Is the bird past it???

[MickB]

Fed up of reading the bird is so great and the best bike since bikes were invented etc etc etc, the bird is an ok bike there are much better bikes out there and a lot that are much worst in their own ways

Go on then I'll bite just to keep it going until the lightweights get out of bed to keep it going in the morning.
Doesn't matter what you get fed up with, no-one elses' opinion counts apart from your own,it's your bike and your money you're spending.
You like the bird? keep it, you don't? get rid. Simple as that, you have a bike to float your own boat

I know a hornet rider that will eat 90% of bird owners for a snack and will stick with the other 10%, and he is not a riding god. are you dave??? yet he does it on a lesser bike???

Lesser bike??, that's the WHOLE point of this thread because not to him it isn't, it is his choice of bike and that's what counts.
Some people consider the Bird as a trophy if they overtake one, so what, doesn't bother me if someone comes past. I'm riding for myself not anyone else, the main reason I don't like group rides is I'm too selfish, can't be arsed to match to someone else's pace be it faster or slower than me and going back to the original theme again it's me and mine, doesn't affect anyone else.
That's one of the reasons I've got a caravan on the back of the bike. It's practical for me but I also become less of a trophy if a "racer" comes past, can't really brag about overtaking a "tourer" can they?, they don't like it when you go past them though, gets a real good reaction. $%3un

 

[Wurley]

both faster than the bird , one pisses all over it in power, handling and brakes and the other is on par if slightly behind.

I agree but one is marketed as a super sports bike, but is no where near as capable as any of the current Fireblade, R1, GSXR 1000 or even ZX10R, the other as you have rightly pointed out is "slightly behind" even after a complete reworking by Kawasaki, so no argument. man8um

again faster , better handling, just as comfortable, just as good on the juice, think it was about 3 bikes in total that the subframe snapped

If it was only three bikes why all warning from all of the press, why the anger from the owners, why the new sub-frames, why the warning from suzuki not to fit aftermarket luggage. Was the 'busa a hyper sports tourer or not, if so it failed, if not, and indeed it was supposed to be a super sports it failed again in the way the ZX12R fails when compared to the above. Can you honestly say you would be happy to go touring with your partner and luggage on a 'busa!!!!!! :dunno:

Like I said the 'bird may not be the best in any one category, but as a package it takes a lot of beating and should not be dismissed bacause of it's age. It's easy to take pot shots at anything when it's on top of the pile. :k

Wurley :neenaw:

 

[Tropical Bird]

OK - I'll bite

Hello all,

I'll bite.

I have owned a V-Strom, and an FZ-1 before the Bird.

Here are my (obviously biased) impressions:

V-Strom - Cheap build quality. Crap brakes. Apalling wind protection (the thing is almost unrideable with the stock screen above 80 km/hr). High CoG - a bitch to move about. Great engine. Comfortable ergos. Butt ugly.

FZ-1 - Great engine, brakes and handling. Medium to good build quality. Crap wind protection - the upright seating position, combined with the forward mounted screen makes for a turbulent ride at high speed, regardless what kind of aftermarket screen is used. Of course, the thing is intended to be a naked bike, not a high speed missile (like the XX/Busa). In that role, the FZ is great.


In Australia, the Bird is on special for 16K ride away - that's at least 3.5K cheaper than an eye abuser.

I've ridden a few Busas and FJR's - I had narrowed my FZ replacement down to the XX, FJR and Busa. The FJR was comfortable, but it felt like it needed another gear and the price was too high, IMHO.

The Busa had very impressive grunt, but I found the XX had far better engineering/build quality, better wind protection and a creamy smooth engine. The 3.5K saving was the proverbial icing on the cake.

So, to answer your question, the XX designers clearly got it right, IMHO.

