Decision time is here ........

[mikew]

Headlamp ???? ........

Originally posted by Paddy Dougan


Hi Mikew,
what is the actual problem with ur birdie?
I gather the head lamp is non spec, i may be a ble to help you there, (need a euro spec lamp meeself see), where did u buy it from?

Nothing wrong with my headlight, on either bike!

As for whats' wrong with my bike, the easiest way is for you to check out my previous postings regarding Handling, Corrosion, Reliability ............. etc etc etc, so I won't bore everyone else with a repeat of old stuff :}

Short answer ......... it's a bitch bike from hell. :bang:


regards

Mike

 

[Supabird1100]

Just A Word Of Caution Mike.........

I know a bloke who rides a Futura and if you're serious about the swap ..........check the Futura very carefully. This guy has had numerous problems with the bike......fixed by the dealer......... but still an inconveinence when most of his grief has been build quality issues.

Just thought he had it all sorted...... he pulls into the local bike meet at the weekend ...cancels his indicator....and the bloody indicator switch flies apart !!!....bits of plastic,springs,metal contacts, the whole works !!!!!! He's now been told it's a 2 week wait for a new 'un !!!!

Look for another (Better) 'Bird ????? ...Go on, you know you want to !!!!!!:}

Take Care Mike:beer:

 

[Wolfie]

Aprilla spares are a nightmare Mike,

Local aprilla dealer here has been waiting 5 yes FIVE months for a fairing for a mille.

Get taz to find you another bird or take the prilla. But get off kylie as you are not happy with her.

Take all your goodies off and put them on here for sale.

enjoy life and your bike which every way you choose.

 

[The Colonel]

Mikew

Mike,

Still being quite new to this site and all, I think that I missed the problems in the early days - out of interest what porblme s have you been having with your Bird?

PS - I didnt vote becaseu I think that you should go out there and buy another Bird instead.

 

[birdinflight]

ASAUNDERS

here is a thread detailing a few of Mikew's probs...........I think lots more may have been lost on the forum when it was hacked.evil bitch from hell!!!!!

 

[Jaws]

Re: Mikew

Originally posted by ASaunders
Mike,

Still being quite new to this site and all, I think that I missed the problems in the early days - out of interest what porblme s have you been having with your Bird?

PS - I didnt vote becaseu I think that you should go out there and buy another Bird instead.

I think a quick surmation would not be out of order.. Mike must have documented this so many times he must be sick and tired of it !
A few us actually met Mike and kylie the day he collected it..
He was bitching and moaning about shit handling not a lot of grunt etc etc.. in fact he really regreted buying it.. At the time there must have been about 15 other Birds parked up and to be honest we all kinda looked askance and thought 'oh oh.. we got a right one here!'
Then I went and had a look over her.. My first impression was that it was a right old dogs ear that had been tarted up to flog privately.. Now obviously you cannot say that kinda thing to a new buddy !
Then the real probs started to emerge..
In the end Mike took a ride over to me, and I did a half decent inspection of it..
It is my considered opinion that contrary to the story the previous owner gave Taz ( and subsequently Mike ) the bike had not been stood up for 6 months ( or however long he said ), but had been made of at least two completely different vehicles..one of which was not even an injected Bird !
Now as to the why or wherefore of this I have no idea.. it may have been stood for years up to its neck in salt water, it may have been chucked up the road and done a shed load of superficial damage ( frame etc is straight enough ).. or it may ( and I have just thought of this Mike ! ) have been stolen and stripped.. the owner getting it back in a sorry state and rebuilding it out of any bits and bobs he could find cheap enough..
All in all Mikes Bird is NOT normal though.. In fact it could not be any farther away from an average Blackbird if it had Kawasaki labels on it !

 

[DB on CBR1100XX]

Mike FWIW................

...............It's all been said M8. One way or another. 50/50 ? That's 0-0, no result, YOUR casting vote :}

Everyone who met you when you first had [pardon my french] Kylie said you must have a wrong 'un. Put it another way, we have 800 odd members here and to date you're the only one who came anywhere near dissing the 'bird: with good reason granted.

