Honda CBR1100XX reviews

Honda Super Blackbird CBR XX 1100 The Real Review for 2003 "Not by a Journalist but a real person" The Truth Riding towards the dealer the day I collected my 2003 all singing all dancing Blackbird will be a day I remember well. Yee haaaaa. Climbed off the tug for the last time. There she was, gleaming in the sun. A real bike. A Mans bike. An experienced hardened biker's bike. Galactic power. Street cred now reinstated. Sexy Black. My son was now talking to me again. Waaaaa Hoooo. Put the receipt for the bike and the other bits you just have to get (new helmet etc.) at the same time hurriedly into my pocket, don't want to look at that for too long. This was a lot of money - with all the bits. Just think I could by 8 1000 bangers for that and have a fleet of 1992 Ford Fiestas lined up the street, one for each day of the week and a spare one !!! Usual generic briefing over by the dealer and there I was, on my own and donning the new helmet. Started to feel slightly nervous as the stories of people tearing across the street and crashing through the Butchers window sprung to mind. This bike has a lot of horse power. Who's looking? Who's watching? Mustn't wobble. Stay calm. Which is the easiest route out of town? Tern left and go the long way home. First impression is the bike seemed very low and small in front of me. Glancing down to the controls it looked just right some how. Everything was where is should have been. I ran through the controls and gave them a dry run with my fingers. Yes it felt very natural and not to difficult to reach anything. At first glance the digital screen on the left was a bit confusing and had "modesand things. So I thought I would wait until that evening when I would read the book of words. Made a conscious decision not to look at it for now. The big analogue tachometer was smack in the middle, nice and clear. On the right was the digital speedo also nice and clear. This machine came with Smart Water and Hondas Immobilize system. I was warned that losing a key would cost me $25.00 and loosing both keys would cost me $800. So don't take both out with you. It would be cheaper to catch a plane home to collect the spare key! The bike felt very balanced and not particularly heavy. Swaying from side to side would remind you of its weight however. Turn the ignition key and everything lights up. Every warning light is illuminated and the speedo sets itself to 200mph then runs all the way down to 0mph at which point the lights that should do go out and you are ready to go. Push the start button and she's away. Oh, so sweet and smooth. Instant ignition and fuel control from that cleaver computer and injection. The throttle is very responsive and has a good feel about it that's difficult to describe but fills you with confidence. The clutch is very smooth, light and positive. Combined with the throttle response you immediately get the warm feeling that this bike is just going to be heaven. Gear change into first is just sweet. A light click with only a hint of lurching forward. Clutch out and gently trickle to the road out of the dealer's car park to the road. Composed myself and I was away, straight into a mini roundabout then out of town. Short changing and keeping it calm. Oh it was so nice. The breaks also have this now notorious "just right feel. Not too sharp, good lever action and you stop powerfully and under control. Ignore the linked break system and just use both levers as normal and it works fine. Apply a little more pressure than normal to the rear break and it will pull you up so quick you will think you have an engine seizure! It's not scary and just adds to the great confidence building experience this big little machine seems to enthuse. The injection system does its stuff from tick over too the red line. No flat spots no power surges - just smooth delivery all the way through. I adopted the biker's frown of concentration and pulled off a 50 mile ride without a break back to my garage, notwithstanding the fact that I only live 1.5 miles from the dealer! No bother. The riding position is basically "racebut eased for touring. Adopt a combination of slight knee pinch and wrist weight and the bike fits like a glove. I am 5'9" and found the layout perfect. The floor is not too far away either. I can nearly put my feet flat on the ground. Gear changes were just so nice that you don't think about them. This machine will accommodate the heaviest of gear lever stampers and not complain. It's excellent. The power is just something else. Without going over 3000rpm, short changing through the box and quarter throttle I was quickly at motorway speeds. The power delivery is so smooth and refined you do not realize that this bike is effortlessly hurtling you along. The galactic torque means that the bike will just not stall. No throttle and good clutch control will have you maneuvering in traffic stop go situations with relaxing ease. Absolutely, utterly perfect manners around town and in all other road conditions. Its awesome power is manageable at low rpm. Let the rev's build up and you peripheral vision will blur as you are hurtled seriously to "jailed for 6 monthsspeeds that need to be saved for the, ummm, eeeerrr, ummmm - "up to you locations!!! After 2500 miles of commuting to work (97 miles a day) and some week end fun I decided to take two weeks off and do a UK tour. The fairing does a fir job. There is no real pressure on you at any speed. Even at over the ton in the rain drops of rain see to take an age to clear the visor. It's won't keep you dry but it keeps the buggs and wind at bay. This machine coped with 6 to 7 hours in the saddle a day, sports riding moments, baggage, Grampian mountain burn up's and a 2247 mile tour without a hick up. Who needs sit up and begg's ? I have owned this bike for 3 months have put 5000 miles on her and just can't get enough. It's the best and copes with everything I can throw at it. Only a very, very serious sports bike rider might start to complain that it's a bit heavy on the hair pins at Thruxton. I spent the day with a Scottish sports bike club and held my own against R1's and GSXR's. The difference was that they were aching and I was not after a 190 mile ride out across the Highlands and they got round just a few bends quicker than me. I suspect that the reason for that was that they were better riders. It's just splendid and I would recommend it to anybody - go treat yourself. Good one Honda. Richard Hayes. Show less

