RE: Suzuki GSX-R1000: PH Fleet

[Fort Jefferson]

JimClark49 said:

I just cannot rate the K5 highly enough. I don't know how good the newer GSXR is, but could the poster who bought the L4 post a comparison with his old K5

Let me run it in and get the first service over, and I'll let you know.

[JimClark49]

Fort Jefferson said:

Let me run it in and get the first service over, and I'll let you know.

Ok thanks mate.

[Fort Jefferson]

JimClark49 said:

Fort Jefferson said:

Let me run it in and get the first service over, and I'll let you know.

Ok thanks mate.

The handling is a bit better.
The brakes are a LOT better.
It's not as comfortable.
The throttle mapping/rideability under 5000rpm isn't as good.
The top end doesn't feel much, if any, different.
The adjustable foot pegs are handy.


If you have a K5, you're not missing much, if you want a "new" bike, then buy one.

[Jewelly_Boy]

A sorted bike like a K5, set up suspension and a bit of engine work with a good rider is more than enough for your average joe and wouldn't be a long way behind a newer bike.

The K5 really did up the base level of factory sports bikes.

[obscene]

Fort Jefferson said:

The handling is a bit better.
The brakes are a LOT better.
It's not as comfortable.
The throttle mapping/rideability under 5000rpm isn't as good.
The top end doesn't feel much, if any, different.
The adjustable foot pegs are handy.


If you have a K5, you're not missing much, if you want a "new" bike, then buy one.

Brakes are easily fixed:

[JimClark49]

Fort Jefferson said:

The handling is a bit better.
The brakes are a LOT better.
It's not as comfortable.
The throttle mapping/rideability under 5000rpm isn't as good.
The top end doesn't feel much, if any, different.
The adjustable foot pegs are handy.


If you have a K5, you're not missing much, if you want a "new" bike, then buy one.

Thanks Jefferson for remembering to get back to me..much appreciated.

Nice to hear your thoughts. I will never sell my K5 as it is just a sublime machine - this is reinforced by your observations. I am not remotely interested in new bike. In fact, I would much rather buy a classic 90's sportbike as a second bike.

Thankfully, I have the brembo m/c with EBC Fa379hh pads and have no complaints with the brakes - not sure how bad the standard master cylinder setup would have been.

The K5's pull through the lower gears is phenomenal, and its handling is excellent. I feel privileged to own a K5.

Long live the legend of the K5.

[Fort Jefferson]

JimClark49 said:

I will never sell my K5 as it is just a sublime machine.

I was going to keep my K5 as well as buy the new one, but I couldn't think of how I would choose which to go out on, with them being so similar.