GSX-R 1000 vs Cafe Racer?
Discussion
Hi all, long time lurker here, first post in BB. This may contain confessions...be gentle.
I've got a GSX-R 1000 K1 which I've had for a few years but barely ridden recently - a combination of no-one I know riding anymore, lack of time and, in all honesty, some frustration with the bike.
The problem I have with it is that I find it too focused in terms of performance* and riding position. Performance wise I came up through the ranks on 600 class bikes so used to be able to wring their necks but obviously you can't do that on the road with a 1000 (and I'm not good enough to do that on the track either). With the riding position, the stretch to the bars is tiring unless I'm going some, which comes back to performance on the road. This has got to the point where I like the idea of having the bike and tinkering with it more than actually riding it**.
I'm obsessing about Cafe Racer styled bikes at the minute as I figure having a bit less power could be more fun and if it's custom there are options around the riding position. Dynamically though, to be of any interest at all a replacement bike would need to be on a par with the GSX-R in the chassis department, not something with a hinge where the frame's supposed to be.
Has anyone else found themselves in a similar position? What did you do? What should I do? Man-up? Fit some higher bars and take cod liver oil tablets? Never darken BB again?
Cheers, Steve
'* I fear this statement will cost me
'** But not as much as that one
I've got a GSX-R 1000 K1 which I've had for a few years but barely ridden recently - a combination of no-one I know riding anymore, lack of time and, in all honesty, some frustration with the bike.
The problem I have with it is that I find it too focused in terms of performance* and riding position. Performance wise I came up through the ranks on 600 class bikes so used to be able to wring their necks but obviously you can't do that on the road with a 1000 (and I'm not good enough to do that on the track either). With the riding position, the stretch to the bars is tiring unless I'm going some, which comes back to performance on the road. This has got to the point where I like the idea of having the bike and tinkering with it more than actually riding it**.
I'm obsessing about Cafe Racer styled bikes at the minute as I figure having a bit less power could be more fun and if it's custom there are options around the riding position. Dynamically though, to be of any interest at all a replacement bike would need to be on a par with the GSX-R in the chassis department, not something with a hinge where the frame's supposed to be.
Has anyone else found themselves in a similar position? What did you do? What should I do? Man-up? Fit some higher bars and take cod liver oil tablets? Never darken BB again?
Cheers, Steve
'* I fear this statement will cost me
'** But not as much as that one
Do it! but do it well and tastefully, it's easy to make a cafe racer look rubbish, a modern take on a cafe could be nice.
Have a look at this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-SUZUKI-GSXR-1000-K4...
So there's a few thing's I'd change like the colour of the wheels and the tail unit (maybe an SRAD tail would be perfect?) but it's not shockingly bad overall.
Have a look at this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-SUZUKI-GSXR-1000-K4...
So there's a few thing's I'd change like the colour of the wheels and the tail unit (maybe an SRAD tail would be perfect?) but it's not shockingly bad overall.
I had a GSXR1000-K2 and felt it wasn't too uncomfy (Oulton Park to South Cornwall after a days racing type comfy). TBH, most cafe racer type machine will probably be worse.
I found the GSXR to be quite a good bike when ridden normally, plently of torque, clean low down power and not too firm suspension, also it was very light. It was however too easy to go 'prison sentence' type speeds and that was the reason I sold it.
You will probably be better off with the new generation of supernakeds. I bought a KTM Superduke, mainly because I liked the riding positon and power delivery. Whilst it goes and handles like a sports bike below 120, it hasn't got the silly top end speed temptation to get me in trouble. But I still bought a Hayabusa for touring
Not sure if I'm going round in circles but if I was to go back to 1 bike, it would probably be a GSXR1000-K4.
I found the GSXR to be quite a good bike when ridden normally, plently of torque, clean low down power and not too firm suspension, also it was very light. It was however too easy to go 'prison sentence' type speeds and that was the reason I sold it.
