CB1300 v Blackbird

[radiobloke]

My '2 up' bike is a Honda CB1300. ( the naked one without the fairing)

nice bike, smooth engine, soft suspension. loved it to bit until I took a blast up the A1 the other day.

usually we bimble around derbyshire on b roads etc...find a pub, have some lunch...sight see. but the other week we had to go from Peterborough to Newark on the A1, against the wind. i nearly got off and set fire to it!...now I also ride a fightered 161rw/bhp bird...and have no problems with having no fairing. but the CB1300 was such hard work. trying to maintain a 80mph cruise was painful.

so,....got to thinking,...what else could I buy that fits the bill

anyone swapped from CB13 to a Bird? pro's v cons

the reason I went for fighters and the CB was cos my back is fecked...can't ride a blade or owt like that for any length of time these days. Rode a blade to Assen and back and fitted straight bars as soon as I got back!

guess I'll have to try a bird,....but was just 'armchair wondering' about the seating/bar position

thoughts?
:dunno:

 

[Mikeyzf]

I always liked the idea of the CB1300,but I'd have to have the one with the half fairing...

I can't compare between that and the Bird,but the Bird is a reasonable stretch to the bars,even with Jaws bar risers.

Failing that,there's always the Kawasaki GTR1400...There's been good reports about these..Performance is on par with the BB,and having tried one for size,seems very comfortable...Shaft drive and built in panniers as well...I've been toying with the idea of chopping in the Busa for one..Must be getting old.

Failing all that,I believe John at Jaws has developed a top yoke conversion for the Bird giving a more upright riding position.

 

[bmwdumptruck]

I had a CB1300S for about 18mths a few years back. Loved it, but hard work keeping it clean, and the rear end struggles when you push on.

Does sound like you just need to swap to the S model. I did a french trip and quite a few long runs on mine and found it fine, never even got to fit the taller screen I'd bought for it.

 

[choppernorgate]

I thought of the cb1300s.love em, but the got a good deal on new xjr1300, back in 08, had same prob::violin:
so is bird for me and never looked back

 

[Tribal-Wolf]

I think if your back is bad you may well struggle with a blackbird. I had risers and vfr bars at the same time on mine but I found it spoiled the bike and put you in the wind. I think the faired cb1300 might be best or something like a fz1 fazer. Triumph Trophy 1200 is a decent enough bike too I only sold mine because it was too tatty and I couldn't afford to have it painted etc.

 

[IMH]

I'd agree try the CB1300s.
I've only had my 'bird for about a month but my previous bike was a CB1300s which I had for about 2 1/2 years and loved - I only changed it due to itchy feet and a long time desire for a blackbird.
The half faired CB is absolutely fine at high speed though the blackbird is definitely more stable.
I have a slightly dodgy back myself and the blackbird is definitely a little bit less comfortable on the lower back than the cb so if your back is really bad the 1300s is probably the way to go.

 

[Pow-Lo]

Awash with bad lower backs?

Seems a lot of people on here have dodgy lower backs.

Unless you've had an accident or surgery, most "bad backs" can be attibuted to tight hip flexors. They are tight on most people and a major cause of back pain. One end of the largest flexor is attached to five vertebrae and if tight, will cause extreme discomfort. Stretch them out and that will work wonders.

Strengthen the core muscles too.

 

[radiobloke]

thanks for the replies so far.

I have/had a seizure between my sacrum and Ilium (the v piece where the spine meets the pelvis) I've spent a shitload of cash on chiro but since I got made redundant I haven't been back. I do my excercises but last time I did them ( whilst on holiday!) i completely knackered it,...couldn't walk straight and had to buy some huge painkillers from the local pill shop.

I will go back to the chiro's when I get a few bob.

with regards to the bike...I might fit an aftermarket screen, but I'll hate doing it...think they look shite! but then again I only ride it every now n again. one ride shouldn't make me fall out with it should it. But yeah,...I know what you mean about changing cos of itchy feet.

The good thing is that CB's always get good feedback and will hold its money. Will see if I can get ride on a bird at some point@tu*

 

[radiobloke]

was also considering a vfr750/800:dunno:

 

[Crazy Train]

VFR750's rock! They handle better than the bird, and are easier when parking/manouvering. The blackbird is just as good in it's own right. But the VFR, with it's gear driven cams and single sided swingarm, and positive torque and power, whilst being comfy and 230 miles to a tank make it a fun and practical piece of engineering genius. If you want fuel injection, dodgy vtec with costly servicings and lots of save the planet tree huggy crap, then go for the 800.

