Rode my first litre bike!! My brain hurts...
Discussion
After months of truly dismal weather the unthinkable happened, my day off concided with sunshine and blue sky
. So what better weather to go and look at some shiny new metal in the flesh...
I have been considering replacing my trusty Honda Hornet for a while but never got round to it, I still love the bike, great handling, faster than most people think (esp with a change in gearing) and was only thinking of a replacement if I could find something 'way better' rather than just hmm 'slightly better'.
My main decision was whether to go for a faired 'proper' sportbike or a hornet style bike with more grunt, so first up was an 07 R6 which looked the tarty sportbike it is. If I wasn't nervous after signing a liability form for £500, I was when I realised my feet could only just touch the floor
(though sportbikes were built for midgets?)
I spent about half an hour riding around Farborough's fine tarmac and first impressions weren't good, it felt uncomfortable, super short and completely gutless. Th high pegs gave the impressionI of sitting much higher and I was never quite sure I could trust the front end. Finally reached a clear bit of road and gave it the beans and the bike went pretty well but not much faster than the hornet if you were 9.5/10ths rather than 10/10ths. This bike needs thrashing.
Returning to the dealers and enquiring about something with a few more CC (secretly hoping for an R1 to be available) the salesman suggested an FZ1 or Fazer 1000, I reluctantly agreed having always though they were a bit of an old mans bike. Until I saw the 07 one. Great looking bike, similar style to the hornet. The differences in the two bikes were apparent in just 200 metres, this thing pulled in any gear whatever the revs cleanly and fast. I don't think I have been scared just accelerating in a long while, but this bike was something else. 1st, 2nd 3rd and 4th have the front wheel hovering just over the ground on the brink of takeoff. Now I know what has been missing in the last 3 years of riding - the 'torque' factor. My only problem is I'm not sure I can stretch to an 07 FZ1 financially (although Im considering it), so I'm wondering what older bikes offer similar 150hp thrills, flat bars and lowish seat. Have considered Z1000 etc which are great looking but ultimately wont be as fast as the FZ1.
How hard would it be to take an 04 R1 to flat bars? Or any other similar ideas from the Pistonheads bikers?
. So what better weather to go and look at some shiny new metal in the flesh...I have been considering replacing my trusty Honda Hornet for a while but never got round to it, I still love the bike, great handling, faster than most people think (esp with a change in gearing) and was only thinking of a replacement if I could find something 'way better' rather than just hmm 'slightly better'.
My main decision was whether to go for a faired 'proper' sportbike or a hornet style bike with more grunt, so first up was an 07 R6 which looked the tarty sportbike it is. If I wasn't nervous after signing a liability form for £500, I was when I realised my feet could only just touch the floor
(though sportbikes were built for midgets?) I spent about half an hour riding around Farborough's fine tarmac and first impressions weren't good, it felt uncomfortable, super short and completely gutless. Th high pegs gave the impressionI of sitting much higher and I was never quite sure I could trust the front end. Finally reached a clear bit of road and gave it the beans and the bike went pretty well but not much faster than the hornet if you were 9.5/10ths rather than 10/10ths. This bike needs thrashing.
Returning to the dealers and enquiring about something with a few more CC (secretly hoping for an R1 to be available) the salesman suggested an FZ1 or Fazer 1000, I reluctantly agreed having always though they were a bit of an old mans bike. Until I saw the 07 one. Great looking bike, similar style to the hornet. The differences in the two bikes were apparent in just 200 metres, this thing pulled in any gear whatever the revs cleanly and fast. I don't think I have been scared just accelerating in a long while, but this bike was something else. 1st, 2nd 3rd and 4th have the front wheel hovering just over the ground on the brink of takeoff. Now I know what has been missing in the last 3 years of riding - the 'torque' factor. My only problem is I'm not sure I can stretch to an 07 FZ1 financially (although Im considering it), so I'm wondering what older bikes offer similar 150hp thrills, flat bars and lowish seat. Have considered Z1000 etc which are great looking but ultimately wont be as fast as the FZ1.
How hard would it be to take an 04 R1 to flat bars? Or any other similar ideas from the Pistonheads bikers?
y2blade said:
Mad Dave said:
Ah!! I thought you'd ridden a 'proper' litre bike!! Go back and ride the R1 and THEN come back here 
ditto or a gixxer1000 
FZ1s are ghey
HTH
, well it felt fast to me but that streetfightered GSXR looks absolutely 
How much work is involved in turning a bike like that into flat bars? Say I buy an R1, flog the fairing and then spend the loot from that on clocks, bars and whatever else needs doing? I have approx zero mechanical skills by the way
alfa daley said:
y2blade said:
Mad Dave said:
Ah!! I thought you'd ridden a 'proper' litre bike!! Go back and ride the R1 and THEN come back here
ditto or a gixxer1000 FZ1s are ghey
HTH
, well it felt fast to me but that streetfightered GSXR looks absolutely How much work is involved in turning a bike like that into flat bars? Say I buy an R1, flog the fairing and then spend the loot from that on clocks, bars and whatever else needs doing? I have approx zero mechanical skills by the way
why would you want to put flat bars on a R1
unless you buy a crashed one! just buy a FZ1 or a Z1000 if thats what you wantEdited by y2blade on Wednesday 25th July 08:51
alfa daley said:
... Finally reached a clear bit of road and gave it the beans and the bike went pretty well but not much faster than the hornet if you were 9.5/10ths rather than 10/10ths. ...
