The real question is why do you think you need a liter bike. The 600 is plenty fast and great mobility. Unless you are bothered at track days by the liter bikes passing you on the straights, then don't get a liter bike. Insurance is more. You go over 100 in streets without even noticing it and get tickets.
Mad Matt, that is one sick R1. Do let us know how it rides.
I guess for those of us who have never ridden a 1000, we have to try it out to make an informed decision. I can't decide yet since I have only ridden my RR. I look forward to owning a 1000 someday, but don't know if I will end up keeping it or not. You probably cant go wrong with the Blade. The ZX-10R I hear handles very well and isnt heavy at all compared to other liter bikes. So many great options out there.
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Mad Matt, that is one sick R1. Do let us know how it rides.
I guess for those of us who have never ridden a 1000, we have to try it out to make an informed decision. I can't decide yet since I have only ridden my RR. I look forward to owning a 1000 someday, but don't know if I will end up keeping it or not. You probably cant go wrong with the Blade. The ZX-10R I hear handles very well and isnt heavy at all compared to other liter bikes. So many great options out there.
Thanks mate, i love her even though ive only put 100 miles on since buying it...
The R1 isn't the best litre bike out there, its probably the slowest and heaviest but for me it looks far better than all the others. The under tail pipes are a must and from the front it looks like an evil alien type of insect... I could have got any litre bike but the R1 is what i wanted..
Currently im having some upgrades on it and have only had the bike in my possession for a week the rest of the time its been spent at the dealers.
Ive not mentioned this before but it was stolen the last time i rode it. I took it out for a last spin before putting her to be, i was out for an hour then pulled up outside my house. I went inside to take my helmet and gloves off and to unlock my back gate, all this took about a minuet but when i went back outside the bike was gone.
To cut a long story short 3 youngish guy's had pushed it away, myself and a friend found it 2 hours later stashed in a small woods on a park. There was damage, they had forced it between two concrete bollards causing damage to both side fairings and the had pulled on the ignition wires. I sent it back to the dealers and they told me the ignition aerial was fvcked so that had to be replaced with the fairings....
I decided last week that as it was winter here now i would have other work carried out. Two new Akra cans, tail tidy, rear cowl, cat removal, and now she has arrived in Nottingham for a complete new paint job. Ive always loved the yellow swan colours below is a picture of what it will look like when done. Sadly i wont get it back till February but i wouldn't of been riding until March at the earliest anyway...
No interest in a liter bike. I'm more the other way. My favorite bike was my NSR250/MC21 (60hp, under 300lbs). Could wring that thing's neck and rail it. Makes our 600RR's almost feel lardy. The 600's have started to hone in on the balance & flickability of the 250's like the 1000's have started to approach 600's weight & handling territory but not totally. To me it's all about the bike's sweet spot. Where it likes to live in the revs vs speed of the roads. For public roads and canyon carving the 600's almost perfect. To me it' doesn't start to hit that sweet spot till you're doing about 65-70mph and is singing between there and 100. Below and above that and there are better tools for the job. In the tight twisties where turns are between 15-40mph the 600RR is a decent compromise. You can't really wring it's neck but it'll do it effortlessly, like Michael Phelps in a backyard swimming pool. Liter bikes never really hit their sweet spot on the street. Maybe some guys will like to find a spot to bust over 120 on a free piece of highway but the 1k's are just starting to stretch their legs before you run out of open road. On the street it's like using a chainsaw to trim rose bushes. You could do it but, unnecessary unless you just like making a lot of noise. I understand people wanting the torque and midrange for the street like someone mentioned above but to me that's basically saying they want a liter bike for stop lights. I'll agree with one of the opinions above that said a Vtwin sport bike is perfect for the street. Has more of the low end you'll use more often than the top end you'll barely touch in a meaningful way.
Thanks mate, i love her even though ive only put 100 miles on since buying it...
The R1 isn't the best litre bike out there, its probably the slowest and heaviest but for me it looks far better than all the others. The under tail pipes are a must and from the front it looks like an evil alien type of insect... I could have got any litre bike but the R1 is what i wanted..
Currently im having some upgrades on it and have only had the bike in my possession for a week the rest of the time its been spent at the dealers.
Ive not mentioned this before but it was stolen the last time i rode it. I took it out for a last spin before putting her to be, i was out for an hour then pulled up outside my house. I went inside to take my helmet and gloves off and to unlock my back gate, all this took about a minuet but when i went back outside the bike was gone.
