A picture a day....biker banter (Vol 4)
Discussion
I took my new GSX-R1000 K9 out for a quick spin this morning. The roads were dry (if dusty in places) but cold so I didn't go wild with the throttle, lean or cornering speeds, but it was nice to get a little bit more of a feel for what it can do.
It feels so much smaller and lighter than the SRAD despite having a slightly higher kerb weight, it's quicker to turn in and more stable at lean, no doubt down to the improvements in frame design, geometry, suspension and tyres (Michelin Pilot Power 2CTs on this, rock hard Bridgestone BT-021s on the SRAD). The brakes are massively better. It still has that lovely Suzuki induction noise and the Akrapovic sounds nice, it's a lovely tone and importantly doesn't drown the induction noise out.
In terms of rideability it's a doddle, happy to roll along at anything down to jogging speeds with the clutch out just with the throttle cracked open a little bit, doesn't grumble in 2nd gear in 30 zones and the fueling is nice, not snatchy, engine not shaking itself to bits wanting to go faster etc. When the roads open up a bit, the way it accelerates even just riding the mid-range power is comical to me, I haven't taken it above 8500rpm yet - I'll save that for warmer days and quieter roads, but I can confirm it will wheelie off the throttle in second gear with much provocation - 60mph, up into second and another good twist of the throttle (probably not more than 60%) had the front wheel off the ground. The grunt just feels ridiculous. Roll on the summer
It feels so much smaller and lighter than the SRAD despite having a slightly higher kerb weight, it's quicker to turn in and more stable at lean, no doubt down to the improvements in frame design, geometry, suspension and tyres (Michelin Pilot Power 2CTs on this, rock hard Bridgestone BT-021s on the SRAD). The brakes are massively better. It still has that lovely Suzuki induction noise and the Akrapovic sounds nice, it's a lovely tone and importantly doesn't drown the induction noise out.
In terms of rideability it's a doddle, happy to roll along at anything down to jogging speeds with the clutch out just with the throttle cracked open a little bit, doesn't grumble in 2nd gear in 30 zones and the fueling is nice, not snatchy, engine not shaking itself to bits wanting to go faster etc. When the roads open up a bit, the way it accelerates even just riding the mid-range power is comical to me, I haven't taken it above 8500rpm yet - I'll save that for warmer days and quieter roads, but I can confirm it will wheelie off the throttle in second gear with much provocation - 60mph, up into second and another good twist of the throttle (probably not more than 60%) had the front wheel off the ground. The grunt just feels ridiculous. Roll on the summer
Mastodon2 said:
I took my new GSX-R1000 K9 out for a quick spin this morning. The roads were dry (if dusty in places) but cold so I didn't go wild with the throttle, lean or cornering speeds, but it was nice to get a little bit more of a feel for what it can do.
It feels so much smaller and lighter than the SRAD despite having a slightly higher kerb weight, it's quicker to turn in and more stable at lean, no doubt down to the improvements in frame design, geometry, suspension and tyres (Michelin Pilot Power 2CTs on this, rock hard Bridgestone BT-021s on the SRAD). The brakes are massively better. It still has that lovely Suzuki induction noise and the Akrapovic sounds nice, it's a lovely tone and importantly doesn't drown the induction noise out.
In terms of rideability it's a doddle, happy to roll along at anything down to jogging speeds with the clutch out just with the throttle cracked open a little bit, doesn't grumble in 2nd gear in 30 zones and the fueling is nice, not snatchy, engine not shaking itself to bits wanting to go faster etc. When the roads open up a bit, the way it accelerates even just riding the mid-range power is comical to me, I haven't taken it above 8500rpm yet - I'll save that for warmer days and quieter roads, but I can confirm it will wheelie off the throttle in second gear with much provocation - 60mph, up into second and another good twist of the throttle (probably not more than 60%) had the front wheel off the ground. The grunt just feels ridiculous. Roll on the summer
Lovely...Looks proper nice that, makes me long to get mine out, any evidence of re-mapping or a PC? It feels so much smaller and lighter than the SRAD despite having a slightly higher kerb weight, it's quicker to turn in and more stable at lean, no doubt down to the improvements in frame design, geometry, suspension and tyres (Michelin Pilot Power 2CTs on this, rock hard Bridgestone BT-021s on the SRAD). The brakes are massively better. It still has that lovely Suzuki induction noise and the Akrapovic sounds nice, it's a lovely tone and importantly doesn't drown the induction noise out.
