The new Bird is now home! First thoughts!

[haggetty]

As a follow up to my first Forum post ‘The most expensive bird in Britain’ (which I did buy in the end), I thought I’d post my thoughts having collected it today and ridden it home.

The bike was beautifully presented by the supplying dealer and left ticking over and sounding lovely as I popped my helmet on.

It’s always exciting picking up a new machinehere was slight trepidation as not only had I not test ridden this particular machine, I had never even ridden a Blackbird at all!! Sat on one, but that was it.

I really hoped it would be a good thing.

Tickover settled, I chucked a leg over, snicked into gear (without the big clunk) and set off on the 25 mile ride home.

First impressions were of a very smooth engine with no vibes.
Handlebars low with plenty of weight on the wrists, highish pegs but not unduly so.

It’s by far the sportiest riding position of any bike I’ve had aside the GSXR1100K I owned briefly some 35years ago.

I will definitely need to fit the Jaws risers I’ve already bought, as well as the foot peg lowering kit!

Riding through town and negotiating slow and tightish corners highlighted surprisingly light and easy steering. Much nicer to steer than my GSX1250FA I’m pleased to say.

Out of town and at higher speeds the handling impressed with its neutrality, stability and easy going nature. Again, miles better than the GSX that always needs plenty of effort to steer around a turn!

Suspension didn’t draw attention to itself being compliant, controlled and comfy enough. Chuffed with that.

The engine is a peach isn’t it. I found it easy to control at low speeds and perfectly manageable around town.
I would say the GSX1250 feels stronger up to about 5000 revs but that is also a great engine (max torque at 3700rpm).
When the road allowed I let it rip a bit in 2nd and 3rd gears up to about 9000rpm!
Yay! It does shift a bit. Super fast but not scary. Quick but not intimidating.

It’s been a while since I owned a bike as quick as this…and I like it!

Seat was comfy enough but a longer ride will tell all!

Gearbox easy, snickety snick change, nice.

Mirrors ok, might get extenders.

Screen low and doesn’t provide much protection but at least the airflow is smooth.

Engine temp in low 80s moving at speed but climbed to 102-104 in town fairly quickly. Fan did come on tho and pulled it back down. Understand this is pretty normal.

I’m going to ride this first tankful quite spiritedly and give the engine a good workout. It’s a low miler bike and I want it to get properly extended, hot and used properly. (It has warranty so anything amiss will be sorted).

Once it’s’proved itself’ I’ll run a tankful of E5 Super and take it easy to see what I can get per gallon, hoping to get 45mpg if I try hard!

So, good start and can’t wait to get out for a proper 300 miler ride!

Looking forward to showing it off. Such an attractive bike in Blue!

 

[Robbi]

Fantastic. . Health to enjoy Sir

 

[Artemis]

Has your grin faded yet?

 

[Sparks68]

Well done that man!
I missed the first post on the bike so not sure if Carb or Fi.
Mines Carb. 42-44 when playing ,group rides n sensible I've had 54mpg .That's on E5. In my exp across my bikes is the E5 pays for itself as you get far better mpg and the bike feels so much better. It does pay for itself.

 

[haggetty]

Well done that man!
I missed the first post on the bike so not sure if Carb or Fi.
Mines Carb. 42-44 when playing ,group rides n sensible I've had 54mpg .That's on E5. In my exp across my bikes is the E5 pays for itself as you get far better mpg and the bike feels so much better. It does pay for itself.

Thanks for the info Sparks, it’s an 05 so less efficient it seems. Agree about E5, always use it in my bikes. I’m not too hung up about economy as such but want to make sure it’s no worse than it should be. Poor economy is a sign of problems!
I’m usually able to get good economy when I want to. My VStrom 1050 is averaging a whisker over 60mpg for the last year and 49.3 from my GSX1250 so not too shabby.
If I can only get 38 from the ‘bird I’d think there’s something amiss!

 

[haggetty]

Has your grin faded yet?

Well, work’s got in the way since my pickup (work from home). Just looking for a nice dry few hours so I can go out and get to know it better and can’t wait for that. Bit of a pity it came along at this time of year!
It’s not going out in the wet (Don’t think it’s been out in the wet ever tbh!)

 

[ogr1]

Well, work’s got in the way since my pickup (work from home). Just looking for a nice dry few hours so I can go out and get to know it better and can’t wait for that. Bit of a pity it came along at this time of year!
It’s not going out in the wet (Don’t think it’s been out in the wet ever tbh!)

Rain won't do it any harm at all.

 

[Sparks68]

Thanks for the info Sparks, it’s an 05 so less efficient it seems. Agree about E5, always use it in my bikes. I’m not too hung up about economy as such but want to make sure it’s no worse than it should be. Poor economy is a sign of problems!
I’m usually able to get good economy when I want to. My VStrom 1050 is averaging a whisker over 60mpg for the last year and 49.3 from my GSX1250 so not too shabby.
If I can only get 38 from the ‘bird I’d think there’s something amiss!

