Didn't want to bother anyone by commenting until I saw the end, my Dad just passed too, 6 months ago, he had all of these bikes in this video which is why I clicked it. Is it bad that he had multiples of the VTRs and NTs? Lol. I now own and plan on keeping all his bikes to honor him. He went really quick, a stroke or aneurysm, crazy enough he actually passed in the middle of working on one, a XV920, I found him next to it on the ground still breathing but he was gone. It's really sobering to see how your possessions remain after you're gone, totally silent and still, many of them I don't even want to touch since he was the last to. The times I do mess with them, the loneliness in the silence is hard. I recommend everyone tells their family members they love them before its too late, I had a great relationship with Dad, but that was my biggest regret, never saying it in words.
Man how times have changed. All these bikes have such character. So much thought went into engineering each and every one in every aspect from aesthetics to performance. Not these practical motorcycles that are in high demand in modern times. No electronics neutering and watering down. You can tell that blood, sweat and tears went into developing these machines. It saddens me the current state of motorcycles that are coming out of Japan. It seems sportsbikes peaked around 2010-2014 and are on a downward spiral. The newer generation of riders believe all the internet hype. $hit definitely rolls down-hill. The one good thing is finally American cruisers are up and coming with some interesting models and finally some performance numbers i can live with. And its just beginning. Thanks for the video, idk where your always getting these beautiful old bikes in such great condition, but it brings back good memories and realizing how blessed we were to be around through that era. It can never be the same.
The 90s was such a great time to be a bike rider. So much innovation. It feels today like everything has stagnated, performance has progressed as far as it can so now it's all about who can cram in the most electronic wizardry. When the day comes when I have to press a button when it starts raining because I lack basic throttle control skills, I'll know I've become a liability and it's time to give it up, for my own safety and the safety of others
Right on! Though I do appreciate some of the safety features (traction control and ABS to be specific), The new plastic-fantastic bikes with their suite of electronics and digital displays won't age well. I think many of the 1970s-1990s bikes will outlast them. Happy New Year!
@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538 Ah yes but the situations where abs and traction control are useful can arise in a split second and catch anyone out, no matter how experienced. That tends not to happen when it rains. In fact most of the time you see it coming and can pull over to put your waterproofs on
I always thought the 750-800 single side swingarm V4 should have been 1000cc to overcome the weight. I liked it most in the anniversary edition Red/White/Blue paint. Would match my 83 1100F.
Nothing quite like the sound of a VFR800 w/an aftermarket exhaust- so exotic. Never understood why car manufacturers didn't put V4s into their smaller sports cars. I would've bought one just for the exhaust sound!
Thank you for the great reviews. My favorite brand and perhaps the most reliable motorcycle brand. Happy New Year for you and your family. Greetings from Serbia.
Jon, sorry to hear about your friend Paul. I hope whoever has his motorcycles now is caring for them as well as he obviously did. Best wishes to you for 2025!
The 90 degree V-twins sound really tough at lower revs and in town. However, I'm not a huge fan of the way they sound at higher rpm - kinda flat-sounding, like you said. The 4-cylinder bikes will always produce more power than the equivalent displacement V-Twin. That's why, in racing, the V-Twins were allowed to be 1000cc while the fours were limited to 750cc. Cheers!
How does the VFR compare to the Blackbird in terms of comfort? I was thinking about getting a smaller sport tourer in addition to the Bird, was thinking about the VFR and the CBR 600 F
This is the first year for the FI. It felt wickedly fast and quite edgy. The Hayabusa felt more relaxed in the way it delivered power - it's sneaky fast. Happy New Year!
I thought Those V motors were suppose to be more power lower in rpm …? I know 6 k is normally low for a bike , but like my old harley i assume thats at least close to redline on a v ..? Also that harley from 1k pulled like a “donkey on a hill” …all the way through 6 k … just surprised me how you said 6k rpm then power …i dont trust v’s, especially v’s that have been crazy revved (after that Harleyof mine hitting 6k many times , also dying multiple times )i do assume japan and american v’s are very different but sort of hold to similar “v” attributes…?
