Who owns a cross-plane crank R1? Thoughts? Any issues?

[996 sps]

Been on about it for a while now - Seriously thinking about using the 996 less and doing the odd bike meet - No more track days or trips across Europe as have had bits replaced and wheels re-sprayed etc.

But still need a toy - The cross plane crank R1 looks superb and sounds great in my opinion, but what's the handling like and are there any issues or faults I should look for?

Thanks in advance.....


Like the look of the Red and White colour scheme but haven't seen one in the flesh.....

Edited by 996 sps on Tuesday 30th September 15:37

[tight5]

I've had clutch problems .
horrible noise when pulling away from a standing start , which got worse over time .
new plates , which were soaked in oil before putting in , temporarily solved the problem .
it came back and kept getting worse .
at the end it was quite difficult to move away .
traced it down to the basket which had an odd wear to it .
new basket , problem solved .
Yamaha were a bit stty , tho .
they said I had to pay for half the cost of the basket .
they have changed the basket design twice since mine ( 2009 ) was released .

Akra pipes , de-cat . still LOVE the noise .


pic taken just after I got it , tail tidy and GB Moto engine cases on after that .

[SAS Tom]

I think they must be crap. I heard they were giving them away at Londis corner shops all over the country.

[thatdude]

I understand that the engine is very wide - it is not uncommon to cause damage to the crank in a spill so that is something to be wary of if you are considering 2nd hand examples.

[Tim85]

I've just recently got mine so I can't really comment on any faults yet. I also haven't ridden many of the modern 'rivals' so I can't compare it to them. From what I understand there's racier bikes and faster bikes but in my opinion I really couldn't imagine a better road engine. It initially acts like a really free revving twin. It sounds like a twin and it gives you testicular cancer by vibrating and cooking you like other twins I've ridden. It has the low down shuv of twins aswell. The was it changes is the speed in which the revs pick up and the rpm it revs to. It feels to me like I'm hurting the engine but it just wants to rev more and more. I love it.

The throttle is very sharp and benefits from a silky smooth actions. The sound is incredible. Like a Ducati but without the metallic sound. The handling feels really well sorted for my fat arse and limited skill level. Much much better than my old k6 gsxr1000 although that may just be the difference in technology from 2006 and now.

Everyone always raves about the midrange of the k5/6 gsxr's but a few times on my ride home Sunday if you pull out to over take in third at about 60/70 and wind on the front just pops up, much to my surprise and fear! The gsxr just wound speed on nicely.

Basically they're awesome. I'm sure I'd love all of the modern thousands but as a road bike the engine really is a peach.
I have heard of people not getting on with them but I think that's due to the similarities to a v twin and if your coming from a Ducati I think you'll love it.

[Tim85]

SAS Tom said:

I think they must be crap. I heard they were giving them away at Londis corner shops all over the country.

I think pistonheads have struck the fear of god in people with the bikes seemingly wanting to throw people off on their driveways. They can't seem to sell the old stock so their giving them away to any old yob.

I'm genuinely so careful pulling away from my drive just so I don't have to make one of those posts.

[Biker's Nemesis]

I don't know anyone who has fallen off on their driveway. I hope you're not meaning me there BTW because if you are you need to get your facts right.

[Jewelly_Boy]

Clutch was a bd and they don't like clutch up wheelies(no st).....

Awesome fun though, sound mega.

Heres me, wking off a Polish bloke.....

And one of my "friend" practising for Elvington Wheely Record........

[Tim85]

Biker's Nemesis said:

I don't know anyone who has fallen off on their driveway. I hope you're not meaning me there BTW because if you are you need to get your facts right.

No idea who it was i dont even think i was on here when it happens i just see it as an on going joke on here so no need to get that back up.

[996 sps]

Jewelly_Boy said:

Clutch was a bd and they don't like clutch up wheelies(no st).....

Awesome fun though, sound mega.

Heres me, wking off a Polish bloke.....

And one of my "friend" practising for Elvington Wheely Record........

Ha ha!

Cheers all for the replies.

So clutch main down fall - How much roughly do you think i'll need to part with for a good one? Avoid early model?