Rgds
Glenn

 

[blumeeni]

I got an 02 r1150gs it had 8000 on the clock when I bought it last year.
A good all rounder,plenty fast enough for the real world,good comfort,very good handling on b roads looks are an acquired taste,shaft drive,good on fuel,good with luggage and a pillion hardly effects the handling,will do a bit of light off roading not for me though,
but
When I go to the garage which bike do I love with a passion,pamper and polish over and over,take out 80% of the time.
Of course it's the bird nuff said for me anyway.

 

[Frans]

My biggest problem with the bird is that it is so pillion friendly that my missus don't want me to buy anything else. The build quality is great, just look at the quality of the fairing fastners against the rest. There might be many great bikes out there but non so complete as a bird. In South Africa, it is very difficult to buy a second hand bird. Get snapped up quickly. The paint is a bit soft, must get mine touched up, polished through on some edges.
Where ever you go, rallies, jols, etc. there is always a lot of birds. To the rest of the bikes man8um :f

 

[bitontheside]

Is the Bird past it?

I thought he was referring to my missus!

 

[paulh]

sounds like you don't need us to persuade you otherwise Wolfie....so why are you bothering?

I've ridden/owned loadsa bikes (like many here methinks) and the BIRD does it as an 'all-rounder' for me.

I cant think of ONE bike that would replace it as an 'all-rounder'! (But hey I'm not looking to be persuaded otherwise - so no need to bother man8um )

 

[Allan1]

Past it - not for me by a long chalk

Okay, my turn to speak on behalf of the BIRD.

A good percentage of you have met me and my two ‘Skills Day’ organising mates, Rich and Sean. (Sean owns Circuit based Training at Mallory Park, is an ex racer and can mix it with the best).

I have a Bird, Sean has an R1 and Rich has a VFR

In September this year, the 3 of us went to Spain for a week. We traversed the Pyrenees, through to Andorra, back along the French side of the Pyrenees and then up through France to Calais and home. A week in all away on the bikes.

Now if you haven’t done this section of road that goes from Bilbao to Andorra, its switches from long fast straight’s to blind hair pins which are typical ‘flip flop’ bends that we all crave for. Fantastic.

For most of the time I led the way as I had the GPS hooked up. However the other two were constantly complaining about how fast I was going into bends and leaving them behind.

So, at one point Sean took the lead and for half an hour made a concerted effort to get away from me. He couldn’t and at the end of admitted he was gob smacked at how well the Bird could cope with tight radius bends, how quickly it picked up, and how good it braked.

Okay, my hero blobs and lower fairing are now scratched to fook, but it goes to show that the Bird CAN mix it with the best of them, if you are prepared to go for it. I dont have tricked up suspension etc, the bird is the same as the day it came out of the crate. Its a carb'ed version.

So for me, when this bikes ready to be dropped, it will be for another Bird. What other big sports tourer can give me all of this, combined with build quality and reliability?.

Oh by the way, the only bike to break down was the R1, the rectifier went so the thing stopped charging for the last two days and Sean had to buy a battery charger and at every stop, charge the battery back up. I actually towed him off the motorway on one section, but that’s another story.

Buzz.

 

[RHINO]

My turn

I have been in a position whereby my BB has been for sale twice, however due to carefull planning/ plotting etc i have managed to keep it :bow:

Now, i like the bike very much hence its still here. I'm not a hardcore 'biker', if the bike was stolen, wrecked or broken then i'd just use the car and would not even consider a hack.
I like the BIRD for what it is, looks good, rides good, fast, handles, stops, easy to ride in town and above all Emma likes to ride pillion which is giving us something to do together. The bike carried us both + luggage across to Assen with NO hassle.

Tell me one bike on your list that would have topped 175mph, 2 up in comfort with reliability, good looks, easy parts availability, off shelf modifications and its own WEBSITE with so many active users with a wealth of knowledge and........................





































well, there is no 'AND' coz its already summed up.

