Ducati Sporting Club UK > General > Idle Chat > I've been to the otherside, and seduced by an eastern model!!!!

[Redsps]

I've made a very silly mistake I'm afraid, I was looking around some local bike shops at the weekend and just happened to see a nice looking "CBR1100 super blackbird " thingy bob, sitting in the corner dressed in rather nice shade of jet black.
Not quite sure what on earth came over me, but it looked really nice, and I,m not really into these heavyweight super tourers.
also parked next to it was an 04 CBR900RR in black, it looked so good, and after a breif sit on it , it felt just right, can't really explain it more than , it felt right.
So then,I've been seduced by some eastern promise, and I'm very tempted to go for one. Probably the blackbird, on the basis that I am looking to do so touring now , probably in europe also, so this is problably a better option than the RR.
My question to you peeps is simple , anyone had one, what are the pros and cons of them, what sort of running cost attached to owning and running one.

Life without a ducati, i don't think so, but they don't allways fullfill a particular role as well as some other flavours of bike , hence the blackbird.

any thoughts to assist my descision guys.

cheers
R

[Felix]

Go sit on an ST4S.

[Redsps]

tried an st some time ago felix, but was'nt overlly impressed to be honest , have the newer models changed a lot over the last few years. Mate of mine had an earlier flavour st, and had nothing but probs with it, it spent more time back at the dealer than with him.


thanks

[MARTIN H]

I had a Blackbird for a little while and loved it. I bought a used one in 2001 and did a 3000 mile france trip on it and also used it instead of the R1 I had at the time on Sunday rideouts etc. Got a good summers use out of it and lost £100 on it when I had to sell. I know they are not a fashionable bike these days but they are a great thing to do any distance on. I did only really buy mine to do the France trip on but as I say I ended up using it more than the R1 that summer. Funnily enough I ended up doing the same trip the following year on a 996. Used to ride in company of Busas and R1s etc and it was rare they ever really got away from the Bird, the Busa was just a little quicker in a straight line and the sportsbikes a bit more nimble in the twisties. I think it helps with the Blackbird if you are a little larger/heavier than average as it makes it much easier to throw it around. Used to touch down both sides on Alpine passes, I think the centrestand was first to touch down then the exhausts. Could still be leant over a fair way though.

The engine was very smooth especially the later injected models. I had bridgestone 020 tyres fitted and they seem to suit the bike and gave excellent grip/mileage. A lot of people used to moan about the linked brakes but I never found them to be any bother at all. It would outbrake a busa by a massive margin. Not much adjustability with the standard suspension but to be honest I never needed to even try an adjust it.

I would say to try and get a good long test ride on one before you buy. Depending what you are riding at the moment it will probably feel like a great big wallowy bus at first but once you get used to it they are pretty damn good. Whenever I see one parked up I usually find myself having a good look over it, many have absolutely massive mileages on them and still look almost new. There is no such thing as a perfect bike for touring as each has its shortfalls as well as plus points but in my opinion the Blackbird is right up ther eas it allows you to do the big mileage with ease and is still fun enough in the twisties. I have been tempted with another when I've been thinking of a continetal jaunt. Later this year I am hoping to do France on the 996r which will be fun!

Also used values seem very good still. I bought mine in 2001 for £4600 (blue 99 T reg 9000 miles) and sold it 6 months later with about 14000 miles on for £4500. Thats 5 years ago and some people are still asking that kind of money for 99 fuel injected Blackbirds.

Good Luck!

[madmav]

having owned all 3,
1 the black bird is a super bike as in, it is a super bike to ride
2 the blade is its little brother a smaller flickable version of the black bird
3 ducati ?????????
for what you are going to do with a bike euro touring
Then it has to be the blackbird
A big big mile muncher
comfort and reliability
economical etc etc
go for it

..mav

[YMFB]

how tall are you ? I ask that because a friend of mine had one on a test ride and we both felt it was cramped we are both 6ft. Maybe a coincidence or even a generalisation but ever since I have noticed that blackbird riders are short.

I love my ST4 but if you read all the bike mags the best sports tourer available new is the Triumph

[Redsps]

approx 6ft 3" in boots, although the bike did not seem cramped when stationary, but without a test ride at this point I have no way of knowing if what you say is correct.
In what way did it feel cramped if you get my drift.

thanks