You will probably be better off with the new generation of supernakeds. I bought a KTM Superduke, mainly because I liked the riding positon and power delivery. Whilst it goes and handles like a sports bike below 120, it hasn't got the silly top end speed temptation to get me in trouble. But I still bought a Hayabusa for touring
Not sure if I'm going round in circles but if I was to go back to 1 bike, it would probably be a GSXR1000-K4.
This is funny - pretty much once you've had the power of a 1000 you'll never really want to give it up!
VinceFox, I can't run more than one bike. I've neither the space nor the funds to do that. As much as I've love to build something myself I'd have to start with at least a rolling chassis and go from there. One day...
unclepockets, the GSX-R frame is all wrong for what I'm picturing. This is the sort of thing I'm imagining - http://inazumacafe.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/robber-s...
graham22, the supernakeds a certainly up there re chassis dynamics and the Superduke is probably the best of them from what I hear. You're spot-on with the prison sentence bit. THAT is the biggest issue!
VinceFox, I can't run more than one bike. I've neither the space nor the funds to do that. As much as I've love to build something myself I'd have to start with at least a rolling chassis and go from there. One day...
unclepockets, the GSX-R frame is all wrong for what I'm picturing. This is the sort of thing I'm imagining - http://inazumacafe.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/robber-s...
graham22, the supernakeds a certainly up there re chassis dynamics and the Superduke is probably the best of them from what I hear. You're spot-on with the prison sentence bit. THAT is the biggest issue!
Caveat: I'm still on a beginner 600, know nothing of the bikes you're talking about.
However: If you've not done one, do a track day. Don't think you need to be a god, or as you said "good enough to wring it's neck on track".
First, 90% of the folks on track aren't capable of truly wringing the bike's neck - it's just a place to go and have the sort of fun that you can't have on the road, ride as fast or as hard as you want to. Hang out in the novice group, whatever.
Second, It's usually pretty damn social, pretty easy to get chatting to folks with interesting bikes, might find some riding mates.
Just a thought..
Alternatively, you run it / tinker, and I'll ride it
However: If you've not done one, do a track day. Don't think you need to be a god, or as you said "good enough to wring it's neck on track".
First, 90% of the folks on track aren't capable of truly wringing the bike's neck - it's just a place to go and have the sort of fun that you can't have on the road, ride as fast or as hard as you want to. Hang out in the novice group, whatever.
Second, It's usually pretty damn social, pretty easy to get chatting to folks with interesting bikes, might find some riding mates.
Just a thought..
Alternatively, you run it / tinker, and I'll ride it
srob said:
Is it actually a cafe racer that you want?
Cafe racers have the most extreme riding position available - they were the inventors of the clip-ons and rear-sets.
Erm, I *think* I want a cafe racer, yeah, but I've never ridden one. When done well they look fantastic, not too much power and maybe with a set of variobars one might not be crippling. You can probably tell I'm not sure what I want at all!Cafe racers have the most extreme riding position available - they were the inventors of the clip-ons and rear-sets.
upsidedownmark said:
Caveat: I'm still on a beginner 600, know nothing of the bikes you're talking about.
However: If you've not done one, do a track day. Don't think you need to be a god, or as you said "good enough to wring it's neck on track".
First, 90% of the folks on track aren't capable of truly wringing the bike's neck - it's just a place to go and have the sort of fun that you can't have on the road, ride as fast or as hard as you want to. Hang out in the novice group, whatever.
Second, It's usually pretty damn social, pretty easy to get chatting to folks with interesting bikes, might find some riding mates.
Just a thought..
Alternatively, you run it / tinker, and I'll ride it
That's probably a good shout. I've done a couple of track days, well, CSS level 1 & 2 at Silverstone which I think counts.However: If you've not done one, do a track day. Don't think you need to be a god, or as you said "good enough to wring it's neck on track".
First, 90% of the folks on track aren't capable of truly wringing the bike's neck - it's just a place to go and have the sort of fun that you can't have on the road, ride as fast or as hard as you want to. Hang out in the novice group, whatever.
Second, It's usually pretty damn social, pretty easy to get chatting to folks with interesting bikes, might find some riding mates.
Just a thought..