I test rode a CB1300, and found it to be boring, it looks awesome, but seemed like it had no character. Very bland, a 1300 should feel much more powerful. Basically, it didn't want to rip my arms out of my sockets or dislodge my eyeballs so I didn't like it.

If you have a bad back, go for the VFR, lighter, easier to move around, and a comfier riding position than the bird, and more licence friendly whilst being just as rewarding, and your pillion will be very happy, especially with the nice pillion handes the vfr has. I suppose what I'm trying to say is, it's a bloody awesome bike, get one! Just make sure you ditch the reg rec and replace it with an R1/thundercat variant, or you'll end up stranded at the roadside, but then the same goes for the bird!!

 

[karlos2000]

I was after a CB1300. Interested in a swap? I have a carb bird.

 

[radiobloke]

I was after a CB1300. Interested in a swap? I have a carb bird.

hmmm....tell me more.

but i am being swayed by the vfr, except i think it'll be a bitch to work on compared to a inline 4

 

[radiobloke]

crazy train...best model? avoid all 800's?

 

[Crazy Train]

Best model would be a 96 or 97, ft/fv, as pictured.

The first of the 800's were fuel injected, but not vtec, and has linked brake system. So, if you prefer FI to carbs, maybe this would be better. The later 800's had vtec (bad idea i think), and look very nice, but did away with the gear driven cams which is a shame.

The earlier vfr's were heavier, so not so good on power/weight ratio, and had funny old style wheels, but still very good machines, especially if you're on a tight budget, they can be bought very cheaply.

Bitch to work on?? well yes and no.... chain/sprocket replacement/adjustments are easy due to single sided swingarm, usual air / oil filter change easy enough, spark plugs are somewhat challenging to change, but apart from the plugs, and downpipes if youever have to replace them, it's easy enough.

I remember my first test ride on a vfr750, It lived up to all of my expectations, the bike also has a story behind it.....(read race history)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_VFR750F

 

[ascar]

well i have a bird and now a GSX1400 and the 14 is more nimble around town with its wider bars but anything over 80 and you need a screen even then it takes strong arms to hold on . when touring the bird with a set of buell pegs and a set of risers is great ( and a custom seat ) then it is fitted to you and not the imaginary human that they made the bike for . both are good bikes but over all i prefer the bird

 

[karlos2000]

hmmm....tell me more.

but i am being swayed by the vfr, except i think it'll be a bitch to work on compared to a inline 4

what year is yours?

 

[seamusb]

My '2 up' bike is a Honda CB1300. ( the naked one without the fairing)

nice bike, smooth engine, soft suspension. loved it to bit until I took a blast up the A1 the other day.

usually we bimble around derbyshire on b roads etc...find a pub, have some lunch...sight see. but the other week we had to go from Peterborough to Newark on the A1, against the wind. i nearly got off and set fire to it!...now I also ride a fightered 161rw/bhp bird...and have no problems with having no fairing. but the CB1300 was such hard work. trying to maintain a 80mph cruise was painful.

so,....got to thinking,...what else could I buy that fits the bill

anyone swapped from CB13 to a Bird? pro's v cons

the reason I went for fighters and the CB was cos my back is fecked...can't ride a blade or owt like that for any length of time these days. Rode a blade to Assen and back and fitted straight bars as soon as I got back!

guess I'll have to try a bird,....but was just 'armchair wondering' about the seating/bar position

thoughts?
:dunno:

Hi Fella, I have a 2003 black blackbird which I am thinking about selling. It has 12,500 mls on the clock, has just been serviced. I had an LSL straight bar conversion put on, along with braided hoses; the seat has been sculpted for more comfort. I have had the bike for around 6 years now, not using it as much as I would like, really; it is in really good condition and has givi wingrack fitted; one of those things that I thought I would need, but actually didn't use it; also have a vario screen on, which helps a lot with the wind noise.
Am willing to discuss price with or without the bits; have the oe bars too.
This has become a bit of an advert,but I haven't been on for a while, so no offence meant.