1000cc 2009 MCN tests. R1 vs Blade vs Duc vs Kawa vs Gixer

**MentalFacility** · 20th March 2009, 16:21

Here is the track test:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfzG902YmjA

All the specific details from that video you can find here.
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/Ne...1-norton-ride/
Just scroll down to the flash magazine viewer, make it full screen and go to page 9.
Blade is an odd one, while being ahead of others everywhere except for corner exit it loses almost 3 seconds per lap to the R1. A lot to do with the traction and confidence i suppose.

Road test:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwAtRLCVhKo

And all the specific details.
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/Ne...-mcn-march-18/

So far it generally goes like this

Track - R1, Kawa, Duc 1198S, Blade, Gixer
Road - R1, Blade, Gix, Kawa, Duc.
Congrats to Yamaha fans, I’m really glad that the new R1 works. It is good that Yamaha leveled up the competition, and came up with something new. Kudos to them.
Worth noting that R1 dynos don’t make much sense. If you read carefully MCN says that in controlled environment blade has better acceleration and roll, but on the track\road new R1 delivers it much better and goes much faster.
New R1 seems to be the shit, ugly as fuck, but probably a good bike. Or maybe Yama is just getting some value for their advertising $.
Some people on US R1 forums say that the dyno needs to be calculated in a different way, more like a Vtween rather than an Inline.
Also the brakes on the thing are the weakest point. Early owners all complain about "on\off" feeling.
So to get R1 to become flawless you’ll need new pipes, brakes and rear fender eliminator.
Surprisingly new Gixer sucks balls. I would expect it to be one of the top dogs, being a redesigned bike, but it seems that it have been choked my all the noise\exhaust regulations.
Now, I’m going through some troubles with my blade (again), and I’m working on my options list. First of all I love my blade when it performs well, and if I didn’t have major problems with its oil consumption I would even bother looking at other bikes in such detail. I’d be happy to get a blade that doesn’t burn oil instead of some other bike, but It might not be happening.
So far it looks like R1 is what I’ll be trying to replace my blade with.
Anyway, hopefully I’ll get a test ride in a few weeks, then Ill tell you my opinion.

**SixPackBack** · 20th March 2009, 17:02

One test by MCN??...............come back when BIKE, Superbike and AMCN have tested then you will have a discussion. Check out the scribe riding the GSXR into the corners, hardly leaning and locking the rear-what a muppet!

**MentalFacility** · 20th March 2009, 18:02

Originally Posted by SixPackBack

One test by MCN??...............come back when BIKE, Superbike and AMCN have tested then you will have a discussion. Check out the scribe riding the GSXR into the corners, hardly leaning and locking the rear-what a muppet!

somewhy i knew that u would be happy about what they said about the gixer.

But as title suggests it is only MCN.

**carver** · 20th March 2009, 18:26

bring on the MFSC shootout

**SixPackBack** · 20th March 2009, 18:35

Dunno what it rides like but this really floats my boat.

**MentalFacility** · 20th March 2009, 18:39

Originally Posted by SixPackBack

Dunno what it rides like but this really floats my boat.

Ive read a bit about it.

Apart from a very cool advert, I dont think its that great of a bike.
However it is pretty good for the fist attemp.
They are viby as hell, a bit hard to corner and only by selling your family for slaves youll be able to affort it.

**Deano** · 20th March 2009, 18:48

Originally Posted by SixPackBack

Dunno what it rides like but this really floats my boat.

Heaps of grunt which doesn't run out of puff as the revs get close to the redline.

Crappy gearbox which is made worse by the stumpy gear lever.

Left a 1098s behind over the Taka's....lol

**saul** · 20th March 2009, 18:51

Had a couple of yamahas both burnt oil

and had weak clutches Dont hold your breath

**carver** · 20th March 2009, 18:53

Originally Posted by saul

Had a couple of yamahas both burnt oil

and had weak clutches Dont hold your breath

what did you have?

**saul** · 20th March 2009, 18:55

Originally Posted by carver

what did you have?

R1's

**carver** · 20th March 2009, 19:01

Originally Posted by saul

R1's

not much good eh.
i should have said hi on the coro run.
i had my k1 GaySeXeR 1000.

ridden the new blade?

**Sollyboy** · 20th March 2009, 19:03

just a few point , did all the bikes get bought at random off the showrooms floor or were they supplied by manufacturer and perhaps some are touched a bit after coming off production line eg honda could have gutted exhaust , and R1 has remap injection that dont comply EU regs any more?
also did all riders ride all bikes then scores averaged ?
or did that suzi just suck?

**YellowDog** · 20th March 2009, 19:05

All great bikes.

It is really down to personal preference and of course riding ability.

**MentalFacility** · 20th March 2009, 19:07

Originally Posted by Sollyboy

just a few point , did all the bikes get bought at random off the showrooms floor or were they supplied by manufacturer and perhaps some are touched a bit after coming off production line eg honda could have gutted exhaust , and R1 has remap injection that dont comply EU regs any more?
also did all riders ride all bikes then scores averaged ?
or did that suzi just suck?

Probably just stock bikes, but they gave them same rubber, some good one.

On the track all bikes were ridden by one dude, who tried to push each one to the max.

Read the report god damn it.