To cut a long story short 3 youngish guy's had pushed it away, myself and a friend found it 2 hours later stashed in a small woods on a park. There was damage, they had forced it between two concrete bollards causing damage to both side fairings and the had pulled on the ignition wires. I sent it back to the dealers and they told me the ignition aerial was fvcked so that had to be replaced with the fairings....
I decided last week that as it was winter here now i would have other work carried out. Two new Akra cans, tail tidy, rear cowl, cat removal, and now she has arrived in Nottingham for a complete new paint job. Ive always loved the yellow swan colours below is a picture of what it will look like when done. Sadly i wont get it back till February but i wouldn't of been riding until March at the earliest anyway...
So sorry to hear that, glad you were able to recover it at least. Damn punks! Pretty sure all the waiting will make you take it out for a 2 hour ride straight once it's time. Best of luck, looking forward to the pics.
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Recent comparison tests favour the GSXR1000 first for street then blade, it was a jap comparison, that suzuki result surprised me but it made the most power in the street range and was only 4bhp off the zx10r's peak power win, i still like the Honda quality and brand better though but that is food for thought
R1 i think did worst for street riding range(below 10k rpm) on the 2012 bikes, sorry MadMatt
They still picked the ZX10R as best all round(included track which most people dont do) then the suzuki then honda then yamaha's, but for street where my interest is i think it would've gone Suzuki, Honda, Kawsaki, Yamaha, obviously this is all seperate from 2011 and will be seperate from 2013...thats the thing whos top each year can change, i think honda's held a good spot throughout the years peaking as best every now and then, such as 2008
I like the tail end, don't like their headlights though, worse than the S1000RR's to me
1000's good because if you get it wrong you die...natural selection :)
Recent comparison tests favour the GSXR1000 first for street then blade, it was a jap comparison, that suzuki result surprised me but it made the most power in the street range and was only 4bhp off the zx10r's peak power win, i still like the Honda quality and brand better though but that is food for thought
R1 i think did worst for street riding range(below 10k rpm) on the 2012 bikes, sorry MadMatt
They still picked the ZX10R as best all round(included track which most people dont do) then the suzuki then honda then yamaha's, but for street where my interest is i think it would've gone Suzuki, Honda, Kawsaki, Yamaha, obviously this is all seperate from 2011 and will be seperate from 2013...thats the thing whos top each year can change, i think honda's held a good spot throughout the years peaking as best every now and then, such as 2008
I like the tail end, don't like their headlights though, worse than the S1000RR's to me
1000's good because if you get it wrong you die...natural selection :)
Its ok mate, i know the R1 falls behind on performance compared to the others but looks he best imo. A re-flash of the ecu changes all this and speaking to people that have had it done say its a must for the R1, it becomes a completely different bike...
So sorry to hear that, glad you were able to recover it at least. Damn punks! Pretty sure all the waiting will make you take it out for a 2 hour ride straight once it's time. Best of luck, looking forward to the pics.
Cheers mate, i did reap revenge on one of them, just two to find....
I started on a 2000 F4i, then it was stolen and I bought an 05 1000rr. Totalled that one after 2 years and bought my 07 600rr. The 1000 had a ton of power which was awesome..and it wasnt that much heavier than my 600 but it sure did feel alot heavier. Personally, I have more fun on the 600 and it feels more "flickable". But I guess it's a matter of preference. It's not like the 1000rr didnt handle well, I just felt more comfortable on the 600rr.
Plus tires and oil changes are cheaper on a 600.
Cheers mate, i did reap revenge on one of them, just two to find....
didnt see your post about the lost bike! woah, 1 minute and the ignition barrel is buggered and its in the woods...where abouts? better not be near me
i know how you feel i damaged a bike myself once...not even any point in claiming my excess will mean i get fudge all and my rip off prices will go up so i'd literally kill anyone trying to take my bike, i'm never more than 2 feet till its locked up or parked under cctv in view of people/workers/office blocks
here's something to cheer you up, turn your bike into something like it:
Its ok mate, i know the R1 falls behind on performance compared to the others but looks he best imo. A re-flash of the ecu changes all this and speaking to people that have had it done say its a must for the R1, it becomes a completely different bike...
Yep I agree. My mate has a 2009 R1 with Akrapovic Slip ons, re-flash and a PCV. I rode it on the track and though it was a bit soft in the suspension setup, it pulled amazing coming out of every corner and down the straights.
