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That Was FUN!!!

Posted by laverdabru <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=laverdabru' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on April 27, 2025, 11:59 am

As both legs & my clutch hand were behaving, took the Blackbird out to top up the petrol tank. Went a longer way, avoiding the back lanes - too many horsey types round on a Sunday.
The A roads were full of groups of cyclists, scooters & HD's spreading themselves all over the place. But progress was made.
Filling the tank was a bit of a shock. My daily ride, the Innova, holds less than a gallon, the 'bird well over 5.
I'm still mulling over whether to keep it. It's very quick & comfortable, handles well for the size, & the weight drops off when you are on the move.
Negative points, the weight - always worried about junctions etc. The fuel consumption is not good, no wonder they have such a big tank.

Re: That Was FUN!!!

Posted by JERRY <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=JERRY' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on April 27, 2025, 12:05 pm, in reply to "That Was FUN!!!"

Your Blackbird sounds like my XJR but as you say once on the move it's so nice and makes you forget about the weight and fuel consumption as it's all worth it for the fun.

The oldest rocker in town!

Re: That Was FUN!!!

Posted by laverdabru <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=laverdabru' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on April 27, 2025, 12:34 pm, in reply to "Re: That Was FUN!!!"

It has handlebar risers fitted, which certainly helps with low speed manoeuvrability & comfort, also a custom seat.
But, the Kawasaki ZX-9R produces the same power (have rolling road readouts for both), weighs about a cwt less, & does 10 mpg more...And I have enough spares from a (cosmetic) written off one to keep it going for as long as I'm likely to be riding.
Guess I'll ride them both this summer, and see how long I can afford to run them both.

Bru

Re: That Was FUN!!!

Posted by geoff the bonnie <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=geoff+the+bonnie' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on April 27, 2025, 1:00 pm, in reply to "Re: That Was FUN!!!"

2 MPG figures from my big bikes.
Triumph Rocket 111 2.3 litres. 42 ish mpg
Triumph Thunderbird LT 1.7 litres. 50 mpg
Both weigh in at 750 lbs
I find the R111 is very consistent and about the same with or without pillion.
I think its a fair consumption for the engine size but surprising my 2 litre petrol car does a lot more mpg than the bikes

Re: That Was FUN!!!

Jeez - do you coast downhill with the engine switched off? Joke!

Seriously, I'd be very pleased to get 42mpg out of the 'bird. It could be the riding I do, currently short distances on mainly B roads. If I was sat on a M-way/A road in top gear no doubt it would be better. Having said that, the owners groups reckon its a thirsty beast. Interestingly, the FI ones are less economical, & a bit down on power, compared to the earlier carbed ones.
My previous ZX-9R would often get 50mpg on long runs, when I travelled for work.

Re: That Was FUN!!!

Posted by Will <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Will' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on April 27, 2025, 3:30 pm, in reply to "Re: That Was FUN!!!"

If I was really truly honestly worried by fuel consumption I probably wouldn't have a bike at all.
I'd take up golf or flower arranging instead, and develop an unhealthy anti-depressant medication dependency.

Re: That Was FUN!!!

Posted by Andy C <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Andy+C' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on April 27, 2025, 6:22 pm, in reply to "Re: That Was FUN!!!"

Just come back from a ride on the 3 1/2, 40 miles or so, fuel level had hardly dropped

Think they do something like 65 ish to the gallon.

Still trying to get used to riding it like a 2 stroke which everyone says you should, 8K for a puchrod twin just does not seem right, but rev it and it certainly delivers the goods.

Just ordered 2 seal kits for the rear shocks as one has a leak - only place you can get them is from a bloke in Italy - they are the original Marzocchi shocks and spares hard to get hold of.

Who needs a signature anyway......

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