Back to Back Comparison II : CBR1000RR-5 vs. GSXR1000-K7
Discussion
Dave picked up his new Gixer Wednesday and after 150 miles of 'running in' (Ahem!) we swapped over and I was let loose.
Lets just say that whoever slated the blade in the media needs a good kicking. After swapping to 15/41 gearing, there really is nothing in the two bikes, power wise at any speed. The way the power is delivered is lovely on Gixer ver smooth with a slight top end rush. The blade delivers in the same manner but the lower gears aren't as tall and you have to up shift a lot sooner. This makes the Gixer better for wheelieing as you can run out second gear for longer. I only tried mode A, so I cannot comment on how the other modes feel.
As for braking, they both feel similar although the initial bite on the Suzuki is a little fluffy; I put this down to new pads maybe.
The riding position is so much more comfortable on the Suzuki. The blade is arse up with a lot of weight on the wrists, which can cause distress on long distance work. The Suzuki feels really good as you sit more in the bike rather than on. The standard screen offers loads of protection and it feels a lot more slick through the air than the blade. Even though you are made to feel you are lower down, the peg clearance is great and adjustable if necessary.
Handling, where the blade takes some effort to get it on its side, the Suzi turns really quick and without as much effort countersteering. There is a down side that the front doesn't feel as stable as the blade on slower bumpier corners and twitches when you start to get on the power. Get it on a smooth open fast right or left hander and you find yourself straight on your knee and tracking the line impeccably.
It looks the dog's nuts in black. I also think the Black TiNi forks look awesome.
Overall, very nice, would I trade my blade for one.... No. It is a great bike but not that much more than the CBR. Maybe Honda will bring out a V4 next year when I come to upgrade.
Lets just say that whoever slated the blade in the media needs a good kicking. After swapping to 15/41 gearing, there really is nothing in the two bikes, power wise at any speed. The way the power is delivered is lovely on Gixer ver smooth with a slight top end rush. The blade delivers in the same manner but the lower gears aren't as tall and you have to up shift a lot sooner. This makes the Gixer better for wheelieing as you can run out second gear for longer. I only tried mode A, so I cannot comment on how the other modes feel.
As for braking, they both feel similar although the initial bite on the Suzuki is a little fluffy; I put this down to new pads maybe.
The riding position is so much more comfortable on the Suzuki. The blade is arse up with a lot of weight on the wrists, which can cause distress on long distance work. The Suzuki feels really good as you sit more in the bike rather than on. The standard screen offers loads of protection and it feels a lot more slick through the air than the blade. Even though you are made to feel you are lower down, the peg clearance is great and adjustable if necessary.
Handling, where the blade takes some effort to get it on its side, the Suzi turns really quick and without as much effort countersteering. There is a down side that the front doesn't feel as stable as the blade on slower bumpier corners and twitches when you start to get on the power. Get it on a smooth open fast right or left hander and you find yourself straight on your knee and tracking the line impeccably.
It looks the dog's nuts in black. I also think the Black TiNi forks look awesome.
Overall, very nice, would I trade my blade for one.... No. It is a great bike but not that much more than the CBR. Maybe Honda will bring out a V4 next year when I come to upgrade.
Interesting comparison.
I went from an RR-5 to a K5 Gixer and haven't looked back. Both bikes had/have been lightly modded with PCIII, Akrapovic or Yoshi exhaust and brembo master cylinder with braided lines etc.
The Blade was a great bike. Very wrist heavy and a little reluctant to turn into a corner, but once the line was chosen, it stuck to the chosen path very nicely. Despite numerous rolling road set up sessions, the Blade never really set the world on fire with the performance. I even did the sporcket change to see if it would make a tangible difference.
Following a trip to the Alps last year where the Blade was comprehensively out-gunned by a couple of K5's, I decided that I really should be looking at the Suzuki. So, I rode a couple and found myself purchasing a nice 1600 miler.
The Gixer is considerably lighter, more nimble, more powerful and essentially much more fun to ride. To call the Blade "bland" is not really doing it justice. However, it's nowhere near as exciting to ride as the Gixer. Without realising it, the Blade had dampened my enjoyment of motorcycling. The Gixer re-ignited that and I've not enjoyed a bike as much as I do my Gixer.
All in all, for me at least, the Gixer is the better package. I'm constantly in awe of the breadth of its abilities and end up laughing out loud sometimes at the way it accelerates, stops and handles.
I can appreciate the Blade, and believe that the RR-6 and RR-7 are "better". However, they're still not as capable as my K5. They are better made though!
Matt
I went from an RR-5 to a K5 Gixer and haven't looked back. Both bikes had/have been lightly modded with PCIII, Akrapovic or Yoshi exhaust and brembo master cylinder with braided lines etc.
The Blade was a great bike. Very wrist heavy and a little reluctant to turn into a corner, but once the line was chosen, it stuck to the chosen path very nicely. Despite numerous rolling road set up sessions, the Blade never really set the world on fire with the performance. I even did the sporcket change to see if it would make a tangible difference.
Following a trip to the Alps last year where the Blade was comprehensively out-gunned by a couple of K5's, I decided that I really should be looking at the Suzuki. So, I rode a couple and found myself purchasing a nice 1600 miler.
The Gixer is considerably lighter, more nimble, more powerful and essentially much more fun to ride. To call the Blade "bland" is not really doing it justice. However, it's nowhere near as exciting to ride as the Gixer. Without realising it, the Blade had dampened my enjoyment of motorcycling. The Gixer re-ignited that and I've not enjoyed a bike as much as I do my Gixer.
All in all, for me at least, the Gixer is the better package. I'm constantly in awe of the breadth of its abilities and end up laughing out loud sometimes at the way it accelerates, stops and handles.
I can appreciate the Blade, and believe that the RR-6 and RR-7 are "better". However, they're still not as capable as my K5. They are better made though!
Matt
Matt, glad you are enjoying the Gixer.
I agree on the build quality. Some of the castings look iffy on the Suzuki and would suffer if left throughout a winter. Most don't ride these sorts of bike all year round so I suppose it isnt anything to worry about.
My RR5 is 3 years old next year and I will be looking at swapping it before the MOT is due. Consdiering a 1098 but do not think it will have the pace of the litre bikes overall.
I agree on the build quality. Some of the castings look iffy on the Suzuki and would suffer if left throughout a winter. Most don't ride these sorts of bike all year round so I suppose it isnt anything to worry about.
My RR5 is 3 years old next year and I will be looking at swapping it before the MOT is due. Consdiering a 1098 but do not think it will have the pace of the litre bikes overall.
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