At the end of the day it's your cash and decision. However, if you want to be scientific about it [and whether it's a good idea applying objective logic to a subjective purchase is a moot point] you really owe it to yourself to ride another bird. If you like it - buy THAT one. If it were me - I would dump Kylie on their forecourt and take out another one they had. If it was no good well look for another bike manufacturer. But remember, whatever you buy that isn't a 'bird will always be your SECOND BEST choice.................... Bastid aint I ? :}

ps. Your poll is flawed anyway cos I wouldn't choose either option - how many others didn't vote or crowbarred their decision to fit ??

 

[mikew]

Gosh. I'm all overcome with emulsion !!!

First, can I thank VERYONE who has replied or expressed an opinion via the poll, when I posted this morning, it was a dead heat at 9 for each option!!!, but now I can see which way it's going.

I know all of you love your Birds, probably as much as I dislike mine, if you see what I mean.

As for buying another Bird, well at the moment Taz don't have another one in at the right price, and it would have to be in fastest black, which kinda narrows the options down further.

But on closer inspection of the intended Futura, and I do mean a close inspection (managed to poke myself in the eye with the footrest, so how close was that ! :} ), the deal is losing a little of it's inital attraction. The bike is a little scruffy under the panels, (seems a bit familiar that does!), and the second Futura they have there is a little higher priced.

So at the moment nothing is taking place, I will wait for a few days to see if anything comes in as a trade-in now the new reg plates have kicked in, and Taz have agreed to honour the trade-in price they have offered, provided I buy a bike through them. I don't have a problem with this arrangement.

It will also give me a chance to try and get my bike scanned for the Smartwater dye. Does anyone know if anywhere in the Peterborough area has the required equipment to see it? The Police don't, I've already had a number of ... er, frank discussions about it!

Also it gives me a chance to discuss the changeover (if it happens) with her-who-sits-at-the-back, and since she's in Germany, that won't happen until the weekend.

I've guested into the Futura Forum, and as expected, they are as passionate about their bikes as the Bird owners are about theirs.
Reliability does not seem to be an major issue, the biggest complaint seems to be that the paintwork marks easily!

As for considering bikes from other manufacturers, the 'Busa ? no way, FJR1300? to pricey, ZZR1200 ? a bit dated, although a contender, BMW?, er ..... no, not yet, I know I'm a grandad, but I still have standards (ok, low I admit, but standards all the same!)

As DB says, the final decision has to be mine, and mine alone.

So, as I said a bit earlier, nothing is happening this side of the weekend, but I promise to keep you informed of what I decide.

Again thanks to each and everyone,

regards

Mike

 

[shropslad]

Mike

Well Mike its all been said,, I got to agree with DB, get another B/bird cos anything else will be second best m8,,, of all the 800 members and all the different bikes we have all owned over the years the b/bird is prolly the best all rounder.

We all know owning a bike is a bit of a comprimise,, but if you want something that will do everything, then nothing even comes close to the b/bird,, of course that is my humble opinion.

P.S,, I was an Aprilia man before the b/bird, I had an RSV mille,, and we thought hard and long about getting the Futura,, because I did like the 'V' Twin motor,, but after testing a few bikes,, and i mean taking them out for at least two hours,, we decided on the b/bird,, and what a phookin good choice.

Up to you m8.

 

[Jaws]

Which just goes to show what a man of infinite wisdom and culture you are Shrops !:k :}

 

[The Colonel]

Scarey Thought

Just readng through all this again and it came to me that if Taz taek teh bike back at ?4950 ish and part ex it or what ever, they are highly unlikly to do any "work" on it as it would already owe them vast amounts of money so does that mean that they would be putting it back on the forecourt as a used machine in "great working order"? So some newbie Bird owner is going to see the bargain that it is and snap it up unbetold of its history or problems.

