Buying In January

[laffingboy]

Hi guys; new to the forum and looking to buy a Blackbird in January. No question its the bike I want but interested in people's thoughts on how important mileage is/carb vs injection and any other thoughts.

Budget is 3k in cash ( though obviously the less I spend the better). I can't extend that at the moment but looking for a bike that I can do 30000 miles on over three years and rely upon.

Enjoyed an old ZZR600 over the last two years ( been V V skint after a post recession catastrophe) and happy to do work myself....look forward to hearing your thoughts!!

 

[Boggymarsh]

Well you're in the right place to get all the advice you need but don't be put off by the bollocks about red ones being the quickest and grey/silver/blue being the slowest...you just need to know that black is best!

The bikes are just about bomb proof with the carb version not suffering some of the electrical gremlins that the FI ones are known to have, but that said sort that out and all becomes ticketyboo! Mileage is not an issue and not something you should worry about

With money you have you will find a great bike but be patient and don't buy the first one you see as there is a good choice out there... unless it's an absolute minter for peanuts, ofcourse!

Enjoy the forum...and the 'bird when you're sorted

Oh, and many of your questions can be answered by a liberal uses of the search engine. Some key words for you...
Loom fix, cam chain tensioner, HID, 42psi, bar risers....jaws!

 

[Jaws]

Hi and welcome to the forum @tu*

Mileage is pretty much irrelevant really.. Anything under 1.5 MILLION miles should be fine ( proly more than that but that is the highest mileage I know of so far )

Its all down to condition as to the value.

I personally much prefer carb bikes.. Higher top end, less issues, better MPG.. but it really is personal choice ( sorry .. not being a lot of help really am I ! ! )

 

[andyBeaker]

I have done over 180k between a carb and FI Bird. both better than anything needed for putting the miles in - don't worry about which to go for. Condition more important than miles - both mine have scrubbed up like new at their annual wash.

I would err toward bikes with a fenda extender and hugger fitted - shows the owner cares about the bike. don't pay extra for tat - decent upgraded seat is good, but a scotoiler, heated grips and HID conversion if you ride at night are all pretty essential for putting in the miles in my view, pretty much every other 'extra' is valueless when buying.

 

[ditka]

Hi all, new here and this thread has helped me for what to look for.

I already have a big old cruiser (Suzuki M1800R, see image below) but it ain't great for winter riding requiring constant cleaning and polishing of the chrome. Am looking for something mainly for winter riding but also for the occasional commute to work and the Blackbird looks ideal for this. Not sure when I'll be purchasing as I have to offload a 1997 600cc GSXR first but that is up for sale from this weekend so maybe not too long!

 

[Rheumatoid]

Hi all, new here and this thread has helped me for what to look for.

I already have a big old cruiser (Suzuki M1800R, see image below) but it ain't great for winter riding requiring constant cleaning and polishing of the chrome. Am looking for something more manly for winter riding but also for the occasional commute to work and the Blackbird looks ideal for this. Not sure when I'll be purchasing as I have to offload a 1997 600cc GSXR first but that is up for sale from this weekend so maybe not too long!

Corrected for you - and welcome :-0)

 

[163phil]

Welcome Ditka@tu*

I may be selling my Blackbird shortly - 1998 XXW (carb.), 37,000 miles. I've owned and cherished it from new. I'd be looking for around £2300. Let me know if you'd be interested.@tu*