The Suzuki GSX-R1000 K5: Review from a coward
Discussion
Just been out with some friends for a pleasant Sunday afternoon ride and, for a brief stint up the B645, I swapped bikes with someone. They had the pleasure of my pissy little 600cc with a knackered rear tyre and I got given the keys to to the himalayan suicide machine mentioned in the subject.
Ho.
Lee.
Shit.
I got told to avoid using 1st where possible. I understand why now. Though I could quite possibly say the same thing for 2nd and 3rd, too. The thing is an absolute
ing missile!
Compared to my little scooter where nothing really happens until about 9,000rpm, this thing was hot from the start. In fact, I think I only fully-opened the throttle three times. 40-100mph in 2nd in the blink of the eye sounds great in theory but its just absolutely terrifying, wondering why the front end is starting to feel light and then realising another 0.0005° on the right wrist will have it airborne.
More disappointingly, it also seemed to want to go into corners a lot better than mine but I put that down to the amount of time and money my friend had spent on the bike setup.
In summary: Scary shit. I'm a pussy. Give it a few years.
Ho.
Lee.
Shit.
I got told to avoid using 1st where possible. I understand why now. Though I could quite possibly say the same thing for 2nd and 3rd, too. The thing is an absolute
ing missile! Compared to my little scooter where nothing really happens until about 9,000rpm, this thing was hot from the start. In fact, I think I only fully-opened the throttle three times. 40-100mph in 2nd in the blink of the eye sounds great in theory but its just absolutely terrifying, wondering why the front end is starting to feel light and then realising another 0.0005° on the right wrist will have it airborne.
More disappointingly, it also seemed to want to go into corners a lot better than mine but I put that down to the amount of time and money my friend had spent on the bike setup.
In summary: Scary shit. I'm a pussy. Give it a few years.
What's your friend done set up wise, because my K6 could certainly do with some tweaks, I'm hoping it's only these 014s that are holding me back and decent rubber will transform it but every little helps so spill the beans.and as that's my fav road I will look out for him.
Edited by blade7 on Sunday 10th September 15:50
IKWYM about 1000s. They are absolutely ballistic.
It's not what you've got but how you ride it. I was following some nates today around a particularlt fast and bumpy road. One was on a GSXR1000 and the other on an R6.
When I was doing 120+ (kph obviously
) with the steering slapping, being kicked out of the seat and I'm still not closing on them I figured it was time to ease off and admit that I rather like life.
It's not what you've got but how you ride it. I was following some nates today around a particularlt fast and bumpy road. One was on a GSXR1000 and the other on an R6.
When I was doing 120+ (kph obviously
) with the steering slapping, being kicked out of the seat and I'm still not closing on them I figured it was time to ease off and admit that I rather like life.blade7 said:
What's your friend done set up wise, because my K6 could certainly do with some tweaks, I'm hoping it's only these 014s that are holding me back and decent rubber will transform it but every little helps so spill the beans.and as that's my fav road I will look out for him.
Edited by blade7 on Sunday 10th September 15:50
Seriously.... Went for a blast with my mates today (I have K6 1000) and the Pilot 2CT's have transformed the bike to the point where it's like riding a new machine. The front end grip is so much better now and the way the bike simply flicks into the corners is superb. I've only done 100 odd miles on the tyres and there's no chicken strips - the tyres simply inspire total confidence - love the bike now... I think it may be that the stock BT014's had been a little squared off but, to be honest, I dont remember the bike being this good when I collected it from the dealers brand new.
As for the original post - beleive it or not, you actually get used to the power! It doesn't feel so fast anymore even though it goes from 0 to 170 in the flick of a wrist
Let my mate ride it today so I used his CB500 for a few miles - it's comfy but feels like it belongs on a farm compared to a modern sportsbike.
What a great sunny day its been
Rawwr,
I love mine to bits. They are an awesome machine. I was out last night with a bunch of mates and 4 of us were on K5/K6's. Had a fantastic time on bumpy, twisty B roads and then some faster, more sweeping A roads. They really are a cracking all rounder.
Mine has a PCIII and Yoshi, putting out just over 170bhp at the back wheel. I've not yet found it intimidating, but I imagine that it would feel a bit daunting coming from a 600. Mine will wheelie in 1st and 2nd off the throttle and in 3rd, 4th and even 5th if it hits a big enough bump/yump in the road. To be honest, I'm used to that now and it's all part of the fun.
I've replaced the standard steering damper with an Ohlins unit and that's calmed the front end down. The bike still slaps occasionally, but not as badly as with the standard damper. Diablo Corsas help put the power down and it steers and feels like a 600 on steroids.
170bhp in a bike that weighs 166kg. That'll do nicely
Matt
I love mine to bits. They are an awesome machine. I was out last night with a bunch of mates and 4 of us were on K5/K6's. Had a fantastic time on bumpy, twisty B roads and then some faster, more sweeping A roads. They really are a cracking all rounder.
Mine has a PCIII and Yoshi, putting out just over 170bhp at the back wheel. I've not yet found it intimidating, but I imagine that it would feel a bit daunting coming from a 600. Mine will wheelie in 1st and 2nd off the throttle and in 3rd, 4th and even 5th if it hits a big enough bump/yump in the road. To be honest, I'm used to that now and it's all part of the fun.
I've replaced the standard steering damper with an Ohlins unit and that's calmed the front end down. The bike still slaps occasionally, but not as badly as with the standard damper. Diablo Corsas help put the power down and it steers and feels like a 600 on steroids.
170bhp in a bike that weighs 166kg. That'll do nicely
Matt
I must admit that most weeks I have thoughts about trading the R6 in for a thou. Then the truth sets back in.
