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Interesting Practical Sportsbike

Lee337

Confused Poster
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There's a Blackbird on the cover of this months Practical Sportsbike magazine, not read it yet as my subscriber copy hasn't arrived and it's not on the shelves until Wednesday.

Just thought I'd mention it.
 

Jaws

Corporal CockUp
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It IS a sports tourer no matter how you look at it
 

Malone

Been there, and had one
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Did anybody on here own one from the very start? It was then the ultimate sports tourer, and even today would devour huge mileages comfortably (aside from electrical issues) how many tens of thousands would it cost to get a similar ride today? I rode mine across Germany, Austria, France with 3 box Givi on a wingrack, 2 up in great speedy comfort. The suspension and brakes were OK, not good but OK, it gave me good fuel economy. Its misfortune, for me, was when the Busa came out and did it all - but better.
 

Cougar377

Express elevator to hell
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If the Bird doesn't qualify then could soneone please define what a "practical sportsbike" is...? :couch:
 

Jaws

Corporal CockUp
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Did anybody on here own one from the very start? It was then the ultimate sports tourer, and even today would devour huge mileages comfortably (aside from electrical issues) how many tens of thousands would it cost to get a similar ride today? I rode mine across Germany, Austria, France with 3 box Givi on a wingrack, 2 up in great speedy comfort. The suspension and brakes were OK, not good but OK, it gave me good fuel economy. Its misfortune, for me, was when the Busa came out and did it all - but better.
Owned them since 97.. Bought the first one to 'do' Italy on as my then bike, a Yamaha YZF750 r SP was hopeless for doing long trips,, about 80 miles between fills
 

slim63

Never surrender
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If the Bird doesn't qualify then could soneone please define what a "practical sportsbike" is...? :couch:
There is no such thing as far as I can see, older sports bikes can be fairly practical but I can't think of one you would want to tour europe on (but masochists do) none of the current crop of expensive but cheaply made shite qualifies in my book

The nearest I can find are sports tourers, IE big lumps with "some" sporting pretensions, The bird probably ticks most of the boxes there & as a bonus is quite pretty to look at, but you have to get shot of the plank (seat) shite brakes, upgrade the cheap nasty suspension & hope the thing does not eat itself electrically ................ what it has got going for it is neutral handling (post suspension sort) & a superb engine, but sports bike ..... no not in a million years
 

Cougar377

Express elevator to hell
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There is no such thing as far as I can see, older sports bikes can be fairly practical but I can't think of one you would want to tour europe on (but masochists do) none of the current crop of expensive but cheaply made shite qualifies in my book

The nearest I can find are sports tourers, IE big lumps with "some" sporting pretensions, The bird probably ticks most of the boxes there & as a bonus is quite pretty to look at, but you have to get shot of the plank (seat) shite brakes, upgrade the cheap nasty suspension & hope the thing does not eat itself electrically ................ what it has got going for it is neutral handling (post suspension sort) & a superb engine, but sports bike ..... no not in a million years
It's the same with cars.... The number of "sports" models that you see in a manufacturers range makes me laugh.....it's even used to describe some models of urban SUV's, MPV's and vans.
 
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johnboy

rather fond of a cream bun
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If the Bird doesn't qualify then could soneone please define what a "practical sportsbike" is...? :couch:
Suzuki GSXR 750 J was a very practical sports bike, I toured all over Europe on one, yeah Ok I was in my twenties at the time and would not consider any further than 50 miles on one now, but at the time it was brilliant.
 

slim63

Never surrender
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Suzuki GSXR 750 J was a very practical sports bike, I toured all over Europe on one, yeah Ok I was in my twenties at the time and would not consider any further than 50 miles on one now, but at the time it was brilliant.
I have done many thousands of miles on oil cooled gsxr's of every persuasion & yes they are comfy & quite forgiving for a sports bike so exactly what i was on about in my previous post about older sports bikes

1100k with flat bars was my favourite by far, great combo of power comfort & handling when treated with respect
 

Jaws

Corporal CockUp
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Well there was Nick Sanders who did a round the world trip on an R1
 

Cougar377

Express elevator to hell
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Yup I lasted all of 2 minutes before I had to walk away
Same here. Spoke to him at the NEC and did much the same. He was in full flow at the time but I just had to walk away.
 

eddyace595

Been there, and had one
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There's a Blackbird on the cover of this months Practical Sportsbike magazine, not read it yet as my subscriber copy hasn't arrived and it's not on the shelves until Wednesday.

Just thought I'd mention it.
Just had s flick through the copy...its a supercharged bird...looks a tidy job too...200 hp...200kgs....must read the rest tomorrow
....
 

eddyace595

Been there, and had one
Club Sponsor
Well there was Nick Sanders who did a round the world trip on an R1
Once watched a video of his...think it was called beyond reason or something...never heard anyone talk such complete shite in my life....must be something up the man...removed the dvd after about 10 minutes and lent it to a mate....never seen it since...
 

Malone

Been there, and had one
Club Sponsor
I’ve never met Nick Sanders, but a couple of people I know who went on tours with him described him as Mr. Smelly
 
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