New Blackbird

[Giaka]

Imagine if Honda were to build something that more than 10 people wanted? Would this be it?

[Slartibartfast]

Hell yes. Too bad everyone but Honda seems to realize it.

[atadaskew]

Why, what's wrong with the VFR12?

[Giaka]

Why, what's wrong with the VFR12?

Gas tank to small, cost to much, shaft drive, too heavy, bad ergos, ........................  

[scottzilla]

Honda tried to sell the Blackbird for 5 yrs.  Nobody bought it.

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[Slartibartfast]

Honda tried to sell the Blackbird for 5 yrs.  Nobody bought it.

Because Honda quit marketing it to make room for that gawdawful VFR12 that does nothing as well.

[Giaka]

Just wanted to test tapatalk...

[Silverbird]

Dare to dream

[Mr.Black]

I thought all the blackbirds were dying?

[birdrunner]

Honda tried to sell the Blackbird for 5 yrs.  Nobody bought it.

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Actually it was only in N.America that the sales stopped COLD.  

It was actually outselling the 'Busa for a while elsewhere,  but a 10 yr old design can't win a marketing/fashion war no matter how good it is.

[scottzilla]

Actually it was only in N.America that the sales stopped COLD. 

It was actually outselling the 'Busa for a while elsewhere,  but a 10 yr old design can't win a marketing/fashion war no matter how good it is.

Agreed the xx sold better in more sensible markets. 

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[scottzilla]

Because Honda quit marketing it to make room for that gawdawful VFR12 that does nothing as well.

That's not an accurate timeline of how it really went down.  Lol

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[mxvet57]

I thought all the blackbirds were dying?

In Arkansas that is.

[mxvet57]

Who would of thought this would of turned into a Honda bashing thread.

[Slartibartfast]

That's not an accurate timeline of how it really went down.  Lol

Perhaps not, but how long did they spend developing the current abomination while the XX (which really is still superior in some aspects) atrophied? Had they put half the effort into the bird that they put into the 1200 they may have produced something that more than 34 people were interested in buying.

[county]

Only the manliest of men bought Blackbirds....most of you people couldn't handle one.  Stick with your FJR's...know your limits.

[mxvet57]

Only the manliest of men bought Blackbirds....most of you people couldn't handle one.  Stick with your FJR's...know your limits.

But i bet you ride the rebel more.

[Orson]

I'm one of the prime Honda bashers but, this VFR1200 bashing seems a bit out of proportion  

Didn't someone recently post that they paid $13,200 for theirs?

[atadaskew]

I'm one of the prime Honda bashers but, this VFR1200 bashing seems a bit out of proportion  

Didn't someone recently post that they paid $13,200 for theirs?

Indeed but they had to pay $2K for the 3M paint protection film.  Apparently the stock super shiny paint has the resilience of flannel pjs

[zer0netgain]

Honda tried to sell the Blackbird for 5 yrs.  Nobody bought it.

Only because the XX was made in a time where the three big names were trying to win the "fastest street bike" award.  XX held that for a year or so, right?  Then the 'Busa took the prize, and once you hit 200....the goal is fairly moot.  

Rather than transition the great ideas put into the XX into the VFR (slap on a shaft drive and better seating/attachments for luggage and you get a very effective and low-maintenance sport touring bike), they had two different ideas...one which was total FUBAR with chronic problems from one model year to the next and the other which was rock-solid but ultimately discontinued because it's target market was limited and going to competitors.

The XX existed purely to try and win the "fastest bike" contest.  Never mind that it was great for most any application...Honda saw that they lost the race (or saw no point in marketing something faster than the 'Busa) and gave up on one of their best designs rather than repurpose it for a different existing market.

The only reason I really will not buy another XX is because with it being discontinued I know replacement/repair parts will become near impossible to find and my only option is to hope to find one of the few still out there that have never been uncrated.  Otherwise, it's been the absolute best bike I've ever owned with fewer problems than I hear from most everyone else who rides.