R1 or Fireblade
Discussion
Considering the massive gear box recall on the R1, I would be very cautious about buying one. The new fireblade is just yesterday's fireblade with a new set of panels i would be cautious of buying one as well. Both bikes are pretty rubbish really.
In conclusion i would buy a954 Street Triple.
In conclusion i would buy a
Gavia said:
R1 Dave said:
Happy?!
If you must know that first shot was taken at an airfield drag race event and we'd only just set off.
Edited by R1 Dave on Friday 21st April 22:41
Edited by R1 Dave on Friday 21st April 22:42
R1 Dave said:
As much fun as the 954 thing is, I'll give you a sensible answer 
I can't tell you which is best; I've not ridden the blade. What I can tell you is what the R1 is like:
I'm biased. I have one. I love it. It has its faults (more below) but when you throw it through a set of twisties it inspires more confidence than anything I've ever ridden (including the RSV4 is replaced which is also an awesome-handling bike). The engine is very involving and characterful, the cross plane engine note is fantastic and it's just a bit different to a normal IL4 (of which I've had many).
Faults:
Throttle: as standard it's utter dogs
t. You WILL hate it. I know I did. It almost stopped me buying the bike. The reality though is an ECU flash improves it MASSIVELY. I've flashed mine and just tonight fitted an FTEcu ActiveTune kit and it's better still. Don't let the stty throttle put you off of a fabulous bike, it's easily sorted out. Ride in B mode on standard mapping, A is horrific.
Brakes: they're pretty wooden feeling. They're not bad by any stretch but they lack bite. They do stop you better than you think tho, there's plenty of power, it's just that they're so wooden you don't feel like they're working well. I fitted Brembo SC pads which helped a lot. I might upgrade the m/c to improve them even more.
Good points;
Engine.
Sounds ace with a 3 quarter system on it, has bags of character and more power than you'll ever need. Race can and mapping releases extra power. Love it.
Electronics
They're great. They allow you to ride like a fking loon with ease, they're not intrusive, they just subtly help keep you alive 
Handling
Handles brilliantly, can push really quite hard without trying, really nimble and agile.
As I say, I can't compare it to a fire blade. I can compare it to the 2015 S1000RR a friend owns tho - standard IL4 (like the blade), found it boring by comparison, way less character. Nowhere near as focussed or nimble in the bends. No idea how the BMW compares to the blade but it does highlight just how focussed the R1 is.
In conclusion I absolutely love mine, it's an uncomfortable bd but when you throw it through a set of twisted i wouldn't want to be on anything else.
Good luck with the bike shopping and hope this was helpful.
Dave
Good write up Dave, did you buy the FTecu kit from us ?I can't tell you which is best; I've not ridden the blade. What I can tell you is what the R1 is like:
I'm biased. I have one. I love it. It has its faults (more below) but when you throw it through a set of twisties it inspires more confidence than anything I've ever ridden (including the RSV4 is replaced which is also an awesome-handling bike). The engine is very involving and characterful, the cross plane engine note is fantastic and it's just a bit different to a normal IL4 (of which I've had many).
Faults:
Throttle: as standard it's utter dogs
t. You WILL hate it. I know I did. It almost stopped me buying the bike. The reality though is an ECU flash improves it MASSIVELY. I've flashed mine and just tonight fitted an FTEcu ActiveTune kit and it's better still. Don't let the stty throttle put you off of a fabulous bike, it's easily sorted out. Ride in B mode on standard mapping, A is horrific. Brakes: they're pretty wooden feeling. They're not bad by any stretch but they lack bite. They do stop you better than you think tho, there's plenty of power, it's just that they're so wooden you don't feel like they're working well. I fitted Brembo SC pads which helped a lot. I might upgrade the m/c to improve them even more.
Good points;
Engine.
Sounds ace with a 3 quarter system on it, has bags of character and more power than you'll ever need. Race can and mapping releases extra power. Love it.
Electronics
They're great. They allow you to ride like a f
king loon with ease, they're not intrusive, they just subtly help keep you alive Handling
Handles brilliantly, can push really quite hard without trying, really nimble and agile.
As I say, I can't compare it to a fire blade. I can compare it to the 2015 S1000RR a friend owns tho - standard IL4 (like the blade), found it boring by comparison, way less character. Nowhere near as focussed or nimble in the bends. No idea how the BMW compares to the blade but it does highlight just how focussed the R1 is.
