| There is something just so utterly intoxicating about the | | | | While it's not quite as strong as the 'Bus or Kawasaki's |
| way Honda's Super Blackbird blends such enormous | | | | ZX-14 or even ZX-12R, there's still plenty here to keep |
| raw power with such velvety-smooth refinement. | | | | you entertained, and you'll need to watch that right |
| By rights, 152 claimed horses - which still equates with | | | | wrist like a hawk if you want any chance of retaining |
| over 130bhp at the rear wheel - should make the | | | | your license... |
| 223kg Blackbird a big handful, yet somehow Honda's | | | | Stopping is a particularly important issue on a bike like |
| wizards have managed to break those horses, and | | | | this, and the twin-disc, three-piston Nissins are right on |
| train them to perform a synchronized ballet that would | | | | the money. Honda's Dual Combined Brake System |
| be the envy of Spain's famed dancing stallions... | | | | (DCBS) is employed, which won't please everyone but |
| Then there's the fact that some 10 years after its | | | | will be appreciated by others. If you're not looking to |
| introduction, the Blackbird is still on the pace despite | | | | break lap records at Phillip Island, it shouldn't be an issue |
| receiving very little in the way of modifications or | | | | - and if you are you should really be looking for |
| upgrades. | | | | something lighter anyway, like a Fireblade. |
| Released late in 1996, the CBR1100XX went from | | | | The suspension, though relatively low-tech, does a |
| carburettors to electronic fuel injection in 1999, and then | | | | beautiful job, but tends towards the plusher end of the |
| received a catalytic converter and updated headlights, | | | | spectrum, at least in terms of sportier hardware. |
| instruments and screen in 2001 - throw in the odd | | | | The 'Bird's on the money in the comfort stakes too, |
| change in colour scheme here and there, and the | | | | with a firm but supportive seat, a good screen and |
| Blackbird has really undergone very little in the way of | | | | slippery bodywork to allow you to scythe through the |
| tinkering. | | | | air. Those on the tall side may find legroom a bit |
| And really, why would it? Pointing the bike down | | | | wanting, but there's still enough there to ensure |
| Victoria's Great Ocean Road recently, it showed it can | | | | multi-day tours will still be on the agenda, aided further |
| still hold its head high, with a formula that really hasn't | | | | by the 'Bird's optional factory panniers ($1750). So |
| dated since its inception. | | | | what exactly is the Blackbird's focus? At 223kg (dry) |
| The Blackbird's turbine-like four-cylinder engine | | | | it's too heavy to be a pure sportsbike, yet it's too fast |
| develops big torque and big power, with crisp fuel | | | | and has too sporty a ride position to be a true tourer. |
| injection that places both at your beck and call. There | | | | Really, it's a power-packed all-rounder and a |
| are no flat spots to speak of, in fact there's nothing but | | | | hyper-tourer on the open road - provided you can find |
| bulk oomph pretty much throughout its entire rev | | | | roads on which you can actually explore its potential |
| range, from just off idle to its indicated 10,750rpm | | | | (try Germany). |
| redline. | | | | But even at legal speeds, that engine will always see |
| On the road this translates to a pure delight, although | | | | you coming back for more. Happy birthday Blackbird - |
| it's perhaps not as involving as other less-powerful | | | | may your reign in the Honda stable continue for many |
| machines, as even on a road with quite a variation of | | | | years more. |
| turns you can simply pick a gear and stick with it. | | | | SPECS: Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird |
| The Blackbird was the world's fastest production bike | | | | Engine: 1137cc, liquid-cooled, four-stroke, DOHC, |
| when it first hit the streets, a mantle it retained for over | | | | 16-valve, inline four-cylinder |
| two years until Suzuki introduced the GSX1300R | | | | Bore and stroke: 79 x 58mm |
| Hayabusa in May of 1999. | | | | Compression: 11. |