When you talk to most people about big bore bruisers most will instantly know the Hayabusa. Some may even reference the ZX12/14 from Kawasaki, but very few seem to remember the 1100cc Honda Blackbird.
Honda Blackbird For Sale on eBay
The recipe is simple. Take a large powerful engine and stick it in a stable and competent frame. The goal is not to make a razor sharp sports bike, it is to make a mile munching missile. Think of it as a Bentley vs Ferrari. Amazing at what they do, but they do very different things.
With almost 140hp on tap, the CB1100XX was actually the worlds fastest motorcycle for a few years. Tested at over 178 miles per hour, it was only the mighty Hayabusa that could out pace it.
The Blackbird name was a nod to the semi mythical SR71 spy plane. While the Honda was in production for 9 years, few examples seem to exist today. Most have massive odometer readings, terrible modification or have just lived a hard life.
From the sellers eBay listing:
1999 Honda CB1100XX Blackbird. A low mile original bike in amazing condition. Starts runs and rides perfectly. Absolutely no issues. Buy with confidence. Impeccably maintained.
Descriptions,viewpoints and opinions vary between people.
Please look at the photos and do your own evaluation.
DO NOT bid, make offers or press buttons if you’re not absolutely sure you’re buying it.
Your purchase is not subject to ANYTHING!!after you buy.
ANY questions,inspections,viewing,test drives etc are welcome BEFORE PURCHASE ONLY!!!!
No warranties are implied or made. Sale as is.
Immediate PayPal deposit required. non refundable.
The seller spends more time laying out rules to buy the bike then actually providing details, but the pictures seem to tell a story of a clean stock will taken care of motorcycle. The BIN price of $6500 appears to be a reasonable sum in the current market. With under 20k miles the bike has plenty of life left in it should the new owner be inclined to ride the bike across continents at high speed as intended.
Question for the blackbird suspension modifiers out there: i am looking at the non adjustable front fork. Given the vintage, did these things really rolll down the road withcrude damper rod forks? A little surprising for a premium machine in 1999.
This bike has been for sale for a long time.
Do you think it is a case of the price being too high for the market right now, of just that there is not much interest in the model?
I am looking for a 2001 and up model with low mileage if any one has one they are interested in selling, hit me up.
Personally, I think it is overpriced. However, right now, I think most bikes are overpriced. Love2lean may have a better idea on pricing since he is looking for one. Of course without looking at the bike in person very difficult to tell condition. Both clutch and brake lever look tweeked and are the wrong color. Bike may have been wrecked at some point. I’ve been watching this seller for a couple of years and he lists total pieces of shit as “excellent”. Most of his bikes are for sale for a long period of time. I would never buy sight unseen from him. As you mentioned, most of his ads are about his rules, Such as “ANY questions,inspections,viewing,test drives etc are welcome BEFORE PURCHASE ONLY!!!!” I agree with that statement but with all the exclamation marks, my guess is many buyers buy it on ebay than when they go pick it up or it gets delivered they realize it is crap and try to get their money back. I’ve seen him purchase a bike on ebay and put it right back up for sale at double the price he paid. Nothing wrong with that, but…. Just my opinions
Hey William-On your pricing question, I wanted to add that I own a 97, first year in the U.S. Vin #17 with 18k miles in very nice all original condition. I paid $3k for it, but that was a couple of years ago. Obviously, the market is crazy right now, so I would think with $5k you could purchase a really nice one.
This silver one on cycle trader is asking $4k:
https://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2002-Honda-CBR-1100XX-5017409844
WOW, so they can be even more affordable then I had realized.
To me it is more a point of “buying too early” rather then paying to much.
Either way they seem like an amazing experience for the money.
Agree that a buyer should always be looking to protect themselves. The nice thing is that the listing might turn away many buyers, BUT if you are local and can inspect it there is a chance worth taking.
I personally LOVE to be in a situation where there is not a lot of competition in terms of being a buyer.
Price aside, these are fantastic machines. I had one of these for several years when I was living in the bay area. Super fast obviously, handles well for its weight and it’s great two up. Used to take it camping with my girlfriend; few soft bags, the tent and a backpack! As always the Honda build quality and reliability shine through. Keep up with your general maintenance and they run forever. Wish I still had it!
One of these, a ’97 with low miles, unmolested, came up for sale here recently for 3K Canadian. A friend went to look at it, and while he was out getting his money the seller sold it to another guy. D’oh! A lot of bike for that money.
It seems alot of his bikes have been for sale on ebay for a long time. He also has a lot of cars for sale. I wonder if this guy is a car/motorcycle dealer? He has his ebay adds on for a loooong time, I wonder how much that costs?