I totally agree , the guy that got me into riding years ago n I guess mentored me. He told me to always trip my bike upon filling. 1 to get an idea of tank range to reserve but more importantly to gauge how the bike is running.If the the mpg plummets compared to usual you have an issue ,be it you need a service or something more major needs attention. I do it every tank. Blokes I ride with joke about it,saying I do it because I'm tight .

 

[eddyace595]

As a follow up to my first Forum post ‘The most expensive bird in Britain’ (which I did buy in the end), I thought I’d post my thoughts having collected it today and ridden it home.

The bike was beautifully presented by the supplying dealer and left ticking over and sounding lovely as I popped my helmet on.

It’s always exciting picking up a new machinehere was slight trepidation as not only had I not test ridden this particular machine, I had never even ridden a Blackbird at all!! Sat on one, but that was it.

I really hoped it would be a good thing.

Tickover settled, I chucked a leg over, snicked into gear (without the big clunk) and set off on the 25 mile ride home.

First impressions were of a very smooth engine with no vibes.
Handlebars low with plenty of weight on the wrists, highish pegs but not unduly so.

It’s by far the sportiest riding position of any bike I’ve had aside the GSXR1100K I owned briefly some 35years ago.

I will definitely need to fit the Jaws risers I’ve already bought, as well as the foot peg lowering kit!

Riding through town and negotiating slow and tightish corners highlighted surprisingly light and easy steering. Much nicer to steer than my GSX1250FA I’m pleased to say.

Out of town and at higher speeds the handling impressed with its neutrality, stability and easy going nature. Again, miles better than the GSX that always needs plenty of effort to steer around a turn!

Suspension didn’t draw attention to itself being compliant, controlled and comfy enough. Chuffed with that.

The engine is a peach isn’t it. I found it easy to control at low speeds and perfectly manageable around town.
I would say the GSX1250 feels stronger up to about 5000 revs but that is also a great engine (max torque at 3700rpm).
When the road allowed I let it rip a bit in 2nd and 3rd gears up to about 9000rpm!
Yay! It does shift a bit. Super fast but not scary. Quick but not intimidating.

It’s been a while since I owned a bike as quick as this…and I like it!

Seat was comfy enough but a longer ride will tell all!

Gearbox easy, snickety snick change, nice.

Mirrors ok, might get extenders.

Screen low and doesn’t provide much protection but at least the airflow is smooth.

Engine temp in low 80s moving at speed but climbed to 102-104 in town fairly quickly. Fan did come on tho and pulled it back down. Understand this is pretty normal.

I’m going to ride this first tankful quite spiritedly and give the engine a good workout. It’s a low miler bike and I want it to get properly extended, hot and used properly. (It has warranty so anything amiss will be sorted).

Once it’s’proved itself’ I’ll run a tankful of E5 Super and take it easy to see what I can get per gallon, hoping to get 45mpg if I try hard!

So, good start and can’t wait to get out for a proper 300 miler ride!

Looking forward to showing it off. Such an attractive bike in Blue!

I would check the tyres on the gsx1250...I have a bandit 1250 that is as nimble as heck...can't say that I have noticed my blackbird being nimbler and better steering...also the 1250 mill is one of the nicest torqeyist 4 cyls made in my opinion...whatever you do don't get rid of the suzuki..

 

[haggetty]

I would check the tyres on the gsx1250...I have a bandit 1250 that is as nimble as heck...can't say that I have noticed my blackbird being nimbler and better steering...also the 1250 mill is one of the nicest torqeyist 4 cyls made in my opinion...whatever you do don't get rid of the suzuki..

The tyres are in good nick. Bridgestones T31 and pressures 36/42f/r. Hmm.
Just to clarify exactly what I mean regarding the GSX vs ‘Bird handling.
The GSX requires more countersteering effort to get it to tip into a corner than the ‘bird.
Once in the corner, the GSX needs continual countersteering pressure otherwise it just wants to stand upright and plugged straight on.
The ‘bird requires virtually no effort once in the corner similar to my VStrom 1050 which is totally neutral.
The effect on the GSX can be reduced by ‘hanging off’ more than I’d like. If I hang off enough, the GSX will stay in a corner with no pressure on the bars.
In town, negotiating junctions and roundabouts the GSX will ‘flop’ into a turn, try to tuck the front and then immediately try to stand up. it’s a bit of a PITA to be honest but might try some new tyres to see what happens.
Tyres make a huge difference! I did buy an old R1200RT that just didn’t want to turn. Truly horrible. A few days into my ownership and I fitted Roadtec 01s. Totally transformed the thing and it became a pleasure to ride.
PS, what tyres did you run on your Bandit?
Cheers.

