Honda Blackbird

The Blackbird has so much torque you don't need to go anywhere near the redline. I very rarely need to go anywhere near the redline especially in the winter. Its just such a versatile bike, easy in town, easy on the motorway, easy on the twisty's. I have a ferkin great big smile on my face everytime I ride it. Oh and I commute 140 miles, round trip with no aches or pains.

lol

I rarely use all the SV has to offer! But its on long journeys that I would like an engine with some longer legs

[Ruffy]

Originally Posted by alpinestarhero

thats me sold on an SP2 then!!!!!

Originally Posted by alpinestarhero

Two-up journeys with maria covering long distances with topbox and panniers I hope.

Seems to be an isue of comaptibility here. Weren't SP1 and SP2 the racing versions of the VTR (V-twin)?

Originally Posted by Ruffy

My 1998 Fi-W has an RC45 series engine number.

And I'm surprised no-one pulled me on this codswallop. The trouble with rushed posts - of course, the 98-02 VFR's were RC46 engine series, not RC45! Don't know about the later ones.

Originally Posted by Ruffy

Seems to be an isue of comaptibility here. Weren't SP1 and SP2 the racing versions of the VTR (V-twin)?

Yes, in a way, but the SP engines are not a tuned version of the VTR Firestorm engine.

The SP2 is by far the better bike out of the two.

[Sid Squid]

Originally Posted by Dangerous Dave

The SP2 is by far the better bike out of the two.

True, very true.

Both of them are still possibly the worst road bikes produced for twenty years though.

[Ruffy]

Originally Posted by Sid Squid

Both of them are still possibly the worst road bikes produced for twenty years though.

Even if they were better than that as road bikes, I can't believe that OP wants either of them for his "longer legged two up touring" sort of duty.

Alpinestarhero, I'd suggest you stick with your original aspiration of Blackbird or VFR (or similar from other manufacturer) - the difference will probably come down to purchase cost, insurance cost and which one you feel more comfortable on.

[yorkie_chris]

I seem to remember him saying he wants a mile-muncher as well as an SPx. He ain't totally daft

[STRAMASHER]

Seen a Blackbird in full flight then whacking on the anchors for a corner and it looked like his front tyre was washing out, wheel going left to right like a slapper but under braking. Fella had ridden 30k+ on it and just shrugged and said," Its just the CBS brakes" when I asked him.

Thinking back I reckon if he had been on another bike he would have been down the road but for those linked brakes.

But then maybe he would have not overpowered the front tyre if the brakes had not been linked in the first place. Back brake "settling" the bike and pushing the bike forward instead of down.

"Rider aids" freak me out.

For the weight and size they are, Blackbirds still REALLY go.
(I feel dirty for being complamentary about a CB H***a. Yeuch.)