What is the better bike?

[the legend]

Hello I currently own a Honda cbr600rr 2005 and am looking to upgrade.
Two main bikes have stood out in my mind and these are the 2004-2007 Yamaha R1 aswell as the 2006-2007 Kawasaki ZX-10.
I do not know much about both bikes and was wondering if anyone could sheed some light on the matter eg. good and bad experences, handling and power etc. aswell as maintance and notorious problems.

I am also after the horse power rating of the 2006 ZX-10 as none of the sites i have visited show this so if anyone knows could you please let me know.

Also if anyone has any other bikes around 1000cc they think are worth a look into this would be greatly appreciated,

[Hitcher]

Other 1,000cc bikes worth a look?

Yamaha FZ1
Kawasaki Z1000
Triumph Speed Triple (preferably the 1050)

All of these are way more versatile, comfortable, significantly more practical and rewarding to ride than a litre squid bike for anything other than hard-arsed track day riding. Indeed all would well and truly whip a litre squid bike on the Wellington-to-Auckland-with-only-one-fuel-stop challenge.

[uksteve]

Hi the legend. I went through a similar dillema before I bourght the gixxer. Read lots of reviews and rode various models.The zx10 has a stong engine especially top end, the handling is a bit suspect, while the R1 has good handeling characteristics, the engines low and mid range is below par and only comes into the power in the upper rev range. I seriously wanted to buy the R1 before I rode it, looks sexy and has a very good build quality. As you have gathered I bought the Gixxer it has power right from the lower rev range all the way through the top range, handles extremly well and has a low seat height which is great for me as i'm 5"7'. The build quality is'nt as good as the R1, but still acceptable.

Hope this helps

[Gremlin]

can't compare the 06-07 zx10 to the r1, as I haven't ridden the r1, but the 06-07 zx10 is certainly an easy bike to ride down a piece of road. Not quite exciting enough tho... you want an 04-05 zx10

suzukis have the torque, the k6 ish 1L bike has ridiculous torque

[MentalFacility]

I have the new blade. Based on majority of reviews it is the top dog in 1000cc at the moment. I can easily recommend that. It is very easy to ride, and it is extrimely fast too.

Had for about 3 weeks now, no issues at all. One mean machine.

[Forest]

Since you're buying used, try to find one that has been maintained properly and ridden sensibly.

Both bikes can wear out quite quickly if abused.

[AllanB]

I do not know much about both bikes

GOOGLE

There is a heap of info out there.

The best thing to do is find a local dealer selling them and test ride.

After you've scared yourself silly check out some of the above listed more realistic beasts.

[Bumblebeeman1150]

Your best advice is to be found in post 2...

[McJim]

How long have you been riding?

1-4 years - go and sit on the bikes and see which one is most comfortable then buy it. (You are unlikely to be able to get more than about 30% out of any litre bike at this stage in your riding career)
5-6 years - test ride them to find out which one suits your skills best.
6 years + I'll shut the fuck up as you probably know which one is best for you already.

Have fun trying them.

[fatzx10r]

i used to have an o6 10r, they are a bloody fun bike. compared to my mate's 07 r1 the handling is not as good, not even close. the r1 was an easyer bike to ride fast. but that's not what alway's make a bike fun to ride, i would of much rather had the 10r over the r1, it kept you on your toe's. go out and test ride both and see which one you like the most, they are both fast as fuck

[BIGBOSSMAN]

i used to have an o6 10r, they are a bloody fun bike. compared to my mate's 07 r1 the handling is not as good, not even close. the r1 was an easyer bike to ride fast. but that's not what alway's make a bike fun to ride, i would of much rather had the 10r over the r1, it kept you on your toe's. go out and test ride both and see which one you like the most, they are both fast as fuck

Word.......