 

[andyBeaker]

The tyres are in good nick. Bridgestones T31 and pressures 36/42f/r. Hmm.
Just to clarify exactly what I mean regarding the GSX vs ‘Bird handling.
The GSX requires more countersteering effort to get it to tip into a corner than the ‘bird.
Once in the corner, the GSX needs continual countersteering pressure otherwise it just wants to stand upright and plugged straight on.
The ‘bird requires virtually no effort once in the corner similar to my VStrom 1050 which is totally neutral.
The effect on the GSX can be reduced by ‘hanging off’ more than I’d like. If I hang off enough, the GSX will stay in a corner with no pressure on the bars.
In town, negotiating junctions and roundabouts the GSX will ‘flop’ into a turn, try to tuck the front and then immediately try to stand up. it’s a bit of a PITA to be honest but might try some new tyres to see what happens.
Tyres make a huge difference! I did buy an old R1200RT that just didn’t want to turn. Truly horrible. A few days into my ownership and I fitted Roadtec 01s. Totally transformed the thing and it became a pleasure to ride.
PS, what tyres did you run on your Bandit?
Cheers.

I’m guessing you are aware that most find 42/42 psi ideal on a Bird.

 

[Malone]

I’m pretty sure my Gsx1250a ran with 42/42, I don’t recall what tyres though. And it was pretty nimble

 

[eddyace595]

The tyres are in good nick. Bridgestones T31 and pressures 36/42f/r. Hmm.
Just to clarify exactly what I mean regarding the GSX vs ‘Bird handling.
The GSX requires more countersteering effort to get it to tip into a corner than the ‘bird.
Once in the corner, the GSX needs continual countersteering pressure otherwise it just wants to stand upright and plugged straight on.
The ‘bird requires virtually no effort once in the corner similar to my VStrom 1050 which is totally neutral.
The effect on the GSX can be reduced by ‘hanging off’ more than I’d like. If I hang off enough, the GSX will stay in a corner with no pressure on the bars.
In town, negotiating junctions and roundabouts the GSX will ‘flop’ into a turn, try to tuck the front and then immediately try to stand up. it’s a bit of a PITA to be honest but might try some new tyres to see what happens.
Tyres make a huge difference! I did buy an old R1200RT that just didn’t want to turn. Truly horrible. A few days into my ownership and I fitted Roadtec 01s. Totally transformed the thing and it became a pleasure to ride.
PS, what tyres did you run on your Bandit?
Cheers.

You are right..tyres make a big difference to the big 1250...had dunlop roadsmarts a while ago and found them not particularly nice..bit better once a bit of heat was in them...Currently running Avon Storm 3d xms and it is all good...Seriously good tyres in my opinion..

 

[slim63]

The tyres are in good nick. Bridgestones T31 and pressures 36/42f/r. Hmm.
Just to clarify exactly what I mean regarding the GSX vs ‘Bird handling.
The GSX requires more countersteering effort to get it to tip into a corner than the ‘bird.
Once in the corner, the GSX needs continual countersteering pressure otherwise it just wants to stand upright and plugged straight on.
The ‘bird requires virtually no effort once in the corner similar to my VStrom 1050 which is totally neutral.
The effect on the GSX can be reduced by ‘hanging off’ more than I’d like. If I hang off enough, the GSX will stay in a corner with no pressure on the bars.
In town, negotiating junctions and roundabouts the GSX will ‘flop’ into a turn, try to tuck the front and then immediately try to stand up. it’s a bit of a PITA to be honest but might try some new tyres to see what happens.
Tyres make a huge difference! I did buy an old R1200RT that just didn’t want to turn. Truly horrible. A few days into my ownership and I fitted Roadtec 01s. Totally transformed the thing and it became a pleasure to ride.
PS, what tyres did you run on your Bandit?
Cheers.

Having owned both and done many thousands of miles on them in all conditions I have to disagree so if your gsx is twitchy i would be checking bearings and tyres carefully as a starting point then look at suspension to find out why, mine would tip in easily and hold its line with no problem at all even go a bit further than I had thought I needed to on an unexpectedly tightening bend and i dont hang off just pick my inside foot up a little if going for it to save my boots
No twitching either even one handed and moving along nicely while giving the carpal tunnel a rest

I have to say the bird always felt exactly the same to me handling wise which is surprising for such a big lump and i think that is why so many love them so much, an early busa for example feels like a sack of spuds until up to a reasonable speed and cant compete with the birds easy handling

You are right..tyres make a big difference to the big 1250...had dunlop roadsmarts a while ago and found them not particularly nice..bit better once a bit of heat was in them...Currently running Avon Storm 3d xms and it is all good...Seriously good tyres in my opinion..

Storms on both bikes mentioned at some point but i cant remember exactly which ones, i agree though certanly the best tires on either

Just my twopenneth worth