Yes, the low-revving, long-stroke Harley V-Twins are very different than the high-revving, short-stroke Japanese V-Twin and V-Four motors. Also, there is a big displacement difference between the typical Harley and the Hondas featured in this video. Low-end torque usually favors the bigger motor. The Honda's were designed to rev and will do so reliably for many, many miles. Cheers!
@ displacement and stroke being smaller is the main difference ? Curious how they get big cc’s on these japanese v’s with smaller compression area (i assume because of smaller stroke ) id understand on like the v4 of like the newer Ducati’s,or wait was that 1000 a v4 also and i missed that part ? Lol …i know im asking more than the scope of this video already … i get something in my head ,and as a moron i get curious 😬👍🏼✌️
Didn't want to bother anyone by commenting until I saw the end, my Dad just passed too, 6 months ago, he had all of these bikes in this video which is why I clicked it. Is it bad that he had multiples of the VTRs and NTs? Lol. I now own and plan on keeping all his bikes to honor him.
He went really quick, a stroke or aneurysm, crazy enough he actually passed in the middle of working on one, a XV920, I found him next to it on the ground still breathing but he was gone. It's really sobering to see how your possessions remain after you're gone, totally silent and still, many of them I don't even want to touch since he was the last to. The times I do mess with them, the loneliness in the silence is hard.
I recommend everyone tells their family members they love them before its too late, I had a great relationship with Dad, but that was my biggest regret, never saying it in words.
Hermosas palabras Miller.lamentontu perdida.
Well said. I'm sorry for your loss.
Man how times have changed. All these bikes have such character. So much thought went into engineering each and every one in every aspect from aesthetics to performance. Not these practical motorcycles that are in high demand in modern times. No electronics neutering and watering down. You can tell that blood, sweat and tears went into developing these machines. It saddens me the current state of motorcycles that are coming out of Japan. It seems sportsbikes peaked around 2010-2014 and are on a downward spiral. The newer generation of riders believe all the internet hype. $hit definitely rolls down-hill. The one good thing is finally American cruisers are up and coming with some interesting models and finally some performance numbers i can live with. And its just beginning. Thanks for the video, idk where your always getting these beautiful old bikes in such great condition, but it brings back good memories and realizing how blessed we were to be around through that era. It can never be the same.
Right on!
My brother still has his ‘97 Black Bird. Probably the best bike I’ve ever ridden.
@jeffhickman10 Right on! They are great bikes. Happy New Year!
The 90s was such a great time to be a bike rider. So much innovation. It feels today like everything has stagnated, performance has progressed as far as it can so now it's all about who can cram in the most electronic wizardry. When the day comes when I have to press a button when it starts raining because I lack basic throttle control skills, I'll know I've become a liability and it's time to give it up, for my own safety and the safety of others
Right on! Though I do appreciate some of the safety features (traction control and ABS to be specific), The new plastic-fantastic bikes with their suite of electronics and digital displays won't age well. I think many of the 1970s-1990s bikes will outlast them. Happy New Year!
@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538
Ah yes but the situations where abs and traction control are useful can arise in a split second and catch anyone out, no matter how experienced. That tends not to happen when it rains. In fact most of the time you see it coming and can pull over to put your waterproofs on
@@AndySmith4501 Yep.
I have ridden a VFR 800, and a CBR 1100 XX. The blackbird confirms Einstein's theory of relativity, cuz it is fast enough to make time slow down :)
Right on!
I always thought the 750-800 single side swingarm V4 should have been 1000cc to overcome the weight. I liked it most in the anniversary edition Red/White/Blue paint. Would match my 83 1100F.
Me too! In my mind, a 1000cc VFR would have been close to the perfect motorcycle. Happy New Year!
