My test rides over the last week or so...
Discussion
Over the last few days I’ve test ridden several bikes as I’ve decided to chop my K6 1000. There’s a few reasons why I want to sell the GSXR but the main one is that I’ve had a few offs so fancy a complete refresh and change. The major problem with this decision is that the K6 GSXR 1000 is so damn good – not a word of a lie, the bike is fantastic in every way with the exception of perhaps the aesthetics department but then that’s down to each individual. The tank and the front end look dated compared to recent offerings and, if you’re like me, I like to stand and stare at the bike during the winter months 
So, I’ve ridden over the last few days (not in order of preference), K6 1000 (my current bike), GSXR K7 1000, GSXR K7 750, Ducati 1098, Ninja ZX10R and the 2007 R1. When reading my comments, you should note that it’s real difficult to be sure of your impressions because the simple fact is you become used to your ride no matter how good or bad. Also, the tyres on some of the bikes (1098 the worst offender) were squared off and the pressures were way out (I checked). The suspension settings are also stock – my K6 has been setup and by luck (as they were setup over a 10minute session), they suit me brilliantly.
K7 1000
Not sure what the power settings are all about – to my mind it’s something else to go wrong but I guess there’s a benefit if you’re an all season rider. I set off from the dealership down some unknown roads with an abundance of blind bends and farmers fields. I therefore decided it might be best to take it easy – I was right as it turns out having almost bounced off a couple of tones of 07 reg tractor. I have to say though, the tractor has the edge on the exhaust looks. The first noticeable difference is the power delivery – it’s not so full on as the K6 preferring to be rev’d that much higher to make the same progress. The bikes brakes feel pretty similar to me – I couldn’t detect any difference. Turn in at all speeds was simply sub-standard compared to the K6. All in all, no way would I spend the extra cash on a K7. Back to the exhaust – the dealer said there’s a Yoshi single exhaust system available for the K7 to replace the hideous side cans.
K7 750
First impression is that the 750 is very light compared to the thous – a real difference. The bike feels really flickable on the tighter corners but harder to steer at speed which I didn’t expect. Power delivery is way up in the RPM – feels slow compared to the 1000 as you’d expect but it does go when wound up. The 750 would make a fantastic track tool and I sure it makes a great road bike but I’m well and truly a thou man. Again, not a fan of the looks.
Ducati 1098
Looks amazing – regardless of how it rides, it just looks so damn good! Shame about the twin engine –I guess you either love it or hate it but I’m in the latter group. It wants to wheelie everywhere and feels more like a diesel with all that torque. Also, it cuts of dead when you reach max RPM – don’t like that sensation all. Handles well though the tyres were shot on the test 1098 and pressures were too high. I was joined by my friend with a 1098S and have to say, it was quite cool cruising around on a couple of Ducatis! But it really didn’t do it for me which is good because they start at £11K.
Ninja ZX10
Bit of a shock this one – didn’t think it would be any good but it’s close to the K6 1000, handles in a very familiar way. The power is high up in the RPM but when it kicks in it its bl**dy fast. Brakes and front tyre were both shot so difficult to comment much more but got to say, very impressed.
R1
Looks alone are fantastic, always wanted / loved them since their release in 97. The brakes were the first part of the bike to impress, very responsive and strong. I didn’t manage to take the R1 on decent roads but around the city it tracks lines really well – feels quite stiff, not much movement. Acceleration didn’t feel as full on when compared to the K6 but then I have a racefit can on the K6 so I’ve maybe gained a few HP. Wish I could have spent more time with the R1 but I only had an hour and it took half of that to get through the city.
So… I placed a deposit on…?
2008 model released in Oct this year!
In_Red_and_White
So, I’ve ridden over the last few days (not in order of preference), K6 1000 (my current bike), GSXR K7 1000, GSXR K7 750, Ducati 1098, Ninja ZX10R and the 2007 R1. When reading my comments, you should note that it’s real difficult to be sure of your impressions because the simple fact is you become used to your ride no matter how good or bad. Also, the tyres on some of the bikes (1098 the worst offender) were squared off and the pressures were way out (I checked). The suspension settings are also stock – my K6 has been setup and by luck (as they were setup over a 10minute session), they suit me brilliantly.
