RE: Yamaha YZF-R1: PH2 Review
Discussion
Sorry about the weather for the test, we've had a bit of an ordinary summer here in Sydney.
Gecko1978 said:
Good on Yamaha taking it to BMW and lets hope Suzuki Kawasaki etc do the same in coming years also.
I think Kawasaki would disagree with that, the ZX10R has been close to the BMW for a while now.Yamaha and other manufacturers who build race bikes have to do this. It makes for a competitive SuperStock bike, and with the WSB rule changes (which meant that much less can be done to the engine, it's basically electronics now) mean that the stock bike needs to move forward in every way it can.
Having ridden last year's ZX10R, every big bore sports bike is too fast for the road now. After riding an older 1000cc sports bike, modern 600s might be a little too much like hard work, as in lots of gear changes and mental revs! We all seem to be moving to sports tourers with lower gear ratios for even faster acceleration but without the meaningless top end, and a lot more comfort. The Z1000SX is Kawasaki's best selling bike with good reason, the other manufacturers are finding the same thing.
So I wonder if this is all going to implode on itself? I hope not. I love bike racing, spectating that is, so I really don't mind buying sports tourers to keep the superbikes alive.
Having ridden last year's ZX10R, every big bore sports bike is too fast for the road now. After riding an older 1000cc sports bike, modern 600s might be a little too much like hard work, as in lots of gear changes and mental revs! We all seem to be moving to sports tourers with lower gear ratios for even faster acceleration but without the meaningless top end, and a lot more comfort. The Z1000SX is Kawasaki's best selling bike with good reason, the other manufacturers are finding the same thing.
So I wonder if this is all going to implode on itself? I hope not. I love bike racing, spectating that is, so I really don't mind buying sports tourers to keep the superbikes alive.
I love the thought of this bike but the front end just looks a bit crap.
I've got a 2003 R1 with some tweaks which is probably around 155bhp. And it's mental without any electrickery. I'm sure the electronics package on this will sort all the delivery out for you but what must 200bhp be like without TC, anti-wheelie, ABS etc.
I've got a 2003 R1 with some tweaks which is probably around 155bhp. And it's mental without any electrickery. I'm sure the electronics package on this will sort all the delivery out for you but what must 200bhp be like without TC, anti-wheelie, ABS etc.
Davie_GLA said:
I love the thought of this bike but the front end just looks a bit crap.
I've got a 2003 R1 with some tweaks which is probably around 155bhp. And it's mental without any electrickery. I'm sure the electronics package on this will sort all the delivery out for you but what must 200bhp be like without TC, anti-wheelie, ABS etc.
Probably most riders would be better off getting more track time, re-built or new suspension, tuition, etc. A non-pro managed a 7:10 BTG lap of the ring, on a mildly modded 2007 (I think) R1:I've got a 2003 R1 with some tweaks which is probably around 155bhp. And it's mental without any electrickery. I'm sure the electronics package on this will sort all the delivery out for you but what must 200bhp be like without TC, anti-wheelie, ABS etc.
http://bridgetogantry.com/2/index.php/home/nurburg...
All 1000cc sports-bikes made in the last decade are crazy fast, but some are more crazier than others. At least the electronics make the learning curve less brutal, and the bikes are a bit safer if you make a mistake.
I've a CBR1000RR so no electric gadgets not even ABS, thing is it's just got a great chassis & brilliant suspension so it isn't the hand full you may assume it to be. True in the cold and wet it's not much fun for a mortal like myself but in the dry it's fine. The ride is way better / feels more controlled than my 600 to the extent that a road on the 600 you'd not want to go any faster on, well the blade you do, lots, just like a great sports car allows.
A 200bhp bike doesn't seem too daft when it's full of traction, anti wheelie etc controls.
A 200bhp bike doesn't seem too daft when it's full of traction, anti wheelie etc controls.
Before we all cry foul and ask stupid questions like "Who really needs 200hp for the road?" (by that rationale - who really needs more than 60hp for the road?), lets bear in mind that top-tier sports bikes have been far outstripping what's useful for the road for about 20 years (that I can remember!). My 2004 R1 did 105mph in 1st gear.
I think this is a really interesting bike and important bike for this segment, I even like the styling. Trust Yamaha to move the game on again, how do Suzuki sleep at night?
I think this is a really interesting bike and important bike for this segment, I even like the styling. Trust Yamaha to move the game on again, how do Suzuki sleep at night?
I've been an R1 owner since 1998, having had a few different versions.
Last year I got a modified s1000.
I will NEVER go back to a bike that doesnt have the electronics. You just dont realise what it does for you, until you live with it for awhile. I can honestly say I think the bike has saved my ass on at least one occasion. If I was on an R1 at the time doing the same thing (riding home from work in the rain, crossing some paint, accelerating with a bit of lean going on), I'm positive I would have lost the rear end.
As it was, the TC just stopped the wheel spinning up. All I felt was the briefest moment of a step out, reduction in acceleration, and then a split second later it was back to normal.
It only hit me later that night, and I kept thinking about it over and over.
Bloody awesome machine.
Anyway, I hope the new R1 is as good as, if not better than, the s1000. It will just make all the manufacturers lift their game, and us consumers wind up with better bikes.
I'm all for it.
Last year I got a modified s1000.
I will NEVER go back to a bike that doesnt have the electronics. You just dont realise what it does for you, until you live with it for awhile. I can honestly say I think the bike has saved my ass on at least one occasion. If I was on an R1 at the time doing the same thing (riding home from work in the rain, crossing some paint, accelerating with a bit of lean going on), I'm positive I would have lost the rear end.
As it was, the TC just stopped the wheel spinning up. All I felt was the briefest moment of a step out, reduction in acceleration, and then a split second later it was back to normal.
It only hit me later that night, and I kept thinking about it over and over.
Bloody awesome machine.
Anyway, I hope the new R1 is as good as, if not better than, the s1000. It will just make all the manufacturers lift their game, and us consumers wind up with better bikes.
I'm all for it.
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