At no point did I feel that the bike didn't have enough power. And the sound with the Akras It ******* roars. Incredible.
Out of the Japanese bikes, it would be a close call between the CBR and R1 for me. But in the end I would choose the R1 for all the character it has.
But in the end I would choose the R1 for all the character it has.
haha I don't get what the obsession with the R1's look is, the headlights are ok but other than that...im not drawn to its looks like everybody seems to be, alot of people have commented they sound good but not really heard many in person can't comment, i spend too much time at honda dealerships
Character is an excuse to buy something not a reason haha
in terms of jap bikes for the street, the fireblade does seem to win alot of the 'road tests' to be fair...soon as you add europe and track its all over the place the bmw came out and did win a couple...and then the zx10r's peak power comes in etc, i'd be happy with a blade it doesnt do anything wrong
didnt see your post about the lost bike! woah, 1 minute and the ignition barrel is buggered and its in the woods...where abouts? better not be near me
i know how you feel i damaged a bike myself once...not even any point in claiming my excess will mean i get fudge all and my rip off prices will go up so i'd literally kill anyone trying to take my bike, i'm never more than 2 feet till its locked up or parked under cctv in view of people/workers/office blocks
here's something to cheer you up, turn your bike into something like it:
It happened where i live mate near Wythenshawe, as i said we found one of the culprits and trust me he wont be stealing bikes for some time to come.....
Although i do like yellow that particular yellow R1 does nothing for me, they had the exact same one at Yamaha Wigan where i got mine from and didn't like the colour scheme.....
I don't think everyone loves the look of the R1 and i see very few of them on the road. Its a personal thing, you say you like the front lights what about the pipes and there location under the seat?? Oh and you need to hear one, they really do sound good.. The BMW is growing on me....
Yep I agree. My mate has a 2009 R1 with Akrapovic Slip ons, re-flash and a PCV. I rode it on the track and though it was a bit soft in the suspension setup, it pulled amazing coming out of every corner and down the straights.
At no point did I feel that the bike didn't have enough power. And the sound with the Akras It ******* roars. Incredible.
Out of the Japanese bikes, it would be a close call between the CBR and R1 for me. But in the end I would choose the R1 for all the character it has.
These are my exact thoughts mate, the R1 has so much character although if the CBR would have kept its pipes under the seat i may have been tempted to go with that....
I test rode a 2012 R1 at the ocean city bike fest and it was pretty crazy, pulled throughout the entire rpm range and had more than enough power. It kind of sounded like a V8 muscle car in a way. But the thing was heavy(for me)'and taking off it had this terible vibration. It only had like 2000 miles on it. I don't know if it was supposed to be like that or someone messed it up but i like my 600 better. Smooth as glass through the wholebrpm range and still more power than i need.
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I currently own an 08 1000rr. It's a great bike but I'm going back to the 600. I think the liter bikes are great but I have no need for it. I like the handling of the 600 much better. It's better suited for the riding I do.
I test rode a 2012 R1 at the ocean city bike fest and it was pretty crazy, pulled throughout the entire rpm range and had more than enough power. It kind of sounded like a V8 muscle car in a way. But the thing was heavy(for me)'and taking off it had this terible vibration. It only had like 2000 miles on it. I don't know if it was supposed to be like that or someone messed it up but i like my 600 better. Smooth as glass through the wholebrpm range and still more power than i need.
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The 2012 R1 is definitely far to heavy, over the last few years its been packing on the lbs but with the right mods that weight soon drops off...
That vibration when taking off is normal for most litre bikes and again with a few tweaks on the ecu it can be eliminated...
Do you remember what mode you had it in?? Mine is still on standard mode for now as thats more than enough, A mode is scary fast...
I'm actually debating on getting me a cb1000r sometime soon, love the naked look of them and for riding around town I think I would like the more upright seating and handle bars. That's the only liter I'm thinking of doing.
Gorgeous bike...
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I Have ridden a few 1k's a 929 Which I didn't really like. Than I got to ride my buddies 12 RC8 Which was awesome. Than I rode my friends 08 1krr and fell in love. I'm trying to get a 12 white 1krr. But insurance is stupid.
It happened where i live mate near Wythenshawe, as i said we found one of the culprits and trust me he wont be stealing bikes for some time to come.....
