Blackbird v CBR1000F

sorry if this is another "thinking of getting" thread, but I am
"thinking of getting" a Blackbird to go with my CBR [1] . I want to
spend 2- 2.5k . and do mainly long distance motorway commuting. What
are the pros and cons of the two bikes for that sort of use. I guess..

The Blackbird would be nippier and more pleasurable to own, easier
starting from the FI system too, however it has less MPG .. Will I
still get by with one fuel stop a day on my 136 mile commute ? Has
anyone ridden both and care to comment ?

[1] I hate to think it gets lonely in the garage ?

 

Isn't that in the same league as describing a ZX10-R as "nice" ?

 

Salad Dodger's your man for this one, IIRC.

 

For that kind of distance, I'd be looking for a comfy shaftie.

Something like a Divvy 900 would be ideal.

Dull as ditchwater, but with the money you save, you could buy a
sportsbike in time for the spring / summer next year.

 

thanks for the suggestion.. I probably only do 6.5k per year on the
bike and no real problems with the chain ( 26k so for from one that
was on when purchased )

 

Ahhh, right.

When you asked for a bike to commute 136 miles on, I assumed somewhere
in the region of 30k miles / year on it.

If you hardly ever use the bike for commuting, I wouldn't worry too much
about tank capacity.

 

sell me your CBR1000F
and put the money towards the BBird
--
Vass
...................
'02 YZF-R1
www.doubleyolk.co.uk
www.haylinglegends.co.uk (WIP)

 

nahh, it's into car when the traffic is sensible or I don't feel like
riding.. But it's a PITA having to stop once a day for fuel. I could
add a Blackbird onto my TPO insurance for 300 notes.

 

Well, a chap could try one of these diesels...
http://www.startwin.com/pagina/bikes/special/thunderstar/artikel ingenieur/motorEN.pdf

....it would give 450 miles between fills

 

I'm sure the Daihatsu was only a 1lt triple.

 

205kg! something of a techno marvel. Looking at the kit used to get the
weight down, it probably costs EURO100 per KG.

 

<steps up to the plate>

Ahem.

Can you really get an FI 'bird for £2.5k? ****.

Perhaps I'll resist the seven year itch over the next few weeks, then.

Anyway.

You don't say what CBR1000F you have. This can make a difference.

I had a 1990 "L", and I've now got a 1999 "X" Blackbird.

The Blackbird is faster, nimbler, thirstier, less comfortable, offers
less weather protection. The brakes, loathed by some, are several
generations ahead of the things on the CBR.

The CBR was comfier, felt more secure at motorway cruising speeds, and
I simply liked it more.

Neither needed much in the way of repairs - the CBR got new pipes,
shock and discs, but it had done a few miles. The B'bird has needed
one seal, costing a fiver, and that was my fault.

Given the choice of a brand new example of both, I'd go for the CBR.
Given the choice of the two Hondas and something similar, I'd take the
third option.

No way would I countenance owning both.
--
| ___ Salad Dodger
|/ \
_/_____\_ GL1500SEV/CBR1100XXX/CBX1000Z
|_\_____/_| ..87753../..22653.../..31893.
(>|_|_|<) TPPFATUICG#7 DIAABTCOD#9 WG*
|__|_|__| BOTAFOT #70 BOTAFOF #09 PM#5
\ |^| / IbW#0 & KotIbW# BotTOS#6 GP#4
\|^|/ ANORAK#17 IbB#4 YTC#4 two#11
'^' RBR Clues: 84 Pts:1800 Miles:5704

 

They just don't sell bikes for economy transport these days do they.

hmm I'd like ebay item 160040880818 maybe.. it's done too many miles
and is expensive though I reckon.

 

And now for the number one question we are always asked”, he says smiling,
“the diesel technology we used comes from a three cylinder diesel engine
from the VW Lupo.”
“The bike uses a turbo charged, direct injection engine, with intercooler.
It produces at the moment approximately 70 bhp and 160 Nm (118 ft pound) of
torque. We will increase the power and torque later this year to more than
100 bhp and between 200 to 250 Nm of torque. We decided to slowly increase
the power output of the machine, so we can easily see what the effects are
and because it’s an enormous amount of torque on the drive train of the
machine. It has five speed gearbox and a dry slipper clutch.”

Write up here

http://www.gizmag.co.uk/go/4273/

 

gonna get some 20l jerry cans then spose.. should save a lot of hassle

 

Nice fat torque curve, though.

I reckon one of those could be punted along at a fair rate.

 

I've been thinking for a while that it's about time for the diesel bike.
Friend of mine who ran the Armoured Trials & Development Unit until recently
had some Diesel Harleys on trial. They were in the trailie format with
military shit nailed all over them, but were, as far as I'm aware, quite
reliable. I'd be really interested to know if one of the big manufactureres
are even thinking along these lines.... just been digging around, diesel
Boxers have been spotted in Finland. Allegedly.

 

Years ago, when the BMW Ks were new, there were rumours that BMW was
developing a diesel version. Vehemently denied, and no diesel K ever
appeared, so no, they weren't.

I'd have thought a diesel boxer would be really unlikely. Diesels really
need a turbo to work properly, and a flat twin would be an utter bugger
to turbocharge properly. Think what Honda had to go through to get the
CX Turbo to work.

A diesel four has to be the way to go. In a decent touring chassis.
Something along the Gold Wing, Pan European, BMW line rather than a
cruiser bike.

 

Honda has an excellent diesel, the 2.2 i-CDTi, which turns out 138bhp and is
remarkably economical. It must be possible to sling one of these in a Wing
chassis. A tank range of (say) 400 miles would sort out the
France-on-Sunday problem.

 

sounds like you've just issued a challenge to yourself.