In a reply to the last post about “The Old Firm” tour with my mates, fellow Moto Blogger from Australia Julian Pearce said:
“I'd find it interesting to get an idea of how the various bikes performed and what are the virtues that their owners like about them. I'm sure the fellas would have discussed the merits of their particular bikes at some stage.”
What an excellent idea for a post and the guys thought so too! So this is for you Jules and we hope it all makes sense!
Davey – 1999
Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird
I’m in my early 40’s just under 6 ft
tall with long legs. As a kid, I had many trials bikes and MX bikes I rented a
bike to do my test and bought a Honda CBR1000 which I kept for many years.
The Blackbird I have now is the 1999 FI model which I bought new 14 years ago. It’s
done 50,000 miles (80,000 km). What I love about this bike is the look, the
outrageous performance and the build quality. The down side is the budget suspension
which has been improved by the addition of a Penske rear shock and better front
spring and fresh fluid. The bike is also a little heavy compared to more modern
offerings.
However there is nothing available that I would be prepared to
trade the Blackbird for given the extra dollars I would have to spend. In my
view nothing is that much better. I have raised the rear and lowered the front
which helps it turn in a lot faster. However it also put a lot of weight on the
wrists which on a long journey can be a pain but given I only do a long run
once a year I’ll live with it. All in all, I love the Blackbird and cannot
imagine ever getting rid of it but I would contemplate getting another bike;
possibly a BMW 1200GS.
Roger, 2007 Triumph Sprint ST
I chose the Sprint after getting rid of
the Daytona 955i. The ergonomics seemed a happy compromise
between sports and touring, and I had long ago fallen in love with Triples.
Although the growl from the Sprint is not as distinctive as the growl that came
from the 955, I also needed a bike that was going to be comfy for two up
touring. I think overall the mix of sports vs. touring is fairly
good.
Like Davey's Blackbird, the Sprint’s biggest let-down
was its pathetically soft suspension. Upgrading with an Ohlins
shock and reworking the front end forks of the bike ensured a completely different
ride. The wallowing was gone replaced by a bike that is
stable and a pleasure to ride.
The bike has great low down torque but lacks real top end
speed. This can be a tad annoying when hanging onto the tails of a Blackbird in
full flight! The bike though has served me well with a couple of South Island tours and countless trouble-free miles. With
a range of 320kms (Fully loaded two up) she can cover a good distance between
fills. She is starting to blow a bit of smoke after 60,000 km. The bike
certainly needs to be ridden high up in the rev range to get a decent response
out of corners.
I am beginning to get to the stage where a bit more top
end power would be nice, and shifting to an inline four like the Connie, ZX14,
or K1300s appeals. Certainly, being behind the likes of the Blackbird
and Andy's BMW1200R, the Sprint cannot compete for
any straight line speed. These bikes just pull away even if I am at
full throttle and the triple is screaming.
Richard, 2007 BMW
R1200 GS
As a kid
I grew up around bikes. My dad didn’t have a car but owned a BSA
650 twin which I always helped him clean and we also lived 500m from Swindon
Speedway, home of legends like Barry Briggs, Martin Ashby, Phil Crump and more
recently Leigh Adams. Bikes have always been in my blood and whilst I was
never able to own one in my teens I always hooned around on my mates 50’s
and scooters. I eventually got a full license in the UK to allow me to buy a bike for
commuting to work and avoid the congestion which also gave me the experience of
riding on snow and ice..... stuff that again!
After
moving to NZ, I purchased my first big bike, a 2002 Honda VTR Firestorm, which
was eventually my “hack” commuting bike. I went through some
other big twins over a short time whilst looking for a second “sports
twin” and settled on a Ducati 999. I even had a Harley for a while,
which I still have nightmares over! Access to big bikes without the insurance
and theft issues that the UK
has made me like a kid in a candy store and much money has passed over to
dealers along the way. Thankfully I have an understanding wife.
I
eventually purchased the R1200GS in December 2006 with it being an 07
model. I had long admired this bike since its upgrade from
the 1100/1150 generation and read other riders reports with envy. It was
getting good press all over the world and I felt a need for change from my
current bikes with this bike seeming to be a good fit for the riding I wanted
to do. I finally took the plunge after selling my Ducati 999 and trading
my Firestorm, both of which were great bikes in their own way but were getting
me too close to the edge on NZ roads (meaning I was riding too fast!!).