.... Now I know what has been missing in the last 3 years of riding - the 'torque' factor. My only problem is I'm not sure I can stretch to an 07 FZ1 financially (although Im considering it), so I'm wondering what older bikes offer similar 150hp thrills, flat bars and lowish seat. Have considered Z1000 etc which are great looking but ultimately wont be as fast as the FZ1.
Does it matter if the Z1000 is not as fast as the FZ1. In reality, the R6 will be faster than both the Z1000 and the FZ1 but as you have pointed out, to get at that sort of performance you have to ride it at 10/10ths. Likewise, to actually notice a significant difference between the likes of a Z1000 and an FZ1 you are going to have to be riding pretty damn hard..... Now I know what has been missing in the last 3 years of riding - the 'torque' factor. My only problem is I'm not sure I can stretch to an 07 FZ1 financially (although Im considering it), so I'm wondering what older bikes offer similar 150hp thrills, flat bars and lowish seat. Have considered Z1000 etc which are great looking but ultimately wont be as fast as the FZ1.
If you don’t want to ride flat out all the time (and I don’t think you do as an R1 with no fairing and flat bars simply can’t be ridden flat out all the time) then I would suggest you try some litre plus bikes other than the likes of the R1/GSXR/Blade/ZX10. Try some of the bikes that are more focused on torque than power like the Z1000 or the Bandit 1200. Try some of the twins like the Falco, Monster, Buel, BMW or even a Firestorm or a TDM. Try the Triumph triples. (I’m sure there are loads more.) All of these are less about riding at 10/10ths and more about having usable power/torque in a package that’s quick enough to keep up with just about anything on the road yet also comfortable, practical and versatile.
Good luck with your selection.
Ride safe and enjoy.
I had an FZ1 as a loan bike when my R1 was in for a service and I thought it was as flat as a fart compared to the R1 and needed to be revved past 10,000 to do anything......having said this when you have owned and ridden the likes of Fireblades & R1's you do become accustomed to the power and torque of the 160bhp plus 1,000cc bikes......the FZ1 is a stonking bike but I thought it was a bit lacking as I am so used to my R1......
Edited by Andy OH on Wednesday 25th July 09:30
CB1000F I had as a loan bike when then the blade was being serviced was like riding an armchair.
In the power/torque stakes there can be no comparison made at all between the two as the blade is a completely different league.
As already mentioned, why not try the likes of the very pretty Speed Triple, KTM Superduke, Tuono?
In the power/torque stakes there can be no comparison made at all between the two as the blade is a completely different league.
As already mentioned, why not try the likes of the very pretty Speed Triple, KTM Superduke, Tuono?
black-k1 said:
If you don’t want to ride flat out all the time (and I don’t think you do as an R1 with no fairing and flat bars simply can’t be ridden flat out all the time) then I would suggest you try some litre plus bikes other than the likes of the R1/GSXR/Blade/ZX10. Try some of the bikes that are more focused on torque than power like the Z1000 or the Bandit 1200. Try some of the twins like the Falco, Monster, Buel, BMW or even a Firestorm or a TDM. Try the Triumph triples. (I’m sure there are loads more.) All of these are less about riding at 10/10ths and more about having usable power/torque in a package that’s quick enough to keep up with just about anything on the road yet also comfortable, practical and versatile.
Good luck with your selection.
Ride safe and enjoy.
very good advice Good luck with your selection.
Ride safe and enjoy.
Indeed very good advice.
I have had a Hornet 6 for about 4 years and have recently added a Falco to my garage.
Had the Hornet as my 2nd ever bike and it really IS a quick bike on real roads - I have absolutely no trouble keeping up with mates on faster litre bikes, it can be muscled through the corners and wringing its neck to within an inch of its life is all part of the fun.
I fancied a move up to a litre bike for that extra grunt as well, but fancied a change from the feel of an IL4 engine so resolved to either get me a twin or a triple. If I was replacing the Hornet I probably would have got a Tuono as well, but as I was always going to be keeping the Hornet I fancied getting a faired machine but not full-on like a Mille, so the Falco was the perfect choice for me. One Ohlins rear shock later and its now an awesome bike.
If you are after a similar style to the Hornet but with more grunt, if I was in your position I would get either a Tuono or a 1050 Speed Triple.
I have had a Hornet 6 for about 4 years and have recently added a Falco to my garage.
Had the Hornet as my 2nd ever bike and it really IS a quick bike on real roads - I have absolutely no trouble keeping up with mates on faster litre bikes, it can be muscled through the corners and wringing its neck to within an inch of its life is all part of the fun.
I fancied a move up to a litre bike for that extra grunt as well, but fancied a change from the feel of an IL4 engine so resolved to either get me a twin or a triple. If I was replacing the Hornet I probably would have got a Tuono as well, but as I was always going to be keeping the Hornet I fancied getting a faired machine but not full-on like a Mille, so the Falco was the perfect choice for me. One Ohlins rear shock later and its now an awesome bike.
If you are after a similar style to the Hornet but with more grunt, if I was in your position I would get either a Tuono or a 1050 Speed Triple.
hornetrider said:
I fancied getting a faired machine but not full-on like a Mille, so the Falco was the perfect choice for me. One Ohlins rear shock later and its now an awesome bike.
Love mine (bought with Ohlins fitted). Only thing to watch for is that the charging system is up to scratch and the crappy sidestand (replace with a US spec one). Power commander smooths the delivery out a lot, but it's not manadatory. Next stop for me is looking like MHP for a custom map.Steve.
Edited by Steve_T on Wednesday 25th July 14:23
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