Alternatively, you run it / tinker, and I'll ride it
Sorry buddy, no-one gets to ride Betsy other than me. And there's nothing wrong with giving your bike a name...is there?
six wheels said:
Erm, I *think* I want a cafe racer, yeah, but I've never ridden one. When done well they look fantastic, not too much power and maybe with a set of variobars one might not be crippling. You can probably tell I'm not sure what I want at all!
To be honest it sounds like a Street Triple would be ideal for you. I posted that link earlier because I thought you were on about turning your bike into a cafe racer 
unclepockets said:
six wheels said:
Erm, I *think* I want a cafe racer, yeah, but I've never ridden one. When done well they look fantastic, not too much power and maybe with a set of variobars one might not be crippling. You can probably tell I'm not sure what I want at all!
To be honest it sounds like a Street Triple would be ideal for you. I posted that link earlier because I thought you were on about turning your bike into a cafe racer six wheels said:
I have no idea why a Street Triple wasn't on my radar, good shout!
I did this a couple of years ago, went from an Aprilia Mille to a 08 Speed triple. fantastic bike, comfortable riding position, strong performance and sports bike handling. Its fine upto about 3 figures on our Sunday morning hoon. Over that speed a lot of neck strain, so that keeps you kind of sensible. I ride with mates who ride R1, 999, Mille Factory, ZZR1400 and ZX6 no problems keeping with them on our normal B road sunday morning ride (100 miles) but when we get back they all have stiff legs/backs/arms etc.
Depends why you own a bike, do you enjoy riding around, on your own / with others, do you prefer tinkering with engine etc, do you like to travel abroad (touring etc), or going to meets (BSB / trackdays etc). Get the bike that suits what you prefer to do.
Personally I like touring UK or abroad, don't mind if I'm on my own or with a few like minded bikers. I had a GSXR1000 as at the time a mate was also into the whole sport riding / track day thing and it was fun, however he binned his bike and spent the insurance money on a car. I kept my 1000 for another year, then traded it in for a sport tourer (BMW K1300S), as tried touring on the 1000 which was doable but not great. Now I get abroad at least once a year (more if time / funds allow). Found a good group on here ( http://old-gits.org/thenexttrip.htm) and going away on the third year running in May (still places available if you want to join in). I am also extending this trip to take in Italy and maybe a few other places, as well as going to Spain in July on the bike too.
Personally I like touring UK or abroad, don't mind if I'm on my own or with a few like minded bikers. I had a GSXR1000 as at the time a mate was also into the whole sport riding / track day thing and it was fun, however he binned his bike and spent the insurance money on a car. I kept my 1000 for another year, then traded it in for a sport tourer (BMW K1300S), as tried touring on the 1000 which was doable but not great. Now I get abroad at least once a year (more if time / funds allow). Found a good group on here ( http://old-gits.org/thenexttrip.htm) and going away on the third year running in May (still places available if you want to join in). I am also extending this trip to take in Italy and maybe a few other places, as well as going to Spain in July on the bike too.
six wheels said:
srob said:
Is it actually a cafe racer that you want?
Cafe racers have the most extreme riding position available - they were the inventors of the clip-ons and rear-sets.
Erm, I *think* I want a cafe racer, yeah, but I've never ridden one. When done well they look fantastic, not too much power and maybe with a set of variobars one might not be crippling. You can probably tell I'm not sure what I want at all!Cafe racers have the most extreme riding position available - they were the inventors of the clip-ons and rear-sets.
unclepockets said:
Do it! but do it well and tastefully, it's easy to make a cafe racer look rubbish, a modern take on a cafe could be nice.
Have a look at this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-SUZUKI-GSXR-1000-K4...
So there's a few thing's I'd change like the colour of the wheels and the tail unit (maybe an SRAD tail would be perfect?) but it's not shockingly bad overall.
That wouldn't of worked in my mind but looks better in reality than I'd expect.Have a look at this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-SUZUKI-GSXR-1000-K4...
So there's a few thing's I'd change like the colour of the wheels and the tail unit (maybe an SRAD tail would be perfect?) but it's not shockingly bad overall.
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