Is a Blackbird the wrong bike for me

[2DFlyer]

If I'm stuck with mostly round town riding, am I going to be disappointed in this Blackbird?

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/mcy/1046508186.html

[Stray Cat]

Only 4,500 miles on a '97? That's pathetic!  
I would say that if you are only riding around town, there are better choices then the bird. It's a fairly long wheel base, and tall geared bike.

[DosEquis00]

If I'm stuck with mostly round town riding, am I going to be disappointed in this Blackbird?

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/mcy/1046508186.html

Once on the bird you may start with round town riding but you will soon be out on the open road. It all comes down to personal taste and for me short rides are still enjoyable but for some they may like something lighter.  

[rockinjc]

If it feels good and you don't hurt anyone why not do it? PS also consider that it may need some new rubber in your budget.



jc

[CDN]

Only 4,500 miles on a '97? That's pathetic!  
I would say that if you are only riding around town, there are better choices then the bird. It's a fairly long wheel base, and tall geared bike.

 

You most certainly won't be disappointed, but IMHO the XX would be overkill if you're truely only round town riding.  Do you ride 2up much?

[SilverHound]

 

You most certainly won't be disappointed, but IMHO the XX would be overkill if you're truely only round town riding.  Do you ride 2up much?

+1. As a previous Bird owner I can say the Bird wants to fly. It's a great bike but for just short hops you might consider something else.

[Against The Wind]

I'm a Bird owner. It's a machine with long legs. I suggest something like a Bandit or FZ.

[rgatling]

I'm a Bird owner. It's a machine with long legs. I suggest something like a Bandit or FZ.

+1

[2DFlyer]

 

You most certainly won't be disappointed, but IMHO the XX would be overkill if you're truely only round town riding.  Do you ride 2up much?

Negative.  The oldest on occasion.  The wife pretty much just tolerates bikes but, gotta love her, allows me my obsession without complaint so long as I'm not pumping milk money in the gas tank.

Yeah, I was afraid all would say this.  I really just need somewhere to go.  

This particular bike already sold anyway and I contacted him the same day he posted.  Not much is moving right now but the Blackbirds really fly - pun intended.

[Gsam]

 For me It's a great bike around town , you just got to watch that right hand.

[Rogue]

Riding my previous Hayabusa around town was like hunting squirrels in thick forest with a 20mm Gatling gun.  I would imagine the Blackbird would not be too far off.  You will constantly ride with the throttle barely open and always holding everything back.  It got frustrating after a while.

[googus]

Boy no miles shoot I would worry abot that. I bet the fluid haven't even been changed. As I always look at things, I would rather buy a bike with miles because 9 times out of 10 the rider know how to take care of a bike. When I got my 98 XX it had only 14k on it and I said shoot I do that in a year easy. Sure enough the fluid(brake, fork, clutch, etc wa snever change or really appeared that way....
Greg

In these time if there is a deal out there and the bike tickels you then grab it. II for one Sport tour my XX and it is perfevt the way I have it set up.

[emillard]

Birds are really priced reaaaaaaaally cheap for what you get.  So are ZZR 1200s.  They've depreciated so far already it's hard to imagine them dropping too much further.  I would try to get a Bird and play with it for the summer, around town as you say.  If you don't like, sell it next spring.

[UFO]

Mostly around town?  Get a Vmax, BKing, or some other ridiculously powered/unfaired bike.