Few questions on birds
 

I've been trying to help a buddy decide what to buy. I convinced him he dosent need the power of a 1000 but he insists he's too big for a 600. He really likes the 900RR (but are rare and hard to find in good condition), and likes the XX. However I know nothing on that bike.

1. Is it fuel injected or carbed?

2. What kind of issues should you watch out for on these?

3. How do you like it?

1. Both - 97 & 98 bikes were carb, 99 to 01 were FI without cat, 02 on were FI with cat.

2. Have a look on the JAWS website & forum - lots of buyers guides etc. Condition more important than milage.
Listen for top end rattle (cam chain tensioner - appx £40 to replace)
Downpipes were mild steel on carb bikes - check for corrosion ( downpipes are stainless on FI bikes )
LOOM FIX needs doing on FI bikes. ( causes all sorts of electrical issues if not done )

3. I have a 1997 carb model. great all round bike. good 2 up when needed, easy to live with, easy to self service, can't think of anything else i would swap it for at this time.
Standard headlight crap - fit a HID unit in low beam.
Putting a 6mm shim on top of the rear shock makes a big difference to the handling.

First, I'm a non-owner, but I know a *little* about them from another forum and I rode my friend's once.

The XX is a sport-tourer so if he's really into the twisties or track days, he may not like it as much as a more race-bred bike (i.e. RRs) and it's not exactly flick-able unless you're really strong and you may drag pegs/pipes. I can tell you it's a lot "bigger" feeling than my 600 (which is probably stupid of me even to say--comparing to a 1100cc bike). My friend's was quite smooth power-delivery-wise as I recall and certainly had more top end than any sane person would ever use (180 mph).

Owners feel free to dispute my limited knowledge.

Thanks so far for the input. Does anyone have any comparison to the Busa? I've rode one of those and they were a great street bike but definitly not good in the twisities!

Here's an older compo test/review

http://www.motorcycle.com/shoot-outs...out-15554.html

I've been on both. I own an CBR1100XX. I've been on that a lot more. I prefer my XX. The busa is fugly. IMO. The XX a thing of beauty. I thought that my bird was more comfy than the eyeabuser. The busa feels longer and heavier to me. The busa is faster but how often will you be at total top speeds. Many bird owners feel the front suspension is weak. I don't really notice that but I live in an area where it is flat and not a lot of twisties. The other poster mentioned the CCT. Easy 15 minute fix if it does go. About $20-40 part. The bird does have issues with Stators and R&R's. Electircal systems are weak points on most bikes though. There are some specific forums for the CBR1100XX. I have a 99 FI model. No issues with the bike at all so far. Best bike that I have owned. I have owned many. I also had a 88 CBR1000F that I liked a lot.

http://www.cbrxx.com/

http://www.cbr1100xx.org/forums/index.php?act=home

birdy every time!
 

i bought a bird they will do everthing but off road . ride fast through twistys no problem with quick sport bikes no probs ,comfy on long distance rides like a 600 mines got upgraded fork springs ,ohlins re-mote shock and 6mm shim on rear shock makes big differance mine is carbs injection is smoother mid range but my carby is better on fuel about 11miles plus per litre best al round bike made very fast good 2 up hard to find as people dont sell em