I OWN A 1998 HONDA XXBLACKBIRD IT IS THE BEST REFINED BIKE I HAVE EVER OWNED I HAVE TOURED UP TO 1700 MILES ON IT AND LOVED IT ALL THE WAY. AND THE ABSOLUTE SMOOTHEST 4 CYLINDER BUILT! Show less

I've either owned or ridden a good amount on many machines over the years, including some of the big boys: V65 Magna, FJ1200, ZX-11, ZX12, RC-51, GSXR1000 and R1. I then went and bought myself a 2002 XX after the first test ride, and have never looked back. Fantastic build quality, great ride, and a silky smooth engine. I've never felt anything rev so smoothly. Power is excellent, and handling as good as any sport-tourer (far closer to sport than tourer) I've ridden. Honda certainly got this thing right. For quick paced, all-day rides this is the one for me. It does it all pretty damned well. Show less

I have a new 2002 XX. With the addition of the fuel injection this bike is torqy beyond beliefe! I can pull it down to 2500 rpm in 4th gear coming out of a corner and just twist the throttle and it pulls smoothly with no complaining. Getting after it in the lower gears is like getting shot out of a cannon! It accelerates so hard it makes me dizzy! It handles extremley well and has a very predictable roll rate. The brakes work very well and the Linked Braking system is pretty cool. The finish on the bike is the best I have seen. It is better in my opinion than the Hayabusa or the Ninjas. It reminds me of a Ferrari and sounds like one when going up through the gears. A couple of things that I think Honda should address: The computer will turn the fan on at 215 degrees on my bike. that's a little too late especially if your stuck in traffic. I wired in a manual fan switch and turn it on the minute I see a traffic slow down. This has helped a lot. I also switched it over to 10-40 Redline Synthetic oil yesterday. This made quite a difference in observed temperature and the motor seems like it runs better, quiter and makes more power. The trans used to be kinda cranky to get all the way back down into low gear if you didn't down shift it coming up to a stop. That has pretty much disappeared with the addition of the Redline Oil. The dash layout is really nice and I do like the dash clock! I know real race bikes don't have clocks. Well I didn't want a race bike. The digital read outs are great, but I'm glad that Honda choose to keep the tach analog. It is positioned directly in the center of the dash layout. The needle rests at 90 degrees down at zero rpm. It's extremely easy to see. I just love this bike. I can't say enough good about it. To any perspective buyers, if you are looking for a fast well mannered sport bike that's not as radical as the Ninja or the Hayabusa, and can live with a few less horsepower and have more class and better finish with great street manners then I recommend you take a test ride. You won't be sorry you did! Dave Proffitt Show less

I have ridden the R1,V-max,GSXR 750 and none of them come close the the refinement of this bike, it has speed,power,top end, and absolutely no vibration. It is the most stable bike I have ever ridden. Friends of mine have the GSXR 750, that bike is good but every week I get to listen too how they almost lost the bike do to a tankslapper, the XX has never did that to me, so find one and enjoy Show less