K7 1000
Not sure what the power settings are all about – to my mind it’s something else to go wrong but I guess there’s a benefit if you’re an all season rider. I set off from the dealership down some unknown roads with an abundance of blind bends and farmers fields. I therefore decided it might be best to take it easy – I was right as it turns out having almost bounced off a couple of tones of 07 reg tractor. I have to say though, the tractor has the edge on the exhaust looks. The first noticeable difference is the power delivery – it’s not so full on as the K6 preferring to be rev’d that much higher to make the same progress. The bikes brakes feel pretty similar to me – I couldn’t detect any difference. Turn in at all speeds was simply sub-standard compared to the K6. All in all, no way would I spend the extra cash on a K7. Back to the exhaust – the dealer said there’s a Yoshi single exhaust system available for the K7 to replace the hideous side cans.
K7 750
First impression is that the 750 is very light compared to the thous – a real difference. The bike feels really flickable on the tighter corners but harder to steer at speed which I didn’t expect. Power delivery is way up in the RPM – feels slow compared to the 1000 as you’d expect but it does go when wound up. The 750 would make a fantastic track tool and I sure it makes a great road bike but I’m well and truly a thou man. Again, not a fan of the looks.
Ducati 1098
Looks amazing – regardless of how it rides, it just looks so damn good! Shame about the twin engine –I guess you either love it or hate it but I’m in the latter group. It wants to wheelie everywhere and feels more like a diesel with all that torque. Also, it cuts of dead when you reach max RPM – don’t like that sensation all. Handles well though the tyres were shot on the test 1098 and pressures were too high. I was joined by my friend with a 1098S and have to say, it was quite cool cruising around on a couple of Ducatis! But it really didn’t do it for me which is good because they start at £11K.
Ninja ZX10
Bit of a shock this one – didn’t think it would be any good but it’s close to the K6 1000, handles in a very familiar way. The power is high up in the RPM but when it kicks in it its bl**dy fast. Brakes and front tyre were both shot so difficult to comment much more but got to say, very impressed.
R1
Looks alone are fantastic, always wanted / loved them since their release in 97. The brakes were the first part of the bike to impress, very responsive and strong. I didn’t manage to take the R1 on decent roads but around the city it tracks lines really well – feels quite stiff, not much movement. Acceleration didn’t feel as full on when compared to the K6 but then I have a racefit can on the K6 so I’ve maybe gained a few HP. Wish I could have spent more time with the R1 but I only had an hour and it took half of that to get through the city.
So… I placed a deposit on…?
2008 model released in Oct this year!
In_Red_and_White
)
Chilli, have you ever thought about an R1?
Good write up that...sounded like you could have done with a few things changing before the rides, and perhaps a bit more time on them....still.......He's done it......he's only gone and bought an R1!!!!!
I've heard the ZX10 was quick. Was there a noticeable weight "feeling" between the Zx10 and the R1?
I'm pleased for ya. However, how long is the wait? Is it as simple as 01.01.08? Also, didn't fancy the "faster" one?
I've heard the ZX10 was quick. Was there a noticeable weight "feeling" between the Zx10 and the R1?
I'm pleased for ya. However, how long is the wait? Is it as simple as 01.01.08? Also, didn't fancy the "faster" one?
Chilli said:
Good write up that...sounded like you could have done with a few things changing before the rides, and perhaps a bit more time on them....still.......He's done it......he's only gone and bought an R1!!!!!
I've heard the ZX10 was quick. Was there a noticeable weight "feeling" between the Zx10 and the R1?
I'm pleased for ya. However, how long is the wait? Is it as simple as 01.01.08? Also, didn't fancy the "faster" one?
Yeah, I tried to keep in mind that the bikes were on stock susp settings, didn't sound as good, had tyre pressures all over the place and some of them had square profiles! The ZX10 didn't feel any heavier than the R1 - to be honest it was probably the bike that impressed me most in a way. As for the wait, not sure as the dealer quoted October sometime. But... YEAH! After all these years she will be mine! Every year I told my wife to wrap up an R1 under the Christmas tree and every year I looked for a bike shaped present but it never appeared I've heard the ZX10 was quick. Was there a noticeable weight "feeling" between the Zx10 and the R1?
I'm pleased for ya. However, how long is the wait? Is it as simple as 01.01.08? Also, didn't fancy the "faster" one?
Christmas is early this year 
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