[dapearson]

SAS Tom said:

I think they must be crap. I heard they were giving them away at Londis corner shops all over the country.

[paul25]

Best road bike ive ever owned, does everything .

[Fleegle]

Tim85 said:

Biker's Nemesis said:

I don't know anyone who has fallen off on their driveway. I hope you're not meaning me there BTW because if you are you need to get your facts right.

No idea who it was i dont even think i was on here when it happens i just see it as an on going joke on here so no need to get that back up.

Take no notice of the old duffer. he's probably got a strop on because his digestive snapped off into his tea

[paul25]

Fleegle said:

Tim85 said:

Biker's Nemesis said:

I don't know anyone who has fallen off on their driveway. I hope you're not meaning me there BTW because if you are you need to get your facts right.

No idea who it was i dont even think i was on here when it happens i just see it as an on going joke on here so no need to get that back up.

Take no notice of the old duffer. he's probably got a strop on because his digestive snapped off into his tea

Haha , I guarantee they wont be mc vities, be some own brand cheap ste, tight fecker

[996 sps]

Tim85 said:

I've just recently got mine so I can't really comment on any faults yet. I also haven't ridden many of the modern 'rivals' so I can't compare it to them. From what I understand there's racier bikes and faster bikes but in my opinion I really couldn't imagine a better road engine. It initially acts like a really free revving twin. It sounds like a twin and it gives you testicular cancer by vibrating and cooking you like other twins I've ridden. It has the low down shuv of twins aswell. The was it changes is the speed in which the revs pick up and the rpm it revs to. It feels to me like I'm hurting the engine but it just wants to rev more and more. I love it.

The throttle is very sharp and benefits from a silky smooth actions. The sound is incredible. Like a Ducati but without the metallic sound. The handling feels really well sorted for my fat arse and limited skill level. Much much better than my old k6 gsxr1000 although that may just be the difference in technology from 2006 and now.

Everyone always raves about the midrange of the k5/6 gsxr's but a few times on my ride home Sunday if you pull out to over take in third at about 60/70 and wind on the front just pops up, much to my surprise and fear! The gsxr just wound speed on nicely.

Basically they're awesome. I'm sure I'd love all of the modern thousands but as a road bike the engine really is a peach.
I have heard of people not getting on with them but I think that's due to the similarities to a v twin and if your coming from a Ducati I think you'll love it.

I want one - Like the colour scheme..........

[Mr OCD]

I'm really starting to like these despite not being overly keen on the nose cone but they seemed to have made changes to that around 2012 from pictures I have seen?

What changes were made from 2009 - 2014?

[Biker's Nemesis]

I had mine for 4 years, it looks heavy but is light on its feet. (I am sure it is lighter fully fulled than a BMWS1000RR)

Rear tyres dont last long if you're using sports rubber, touring rubber does the same job.

I had 9.5 K Tech springs fitted to my forks and had the standard rear re valved by KAIS, once that was done it handled very well.

I had ackropvic cans fitted (Paul25) CRG levers and a tail tidy.

Within the first 500 miles the clutch was replaced, it burnt a plug out at 5000 miles

[tight5]

Mr OCD said:

What changes were made from 2009 - 2014?

from memory -
several clutch mods
traction control
small fairing changes
slotted top yoke
colours

I think that's it .

[996 sps]

Biker's Nemesis said:

I had mine for 4 years, it looks heavy but is light on its feet. (I am sure it is lighter fully fulled than a BMWS1000RR)

Rear tyres dont last long if you're using sports rubber, touring rubber does the same job.

I had 9.5 K Tech springs fitted to my forks and had the standard rear re valved by KAIS, once that was done it handled very well.

I had ackropvic cans fitted (Paul25) CRG levers and a tail tidy.

Within the first 500 miles the clutch was replaced, it burnt a plug out at 5000 miles

Overall happy with it BN and would you recommend one?

Cheers

tight5 said:

from memory -
several clutch mods
traction control
small fairing changes
slotted top yoke
colours

I think that's it .

That's useful info - Do you know if there was many teething issues with the 09 model?

Cheers

[tight5]

the only 09 problem I've heard has been the clutch .
if you buy from a dealer , there is some protection if it goes tits up .
definitely recommend one for the road .