From 1990 to 1996, the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-11 was the world’s fastest production motorcycle, and Team Green benefitted from all sorts of press and rider excitement about that fact. Honda decided to steal the crown, and their weapon of choice was the CBR1100XX. It was also known as the Super Blackbird outside of the US – the name was an homage to the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, which has owned the record for fastest “manned airbreathing jet” since 1976. Honda only had the record for three years until Suzuki released the Hayabusa (which was amusingly named as the “peregrine falcon” because they prey on blackbirds), but it was still faster than you’d ever need.
The Super Blackbird got a significant revision in 1999 with the implementation of fuel injection, a ram-air system, larger fuel tank (6.3 gallons), revised linked brakes, and plenty more. Engine output numbers were bumped to 164 hp and 91.5 lb-ft of torque with a top speed of somewhere between 174 and 180 miles per hour, depending on who you asked. For more information, check out this buyer’s guide from Visor Down – they note that while future efforts from Suzuki and Kawasaki were faster, the Honda was the best all-around bike of the bunch. It also makes you wonder why Yamaha never tried their hand at taking the speed crown.
This example is equipped with an aftermarket windshield and Corbin beetle bags, making it an excellent option for high velocity touring. The seller acquired the bike with 4,000 miles, and now the odometer shows 19,056. Find this Blackbird for sale in Greenville, Ohio for $4,900 here on Craigslist.
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