Nothing quite like the sound of a VFR800 w/an aftermarket exhaust- so exotic. Never understood why car manufacturers didn't put V4s into their smaller sports cars. I would've bought one just for the exhaust sound!
And my condolences on the loss of your friend Paul, Jon.
Right on! VFRs sound great with aftermarket exhausts. Happy New Year!
Thank you.
Thx again jon for another great video. Condolences for your good friend.
@@johnwhan7288 I appreciate that.
Thanks Jon. I love these compilations. Sorry to hear about Paul.
Thanks for watching and for the kind words!
Thank you for the great reviews. My favorite brand and perhaps the most reliable motorcycle brand. Happy New Year for you and your family. Greetings from Serbia.
Happy New Year to you, too! I'm glad you enjoyed the reviews. What part of Siberia? I lived in Blagovyeschensk in 1996.
So funny! I had 3 of the 4 of these. I didn't have the NT650. Best of the bunch by far was the SuperHawk. Wheelie machine.
It sounds like you had a great collection!
Jon, sorry to hear about your friend Paul. I hope whoever has his motorcycles now is caring for them as well as he obviously did. Best wishes to you for 2025!
Thank you. Happy New Year!
40mph just seems so much faster on the Blackbird......!
It was too fast for my normal roads - it would get me in trouble. Cheers!
Zero to 100 mph are the big cc v motors has quick as the inline motors on sport bikes they sound kinda flat on the power ? Nice review
The 90 degree V-twins sound really tough at lower revs and in town. However, I'm not a huge fan of the way they sound at higher rpm - kinda flat-sounding, like you said. The 4-cylinder bikes will always produce more power than the equivalent displacement V-Twin. That's why, in racing, the V-Twins were allowed to be 1000cc while the fours were limited to 750cc. Cheers!
How does the VFR compare to the Blackbird in terms of comfort? I was thinking about getting a smaller sport tourer in addition to the Bird, was thinking about the VFR and the CBR 600 F
The VFR would get my vote, being the most comfortable of those three. Happy New Year!
Which one is your favorite?
@@nonyabusiness4151 Of those four, I really like the VFR800. I only wish it was a 1000cc machine. Cheers!
Superhawk is still ba. Imagine a refresh...
Right on! They could easily do it with the motor from the Africa Twin. Cheers!
Was this blackbird the carburetor or FI variant? Also your reaction seems like this bike has more power than hayabusa 😅
This is the first year for the FI. It felt wickedly fast and quite edgy. The Hayabusa felt more relaxed in the way it delivered power - it's sneaky fast. Happy New Year!
I thought Those V motors were suppose to be more power lower in rpm …? I know 6 k is normally low for a bike , but like my old harley i assume thats at least close to redline on a v ..? Also that harley from 1k pulled like a “donkey on a hill” …all the way through 6 k … just surprised me how you said 6k rpm then power …i dont trust v’s, especially v’s that have been crazy revved (after that Harleyof mine hitting 6k many times , also dying multiple times )i do assume japan and american v’s are very different but sort of hold to similar “v” attributes…?
Yes, the low-revving, long-stroke Harley V-Twins are very different than the high-revving, short-stroke Japanese V-Twin and V-Four motors. Also, there is a big displacement difference between the typical Harley and the Hondas featured in this video. Low-end torque usually favors the bigger motor. The Honda's were designed to rev and will do so reliably for many, many miles. Cheers!
@ displacement and stroke being smaller is the main difference ? Curious how they get big cc’s on these japanese v’s with smaller compression area (i assume because of smaller stroke ) id understand on like the v4 of like the newer Ducati’s,or wait was that 1000 a v4 also and i missed that part ? Lol …i know im asking more than the scope of this video already … i get something in my head ,and as a moron i get curious 😬👍🏼✌️
@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538ill actually do some googling thanks ✌️
@vicpnut1 The piston diameter is larger. Honda uses an over-square design - bore diameter is larger than stroke length. It allows for the higher revs.
Nice looking seats!
Right on!