VFR TO Black Bird Comparision

I have a 6th Gen VFR. I traded a Hayabusa for it about a year ago. I have several bikes but have never riden a Black Bird. I love my VFR but sometimes miss the push you off the bike Power. So here's my questions:

Does that balck bird feel more powerful?

How does it handle in comparision?

Do you notice a difference in brakes and wieght?

Does the Black Bird feel out dated and old compared to the VFR?

Really looking for an overall comparision.

Thanks

 

CBR1100xx vs. VFR

I have both an '02 Blackbird and a VFR750 & I have ridden a VFR800. I have, as yet, not ridden a Hayabusa (but I would like to).

In my experience, the VFR is significantly easier to ride, it feels much lighter than the actual difference would suggest. Throwing it into corners doesn't require as much care as the blackbird. I think it would make a better daily driver.

HOWEVER, my blackbird is still my true love. Even after a year, I still haven't been to the edge of what she can do. Like you say, they have such incredible acceleration that I have felt like my hands were going to be torn off the handlebars. At the same time, when the revs are low, they are quiet and very sedately behaved. I think the styling on the Blackbird (both body & cockpit) is still current enough. I commute most days on my Blackbird and I look forward to the trip every time, she NEVER gets old.

I have read many reviews that say that the Hayabusa may have a little power edge over the Blackbird, but that it lacks the refinement.

I, like almost every other Blackbird owner am going to keep my 'bird till I DIE!!!!

Is that convincing enough :smile:

 

I want a Blackbird and have wondered the same thing...I just need to find the right XX.

 

Hey I like the Blackbird and have been on a couple of them - very powerful bike and gets up to tripple digits before you know it. I also wanted to mention the Kawasaki ZX12. While I am not much of a Kawi guy I love the Kawi engines. As much as I like Honda and the Blackbird I have been looking at a Kawi ZX12 at a local dealer (local dealer has a 2002 Blackbird and a 2004 Kawai ZX12). The Kawai ZX12 is more powerful, lighter and has a bigger gas tank than the VFR. Now don't get you panties in a bunch (lol) I am still very much a VFR advocate and love my 5th Gen VFR (or sell it so I can get a White 93 VFR). I want to keep my VFR, but the ZX12 or Blackbird would be nice for the collection and also a better for the track bike for me (only saying that because I do not like LBS on the track - just me and my riding style - actually the best track bike for me is a 600cc like my Yamaha YZF 600).

 

I've been riding my 99 Blackbird since 2000 & love it more every ride. It is a bit heavier than the VFR & a longer wheel base, but far more agile than those specs might lead one to believe. Every bit of its massive power is useable ... unlike many of the current horsepower kings that have lots of juice but lack in hooking it up to & keeping it hooked up to the road. I think the Bird is every bit as flickable on the road rallys as a VFR, with the right tires & suspension setting - corners as well, and has more than enough power to blast past anything be it in the twisties or in a straigh line. Haven't heard of another bike offering so much on so many different levels. That said, I gotta believe that the VFR is one of the best balanced bikes made ... light, great hp/weight ratio, phenominal cornering, V4 torque & top end, as nible as any 600 made. Here's to the V5 VFR1000 ... the only bike I'd want on top of my Bird!!

 

Hey guys, I wrote this a couple years ago. Thought it might be useful to you.

Both are great bikes!

Click Me

 

i was having this debate with my self last year before i got my vfr... i wasnt sure which bike i wanted to get. i was definitely leaning toward honda but i still had an eye out for a clean low mile zx12 or hayabusa, but mainly it was vfr vs blackbird. i weighed all the options that you guys are talking about but what it came down to was there was a vfr in miami and i hadnt seen any clean blackbirds at all. anyways as you can guess i tested out the vfr and fell in love. cut to the chase, yesterday i was at the gym and a blackbird parked next to me. it was nice and clean... but looked so plain and out dated next the vfr. it was like seeing jessica alba next to... well, your neighbor. i love hondas and i know the blackbirds are great bikes but im happy i made the decision i did. besides the only time i ever wish my bike had more power is when im accelerating over 120 and how often does that happen... or should that happen lol?

 

This is pretty much what it boils down to. If your days of being a throttle jockey are over, the VFR is a better all around choice. Glad you're happy with your choice!

