Nice looking bike. I've had two of these..and one with 115k miles.. another with 18k miles. One FI, the other carb. Both almost exactly the same smooth and powerful. The only difference is the FI feels slightly smoother below 2500rpm.
Just dropped some $$$ in to mine, new chain and sprockets, bigger screen, corbin seat, bar risers, new tires, guess I'll be keeping it for a while longer.
I own two XXs currently. Both US spec bikes. One red 2001 and a silver 2002.The '01 has just over 13K miles, the '02 has a mere 5140 miles. I owned two before these, a '99 ( black metallic)and an '03 that I did a full custom job on. I previously owned a 2002 Kawasaki ZX12R, a 2017 Kaw. ZX14R, and a 2020 Kaw ZH2 supercharged naked. Now the proud owner of two classic Hondas with no regrets about selling the Kawasakis.
I blow hot and cold on this bike, I ride it one day and love it, I ride it another and and it's meh. But I will revalve the front end and fit new springs and we'll see where that takes me.
The linked braking system acts more like a "passive" ABS for the rear brake. What that pivot on the front right hand caliper does is acts as a proportioning valve and controls the braking pressure to ONE piston of the rear caliper. The more torque the front disc puts on that pivot, the more braking force is applied to ths rear. The rear brake activates one piston on the front caliper. It's actually rather ingenius because in a hard braking situation when you're taught to use BOTH brakes, you can only use the front and the rear is only given enough pressure to do its job and is automatically reduces as speed slows to as not lock the rear.
I rode it for about 100 miles on Sunday and it really made me appreciate it again. But then I just bought my GSXR 1000 back so I guess I'll be riding that for the next few weeks.
Mine isn't quite so bad on fuel 42-44mpg. It's an '07 injection one, mint. Looks like the fairings on yours aren't Honda ones. The front mudguard isn't. Agree that the riding position is quite sports orientated and stretched out because of the longer wheelbase. As you say when you twist the throttle and open it up it is so smooth. I was toying with getting the new Hayabusa lovely bike, but haven't. Got a Speed Triple RS instead which I love. The Blackbird is like an anachronism from a passed era but gotta love it as it has such great manners, refined. Maybe I replace it with a KTM 1290 SA which by comparison is a brute.
No idea where you're coming from mate, all bodywork is OEM. Replacing your Blackbird with a KTM 1290 seems rather diverse, I wouldn't have thought of that one. And yes, before you ask, I have ridden a 1290 and am very familiar with them.
Hey your in possession of one of the best bikes ever made I had one for over a decade mine is way better on fuel than that always remember it’s age it’s an old bike now
The rack is SW motech, it replaces the pillion grab handles, pretty much the only type you can get unless you go full Givi. I bolted a Givi box mounting plate to it. You can still get the rack but you won't get much change from $200
Fastest production bike until Suzuki brought out the Hayabusa. The Hayabusa is a Japanese bird of prey that eats blackbirds. Suzuki execs must still be smirking about that.
Here's my vid of the 2012 zx-14 I owned for a short period. The Blackbird doesn't even come close' to the performance (and brakes) of the 14R. studio.ru-vid.coma1PtauKI8dk/edit
Really? Comparing a 2016 Ninja to a 2002 Honda?? 14 years age difference? It's not fair!! Rather, compare the Nija with a 2016 Fireblade! Remember : The Blackbird was the world's fastest production motorcycle when it was launched! Give me a brake man!!
Just making a point man, there are some people who would have you believe that the Blackbird was and still is the greatest bike ever. Like I said, I the Ninja dates the 'bird and makes it feel old like it is. I'm not saying it's a shit bike. Ended up selling it anyways as I didn't like the riding position despite raising the bars further, lowering the footpegs, putting a Corbin seat on it and changing out the screen. Liked the handling and power.
.Sold it last week, alternator when out which was a quick and easy fix but despite additional risers, lower footpegs and a corbin sea, it just didn't fit me well. Nice bike, good power, great handling but I wasn't comfortable.
I did end up putting higher risers on it and an other screen (can;t remember the make) at the end of last year, not ridden it at all since, hopefully that will change in the next month or so.