In conclusion I absolutely love mine, it's an uncomfortable b
d but when you throw it through a set of twisted i wouldn't want to be on anything else.Good luck with the bike shopping and hope this was helpful.
Dave
Mike
Rawwr said:
Have you considered a 954?
sc0tt said:
I'd save your money and also go with a 954.
Rawwr said:
I'd get two 954s. One for the week and one for Sunday best.
supercommuter said:
If you take a sit down and really run over the mathematics, weigh up the poor braking power that will probably land you in a hedge on the R1 and the fairing changes on the fireblade it wouldn't probably have you out buying a 954.
Best of luck with your 954 purchase
Best of luck with your 954 purchase
Birky_41 said:
Having read the detailed reports on here on the blade and R1 amongst all the others, its a tricky one but for me it would be...
A 2002/2003 954 simply because this is the best even though its 15 years old in design now
A 2002/2003 954 simply because this is the best even though its 15 years old in design now
Birky_41 said:
Guys guys guys... Please
954 and be done
Exactement! 954 and be done
supercommuter said:
Real comprehensive detail there for the OP. Guess that is a thread closer.
You are pathetic for giving someone abuse that is trying to help someone make an educated decision. If you cannot tell the difference in the evolution of sports bikes in the last 10 years you must be a rather terrible rider.
Just because you have just bought a new R1 and want there is no need to cry when a fellow owner points out it's flaws and how to best remedy them.
Try reading what I actually wrote. That being if you put me on any of the Superbikes of the same generation then there will be nothing to choose between them. You are pathetic for giving someone abuse that is trying to help someone make an educated decision. If you cannot tell the difference in the evolution of sports bikes in the last 10 years you must be a rather terrible rider.
Just because you have just bought a new R1 and want there is no need to cry when a fellow owner points out it's flaws and how to best remedy them.
I've never claimed to be a great rider, I'm an average road rider like most on here. However, people on here seem to love bigging themselves up.
supercommuter said:
I did read it. How do you know R1 Dave is not a top end track rider. Coming back with some vanilla - they are all the same ste completely defies the point of having a forum and an opinion which the OP was asking for. He made some points which are valid and correct and you comment rubbishing his statements because it would only be noticed at 'a high level on track' and then suggest he tries them both, like he was not going to do that already.
Never read any posts of yours but so far you have produced some absolute drivel in an attempt to make yourself better about buying a bike with flaws...which by the way I am about to...albeit with up-rated brakes and FTEC, funnily enough.
This has nothing to do with the bike I've bought, but keep repeating it and it may be true. te completely defies the point of having a forum and an opinion which the OP was asking for. He made some points which are valid and correct and you comment rubbishing his statements because it would only be noticed at 'a high level on track' and then suggest he tries them both, like he was not going to do that already.Never read any posts of yours but so far you have produced some absolute drivel in an attempt to make yourself better about buying a bike with flaws...which by the way I am about to...albeit with up-rated brakes and FTEC, funnily enough.
I know he's not a top end track rider as I asked in on elf his threads whether he was asking about track or road. His response was "fast road work", which I have to admit is a whole different discussion.
I know people who run at the top level on track and still run standard brakes and pads, so how they're no good for the road is beyond me.
I did promise to leave this, but good luck with the commuting, I'm sure you're super at it.
Gavia said:
Try reading what I actually wrote. That being if you put me on any of the Superbikes of the same generation then there will be nothing to choose between them.
I've never claimed to be a great rider, I'm an average road rider like most on here. However, people on here seem to love bigging themselves up.
Well, I'll say it - get your arse n an 04 ZX10, R1 and blade and tell me you can't feel a difference.I've never claimed to be a great rider, I'm an average road rider like most on here. However, people on here seem to love bigging themselves up.
I have no need to big myself up - there are a few on here I can't stay with on track and road if the mood takes them just as others can't stay with me - the very definition of 'average'.
What I will say, and have said is that R1 brakes are lacking in feel and initial bite compared to Brembo equipment fitted to 1198 Ducati, S1000RR and RSV4. This based on paying for them with my own cash, owning them and riding them.
Ask your 'top end' track riding god mates to try some of the better brakes available out there and ask them if they'd like them fitted to their bikes.
Hell, try them yourself - have you ridden your R1 yet and, if so, managed to compare the brakes to other comparable bikes?
I'm guessing not judging by your recent posts on here.
If you don't accept that just move on.
legzr1 said:
Well, I'll say it - get your arse n an 04 ZX10, R1 and blade and tell me you can't feel a difference.
