04 1000's

[SPman]

The 04 1000's.

Is more better.?
Showroom only, have tried the CBR1000, Down to Red Baron and tried the ZX10, tried the R1, for size fit feel etc. The R1 feels most comfy/friendly. The ZX10 is physically smaller than the ZX6R and feels slightly more comfy. The CBR is OK..
Static test. Prefered the R1, which looks best as well.
Watched lucky ZX10 owner ride off muttering under breath about finances then tried an 03 R! It feels better than all of the newies, so test ride time I think.
I suppose its now a classed as a "sports tourer"

[Coldkiwi]

I am sorely tempted to buy alow km ZX10 ina few years.. I'm keeping a sharp eye out for any on the roads!

[jrandom]

Were I in possession of a full license, I would surely be oozing my way across the floor of all the Auckland dealers in pursuit of K4 litrebike test rides, notwithstanding my utter inability to afford any of them.

[Big Dog]

Two wheels has a review on K4 R1.
Brief synopsis.
Says he has ridden every one since launch.
This first with any manners.
Cost of this is lower pegs that drag to easy.
More power but less brutal.
Feels sslloowweerr (yeah right) but MUCH faster.
Seat that is actually bearable for more than a couple of laps at a time but it is harder to hang of the side.

[claire]

I thought the Two Wheels article was a little hard on the older R1's, or is that just cause I ride one??? I don't find my bike bad mannered just a little different to my old sports tourer. Chris has done over a thousand K's on his 04 R1 now and is loving it turns faster than the 98 and the seating position is definately roomier, the narrower tank makes the biggest difference for me just sitting on it (haven't ridden it yet).

If I had the choice I think I'd buy the R1 or the CBR1000, neither the ZX10 or the GSXR do it for me, but I don't think there will be any more new bikes in this house for a bit!!

Claire

[Big Dog]

I thought the Two Wheels article was a little hard on the older R1's,

That seems to be a common trend with writers over 6'.
Seeing one in person my first reaction was "Right, sexy bike, nice lines " Swing a leg and my next reaction was "okay, where do my nuts go?". Obviously not a problem for 58% of the population. All of the reports by 6'ers seems to bag the Honda and the Yam and lean heavily in favour of the Kawa and the Suzi. And vice versa.
Also amatuer riders/racers tended to like the rawness of the old R1, proffesional racers tend to be a bit spoilt (based on bike reviews).

Never buy a bike you have never ridden on the basis of a review in a magazine by an author you have never met seems to be the moral of the story.

[Cajun]

i'm 6'2 and i brought a 600, i couldn't justify spending the money on a brand new 1000, and i have come to the conlusion they have to much power to be used on the road, yeah its would be great saying 'yeah my bike has 180hp and weights 170kgs', but were are you going to be able to use that 180hp on the road?

Another the other reason i can't justify them is they are harder on tires/chain sprokets, i am not saying 600 are the best, and i know it all comes down to how you ride. But personally i do believe that 600/750 are some of the best size bikes for the road.

not taking any pot shots or notihng at anyone just what i believe, after going from an 96 gsxr1100 with 140hp down to a gsxr600 with 105ish(or whatever they say it is).

[Coldkiwi]

Never buy a bike you have never ridden on the basis of a review in a magazine by an author you have never met seems to be the moral of the story.

aww I dunno. I hadn't even seen my gsxr till I went to pick it up and I'm a very happy camper! I got to sit on a 1000 in the store but that was it.
did PLENTY of reading and internet searching about them and couldn't find a bad word anywhere.

interesting point about the new bike/wife link.... Cajun... you engaged yet?

[tz tony]

Ive been lucky enough to have a short ride on both the new R1 and ther CBR and I found it hard to be smooth straight off on the Honda with the R1 being an easy ride and both feel great with lots of go power in any gear

[Cajun]

I never rode my 600 before i brought it but i had riden the early models, so i knew what i basically was getting.


You better start sweating Coldkiwi hahahaha about the new/bike wife link, my wife sister about to get married and her fiancee as just got a zx10r

[SPman]

I never rode my 600 before i brought it but i had riden the early models, so i knew what i basically was getting.
You better start sweating Coldkiwi hahahaha about the new/bike wife link, my wife sister about to get married and her fiancee as just got a zx10r

Hey, thats a scary connection
I got married 3 weeks after I bought a new GT750 Ducati in '73.........
...come to think of it, Mrs X did say she married me for the bike!

[Big Dog]

did PLENTY of reading and internet searching about them and couldn't find a bad word anywhere.

Not just one then aye

[georgedubyabush]

Were I in possession of a full license, I would surely be oozing my way across the floor of all the Auckland dealers in pursuit of K4 litrebike test rides, notwithstanding my utter inability to afford any of them.

Make sure you try one of those first gear full throttle clutch dumps like in your avatar as you leave the shop for the test ride... oh go on, I dare ya.

[Cajun]

Hey, thats a scary connection
I got married 3 weeks after I bought a new GT750 Ducati in '73.........
...come to think of it, Mrs X did say she married me for the bike!

hahaha its a strange conection, i think we buy them to get that last bit of freedom before we are forever chained

[SPman]

hahaha its a strange conection, i think we buy them to get that last bit of freedom before we are forever chained

I wonder if it was getting back onto bikes, that was the final nail in the matrimonial coffin!