What bike to get?

[Becky B]

Since selling my bike i have been looking at what new bike to get, i love the new GSXR750 but i always find myself looking at the R1's i have always loved them and could probably buy a 2000 model quicker than i could the GSXR750
As i want to pay for it out right if i was to choose an R1 i would have one in a few months if i was to get a GSXR i would probably have it by january. Just cant decide wat to get?

[NinjaMad]

im a suzuki man sio would most prob go for taht but i no what you mean i find myself looking at R1's as if its a bike i never could have but secretly want if you understand both smashing bikes

[JayGates_SP1]

Both bikes couldnt be any more different in the way that they ride and deliver power. I would suggest riding them both. It might be better to wait longer to make sure you pick the one that suits you?

[Gixxer-TeZ]

Well this comment is not bias towards the gsxr as you know I have had both in various formats but for whats it's worth here is my advice.

I personally think an R1 would be too quick for you. Now before you fly off the handle and set every taxi driver in chelmsford on me this is why I think that.
I have seen you ride your v-twin, and your a good rider but I just feel you don't need that much power. This does not mean I think your a poor rider or not good in any way, I just feel you do not need a litre bike in any format.

You know I had the 2002 fightered R1 ......... sold because it was too fast and front end light.
I also had a 2005 R1 ........... Sold because it was too fast and too uncomfortable.

I know have a new 600 gixxer. Quite fast enough and loads of fun in the lanes. Easily capable of 160mph + and could give some 1000cc bikes a run in the twisties albeit not with me riding it. :grin2

As you may be aware, I had the debate about wether or not to get the 600 or 750. With a tank range of about 110 mile on the 750 compared to about 150 on the 600 and the only real difference being the way you work the gearbox then the choice for me was obvious.


At the end of the day, everyone will give you their opinion and what they would rather have, but at the end of the day make sure you buy what YOU want.

:grin3

[JayGates_SP1]

I agree with some of that. I have ridden a 98 R1 and obviously own a gixa. Its strange because the gixa to ride doesnt feel as savagly powerful as the R1, has 30bhp less and yet all that extra power counts for very little when you go head to head against each other in a straight line. On twisty roads I found the R1's brakes bite very hard initially and that made me feel unsettled. I also really noticed the HUGE differences in power delivery. You have to be so progressive on an R1 lent over at low revs, the CARB is twitchy to say the least compared to the superb injection system most suzukis have it lets you get away with alot more.

However...... I love the early R1's looks, i'd love to ride it on track. There are lots of parts about for them. Lots of good deals to be had. And properly maintained are ment to be quite reliable. Depends wether you wanna go fast on the road or pose really!

[Lateshift]

Must have been something wrong with the brakes on that R1 then J, the ones on my 99 R1 are pretty much the same feel as i got with the Brembo Radials on the RSVR, apart from having to use 2 fingers to pull the lever on the R1 that is :D

The brakes on the R1 up until the radial brakes became more common were and still are hard to beat and stop on a six pence.

Also that 30hp is far more noticeable at top end, but the bottom end power of the R1 (especially the early ones) is massively more noticeable in a straight line than any 600 out there at the moment, its not horsepower its torque, but from around 60 upwards the newer 600's are more of a match for the early bike ;)

Also the R1 didnt get fuel injection until 2002 ;)

The early R1 had carbs and is extremely twitchy at low revs as you say, the throttle can be quite 'snatchy' at the best of times and a real pain on slow roundabouts where trying to hold a neutral throttle is needed.

The rear shock should be fine for someone who is 10 stone but even with my lighter weight now, i am still having to run the max preload setting to get it to stop squatting sufficiently to keep the front end from skipping up whenever it wants (although it does look good :D ).

Having had my R1 now since the beginning of May and having now done a smidge over 5000 miles on it since then, i enjoy the bike, i enjoy the look of it, but there are better bikes out there so i am still looking about.

That being said its a scary bike to ride :D

[JayGates_SP1]

Sorry I wasnt being clear. Didnt mean the brakes were crap. I found the opposite the bite ULTRA hard initially. But yes as you say they stop fast. Just jumpin off the gixa with radials to the R1 it was a bit of a shock!