1998 Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird
Miles: 15,700
Clean California Title
Listed Price: $4,900
Running parallel to the world superpowers and the ever-present threat of nuclear annihilation was a much more entertaining arms race being fought between the Japanese sportbike manufacturers throughout the 80s and 90s to decide who could build the fastest motorcycle on the planet. That crown was passed from bike to bike and was, for a time, worn by today’s Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird, a bike that also had what was surely the longest name of any of the bikes to hold the title. Introduced in 1996, it stole the crown from Kawasaki’s ZX11 by virtue of its powerful, balance-shaft-equipped 1137cc engine and advanced aerodynamics that allowed it to make the most of every pony. Honda made decision to fit their Dual-CBS linked-braking system, a somewhat controversial choice, but the bike was otherwise relatively conventional and fairly heavy, at 525lbs dry, and fitted with non-adjustable forks up front. The result was a 178.5mph top speed and typical Honda reliability to go with the stealth-fighter looks.
1998 CBR 1100 XX blackbird we have this bike for over 22 years. Garage always serviced every 3K. New chain, new tires, new battery excellent running condition, never dropped. Start right up never had any problems low miles. Never been to an accident. start right away, pink slip at hand. fast and reliable.
The Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird isn’t the most agile of dance partners on a twisty back road, but it makes up for it with ballistic speed and consummate poise on the interstate. Unlike the Hayabusa that supplanted it, it’s a GT of the old style, a smooth high-speed machine, not a drag-strip brawler, and maybe that’s why they lack the same sort of mystique today. These pop up from time to time, often in bone-stock, well-maintained condition, sometimes with high miles. In this case, miles are pretty low, particularly for a 90s Honda product. The $4,900 asking price seems a pretty impressive deal for such a clean, practical sportbike that was, for a brief time, the fastest bike on the road…
-tad