I have no need to big myself up - there are a few on here I can't stay with on track and road if the mood takes them just as others can't stay with me - the very definition of 'average'.
What I will say, and have said is that R1 brakes are lacking in feel and initial bite compared to Brembo equipment fitted to 1198 Ducati, S1000RR and RSV4. This based on paying for them with my own cash, owning them and riding them.
Ask your 'top end' track riding god mates to try some of the better brakes available out there and ask them if they'd like them fitted to their bikes.
Hell, try them yourself - have you ridden your R1 yet and, if so, managed to compare the brakes to other comparable bikes?
I'm guessing not judging by your recent posts on here.
If you don't accept that just move on.
And I stand by the fact that there is no way you need that level of feel and initial bite on the road. Track - possibly, road - no. I have no need to big myself up - there are a few on here I can't stay with on track and road if the mood takes them just as others can't stay with me - the very definition of 'average'.
What I will say, and have said is that R1 brakes are lacking in feel and initial bite compared to Brembo equipment fitted to 1198 Ducati, S1000RR and RSV4. This based on paying for them with my own cash, owning them and riding them.
Ask your 'top end' track riding god mates to try some of the better brakes available out there and ask them if they'd like them fitted to their bikes.
Hell, try them yourself - have you ridden your R1 yet and, if so, managed to compare the brakes to other comparable bikes?
I'm guessing not judging by your recent posts on here.
If you don't accept that just move on.
I've not ridden my R1 yet, as waiting until it gets the ventureshield at the end of the week. I did however ride a bike with brembos yesterday and agree that the brakes are very good. I'll report back after the Bank Holiday weekend when I've had a good run out, assuming I don't die due to them being so wooden.
dern said:
I had a 929RRY, then an 04 R1 and now a 2007 CBR1000RR. I really liked them all.
I know it doesn't help any but it's all subjective and I didn't want to contribute to another whiney argument
PS. the 07 is the best because it's the nicest colour.
Haha, they're different generations of bike though. The answer is 954 anyway. I know it doesn't help any but it's all subjective and I didn't want to contribute to another whiney argument
PS. the 07 is the best because it's the nicest colour.
Gavia said:
dern said:
I had a 929RRY, then an 04 R1 and now a 2007 CBR1000RR. I really liked them all.
I know it doesn't help any but it's all subjective and I didn't want to contribute to another whiney argument
PS. the 07 is the best because it's the nicest colour.
Haha, they're different generations of bike though. The answer is 954 anyway. I know it doesn't help any but it's all subjective and I didn't want to contribute to another whiney argument
PS. the 07 is the best because it's the nicest colour.
t. Small differences each year, lots of marketing. Two wheels, engine, brakes... all the main ingredients are there and the only thing that matters is that they're fun to ride. Everything else is bullst unless you race and need to beat someone else.dern said:
Don't get sucked in to the generations horsest. Small differences each year, lots of marketing. Two wheels, engine, brakes... all the main ingredients are there and the only thing that matters is that they're fun to ride. Everything else is bullst unless you race and need to beat someone else.
You can't say that, you'll be roundly vilified for not noticing the 0.38g difference in unsprung weight on the front t. Small differences each year, lots of marketing. Two wheels, engine, brakes... all the main ingredients are there and the only thing that matters is that they're fun to ride. Everything else is bullst unless you race and need to beat someone else.Gavia said:
And I stand by the fact that there is no way you need that level of feel and initial bite on the road. Track - possibly, road - no.
I've not ridden my R1 yet, as waiting until it gets the ventureshield at the end of the week. I did however ride a bike with brembos yesterday and agree that the brakes are very good. I'll report back after the Bank Holiday weekend when I've had a good run out, assuming I don't die due to them being so wooden.
And yet, there you are with a 170+ BHP, 180+MPH bike on the road...I've not ridden my R1 yet, as waiting until it gets the ventureshield at the end of the week. I did however ride a bike with brembos yesterday and agree that the brakes are very good. I'll report back after the Bank Holiday weekend when I've had a good run out, assuming I don't die due to them being so wooden.
I'd argue feel and bite are more important on the road - you know, where the unexpected can and does happen.
Far easier on track where you can build up to braking markers using the brakes you have available.
Don't bother with the report - after your contributions here your brakes are going to be perfect...
Gavia said:
You can't say that, you'll be roundly vilified for not noticing the 0.38g difference in unsprung weight on the front
Twist things all you like, the truth is out there.What's your thoughts on ZX10, R1 and Blade in 2004 flavours?
Same year, same category, all totally different.
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