Blackbird XX

[futfalc]

Gem of a thread, I too have owned 2 of these beauties, 98 (carb) and 02 (Injection) superfast and reliable, I traded up to a Concours 1400 for the comfort, but still the XX would outrun my 14 anyday.....

I'm loving this bike! Oldgeezzer nice writeup!
Man the temperature runs hot on this bike if your not moving.I've started shutting it off at long lights.

Buffalo bird last week.

[nickc2s]

If you wire a switch to manually control the fan it helps. Not unusual to see 240 degrees before a manual switch on mine.

[futfalc]

If you wire a switch to manually control the fan it helps. Not unusual to see 240 degrees before a manual switch on mine.

One of the California guys on the BB forum got a bigger radiator and added a second fan,but your idea should work,Thanks

[Micah / AF1 Racing]

Go to only 25% antifreeze or less depending on where you live and likely lowest exposed temp during storage, this helps a lot, Pep Boys have lower opening temp thermostats, a fan switch is a huge help....just the normal stuff.

[oldgeezer]

Go to only 25% antifreeze or less depending on where you live and likely lowest exposed temp during storage, this helps a lot, Pep Boys have lower opening temp thermostats, a fan switch is a huge help....just the normal stuff.

Some guys, especially those who do track days, replace the regular antifreeze mix with Red Line "water wetter" and 100% distilled water, which lowers operating temps about 20 degrees. It is not recommended for mixing with antifreeze. Depending on your winter climate and where your bike is stored, you'll obviously need to be observant about freezing temperatures. My '02 already had "water wetter" in it when I bought it, which worked fine during summer, but during the winter months I had to keep a space heater in my (unheated) garage to maintain + freezing temps- kind of a PITA and ran up my electric bill. Of course you can always flush it out and switch back to an antifreeze mix during winter, depending on how much you're going to ride during those months.

Water Wetter Reviews:
http://www.amazon.com/Red-Line-80204...ews/B000CPI5ZK

[Micah / AF1 Racing]

Just so you guys know water wetter is only a lite diffract-ant aka...soap. It lowers the surface tension of the water a small amount allowing a little better heat absorbsion on rough cast surfaces.

[lekersv]

and in a sporty runs, is it better than a Fut??? It´s more powerfull, but handles better in twisty roads??? Suspension???

v´ssss

[futfalc]

and in a sporty runs, is it better than a Fut??? It´s more powerfull, but handles better in twisty roads??? Suspension???

v´ssss

Not better,different.
The Futura loves or I love to ring it out from down low right on up and is much better on twisty mountain roads.It's like a wild horse compared to the BB that has a different delivery more like a horse at Saratoga.

No twisty roads on the way to work today.

[rhubarbray]

I still have my 2000 XX and love it but it`s a different love compared to the `02 Ducati ST2 or the `07 Tuono. I`d always had large displacement 4`s and figured that that was the way engines made power. then I bought the Duc and it was completely different. Didn`t have to rev it and loads of midrange. The Tuono is like the ST but much more so. I jumped back on the XX and it was weird rolling on the throttle at 4000 and wondering where the power went,........then 6500 hit and it was OH YEAH! Done the 18 tooth front sprocket and I went back to the 17. Just my opinion but I found it really cut down on the power. It felt like the 17t in 4th had more pull than the 18t in 3rd.
I`ve got the peg lowering blocks that were available as part of a forum group buy, I made my own bars as I didn`t like the bend, done the wiring loom fix and I`m glad I did, my connector was f&*^ed but I never had any glitches. I`ve had my seat reshaped and gel pads put in but I think I see a Sargent in my future. Still have the linked brakes and I like the brakes. Friend of mine and I switched bikes to try. He had a 2000 `Busa. Interesting differences. His was buzzy around 4500 and quite noticible and the brakes absolutely sucked! When he gave me back the `bird he mentioned he almost put himself over the bars the first time he braked!
Still love mine, have more mods in mind, but yes, it`s a long reach to the bars!

Ray