They would have a good job explaining another owner in the V5 for all of a few weeks etc but I am sure they coulod just bull sh*t they way through that......

Mikew - do what ever you feel is right, but the only right solution is getting another Bird!

Cheers
A

 

[mikew]

an update already ..........

Strange thing happened to me today whilst I was looking at some p........... oop's, no that's a different story.

Seriously though, today I bumped into a guy called Rich Wiles, who is reputed to be one of the best bike frame straightners in the country, (he's done some work for me on my TRX in the past), and we got chatting.

Anyway, obviously the conversation got onto "How's the TRX?", "Fine" says I, "...it's me bloody Blackbird that I'm having grief with" etc etc. So tells him the story of the weaving, strange handling etc etc, and without any prompting from me says,
.
.
.
wait for it
.
.
.
.
"bottom yoke suffer in even minor spills on a Bird, especially if the forks take a belt, throws everything out of line, frames are strong but the yokes aren't" well you can imagine my reaction to this ....then he says. "drop it round next week, I'll stick it on the jig and check it out for you".

Guess where I'm off to next week !

Remember my bike has had a fork leg replaced cos it kept leaking, wonder if it was bent slightly?

So, if the yokes do turn out to be bent, Taz will have some explaining to do. Don't forget, they "claimed" that they had my bike checked for alignment at Northampton, and couldn't find anything wrong.

But, and this is the big bit, if it proves that the bike is bent, I will hold them to their original promise of a full refund or they find me a replacement bike, even a Bird, (in very fastest of black of course :} ). At this point I'm not open to having the yokes replaced as a repair. It shouldn't have been sold, I've been riding long enough to know when something ain't right, what was difficult to pin down is exactly what is wrong.

Also, if Kylie does leave my ownership, I will take steps to ensure that the reg no is broadcast here to any new owners that pop up here.


Watch this space for future news updates ..........

mike.



Oh yeah nearly forgot ......
Finally ........... nowt to do with my bike this bit, but Barts Motor Cycles in Peterborough have a Black late model (digital dash) FI model, crashed damaged/repairable Bird that just needs a nose cowl, headlight, mirrors and screen and a few hours of love and attention, if anyone is interested.

 

[Steptoe]

Mikew

I am sure you are as keen to get to the bottom of this as I/we are to hear the results of this "check over"

Now you have mentioned the leaking fork leg, I am deeply suspicious!!!!!

Hope it all works out for you

Roger:beer:

 

[Stealthbomber]

Kylie

Give em hell mate. Good to hear the the voice of indecision has gone. I detect a renewed fighting spirit

Hope it works out your Way in the end.

Davie.

 

[fat bert]

Just come in at the arse-end~~

of this debate Mike.

IMHO - sod Taz - they sold you a pup - as motorcycles retailers they have responsibilities....as a consumer you have rights!

My vote would be "Money Back Please" - no arguements - they sold you a ringer [questionably in full knowledge]

Time to see a laywer m8 - get your wonga back in your wallet - then bugger off and buy want YOU WANT not accept a compromise

 

[mikew]

Re: Just come in at the arse-end~~

Originally posted by fat bert
of this debate Mike.

IMHO - sod Taz - they sold you a pup - as motorcycles retailers they have responsibilities....as a consumer you have rights!

My vote would be "Money Back Please" - no arguements - they sold you a ringer [questionably in full knowledge]

Time to see a laywer m8 - get your wonga back in your wallet - then bugger off and buy want YOU WANT not accept a compromise

Now I am deeply suspicious, Bert has posted a .....er, post :}

which isn't taking the piss out of someone, obviously the holiday went well then !!!

Had a chat wiv her who-hopes-to-ride-on-the-back, she thinks if the bike dosen't check out fully 100%, then it has to go. She also thinks that another Blackbird may not be the answer (sorry everyone) because as she pointed out "you found it boring". Ahem, she has a better memory than me, but I do confess to saying that.

Having said that, let's cross one bridge at a time, getting to the bottom of Kylie (rather than getting to Kylies bottom ..oooh I wish!) is top of the things to do list this week.