I rode a BUSA, pegs were too high for me (my knees are knackered)

I like the Beemer (doesn't have the balistic rush though)

I had a KWAK ( very very comfy.... The price on the ZZR1200 dropped dramatically :dunno: why?? The ZX12R, i wanted but pillion seat looks uke: )

Yamaha ( There isn't one which would do the Assen trip with luggage, pillion etc as we did it)

There you have it FOXY,, many many bikes will do any aspect better but NONE will do them ALL as well as the BB :yo:

 

[Supabird1100]

V-Strom - Great engine.

Tell Mikew that !!!!!

How many engine rebuilds Mike ?????? :B :B

 

[Supabird1100]

Yamaha ( There isn't one which would do the Assen trip with luggage, pillion etc as we did it)

FJR 1300 might have come close to it, John ???? Down a tad on the top speed but fulfils the other criteria. :dunno:

 

[RHINO]

I'm not old enough for one of those Steve, nor a PAN or Beemer so i'm stuck with my BB until i'm older,, much older.

The FJR doesn't compare with the BIRDs agility from what i have read but then the proof is in the pudding really innit.

 

[Punchy]

FJR 1300 might have come close to it, John ???? Down a tad on the top speed but fulfils the other criteria. :dunno:

The trouble with the FJR 1300 is the difficulty of fitting a top box and I understand the standard panniers are down on size.

I think the one bike that is an alternative to the Bird is the new Triumph Sprint ST. At a list price of ?7799 it will directly take out many potential Viffer customers and is a bike that I will def consider when the Ace is due for replacement.

 

[Wolfie]

Some people consider the Bird as a trophy if they overtake one

it is seen as a tourer!!! which can have a fair lick of speed, hardly a trophy!!! in R1 and fireblade peeps get pissed off and start looking at their bikes if they can not overtake!!!.

I agree but one is marketed as a super sports bike, but is no where near as capable as any of the current Fireblade, R1, GSXR 1000 or even ZX10R, the other as you have rightly pointed out is "slightly behind" even after a complete reworking by Kawasaki, so no argument.

eerrrr the first one is faster, more comfortable than blades and r1, loses just in the handling, but wins on the other two.

the second one is only slightly behind on handling, but beats the bird on comfort, speed, so over all must be a better bike overall

If it was only three bikes why all warning from all of the press, why the anger from the owners, why the new sub-frames, why the warning from suzuki not to fit aftermarket luggage. Was the 'busa a hyper sports tourer or not, if so it failed, if not, and indeed it was supposed to be a super sports it failed again in the way the ZX12R fails when compared to the above. Can you honestly say you would be happy to go touring with your partner and luggage on a 'busa!!!!!!

Because suzuki first said there wasn't a problem and did not issue a recall, then came with the standard exhaust is a stress memebr etc. also a bloke died because of it. Touring on a busa??? i know a bloke who has(two up as well) since 1999 with the orginal subframe and aftermarket exhausts, has had no problems in that way.

Like I said the 'bird may not be the best in any one category, but as a package it takes a lot of beating and should not be dismissed bacause of it's age. It's easy to take pot shots at anything when it's on top of the pile.

The bird is not the best in any category!! as a packaging yes it is towards the top but others bikes do more better. Not the top of the pile.


Blu why the bird, the r1150gs beats it in a fair few places, so why the bird for you????


Allan, i should bloody hope the bird would be better than an R1 and VFR for fast touring!!

topped 175mph, 2 up in comfort with reliability, good looks, easy parts availability, off shelf modifications and its own WEBSITE with so many active users with a wealth of knowledge and........................

which point are you talking about john the speed??? none, the rest??? most of them.


FJR1300 lots of grunt, very comfortable, not sure on the handling??? triumph st against the vfr give me the triumph, against the bird it loses on speed again :bang: but is more comfortable, and handles better so would be a close one.

 

[MickB]

g0551p the whole thread is stirring at it's best Wolfie, anyway what's the REAL point of it, are you preparing to reveal your new bike.