The main point for me purchasing this model year rather than earlier ones was
BMW’s adoption of “normal” brakes rather than the
servo-brakes of previous generations which I found too sharp and also inoperable without the ignition on. I had the idea that this bike would
slow me down and also allow me to see some of NZ’s dirt roads and ride
off the beaten track as it were. I have managed to do both (though Geoff
would argue that I still ride “vigorously”!) and have enjoyed every
moment of ownership. My wife often accompanies me on rides and is very
happy and comfortable as a pillion (certainly more so than other bikes I have
owned!!).
To sum
this bike up, and to coin a phrase from a paint advert, it does everything it
says on the tin! This bike for me has been, and still is, pretty much
perfect. Comfortable, able to cover long distances, reliable and able to
cope with all the vagaries of NZ’s back-roads with excellent and
consistent handling. A switch to BMW’s telelever front end and shaft
drive is a jump too far for some motorcycling purists but simply put they are
awesome and do not compromise power delivery and handling as the detractors
will have you believe. I have not had issues with the rear diff that some
GS owners have and apart from a couple of recall issues it has performed
perfectly.
I have ridden off-road, which I know some owners don’t
do, and have so far clocked up 60,000km, half of which were in the first 2
years of ownership with at least 5-10,000km on dirt roads. Being able to
ride up to 400km on a tank is very useful if exploring further away from
civilization and is a major improvement from my old Firestorm which had me
sweating after 150km! It carries luggage and pillion well, without
upsetting performance, and will take on any ride put in front of it.
Would I
change it? I have considered the GS upgrade models that have come on to
the market over the last few years with their electronically adjustable
suspension and revised 4-valve HP2 cylinder heads etc., but none have impressed
me enough to part with the cash. I have also considered other bikes,
especially the newer Multistrada, but again the cost to change does not buy me
a truly better bike. As I also have a GSXR1000 for track days I get my
high speed fixes in relative safety so don’t feel the need to have a
really fast bike for the road any more. At some point it will feel really
old and dated and certainly the engine and gearbox are not as smooth as newer
models, but I cannot foresee when this time will come just yet. It is the
best bike I have owned, and whilst not the best I have ridden – the BMW
S1000RR will take that title – it does all I want it to and you
can’t really ask for much more.
For
perspective, here are the bikes I have owned:
Kawasaki
ER5, Suzuki SV650 (naked model) – UK. 2002 Honda VTR Firestorm, 2003
Ducati 999, 2003 Aprilia RSV Mille R, 2003 Harley Davidson V-Rod (please
forgive me!) – NZ (you can see I like big twins!!) BMW R1200GS and 2008
Suzuki GSXR1000 – still own.
Dave, Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird
I
bought my Blackbird (CBR1100XX) in 2004 when I moved to NZ. Main
reasons for buying: legendary build quality, reliability, on-tap power,
two-up potential and mainly, as my main form of transport to and from
work, weather protection. After 9 years I can say, hand on heart, that
she has fulfilled the original wish list. Downsides; she’s a lardy old
girl – over 230 kg fully gassed-up and, with a high CoG, virtually
impossible to pick-up if you drop her! I’ve had a couple of instances of
the slow-speed drop and when I was fitter, was able to pick her up but
no more. John Baker have been excellent with their insurance back-ups so
no major dramas (except a $750 excess ;-( I haven’t done any structural
mods just added a few peripherals like a rear hugger, Scottoiler,
heated grips, Ventura rack. All have performed exemplary but recently
the Scottoiler has started playing-up so time to get the degreaser out
(again) and investigate. After 76,000km, the suspension is getting a bit
tired so I’ve put a new shock on my shopping list. Penske likely as they
seem quite popular for Blackbirds.