That being, I have one of the best handling bikes available & don't push it anywhere near its limits (looking at R6 virgin mobile lap times proves this). So all that would happen on a bigger bike, IMO, would be I'd be going quicker whilst still trying to learn, which has disaster written all over it.
I'm sure its a great bike for those experienced enough to use it properly, but unfortunately for now that ain't me.
That being, I have one of the best handling bikes available & don't push it anywhere near its limits (looking at R6 virgin mobile lap times proves this). So all that would happen on a bigger bike, IMO, would be I'd be going quicker whilst still trying to learn, which has disaster written all over it.
I'm sure its a great bike for those experienced enough to use it properly, but unfortunately for now that ain't me.
Rawwr said:
chilli said:
Martin,
Are they really that much quicker than the 600's?!
Are they really that much quicker than the 600's?!
Is a Ferrari Enzo much quicker than a Focus ST?
Like the analagy. The 1000 has torque in places the 600 doesn't. You need to work a 600 at 10k plus to get the best from it. The 1000 pulls from 4k and grunts all the way through. I think my bike has 80% more torque than a 600. That makes a shed load of difference. Some people say that 1000's are too lazy, but I'll live with the lethargy!
To a 600 rider, the 1000's torque is the main difference. The handling is essentially very similar. When we ride with an array of different bikes, the 600 boys have to put in maximum effort, and struggle to stay in touch and they are always sweating buckets when we stop. Not saying that's a bad thing.
I'll put it another way. A 600 at 100% is like a 1000 at 70%. Not quite Focus ST to Enzo, but almost. Having lived with 1000's none of the lads I ride with would go back to a 600.
Matt
Ok, Lotus 340R is the 600 and the Ferrari Enzo is the 1000. The Lotus is down on power, down on torque but slightly down on weight. I wouldn't mind betting that over a twisty B road, the Enzo wouldn't finish that far ahead
You'd need to thrash the living shit out of the 340R to do it whereas you could take it relatively easy with the Enzo, relying on the pulling power.
You'd need to thrash the living shit out of the 340R to do it whereas you could take it relatively easy with the Enzo, relying on the pulling power.
hobo said:
I must admit that most weeks I have thoughts about trading the R6 in for a thou. Then the truth sets back in.
That being, I have one of the best handling bikes available & don't push it anywhere near its limits (looking at R6 virgin mobile lap times proves this). So all that would happen on a bigger bike, IMO, would be I'd be going quicker whilst still trying to learn, which has disaster written all over it.
I'm sure its a great bike for those experienced enough to use it properly, but unfortunately for now that ain't me.
That being, I have one of the best handling bikes available & don't push it anywhere near its limits (looking at R6 virgin mobile lap times proves this). So all that would happen on a bigger bike, IMO, would be I'd be going quicker whilst still trying to learn, which has disaster written all over it.
I'm sure its a great bike for those experienced enough to use it properly, but unfortunately for now that ain't me.
Same thoughts myself! However, these change every week, so I'll keep the R6 for a while, eventually just using to to commute on, and get a nice 1000 for the weekends.
hobo said:
I must admit that most weeks I have thoughts about trading the R6 in for a thou. Then the truth sets back in.
That being, I have one of the best handling bikes available & don't push it anywhere near its limits (looking at R6 virgin mobile lap times proves this). So all that would happen on a bigger bike, IMO, would be I'd be going quicker whilst still trying to learn, which has disaster written all over it.
I'm sure its a great bike for those experienced enough to use it properly, but unfortunately for now that ain't me.
That being, I have one of the best handling bikes available & don't push it anywhere near its limits (looking at R6 virgin mobile lap times proves this). So all that would happen on a bigger bike, IMO, would be I'd be going quicker whilst still trying to learn, which has disaster written all over it.
I'm sure its a great bike for those experienced enough to use it properly, but unfortunately for now that ain't me.
Yep, me too. A 600 is plenty for now!!! I still haven't got used to the stratospheric revs. It still sounds like it's going to explode!
julianb said:
hobo said:
I must admit that most weeks I have thoughts about trading the R6 in for a thou. Then the truth sets back in.
That being, I have one of the best handling bikes available & don't push it anywhere near its limits (looking at R6 virgin mobile lap times proves this). So all that would happen on a bigger bike, IMO, would be I'd be going quicker whilst still trying to learn, which has disaster written all over it.
I'm sure its a great bike for those experienced enough to use it properly, but unfortunately for now that ain't me.
That being, I have one of the best handling bikes available & don't push it anywhere near its limits (looking at R6 virgin mobile lap times proves this). So all that would happen on a bigger bike, IMO, would be I'd be going quicker whilst still trying to learn, which has disaster written all over it.
I'm sure its a great bike for those experienced enough to use it properly, but unfortunately for now that ain't me.
Yep, me too. A 600 is plenty for now!!! I still haven't got used to the stratospheric revs. It still sounds like it's going to explode!
It is worth noting that a well ridden sports 600 will be as fast on the road as a 1000. In fact, for most of us, they may even be faster as their performance is easier to get at and manage. Sure you can do a particular straight faster or overtake a car/lorry at little quicker on the 1000 as it’s more ‘balistic’ when the throttle is opened but from A to B on real roads, for most of us, there will be nothing in it. Both bikes are easily capable of putting the rider well into ‘lock you up’ let alone ‘loose your license’ territory. If you are thinking of moving from a sports 600 to a 1000 to ‘make you faster’ then you are not riding properly and are masking your deficiencies in the worst possible way.
What the 1000 offers is a more relaxed version of the same level of performance. Fewer gear changes, more torque and less frantic runs mean you can spend more time concentrating on the road ahead. It does however mean that you pay a lot more (both in purchase price and in running costs) for extra performance that, on the road, is not really used. Still, you pay your money and you make your choice!
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