Hi all,

Earlier this year I suffered a rare spinal stroke, which has left me with reduced strength in my arms. I can ride my CBR1000FV OK but I find it difficult to manoeuvre the bike in and out of my garage. I was thinking about changing the bike for a Blackbird, but some specifications say the Blackbird’s much lighter, and others say there’s not much difference in weight. Has anyone here ridden both bikes, and how do they compere regards manoeuvrability wise?

Cheers.

Mitch

 

I too have a bad back i can do the reach on my 1000f as you i was thinking about a blackbird but when i actually sat on 1 at a bike show there is no way i could do the reach, i think i would have to fit bar raisers to it if i did have one, yes the blackbird is lighter but its still a big bike, try looking at a VFR800 as i also sat on one and found it quite comfy.

 

I have both bikes - a '93 1000F and an '01 XX. The 1000F is slightly heavier, but the XX is taller. the weight difference is slight but as a female with characteristicly low upper body strength, it is more noticable to me than it might be to a stronger male. The best thing to do is find an XX and handle it a bit to see how it feels. The handling (in riding) of the XX is a bit lighter, but that may be the tires?
Terryf

 

Wider handlebars that are more pulled back may help. Try this: http://www.spieglerusa.com/cfm/sbk.cfm

 

Wait a second. How does raddragn get a 1000F and an XX?

 

I've booked a test ride on a 1998 Blackbird this Friday, so I'll let you know what I think then.

 

I have a 90 1000F and a 99 Blackbird. After riding the 1000F for a while and then switching to the Blackbird, the bird feels like a 600cc sportbike to me (granted, I've never owned a 600 but you get the picture). It's worth noting that my 1000F has stock seat and handle bars, while the Blackbird has a Corbin saddle and heli-bars (risers). In any event, the bird feels much lighter, with a lower center of gravity. It is also much easier to maneuver in slow-speed turning situations, where the 1000F feels top heavy.

 

What about the power difference

 

Well, I test rode the Blackbird, and was very impressed with the bike, the gearbox, handling and overall manoeuvrability were better than my CBR1000F.

The power delivery was instant, and will make overtaking even easier.

My only ****le is the Bird's not quite as comfortable as the CBR1000f, but I did have Genmar bar risers fitted to my bike, and will probably fit them to the Bird, as I have put a deposit on the bike and pick it up next Saturday!

I'ts a 1998 Candy red bike with 19k miles, full Givi luggage set, rear hugger, heated grips, Cat 1 alarm/immob., datataged, and a double bubble screen.

Thanks for all the info, and advice.

Mitch.

 

Is the '98 carbed or fuel injected?