Coming from an 01' VFR and 01' 929 I was definitly ready to stop buying motorcycles (8 in 3 years) Well, I've found my keeper. People can talk about BMW's and Triumphs all they want but what it all comes down to is nothing feels like a Honda. It may not equal those other bikes in some areas but with a few simple mods this bike just feel like an extention of your soul. It's the whole package that makes it so impressive. Seems like Honda put something extra into this one because after all, when they brought it out several years ago, the top-speed wars were in full swing and the XX was/is their flagship model. Dead reliable and smoother than most bikes can only dream of, The XX is for real. Show less

Heli Bars, Tall Zero Speed screen (blk), FactoryPro jetting and 2 degree ignition advance make this Honda a Holiday! Comfortable, long-legged and scary-reliable (16,500 miles as original owner so far)with all the above mods make the desire to own new bike just a fleeting afterthought. Tank bags, tailbag, and saddle bags (all by Tour Pro) complete the Sport Touring package and hold more than the Givi hard bags at a fraction of the cost. The bike is dead-stable up to an indicated 155 with luggage (actual speed per GPS was about 140) until I ran out of road... I routinely experience the edge of adhesion and find that I touch down the fairing and exhaust (in short order) before anything else. Although the bike is now entering its 5th or 6th year, it looks great and has held value well for a product of this type. A comment about the jetting... as with any jetting project, this was undertaken to cure a factory lean condition that manifested itself during warm-up, and an obnoxious dip in torque around 5500-6500 rpm. The jetting solved both problems admirably and enhanced the ridability of the bike to such a degree that even the occasional rider-friend noted the difference! Mileage on my 2000 trip averaged 41-43 MPG, as low as 31 and as high as 48, depending on the type of riding. That was over 2500 miles in 7 days. Altitude was about 800 - 1200 feet; pretty normal. Will I sell the bike? My wife will when I am dead and gone, this is also my 4th bike in 7 years. Used ones? look at the chain, sprockets, can tell alot on how much of that torque has been used to abuse the bike. I would never sell one to a kid. Bought mine new in '98 as a '97 model. Show less

I have owned this machine since July 2000. I'm 57 years young. I've got over 16,600 miles on it. Just last week, in 5th gear I hit 172 MPH! (6 speed transmission) Smooth, quite, powerful, responive, beautiful are some words that come to mind when I ride. Great job, Honda! Show less

First things first . . . this motorcycle is not for beginners or the faint of heart . . . only experienced two wheel addicts need apply. I purchased mine this past December 7, 2001. The 2000's color is much more exotic than the black of earlier models and the red and gray of the later models. The lines are sexy and, at the same time, aggressive. When I started the motor, it growled with a pleasant throaty rumble, but that rumble is soon lost when riding at highway speeds. But, that is where the fun really begins. Riding around town you can sense that the bike has unbelievable power. This was confirmed when I rode home on the interstate. The power comes on very smooth, but violently. The transmission shifts with exacting precision and once you hit 7,000 rpm . . . hold on because NASA has ended its countdown. However, even at high speeds (100+), the engine can bearly be heard. This bike is one of the ultimate sport-tourers. Yeah, the Hayabusa may be a few mph faster, but it cannot move you over long distances with the same comfort. There are also few to no mechanical issues with the 2000. I am not aware of a single recall. I've now riden mine for nearly 3000 miles, and I've only had to change the oil at the recommended interval. Finally, the bike is a great value. I paid $8,000 for my 2000 that had 673 miles on it. There are numerous aftermarket parts available to personalize your XX, just remember to save your OEM parts if you, for some strange reason, want to sell it. The 2000 is not easy to find, and retains its resale value. Show less

Ive owned my bike for over a year and a half the top speed of these bikes were known to be in the 180mph range. Ive seen that mine has ran a speed of 189mph and thats by using a radar gun by the neighborly officers of peace. The powerplant excells from 5800rpms and up. My opinion is that you haven't rode a bike till you ride a BLACKBIRD! Show less