Tempted by a new R1...

[shot2bits]

OK - I've been offered £6500 for my K6 GSXR 1000 against a new K7 1000 or K7 750. Had a ride on the K7 1000 today and to be honest I couldn't detect any noticeable improvements to general riding. I actually prefer my K6 as it's been set-up by an ex Isle of Man TT Pro - it's seriously great to ride. So... no point in me changing really. The K7 750 was very flickable at lower speeds but I didn't feel as comfortable on the sweepers and the power delivery is way up there in the RPM which is fine on the track but annoying (IMO) on the road where there's a shed load of traffic.

Now... I have ALWAYS wanted an R1, love the looks you see. Anybody know how it would compare to my K6 1000? On looks alone it's a winner but what about the riding?

[accident]

k7 i have not riden either.
k6 vs 2006 r1 i have done.
k6 has a much better engine its smother and just pulls better.
the r1 with pipes and a power comander is about the same.
brakes on the k6 feel better and give more confidence than the r1.
if you look close the r1 is much better construction wise.
if you are a normal size person 5'11" to 6'5" both bikes are very comfy .
if i had to choose based on paper it would be the gsxr.
real world would be the r1 based alot on looks.
ok its an oppinion but its an honest one

[Biker's Nemesis]

If you want a totally unbiased view, go for the Yamaha.



Honest John.

[2priestsferrari]

New R1 - looks lovely biggest issue for me was the heat.

[odyssey2200]

that silly bit on the side of the fairing is total pants.

[Chilli]

R1 looks.....Unbeatable IMO.
Servicing.... you get an extra 2000miles.
Handling.... Couldn't comment!!

Get the R1, and let me know what its like

[Wyvern971]

Chilli said:

R1 looks.....Unbeatable IMO.
Servicing.... you get an extra 2000miles.
Handling.... Couldn't comment!!

Get the R1, and let me know what its like

You looking to trade up already?

you really should have listened to other folks and got one in the 1st place

Upgrading agin now would instantly kill 100 squirrels

[shot2bits]

Chilli said:

R1 looks.....Unbeatable IMO.
Servicing.... you get an extra 2000miles.
Handling.... Couldn't comment!!

Get the R1, and let me know what its like

Think you're like me - it's only a matter of time before we're both riding R1's! Always loved them since they were released in 98 - all the reviews were fantastic back then. Nowadays they're not so positive are they? I mean, other than the looks, my K6 GSXR is suposed' to be a better bike! And it is a brilliant bike - the GSXR is outstanding, it really is superb in every respect.

The things is, looks aren't everything but... I just don't stand and stare at the GSXR on a rainy day! I want a bike I can look at and think "wow"! But I don't want it to ride like crap and to be fair even the 2007 R1 is a little behind the competion according to the reviews. It's more that the R1 is the bike I've always wanted for years

What's a hooner to do? Also, there's the 2008 Fireblade on it's way, might be worth the wait...

Edit to say I've booked a test ride on Friday

PS - what do you reckon to the 750? I thought it was great at lower speeds and tighter corners but less easy to turn at higher speeds? Could be just the tyres / set-up etc. I really have got my thou setup right...

Edited by shot2bits on Tuesday 14th August 13:09

Edited by shot2bits on Tuesday 14th August 13:13

[blade7]

If you just want to look at it buy what floats your boat, if you want to ride it get the forks sorted on your gixer plus a decent shock.

[Biker's Nemesis]

GSXR.

[rsv gone!]

I usually know what bike I'm buying next but I'm stumped ATM. R1 is lovely to look at, the finish is very good and mine still gleams after a clean. It rides beautifully and there is loads of power. It also fits me - I'm 6 foot tall.

I really like the Repsol blade for looks but the bike that draws me on reputation (rather than looks) is the K6 GSXR1000. Supposed to be better than its successor and roomy enough to live with. Only snag is if it is anything like my K1 GSXR600 then the finish won't be up to much and I tend to ride my bike through $hit weather so I don't want it dissolving.

(Incidentally, finish of the latest blades is said to be a bit fragile)

[shot2bits]

blade7 said:

If you just want to look at it buy what floats your boat, if you want to ride it get the forks sorted on your gixer plus a decent shock.

Yep, been thinking it might be time to do some upgrades rather than selling... What would you recommend?

[BobM]

Life's too short Rob - if you've always fancied an R1 go out and get one. What's the worst case scenario? You find after the honeymoon period that you actually preferred your Gixxer ... in which case you can change back, I'd have thought you'd get a good deal on a K6.

I test drove a K7 GSXR and R1 more or less back to back and found them very similar. I'm tall and the R1 definitely seemed roomier with a riding position that suits me better. I'm simply not a good enough rider to discern much difference in power, handling etc. I prefer the looks of the R1 and I suspect component/build quality is slighty better. I vastly prefer the underseat exhausts to the monstrosities on the new Gixxer and the R1 makes a fabulous noise from the airbox on the over-run.

There's much more to bikes and cars than which one's 'best'.

[dern]

Always buy the bike you have always wanted. I bought my blade about 6 years ago new after lusting after any blade for years. I used to change bike at least annually but since I bought the blade I've not wanted to change (well, not often) and will only change now if it dies or becomes completely inappropriate for my commute.