In terms of rideability it's a doddle, happy to roll along at anything down to jogging speeds with the clutch out just with the throttle cracked open a little bit, doesn't grumble in 2nd gear in 30 zones and the fueling is nice, not snatchy, engine not shaking itself to bits wanting to go faster etc. When the roads open up a bit, the way it accelerates even just riding the mid-range power is comical to me, I haven't taken it above 8500rpm yet - I'll save that for warmer days and quieter roads, but I can confirm it will wheelie off the throttle in second gear with much provocation - 60mph, up into second and another good twist of the throttle (probably not more than 60%) had the front wheel off the ground. The grunt just feels ridiculous. Roll on the summer
I've not had the seat off to have a look yet, the Akra looks to be a can and single-side link pipe to do away with the double exhausts from the factory. It's not especially loud so I think the cat is still in place and therefore the manifold is standard. No excessive popping while rolling on a closed throttle, either the PAIR system is blanked or the swap of the end can has not necessitated a PAIR blanking.
I've not had it up to the redline, but as far as I've taken it through the rev range so far it pulls hard and smooth and really swells in power as the revs climb, thankfully there's no flat spots that I noticed, or a PC would probably be getting fitted.
I've not had it up to the redline, but as far as I've taken it through the rev range so far it pulls hard and smooth and really swells in power as the revs climb, thankfully there's no flat spots that I noticed, or a PC would probably be getting fitted.
Mastodon2 said:
I've not had the seat off to have a look yet, the Akra looks to be a can and single-side link pipe to do away with the double exhausts from the factory. It's not especially loud so I think the cat is still in place and therefore the manifold is standard. No excessive popping while rolling on a closed throttle, either the PAIR system is blanked or the swap of the end can has not necessitated a PAIR blanking.
I've not had it up to the redline, but as far as I've taken it through the rev range so far it pulls hard and smooth and really swells in power as the revs climb, thankfully there's no flat spots that I noticed, or a PC would probably be getting fitted.
The cat is easy to see, bloody huge black box if it's there but from memory I think it has to go to get a single side exhaust to fit as the twin pipes fit into the cat as std I've not had it up to the redline, but as far as I've taken it through the rev range so far it pulls hard and smooth and really swells in power as the revs climb, thankfully there's no flat spots that I noticed, or a PC would probably be getting fitted.
Mastodon2 said:
I took my new GSX-R1000 K9 out for a quick spin this morning. The roads were dry (if dusty in places) but cold so I didn't go wild with the throttle, lean or cornering speeds, but it was nice to get a little bit more of a feel for what it can do.
It feels so much smaller and lighter than the SRAD despite having a slightly higher kerb weight, it's quicker to turn in and more stable at lean, no doubt down to the improvements in frame design, geometry, suspension and tyres (Michelin Pilot Power 2CTs on this, rock hard Bridgestone BT-021s on the SRAD). The brakes are massively better. It still has that lovely Suzuki induction noise and the Akrapovic sounds nice, it's a lovely tone and importantly doesn't drown the induction noise out.