 

[blumeeni]

Hi Wolfie,
I look at my bird and luv the way it looks,
the riding position,
smooth so smooth engine and power,
nimble for a fat lass,
scrubs up so well,
ride quality,
good fuel consumption,
good weather protection,
so so planted when it's right over on it's side and I'm dragging a knee,
If I fukc up going in too hot the bike normally sorts us out when left to get on with it,
luv my hi level cans no pillion provision means I can enjoy her all to myself always,
7years old 41000m used all year in all conditions and looks as if i'd just rolled it out of a showroom,
every-time I use it I'm grinning like a cheshire cat.
I say I'll never sell it but of course I will I'm looking at the mo for another bike and should the right one at the right price turn up it'll go but the replacement's gotta be another bird

 

[paulh]

.... go boil yer head wolfie ..this is a blackbird forum or hadn't you noticed c7u8

you ain't gonna convince us that the bird is past it ...ya muck stirring g*t

(got us all goin though eh :} )

 

[Aidey]

Course the bird is past it - its seven years old. In bike terms that makes it from the 19 century! But thats not the point, it still does everything it needs to do just as well as seven years ago, and because Honda got it right back then they've not really needed to update it. Out of the "big 4" it still outsells them all.
Of course, time moves on, and those looking to change will probably go elsewhere if Mr H does'nt pull his finger out sharpish. The new Beemer and the new ST may well drag away current bird owners, I'm quite temted by the new ST myself, but I think for now a newer bird will be the answer.

Good thread Wolfie

 

[ianrobbo1]

past it or not, I'm happy with mine at the moment,!! :bow:
IF Honda decide to replace it, they are going to have their work cut out to improve on the package we already have!! we all know that improvements can be made in most areas, just so long as the bleeders in charge don't go and cock things up like they did with the VFR, :bang: IMHO if they go the Fireblade route of minor changes/improvements they shouldn't go far wrong, :dunno: shame they didnt take the oppertunity to do it this year,!!
had a look at Wilfs list, ridden a few of them, some are shit others arnt, none has the entire "albeit" old,!! package the Bird has, :dunno:

 

[mikew]

OK, I'll have a nibble as well!!

Hello all,
I'll bite.
I have owned a V-Strom, and an FZ-1 before the Bird.
Here are my (obviously biased) impressions:

V-Strom - Cheap build quality. Crap brakes. Apalling wind protection (the thing is almost unrideable with the stock screen above 80 km/hr). High CoG - a bitch to move about. Great engine. Comfortable ergos. Butt ugly.

Rgds
Glenn

Having still got my Strom, and despite having slagged the damn thing off ever since I was daft enough to buy it, I'm actually enjoying it now that the bulk of the problems have been sorted. (actually I'm forced into liking it, cos no fooker will buy it from me, cos they be shite! )

"Cheap build quality" ... don't make me larf, that implies that at least some money was spent on the thing! :bang:
"Crap brakes" ... especially when the pins holding the pads fall out eh Rolfy ?
"Appalling wind protection" ... got to disagree here, I find this to be OK, but I think it depends on your height, I'm 5' 9".
"High CofG" ... yep, a twat to move easily.
"Comfortable ergos" ... without a doubt, the most comfortable bike I have ever ridden.
"Butt ugly" ... only beaten by the Varadero in that department!!



but...



"Great engine" ... I know this thread is a wind-up, but you are having a fookin larf arn't you, tis absolutley fookin Shite!

as Superbird alluded to, I am on not my third engine rebuild in 15 months, but on my third replacement Engine !!!

it overheats, it knocks, it won't run below 3000 rpm with kicking and jerking like a fooking kangroo on speed, it uses oil, I've had new water pump, new radiator, new clutch basket, new clutch slave cylinder, and a hoist of other bits, aside from the new engines themselves!

Great engines man8um my arse!







anyone want to buy it? not going cheap.
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more like KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK....