2009 r1...

**madbikeboy** · 15th December 2008, 14:19

I've been repeatedly looking at the R1 as an alternative to the GSXR1000 K8 / GSXR750 K8, and carefully thinking about which to buy for some time.

The 2008 R1 is a stunning piece.

So, given that the R1 from this year is stunning, why on earth did they make it look cross-eyed this year. Tacky looking frame, stupid headlight arrangement, ugly assed exhaust... The only thing going for it is the big bang firing order...

The Fireblade is awesome, but butt ugly.

I'm never going to buy a ZX10R, but it sure is pretty in comparison to the ugly trolls of Honda and Yamaha...

Who the fuck signs off on these designs?

**raftn** · 15th December 2008, 15:03

Originally Posted by madbikeboy

I've been repeatedly looking at the R1 as an alternative to the GSXR1000 K8 / GSXR750 K8, and carefully thinking about which to buy for some time.

The 2008 R1 is a stunning piece.

So, given that the R1 from this year is stunning, why on earth did they make it look cross-eyed this year. Tacky looking frame, stupid headlight arrangement, ugly assed exhaust... The only thing going for it is the big bang firing order...

The Fireblade is awesome, but butt ugly.

I'm never going to buy a ZX10R, but it sure is pretty in comparison to the ugly trolls of Honda and Yamaha...

Who the fuck signs off on these designs?

Have to agree with you there, some times i am left wondering what the hell they were thinking. Although the blade is growing on me, but as for the other not so sure.

**James Deuce** · 15th December 2008, 15:30

How can you (clooective "you" there - please don't take it personally) even look at the '09 R1 and regard it as attractive? The '04 R1 marked a definite positive change in quality and styling from a Japanese manufacturer, which they've progressively ruined as time has gone on. Things like headlights that are merged beautifully into the lines of the nose fairing, and underseat exhausts and mufflers that blend with the surrounding bodywork to make design statement as a whole have turned into bloated parodies, while a cleverly minimalist fairing over the top of beautifully finished engine and frame components look like slats of plastic stuck on the outside of a furnace. That swingarm makes me want to vomit.

The Honda looks like a quality piece of kit, for mature people (not necessarily age related) with taste that extends past loud graphics and sparkly paint. The R1 looks like a bitsa made by Kevin and his mates after one giant doobie too many, and painted by Roger with a spray bomb quirted through a piece of cheesecloth.

Suzuki have made the same mistakes with next year's GSXR750.

1. Melted fairing? Check!
2. Oddly styled tailpiece? Check!
3. Slightly more bulbous headlights? Check!
4. Made no effort whatsoever to style the "mandated ugly" Euro 4 compliant muffler? Double freaking check!

I'd take the 07 any day

I know you don't look at the mantelpiece whilst stoking the fire. So that makes this:

functionally superior to any of the other bikes I've posted pictures of, simply because every piece of design on that bike is designed with superior function in mind. It's designed to be ridden by a much larger array of people than any of the other bikes listed, and as a consequence I can confirm that it works and works well, as I got to spend a couple of hours with one.

**ckai** · 15th December 2008, 15:48

I didn't know what you guys were talking about with regards to the '09 ugly factor. I remember that the '08 was a reasonably nice looking bike so thought you guys were probably being a little harsh. No one could ruin something like that (although Subaru did a pretty good job several years ago - sorry, cage reference).

Sooooo, I went interweb trawling. Found a lovely 360 degree view, look alright from the side. Nothing that bad. Spun around to the front...

I feel a little light headed... stomach churning...acid feeling in throat...

Maybe if I tilt my head a little...oh...my...that's no help at all. It's like some jailhouse bandit gave it a "who's your daddy" and it was a little more than it could handle.

**R6_kid:Me** · 15th December 2008, 16:01

FWIW the 08 ZX10R and CBR1000RR are nice looking bikes once the standard road crap is removed.

**Qkchk:Me** · 15th December 2008, 16:07

Originally Posted by R6_kid

FWIW the 08 ZX10R and CBR1000RR are nice looking bikes once the standard road crap is removed.

Still, the CBR1000 lookes like a 'parked up against a wall to do a burnout' gone wrong. Similar to chasing parked buses..

**BIGBOSSMAN** · 15th December 2008, 16:11

Originally Posted by R6_kid

FWIW the 08 ZX10R and CBR1000RR are nice looking bikes once the standard road crap is removed.

Here here, how about this ZX10R?

Oh yeah, it's for sale

**slofox** · 15th December 2008, 16:15

Originally Posted by BIGBOSSMAN

Here here, how about this ZX10R?

Oh yeah, it's for sale

It's cack green too.......

**BIGBOSSMAN** · 15th December 2008, 16:24

Originally Posted by slofox

It's cack green too.......

Better than your 'tractor red'...

**wbks** · 15th December 2008, 16:58

Why the hell would you be so assured you wouldn't buy a zx10r?
Btw the '04 R1 is way better looking but the '09 isn't that bad looking IMO, still looks alright.

**prettybillie** · 15th December 2008, 17:23

Originally Posted by madbikeboy

I've been repeatedly looking at the R1 as an alternative to the GSXR1000 K8 / GSXR750 K8, and carefully thinking about which to buy for some time.

The 2008 R1 is a stunning piece.

You traitor - your marriage proposal is declined! mwahahahahaha

**Gremlin** · 15th December 2008, 17:40

You want an RC8 with akra system...

Your bank manager will love you long time, but at least it looks good...

**NZsarge** · 15th December 2008, 17:57

It's a given these days that the cans will need binning and it would be fair to say this wont ever be known as the best looking R1 in history but wait until you see one in the flesh, I think at least it would be a bike that would be a conversation starter.
I reckon the '04-'06 was the best looking and one of the best looking bikes ever and next best would be the '07-'08. I don't reckon there's been a crook looking R1 yet.

**SixPackBack** · 15th December 2008, 18:23

Originally Posted by NZsarge

It's a given these days that the cans will need binning and it would be fair to say this wont ever be known as the best looking R1 in history but wait until you see one in the flesh, I think at least it would be a bike that would be a conversation starter.
I reckon the '04-'06 was the best looking and one of the best looking bikes ever and next best would be the '07-'08. I don't reckon there's been a crook looking R1 yet.

The R1 09 looks no better in the metal, particularly that fat ass