[shot2bits]

Here's the problem - at Snet last year, they had an ex TT Pro (I cannot remember his name right now) and I paid to have the GSXR setup. We had a good chat about the feel of the bike and he went for a setup based on my comments. The GSXR instantly felt so much better to me - basically I could feel what the bike was doing whereas before the bike didn't want to turn in at speed and the front always had an understeer feel to it.

So... the K7 1000 had the original feel of my bike so it didn't ride as well through the corners. Obviously you could change the setup but the reviews appear to say the K6 is still the better bike chassis wise. The K7 750 had a really flickable feel lower down the speed but I could honestly say the bike didn't feel as good higher up the mph scale. Plus it feels very flat - I've become used to the torque of the 1000 and (maybe it's because I'm getting on, 34 this month!) I cannot be bothered to change down loads of gears just to overtake. Tempted by the 750 as the 1000 did feel a little heavy on the track – ideal would be a 600 or 750 track bike and the 1000 for the road.

I have a racefit can on the GSXR right now and 7K miles - the engine feels and sounds fantastic, really loose and just pulls and pulls. Plus the bike handles so well - I think we've bonded!

So, booked the test ride of the R1 on Friday - will take into account the stock settings and cans but my current bike has me hooked right now, it'll have to be good!

At the end of the day, I don't need to change at all but after a few crashes and the fact it appears I can get good money for my bike, I just fancy a refresh... and I’ve always wanted that R1.

Edited by shot2bits on Wednesday 15th August 10:50

[blade7]

shot2bits said:

blade7 said:

If you just want to look at it buy what floats your boat, if you want to ride it get the forks sorted on your gixer plus a decent shock.

Yep, been thinking it might be time to do some upgrades rather than selling... What would you recommend?

Well for a start use the best tyres you can afford, 2CTs or the new pirelli's, personally I dropped the yokes 5mm (looks like suzuki have done this on the K7) and use a spacer on the top mounting of the rear shock, that's a couple of mods that won't cost much, if you are flush have the forks reworked by maxton or k-tech and maybe a ohlins or similar quality rear shock, and finally get some tuition if you aren't experienced.

[shot2bits]

blade7 said:

shot2bits said:

blade7 said:

If you just want to look at it buy what floats your boat, if you want to ride it get the forks sorted on your gixer plus a decent shock.

Yep, been thinking it might be time to do some upgrades rather than selling... What would you recommend?

Well for a start use the best tyres you can afford, 2CTs or the new pirelli's, personally I dropped the yokes 5mm (looks like suzuki have done this on the K7) and use a spacer on the top mounting of the rear shock, that's a couple of mods that won't cost much, if you are flush have the forks reworked by maxton or k-tech and maybe a ohlins or similar quality rear shock, and finally get some tuition if you aren't experienced.

Used 2CT's and prefer the Diablo Corsa III's. I'm riding well at the moment - probably don't want to get too much faster if I'm honest - on the road that is... Would like to attend the Cal Superbike School at some point. I'll see what I think of the R1 (and now also the 1098) on Friday.

[Chilli]

shot2bits said:

Chilli said:

R1 looks.....Unbeatable IMO.
Servicing.... you get an extra 2000miles.
Handling.... Couldn't comment!!

Get the R1, and let me know what its like

Think you're like me - it's only a matter of time before we're both riding R1's! Always loved them since they were released in 98 - all the reviews were fantastic back then. Nowadays they're not so positive are they? I mean, other than the looks, my K6 GSXR is suposed' to be a better bike! And it is a brilliant bike - the GSXR is outstanding, it really is superb in every respect.

The things is, looks aren't everything but... I just don't stand and stare at the GSXR on a rainy day! I want a bike I can look at and think "wow"! But I don't want it to ride like crap and to be fair even the 2007 R1 is a little behind the competion according to the reviews. It's more that the R1 is the bike I've always wanted for years

What's a hooner to do? Also, there's the 2008 Fireblade on it's way, might be worth the wait...

Edit to say I've booked a test ride on Friday

PS - what do you reckon to the 750? I thought it was great at lower speeds and tighter corners but less easy to turn at higher speeds? Could be just the tyres / set-up etc. I really have got my thou setup right...

Edited by shot2bits on Tuesday 14th August 13:09

Edited by shot2bits on Tuesday 14th August 13:13

Mate, we are so on the same wavelength is scary......want to be friends??!!

I used to look a the R6 after a good wash, and think wow, that's a lovely looking bike. I ddon't do that with the Gixer. When UI chopped the R6 in, I actually thought I'm doing the wrong thing. But I had to move on, try something else.
I think the 750 is easier to turn at slow speeds than the R6. However, at 163 leps on a private A road the other day, I honestly didn't think I was going that fast. All tucked in, it felt so stable and nothing much was happening.

ps - I don't think the Blade is in in the same league as the R1 on looks. ..only my opinion you understand.

I'm off th France at lunchtime, but I'd love to hear a write up on the test ride compared to the Gixer.

Cheers.

[shot2bits]

Chilli, will let you know what I think - no prob. As for wavelength, what do you reckon the odds are of me owning an R1 within the next few weeks!

Have a good time in France my new mate

Rob.