New Blackbird owner saying hi

[vfr_steve]

Hi all. My name is Steve and as you have probably already guessed by my user-name, I owned a VFR previously. Well, not just one, but 7 of 'em, notching up around 200,000 miles.

One thing I have always wanted is more power, like pretty much every VFR owner on the planet if they're really honest. I have been thinkin' about getting a Blackbird for years but always thought they were particularly uncomfortable. So I was in for a shock to find that really, in many ways, the bird feels like a more serious, bigger VFR on some sort of drug related tablet.

I'm not sure whether they changed the ergonomics much but I do remember when test riding a 99 model that it did feel heavy on the wrists, but my new to me 07 Bird feels like it's tailor made for me - a great place to spend a day in fact!

I absolutely love mine. I can't believe how smooth this thing is. For me, coming from a VTEC (and FI model) the fuelling is superb. Even in the morning I can just jump on this thing and ride smoothly without any hesitating or hiccups unlike the VFR...

Like many others, I'm not really into the VFR1200, the only thing I really miss is the V4 engine, but not for long once you open her up - What a bike! She is so refined, powerful and will instantly waft you anywhere at triple digit speed with ease.

Anyway enough rambling, this seems like a great forum and below is the important bit - after all, no pics, no bike @tu*

Sitting in the showroom awaiting my arrival, what a good day this is :yo:

 

[Saffie]

Looking good, welcome aboard

 

[silverfox.xx]

w;;v wrists, actually yours looks like its got a set of bar raisers.. photo of that please, just so's we know if they are the 'safe' ones and not fleabay specials. Also I think it has a rear shock spacer fitted, which helps turn in.

Any real distance, you might want to find a more comfortable seat, oe ones are good for a few hundred miles depending on your natural padding. Me I found the oe one gave me cramp on long runs so I fitted a corbin, 500+ miles a day and no flat numb arse now. There's a brand new one for sale in re-homing section.. some folk have gel pads fitted to oe seats.

Hugger fitted @tu*, you'll find a front, fenda extenda stops the crud getting over the top of the 'Y' piece.

I guess you know 'Jaws motorcycles' ideal place for all bits Bird.

Funny, I tried a VFR800 prior to the bird and found less wrist ache on the bird as standard, even better when I fitted raisers.

Shame you had a wet ride home.. ACF50 looks after the brake fittings/corrodible bits.

 

[andyBeaker]

w4lc0m3

Gosh, you do own a lot of jackets.:bow:

 

[Rheumatoid]

Hello and welcome

nice colour

whats with the big tranny on the side of the fairing?

R.

 

[vfr_steve]

Thanks! My first ride back I was lucky to have beautiful sunshine and dry roads - however I do/will use the bike all year round, hence one of the reasons why I went for a bird as they're pretty tough right?

I'm not sure regarding the bar risers, I'll take a close up picture later and post it here, the bike certainly does feel very comfortable..

Couple of question I forgot to mention, I only seem to get around 130 miles before the last bar start flashing (reserve) is that correct? I have heard of 200 miles from a tank but I'm certainly not getting anywhere near that!

Question 2, the helmet hooks seem to be utterly useless when trying to attach a helmet the seat won't go back down?

Also at the moment I have a Pilot Road (new) on the back and a BT02 on the front and I'm getting terrible low speed wobbling when turning.

Thanks for the welcome guys

 

[ziplex]

Looks tidy................good luck i'm sure she'll do you proud @tu*

 

[andyBeaker]

Any mismatch in tyres will probably cause issues on most bikes as they are likely to have different profiles. The Bird is a big old lump and tyre choice is important - for instance 020s have a specific Bird tyre (think it has a 'B' in tt somwewhere. If I were you I would stick a new Pilot on the front to match the new rear. Pilots aren't the general weapon of choice but there have been some good comments on here. If you can run to fresh rubber Avon Storms are highly regarded - and I have been through 9 pairs of Azaros in the last 5 years and was perfectly happy with them - unfortunately just fitted the last pair from the 10 pairs I picked up in a liquidation sale.:cry:

PSI is really important on Bird - 42 at both ends seems to work well for everyone - personally I have found that as long as the pressures are the same at both ends you can go as low as 38 and all is well.

 

[ceoils]

I would say DONT use the helmet hook as this places your lid in a very vulnerable position.
My hooks work fine and seat goes back down ok
However it is the perfect height and position for some scrote to steal your lid.
Not only do you lose your lid but your body panel will be badly marked.
I found this out at a football match in london where I parked my bird near the entrance gate with my lid attached as not allowed to take it in.
I came out to find no lid just a cut off strap and 2 big slice marks almost through the panel from I assume a stanley type knife.
Im 75 mile from home on a sunday evening and no lid, had to get breakdown ppl to pick me up, as no where open to buy one.

 

[vfr_steve]

42 at both ends really? I thought it would be the standard 36/42 - I'll try that if that's what is recommended and safe to do so thanks.

Any thoughts on my 130mile to reserve range?

Thankyou for all the useful info, and I'll definitely use my panniers for my helmet/s @tu*

 

[Rheumatoid]

4
Any thoughts on my 130mile to reserve range?

depends how you ride. On a steady trip I can get up to 180 before the light comes on. Give it some stick and it can be much less. There are quite a few threads discussing this if you look around.

http://www.bikersoracle.com/blackbird/forum/showthread.php?t=52423&highlight=mpg

R.

 

[DEG5Y]

Another reason not to use the helmet lock is visor theft, a visor for a good helmet can easily be £50+ especially if there is a Pinlock fitted.

 

[vfr_steve]

Here is a pic of the bars - I think they are standard to be honest but I'm not 100% ?

1 more of the bike in low light...

 

[vfr_steve]

one more of the bars...

 

[Dickiebird]

one more of the bars...

Them is definitely standard bars, Steve.

 

[vfr_steve]

Thanks for the comfirmation, they seem comfortable enough for at least the hour and a half I've ridden the bike in one sitting so far R#?

 

[silverfox.xx]

Glad you got that sorted...

Fuel/mpg,
I can easily/normally get 150 from a side stand fill up. 160 if 2 up touring. 170/175 from a centre stand fill up. 120 solo, all to warning light... Early EFI analogue dash.

Yes I guess they said they'd serviced it (heard that before).. but, a dirty air filter will decrease mpg, on mine I'll loose at least 10/15 miles to a tank. I now clean out my K&N by every 12k miles. Prepare to be attacked by the anti K&N brigade, but if you saw the amount of crap collected against a paper one for the same mileage.. I don't run custom silencers, which may also have a bearing on your fuel consumption.

As a NB, Bar raisers (Jaws) will raise the bars 28mm, makes a lot of difference.

I use the helmet locks (Corbin seat) or a padlock/strap through the chin piece, but only at bike meets.. otherwise its chuck it in the top box or carry it round. Odd I used to find it even easier with the OE seat.

 

[vfr_steve]

Many thanks I've been thinking of getting a new filter. One of the best performance/mpg boost mods you can do and it's cheap as chips!!

By the way I have only just turned 28, any other bird owners as young as me on here? I'm guessing I'm quite young compared to the average owner

 

[vfr_steve]

Just ordered some ACF50 from Jaws and it's already here... top service @tu*

 

[Rheumatoid]

Many thanks I've been thinking of getting a new filter. One of the best performance/mpg boost mods you can do and it's cheap as chips!!

By the way I have only just turned 28, any other bird owners as young as me on here? I'm guessing I'm quite young compared to the average owner

I think you'll find you are about 1/3 the age of most on here.
R

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