Although i do like yellow that particular yellow R1 does nothing for me, they had the exact same one at Yamaha Wigan where i got mine from and didn't like the colour scheme....i almost cut my own fingers off by accident in the army, i'll have no problem cutting the fingers from the hand of a bike thief! I go their for KFC every now and then, bike thief blood might make a delicous alternative to ketchup!!
I don't think everyone loves the look of the R1 and i see very few of them on the road. Its a personal thing, you say you like the front lights what about the pipes and there location under the seat?? Oh and you need to hear one, they really do sound good.. The BMW is growing on me....
Oh hell no! You live like less than 5miles from me, let me know where they live if they come back!
Quote:
Originally Posted by MadMatt
The 2012 R1 is definitely far to heavy, over the last few years its been packing on the lbs but with the right mods that weight soon drops off...
That vibration when taking off is normal for most litre bikes and again with a few tweaks on the ecu it can be eliminated...
Do you remember what mode you had it in?? Mine is still on standard mode for now as thats more than enough, A mode is scary fast...
Did you say you commuted or highway'd it alot though? I'm sure 1000cc's is right up your street then, trundles along at high speed with ease, must be annoying in grid lock traffic though I sometimes don't filter since i just don't want to chance idiots scratching my bike or turning on me with no indicator thinking they're the only thing on the road and nobody would ever come along on a motorbike
I definitely enjoyed the blades ability to eat up most city speeds with 1st gear lol...i think i used gear 2 once(just did it to feel a gear change on it really haha) never even got anywhere i needed 3 on the whole test ride
Quote:
Originally Posted by moto x
Than I rode my friends 08 1krr and fell in love. I'm trying to get a 12 white 1krr. But insurance is stupid.
That's exactly it, if it wern't for insurance I'd be on one now I also want a 12 but I think an 09 will save not only buying price but older years are cheaper to insure than brand new bikes, it is now affordable to me since i had another birthday BUT my finances now are ****, just paying bills at the minute so keeping the savings of the 600, but when i renewed it was at the same rate as 1000cc is now so I'm trying to get them to do a mid term adjustment as i'd save like £200...which they can give to me adjusting my payments smaller
P.S. It was also the 08 that I rode as well when i fell in love! :) was a black one, i prefer the white too but hey it was just a test ride i was looking at it i was riding it I want the 09 in HRC colors...unless somehow a 12 came up for a good price
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got to sit on one lol. a buddy of mine has one. he absolutely loves it. he has rode for quite a few years, owned lots of bikes and he said its its favorite.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nutcore
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haha I don't get what the obsession with the R1's look is, the headlights are ok but other than that...im not drawn to its looks like everybody seems to be, alot of people have commented they sound good but not really heard many in person can't comment, i spend too much time at honda dealerships
Character is an excuse to buy something not a reason haha
in terms of jap bikes for the street, the fireblade does seem to win alot of the 'road tests' to be fair...soon as you add europe and track its all over the place the bmw came out and did win a couple...and then the zx10r's peak power comes in etc, i'd be happy with a blade it doesnt do anything wrong
Looks are subjective, I agree. I think they look different, mean and aggressive.
There is nothing wrong with the blade. It just feels to similar to the other japanese bikes. Nothing that really sets it apart. But no major shortcomings either. I rode one at 170whp set up for the track and it was an absolute midrange animal.
Owning a Ducati has made me all about the character haha. I don't know. The R1, like the 1098 made me feel special when I rode them. The other bikes don't really do that for me.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Keith316
But the thing was heavy(for me)'and taking off it had this terible vibration. It only had like 2000 miles on it. I don't know if it was supposed to be like that or someone messed it up but i like my 600 better. Smooth as glass through the wholebrpm range and still more power than i need.
Looks are subjective, I agree. I think they look different, mean and aggressive.
There is nothing wrong with the blade. It just feels to similar to the other japanese bikes. Nothing that really sets it apart. But no major shortcomings either. I rode one at 170whp set up for the track and it was an absolute midrange animal.
Owning a Ducati has made me all about the character haha. I don't know. The R1, like the 1098 made me feel special when I rode them. The other bikes don't really do that for me.
Don't ever buy a V-twin then
neither of mine rattle lol. the RSV1000r is smooth! and the 1500 vulcan has gobs of torque!!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nutcore
Duct tape is like the Force, it has a light side, a dark side and it binds the universe lmao