · 16th September 2008, 08:29

Originally Posted by Bikern1mpho

If I am going to go travelling on such a bike I do not want to have the potential of getting stranded in the arse end of nowhere cos the battery is fooked.

Where's the problem?
Owner has a backup starting system, located on the pillion seat...

As stated by another. The stock pipes are disgustingly efficient and waaaaay too quiet - on all Honda bikes. Easily fixed though!

It sounds like a good situation. Nice quiet, pleasant, pillion riding position without any disturbance. Most pillions would be appreciative of this.

Originally Posted by yod

...a replacement...a blackbird/vfr V5 hybrid...

Can we use a different word to "hybrid" please?
I always think "prius" when that word is mentioned and the coupling of that word with bikes isn't good!

**yod** · 16th September 2008, 09:36

Originally Posted by Swoop

Can we use a different word to "hybrid" please?
I always think "prius" when that word is mentioned and the coupling of that word with bikes isn't good!

"a subtle yet awe-inspiring blend of two of the finest machines known to man"

that do?