Let you know how it all turns out.

regards

Mike

 

[Bubba]

Dont do it Mike

its a desicion you may well regret down the line. I thought long and hard about going down the Falco line. What put me off was the build quality, (Worse than Honda in a lot of ways!), the VERY thin paint on the fairings, the average six week wait for parts and the cost of Servicing! Also wasnt impressed with the attitude of the dealers, (Along the lines of "I wouldn't get a Falco mate, you want a Mille." "But its me first bike" "Be a breeze mate, very forgiving bike" Then I bugger off and get a bird but thats another story!!:blush: )

I say, get the yoke checked. That could be the route of all evils, THEN sue the pants off Taz if it is!!!!

Honestly though, I do think the Bird is boring to ride sometimes. I compare it to a Toyota, easy enough to ride/drive but little feedback, (I can say that, I own one!). I get round it by twisting the right hand a wee bit more and I seem to get this huge grin that lasts for hours!!!

Ultimatly the desicion is yours and yours alone my friend but do think carefully. What ever you decide, we'll still talk to you, (At a push!):} :}

 

[fat bert]

What puzzles me Mike W~~

is "why" you seem so "anti" asking for your money back?

Is there something you're not telling us?

 

[mikew]

Re: What puzzles me Mike W~~

Originally posted by fat bert
is "why" you seem so "anti" asking for your money back?

Is there something you're not telling us?

Not at all.

Don't forget, I did a fair bit of "research" into the Bird before I bought one, because I wanted a big, comfy,sporty touring bike, so I narrowed my options down to a BMW R1100S, VTEC VFR, Futura, FJR, and Blackbird.

The BMW was too slow (don't forget I was coming from a Thunderace which don't exactly hang around); the VTEC ? ultimately I don't like the feel of the engine when the second valve set kicks in, and if the VFR Forum is anything to go by, that was a good decision; Futura, at the time only a new one was available, and they were expensive; FJR, simply don't like the look, so it came down to the 'Bird.

So that choice having been made, I bought various bits, no expense spared etc, ready for fitting to the bike ........ once I found one. I only wanted a Black one, cos it's a BLACKBird nuff said.

OK, finds Kylie and buys without (stupidly) checking it over too carefully.

Now to answer Berts question: if I simply ask for my money back, I am left with a load of bits for a bike I haven't got. Expensive bits. Money down the drain bits, because since I've bought Kylie, I have not seen one BLACKbird for sale in any dealers at the same price (give or take), with similiar mileage or age. And with a heavy summer commitment of trips out planned, I need a bike sorted asap. (Not sure whether Andrea will want to tour Europe on a TRX though, if I don't get something sorted)
Without provoking the colours debate, I'm not interested in any other colour other than Black.

Now obviously I could buy privately, but I don't. Ever.

Now as it turns out (possibly) that there is a reason for the late year/low mileage/giveaway price, but that still remains to be proved.

But I am moving towards the "money back" option rather quicker than I was, because as I said in an earlier post, if it ain't 100% straight then it goes. No argument. I accept that maybe I've been clinging to the hope that it will all work out for the good by some stroke of magic, but since I've now actively been looking elsewhere, that hope of a sucessful resolution as far as Kylie is concerned has obviously gone.

This "explantation" may not satisfy the question, but I can assure you, there is no hidden agenda on my side!

regards

Mike

 

[D.S.]

She also thinks that another Blackbird may not be the answer (sorry everyone) because as she pointed out "you found it boring". Ahem, she has a better memory than me, but I do confess to saying that

Hang on a minute Mike;BORING !!! Do you want to qualify that comment Mike, 'cos surely that depends on how involved you want to be when your riding the thing :dunno: and where you ride it?
Please define what aspect of the Blackbird is BORING. Do you mean sticking a pair of 300ltr panniers on it and a Top Box the size of a skip, then doing 10k miles in 5 days with a pillion on the back "boring" or some other form of BORING I'm yet to discover :}