 

I'm not sure I agree with the last comment. I'd say throttle jockeys are more likely to like the new GSX-Rs or even the Hayabusa. The thing about the Blackbird to me is that it's a little heavier to ride, but it's SO smooth and refined. I switch back and forward between my VFR and my Blackbird every few days and I never seem to get used to the difference. The VFR is VERY easy to ride, I love that, if I just want to drift into work or go on a quick outing, the VFR is great, but if my mind is in the right place and the conditions are right, then the Blackbird still rocks my world, it's like a drug, even if you don't push her hard. I guess I'd say the Blackbird is harder, but more rewarding to ride.

VFRs or Blackbirds, it's all good ! :thumbsup:

 

The BIRD

I would love to own one myself...A very nice bike but the vfr is enough to have fun with and stay out of trouble....barely.....got pulled over twice in 30 minutes last weekend and wiggled my way out of both........Blackbird and me...........probably not so lucky.

 

Zx12r

Thought I'd weigh in on this one, although I have never been on a BlackBird, I do own a 2000 Kawi ZX12R. My understanding is that the Blackbird is the comfortable bike of the Unlimited class. The 12R was never very comfortable for me (I'm 6'2"). The 12R's fuel tank always seemed way too wide and put my hips in a very uncomfortable position, I usually got shooting pain within 70 miles. Also, the fuel tank capacity is acceptable, but my fuel mileage always sat around 30 mpg's, regardless of how fast or slow I went.

With those complaints aside, if you want unbelieveable raw power, this is your bike. It is fairly easy to ride, but when you crank on it, that bike accelerates like a cruse missile. I cannot describe in words what it feels like. I never got a ticket on that bike, but there were several occasions where I probably should have went to jail. This is a bike for those with an abnormal amount of self control. Everyone I know who rides sportbikes likes to go out and give her heck every now and then, but with this bike on the street, that is never an option, as it will break any speed limit in the US in first gear!

The VFR is a better option for me because of the superior ergonomics and it gets another 50 miles of range on a tank of fuel. Also, the hard luggage makes the VFR much more practical for touring and commuting. Yeah, she could use a diet plan and a couple more ponies, but the VFR is what it is and I wouldn't have anything else! :thumbsup:

Disclaimer- the above post is from my personal experiences and opinions only, and your's may vary!

Good Luck!
Adam

 

Blackbirds go woosh. :biggrin:

Must admit to really wanting a SuperBlackbird in Black when upgrading from my then SVS but after test riding one twice in '03 before buying my first VFR found besides being supprised how easy it was to ride found two things I preferred about the VFR.

First found the Blackbirds riding postion a little uncomfortable with the bars being lower and further forward and coming from a VTwin the 'Birds wide tank made my legs feel splayed like a cheap prosi when the Navy comes in.

Thought could live with both at the time but compared to the VFRs plug in perfection didn't need to.

 

I also considered a Blackbird over the VFR, but narrowed down my choices to a Triumph Sprint or the VFR for a silly reason; I already have a bike that has an inline 4 for power. I wanted a 3 cylinder or the V4 because I had never had one before. Sooner or later, though, I would still like an XX. I don't think I've ever heard any major complaints, other than back tire wear.

 

I think you may have missed my point. Any "new" rider is a throttle jockey in my opinion. I was. I'm sure you were to some degree. Basically we don't have the skills to do much other then blast down the road which is why the Blackbird is a great choice. Don't even get me started on the GSX-R thing :biggrin:

I did a weight comparison on the Blackbird on my review. The weight difference is minimal. The 2" shorter VFR makes the weight feel less because it's not so long.

 

Thanks for the comments. Ive been looking at the CBR 1000 and am going to sell the Viffer. I really like the bike but its under powered and the mods available don't do as much as I want for the money. I agree with some of the earlier comments about the Bird being kind premitive. Anyone wanna buy a pearl white Viffer, 2006, 1000 miles perfect condition......... Thanks again

 

the British mag Bike ran a comparison on vfrs and blackbirds fairly recently.

should'nt be too hard to find.

 

I had a 5th gen VFR and loved it. Last year I checked out the blackbird and the zx14. I now ride a ZX14 and each day love it more The ZX14 is very similar to the VFR in ergos but with a tad more power/torque. I also found the engine/transmission smoother on the ZX when compared to the XX - this was doing a back-to-back comparo between a late model XX and 2008 ZX.

If you are considering the XX it may be worthwhile checking out the ZX14 or maybe even the new BMW K1300S.

Either way you cannot go wrong