In terms of rideability it's a doddle, happy to roll along at anything down to jogging speeds with the clutch out just with the throttle cracked open a little bit, doesn't grumble in 2nd gear in 30 zones and the fueling is nice, not snatchy, engine not shaking itself to bits wanting to go faster etc. When the roads open up a bit, the way it accelerates even just riding the mid-range power is comical to me, I haven't taken it above 8500rpm yet - I'll save that for warmer days and quieter roads, but I can confirm it will wheelie off the throttle in second gear with much provocation - 60mph, up into second and another good twist of the throttle (probably not more than 60%) had the front wheel off the ground. The grunt just feels ridiculous. Roll on the summer
Looks mint, keep it oot of the salt man, arl the bolts and sIt feels so much smaller and lighter than the SRAD despite having a slightly higher kerb weight, it's quicker to turn in and more stable at lean, no doubt down to the improvements in frame design, geometry, suspension and tyres (Michelin Pilot Power 2CTs on this, rock hard Bridgestone BT-021s on the SRAD). The brakes are massively better. It still has that lovely Suzuki induction noise and the Akrapovic sounds nice, it's a lovely tone and importantly doesn't drown the induction noise out.
In terms of rideability it's a doddle, happy to roll along at anything down to jogging speeds with the clutch out just with the throttle cracked open a little bit, doesn't grumble in 2nd gear in 30 zones and the fueling is nice, not snatchy, engine not shaking itself to bits wanting to go faster etc. When the roads open up a bit, the way it accelerates even just riding the mid-range power is comical to me, I haven't taken it above 8500rpm yet - I'll save that for warmer days and quieter roads, but I can confirm it will wheelie off the throttle in second gear with much provocation - 60mph, up into second and another good twist of the throttle (probably not more than 60%) had the front wheel off the ground. The grunt just feels ridiculous. Roll on the summer
t will be like furry little balls if you keep using it.
Mastodon2 said:
I took my new GSX-R1000 K9 out for a quick spin this morning. The roads were dry (if dusty in places) but cold so I didn't go wild with the throttle, lean or cornering speeds, but it was nice to get a little bit more of a feel for what it can do.
It feels so much smaller and lighter than the SRAD despite having a slightly higher kerb weight, it's quicker to turn in and more stable at lean, no doubt down to the improvements in frame design, geometry, suspension and tyres (Michelin Pilot Power 2CTs on this, rock hard Bridgestone BT-021s on the SRAD). The brakes are massively better. It still has that lovely Suzuki induction noise and the Akrapovic sounds nice, it's a lovely tone and importantly doesn't drown the induction noise out.
In terms of rideability it's a doddle, happy to roll along at anything down to jogging speeds with the clutch out just with the throttle cracked open a little bit, doesn't grumble in 2nd gear in 30 zones and the fueling is nice, not snatchy, engine not shaking itself to bits wanting to go faster etc. When the roads open up a bit, the way it accelerates even just riding the mid-range power is comical to me, I haven't taken it above 8500rpm yet - I'll save that for warmer days and quieter roads, but I can confirm it will wheelie off the throttle in second gear with much provocation - 60mph, up into second and another good twist of the throttle (probably not more than 60%) had the front wheel off the ground. The grunt just feels ridiculous. Roll on the summer
Looks lovely - Make sure you get all of the salt dust off. If not washing, spray loads of GT85 onto a rag and the bike and wipe everywhere - especially bolts and fasteners and in the rad/oil cooler!It feels so much smaller and lighter than the SRAD despite having a slightly higher kerb weight, it's quicker to turn in and more stable at lean, no doubt down to the improvements in frame design, geometry, suspension and tyres (Michelin Pilot Power 2CTs on this, rock hard Bridgestone BT-021s on the SRAD). The brakes are massively better. It still has that lovely Suzuki induction noise and the Akrapovic sounds nice, it's a lovely tone and importantly doesn't drown the induction noise out.
In terms of rideability it's a doddle, happy to roll along at anything down to jogging speeds with the clutch out just with the throttle cracked open a little bit, doesn't grumble in 2nd gear in 30 zones and the fueling is nice, not snatchy, engine not shaking itself to bits wanting to go faster etc. When the roads open up a bit, the way it accelerates even just riding the mid-range power is comical to me, I haven't taken it above 8500rpm yet - I'll save that for warmer days and quieter roads, but I can confirm it will wheelie off the throttle in second gear with much provocation - 60mph, up into second and another good twist of the throttle (probably not more than 60%) had the front wheel off the ground. The grunt just feels ridiculous. Roll on the summer
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