Having
started my biking career on a Puch Maxi !! I worked my way up from a
125 to a 250 to a couple of 600s (I loved my ZZR600), a 955i Daytona
which handled on the road like it was on rails and finally the
Blackbird. Before the Old Firm tiki tour I fitted new Michelin Pilot
Road 2 front and back, after having Avon Storms. Compared with the
Storms, which were a revelation when first introduced but a bit dated
now, the Michelins are great in all aspects although I haven’t tried
them in the wet yet (Yippee!). After the dry tiki tour of around 1,000 km
for me they feel even better, real sticky stuff. No dramas on the tour
even when I misjudged a couple of corners and had to tighten my line a
bit. The suspension even feels better now! Other good things about a
‘bird – pick the right gear for a particular set of corners and you can
hold onto it for miles and minimise braking to as the engine braking is
pretty good and predictable. Overall view – there are other bikes that
I’ve owned that would’ve handled bits of the tiki tour better than the
‘bird but none that would have been as versatile overall. She definitely
prefers fast sweepers to 25kph sharpies but then she is a bit of a bus
(albeit a 280 km/hr bus) so no great surprises there.
Post
weekend up-date – I had a Scottoiler Lube Tube since day one, and the
problems I had were due to a tiny puncture in this little baby. Now
taken off and the system now works fine. I’m going to get another Lube
Tube as when they work they deliver 4x the capacity of the standard
set-up so less maintenance. I’m also considering re-siting the main unit
and the lube tube as the place AMPS (the dealers) put the main unit requires the
rear fairing, grab rail and Ventura rack to come-off. Not a drama but
not convenient either. My memorable photo attached, which sums up the
weekend for me “Bazinga – out of the blue”.
Dave's "Bazinga" moment on the "Old Firm" tour!
Oh, and remember the great Eddie and the Hot Rods anthem ‘Do anything you wanna do’…..!!!!
Andy, 2006 BMW K1200R
Every rider I have ever met goes through
an evolutionary process with respect to their riding, the types of bike
they prefer and I am no exception. I have been riding since I was 8 years
old, starting on a Briggs and Stratton-powered mini bike and a procession
of chook chasers until I was around 18. What really hooked me was a short
spin up the road as pillion on the neighbour’s new CB900….what a blast.
I was ten years old.
As my riding improved during my late
teens, I started looking at road bikes. Even big thumpers like my XR600R
were becoming a bit tiresome as my range and distances covered increased.
I made the shift when I moved from Hawke Bay to Auckland for work.
All of a sudden I didn’t have access to miles of off-road options, rather
motorways and city streets for my daily commute.
Fast forward and 3 bikes really stand
out for me.
1988 CBR1000F, fast and reliable. My
daily commuter for years. I had the 750 for 12 months prior and the thou
just buried it. The only problem I encountered with this bike was keeping
below the national speed limit, everywhere.
2002 Honda X11 (aka Naked Blackbird CB1100SF)
really kicked off my fetish for naked muscle bikes. Incidentally, the lead
up to buying this bike is where I met Geoff searching for information around
the CBR1100. I had the notion I wanted to ride naked, be at one with
the elements and to slow down. Clearly the Blackbird was an exception;
I had fallen in love with them when I spotted an early model while on Business
in Melbourne a few years prior.
The X11 was not ideal as standard, pretty
good but too much bike for the suspension. Ohlins and a PC3 custom mapped
for carbon cans really set this bike alive. Challenging in the twisties
and brutal acceleration made the X a serious proposition for long term
ownership until some demented German decided north of 160bhp for a naked
bike is where the action is….and I agree!
2006 BMW K1200R…OMG !!!! Titanium race
can that shoots blue flames on the over-run in failing light, enough
grunt to keep up with pretty much anything and a long wheelbase to stick
it all down with. Comfortable, fast and industrial looks combined with
some pretty trick electrics and high quality finish really ticks all of
my boxes. It’s not too shabby in the tight stuff either and stops like
instantly…just awesome. I love the fact that I have only ever
seen a handful on the road, like the X11 before and I feel a bit unique
in a seemingly endless parade of sameness that a lot of modern bikes share.
Have done 56,000 km now. Maybe that’s just me and how I feel about bikes now. In fact the only
bike I would replace it with is another one or the K1300S which also appeals
to my vanity.
Problems….I’ve had a few…more than
one….a few to mention:
Final drive. Replaced at 26Ks. Cost outrageous.
Noted weak point of 2006 and earlier bikes. Remedied in 2007 to present.
BMW helped out with the bill and so they should.
Annoying brake squeal. It’s just annoying
but intermittent and vastly improved with after-market pads. Open road
speeds it’s a non-issue. More of a satisfying hiss.
Potentiometer….say what??…exactly…fixed.
400 bucks for about 15 dollars’ worth of parts.
