DOGMAN Posted March 18, 2007 Share Posted March 18, 2007 Hi guys- I'm looking at my first Blackbird- A mint- 2003 with 3,000 miles on her. My questions- Are there any specific problems or recall with this bike? Is this a better bike then a ST1300 for sport touring? I'm 6'0 feet tall- but I have long arms- do you think HELI riser are needed? WHats the best aftermarket exhaust? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrganDonor Posted March 18, 2007 Share Posted March 18, 2007 Are there any specific problems or recall with this bike? No Is this a better bike then a ST1300 for sport touring? Yes, and no. The ST will be more comforable, but you'll look like a scooter from behind, and it doesn't have sex appeal/speed/smile factor the XX does. I'm 6'0 feet tall- but I have long arms- do you think HELI riser are needed? Probably. They let you sit upright more. WHats the best aftermarket exhaust? That's debatable. Depends on what you want. More HP, more noise, etc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiXXation Posted March 18, 2007 Share Posted March 18, 2007 There was a recall on the 2002's and 2003's to check the rear Linked Brake System Proportional Control Valve for leakage. I understand that very few required any fixing, but if the leak occurred, the rear brakes could eventually fail to function. The recall was dated February, 2005. A test involved supporting the front wheel's LBS master cylinder's piston rod to apply pressure for a period of time (with the front wheel off the ground to weight it), and measuring any drop in the wheel's altitude to indicate a leak. In spite of what Honda apparently thinks, the XX and the ST are two different bikes. If you don't want to deal with chain maintenance, a 6th gear, direct power, and the feeling of flying in the wind, look at the ST with it's shaft drive and more protected rider position. The ST would probably also give greater range between gas stops since it's not calibrated to the same power levels as the XX. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R1000 Posted March 18, 2007 Share Posted March 18, 2007 Hi guys- I'm looking at my first Blackbird- A mint- 2003 with 3,000 miles on her. My questions- Are there any specific problems or recall with this bike? Is this a better bike then a ST1300 for sport touring? I'm 6'0 feet tall- but I have long arms- do you think HELI riser are needed? WHats the best aftermarket exhaust? Thanks You may not need HELI risers, or later VFR bars, which is a common mod to Birds. I have put the VFR bars on mine this winter since many people say it increases the comfort a lot. The VFR bars haven’t make me happy even though they are fine a slow speeds, I now feel a lot more wind pressure than with the stock bars and will probably return to them. I have been running a Suzuki GSX R1000 since 2003, which may have made me more tolerant for the stock bars on Birds, which are really comfy compared to the GSX R bars. I'm using a full Akrapovic exhaust on my Bird -97 and is honestly impressed by the improvement in mid range and top end power. Others say that the TI Force is the ultimate system concerning power for Birds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DOGMAN Posted March 19, 2007 Author Share Posted March 19, 2007 Since I cannot find one to sit on anywhere by me- are these less or more comfortable then a ST...I have ridden the ST1300s.... Without a doubt- they are more SEXXY!!!(BLACKBIRD) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockmeupto125 Posted March 19, 2007 Share Posted March 19, 2007 Perhaps if folks knew where you were, you might find one to sit on...eh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DOGMAN Posted March 19, 2007 Author Share Posted March 19, 2007 CHICAGO! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Byrdman Posted March 19, 2007 Share Posted March 19, 2007 Since I cannot find one to sit on anywhere by me- are these less or more comfortable then a ST...I have ridden the ST1300s.... I have an 04' ST1300 and an 02' XX. In all honesty, I am more comfortable on the XX. Short rides are easier on the ST1300. Jump on, run to the store, fly home. For long distances though, the upright riding position put all of your weight on your ass. On the XX, a portion of your weight is on the bars so your ass doesn't get as sore as fast. My opinion at least! CHICAGO! Looks like you want to head out to the Nortwestern burbs for a sit down! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DOGMAN Posted March 19, 2007 Author Share Posted March 19, 2007 Where you located? I'm near PK Ridge/Ohare/Des Plaines Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aurora Posted March 19, 2007 Share Posted March 19, 2007 Hi guys- I'm looking at my first Blackbird- A mint- 2003 with 3,000 miles on her. My questions- Are there any specific problems or recall with this bike? Is this a better bike then a ST1300 for sport touring? I'm 6'0 feet tall- but I have long arms- do you think HELI riser are needed? WHats the best aftermarket exhaust? Thanks Is this the one for sale in Boynton Beach, FL? Looks like a good bike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DOGMAN Posted March 19, 2007 Author Share Posted March 19, 2007 YES- I hope no one buys it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackhawkxx Posted March 19, 2007 Share Posted March 19, 2007 Short rides are easier on the ST1300. Jump on, run to the store, fly home. For long distances though, the upright riding position put all of your weight on your ass. Pretty much the opposite for me (my other is a Wing though). About 1 1/2 hours on the Bird and it feels like someone is pushing a very large knife through my knees. So it different for different people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockmeupto125 Posted March 19, 2007 Share Posted March 19, 2007 Dogman, there are many riders in the Chicago area who I'm sure would let you sit on their bike and look it over. Its worth the investment of time if you're thinking of buying a bike of a type you've never had contact with, especially at long distance. Hang up a note in the PUB explaining your situation, I'm sure you'll get several responses/offers. One more thing. Don't plan on changing anything about the bike. Ride it for at least 1000 miles.....then you'll have the experience and time invested to make an intelligent decision about what you need to make it a better bike for yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JB4XX Posted March 19, 2007 Share Posted March 19, 2007 I guarantee if you visit any of the Chicago guys to sit on their bikes....YOUR ASS WILL BE SORE!! Here...let me see it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrganDonor Posted March 19, 2007 Share Posted March 19, 2007 Touring bikes are for pussies! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JB4XX Posted March 19, 2007 Share Posted March 19, 2007 Buy the XX, ride the XX, have someone ready to take a picture of you after your first ride. The XX grin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Byrdman Posted March 19, 2007 Share Posted March 19, 2007 The XX grin. The grin is from the before mentioned sore ass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DOGMAN Posted March 20, 2007 Author Share Posted March 20, 2007 Sat on one today. I like it alot. Also sat on a ST1300, a BMW R and the new Yamaha sport tourer. The XX is the only way to go. I would like to see what the Heli risers feel like.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 If you buy the XX don't be too shook when you see the temp go up during the summer months. 220-250f Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beondwacko Posted March 22, 2007 Share Posted March 22, 2007 Boynton Beach is only about 30 min' from me and John01XX. Let up know with a PM if you need us to look it over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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