Upgraded cam chain tensioner remedied
a cam chain rattle on start-up, I had this on the X11 as well.
ABS Servo Brakes, legend tells that when
these crap out so will my bank balance, likewise clutch and transmission.
The internet gives me demons…no problems to date and all of these
“features” were ironed out in subsequent models.
All in all I love this bike, enough to
stick with it for a while yet
Geoff, 2009 Triumph Street Triple
I’m in my mid-60’s and 2013 marks 50 years of owning bikes! Prior to buying the Triple in
2009, I owned a Honda Blackbird for 8 years which I still consider to be the
best all-round bike I’ve ever owned for the type of riding I did at
the time. At 5’8” tall the ‘bird was always a bit tall
and heavy for me, especially after raising the ride height to quicken the steering. A low speed spill
in 2008 made me reconsider the type of motorcycle I wanted to ride as I aged.
Having good performance was paramount, especially riding with my mates who have
big capacity machines. Light weight, moderate seat height and comfort were
increasingly important. After a substantial evaluation of several machines,
the Street Triple was purchased. Incidentally, it was riding Andy's Honda X11 and enjoying it immensely which almost certainly triggered an interest in naked bikes.
Regular readers will have seen the long term
ownership post on the blog and also the comparison with the Blackbird, but in
short; I don’t regret owning the Triple for a minute! It’s been
utterly reliable and whilst the build quality isn’t quite as good as the
Blackbird, it’s still acceptable. It’s a fast mother with around
230 km/hr at the top end but it’s the flat torque curve which really
makes it a sensational road bike. Rapid overtakes in any gear are a
cornerstone of making real progress on the road. Handling is fantastic and
whilst my mates can pull away down long straights, they’ll tell you that
I can make up for it in the twisties. Range is important as I ride long
distances. It has a range of around 270 km to a tank on a normal run and
towards 300 km if you’re really light-handed. It’s now done over
30,000 km and I’ll probably upgrade the suspension before it reaches
40,000 km. Surprisingly, power to weight ratio is only a little less than the
Blackbird so it’s really only when aerodynamic drag comes into play at
higher speeds that it starts to significantly lose out.
It’s a great bike for hooligan activities and
tours exceptionally well (covering 1000 miles/1600km of mainly back roads in
21 hours with no real effort apart from an Airhawk seat pad to take away the
butt pain)! A fairing isn’t generally missed for the type of riding I do.
It’s utterly crap at providing decent ergonomics for a pillion passenger. However, that feature isn't currently important and you don’t buy a Street Triple to lug a pillion about! Is there another bike that currently
catches my eye as a replacement? Nope, after 3 ½ years
of ownership, it still ticks all the boxes specification-wise and retains that oh-so-important emotional appeal!
And to sum up.......
Well, there you have an excellent set of comments
from my cherished riding partners. Despite the varying reasons for their
choices, there are some interesting similarities which are worth mentioning.
Everyone has been riding for a long time
and have owned enough bikes to know what suits their needs and the conditions
in New Zealand.
We all ride long distances and a “decent” range is important, as is
comfort.
Good handling is paramount as NZ is big
on twisty roads, often with bumpy surfaces and relatively few
“freeway”- type straights. It’s telling that several of the
guys have specifically mentioned suspension upgrades ahead of aftermarket cans
or other power-gaining accessories as great handling offers big gains. Particularly
important as we all like to “press on a bit”. Anyone who thinks
that a BMW adventure bike is cannon fodder for a sports-oriented bike is in for
a real shock on a twisty back country road, especially if it’s bumpy and someone like Richard is on board!
Along the same lines, the performance difference between any of the bikes tends
to be blurred because of the conditions we ride in. It would be a different
story on more open roads with consistently higher speeds.
The bikes aren’t being traded in
regularly to acquire the latest and greatest. They’ve had various tweaks
and accessories to suit the needs of the owners and the clear message that
splashing out big $$$ for something new and sparkly doesn’t really add much value to
their riding enjoyment.
It all boils down to that well-used but
nonetheless valid phrase “fitness for purpose” with respect to the
choice of bike and this may well change over time, as it did in my case with a
lighter, lower bike in recognition of ageing.
Sincere thanks to Davey, Rog, Richard, Dave and Andy for their interesting and well-penned thoughts. Hope that everyone else has enjoyed the post.
