2009 r1...

[wbks]

Haha so superficial I would prefer a mint modded rg500 over a brand new bike... But anyway. I kinda thought calling someone ignorant because of bike taste is an oxymoron

[AllanB]

Weird - I was just thinking today that the current and upcoming set of ultra sports bikes are leaving me dead and totally uninterested. Maybe I'm getting old but a Lotto win would not see any of them in my shed.

Part of the motorcycle appeal to me is its physical stance - now my personal 'like' may well be your dislike but it if does not have that 'look' or the potential to easily alter it to obtain 'my look' then my money (restricted as it is) is not going down. No matter how fast, nimble etc the reviewers claim it to be.

AS for the 1125 Buell - its radiators look like a fat woman in a tight bra - far too much slopping out over the straps.

[naphazoline]

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?

i agree 'bout the ugly thing,but from all accounts,that new blade sounds like a hard act to better.

when i heard about the "big bang" r1,i checked out a few articles on it.what they had to say, in an aussie sports bike shoot out,left me a bit turned off.
which was a bummer,as i really wanted it to beat the rest,especially after i heard that engine.

5 out of 12 test riders set their best laps on the new blade.the next best bike was the gixxer 1k.and only two set their best laps on that.
all of them agreed,that the blade was the best on the road.

it seems to me,that more and more sports bike manufacturers,aren't paying enough attention to styling,but i think if i had the chance to ride/own one of the uglies,that i'd soon find it in my heart to live with their looks

anyone got an ugly they don't want?

[slowpoke]

Ride it. Then it makes sense. Standing round looking at it misses the point, as I'm sure it does with the R1. The Aesthetics aren't visual aesthetics on the 1125R. They're entirely engineering oriented. Vastly more important aesthetics than making a bike attractive to a hairdresser. You simply shouldn't let engineers have free rein because this is what they'll do. Design something that is about mass centralisation, aerodynamics, handling, and full noise drive. It will also have superb ergonomics. Pure design sometimes gets in the way of that last bit.

I haven't ridden a sportsbike since my RC30 that didn't need significant body english to make it handle nicely. Like the RC30 the Buell can be ridden however you want to. Sit in the seat, hang off, doesn't matter. It'll still wrinkle tarmac and torture tyres without running wide. Quite nice that last bit. Neutral big throttle opening handling is quite desirable in my book.

The CR looks like a cross between a Firebolt, Pamela Anderson's boobs and the Predator's helmet, but still somehow looks menacing.

I agree with your last paragraph with one caveat. The '06 headlights were all wrong and started the R1 on the road to looking cheap and tawdry. IMO of course. Not that it matters.

Ooooooh you had to mention the RC30 didnt you? Impractical or not I'd take one in a flash over virtually any current bike.

Maybe you had to go to Korea to understand my reference regarding styling. When I was there you could get these shrunk down "copies" of R1's and GSXR's complete with 125/250 engines, twin shocks and steel frames painted to look like alloy. Obvious copies of iconic Japanese sportsbikes but wrong on so many levels.

Don't get me wrong I love clever engineering as much as you do but I actually get the feeling the Buell has been over-engineered. Your RC30 had a purity of design and purpose that this seems to lack, rather than each component doing one thing and doing it well he has each component doing two jobs and each of them compromises the other.

I hear you on the overrated Italian stuff too. I've done the no-lock low speed paddle at gas stations on my 916SP, and dropped the fucker when the revenue raising spring loaded side stand flicked up, and looked down at my trembling clutch hand forearm after being caught in Perth's rush hour traffic etc etc. I'm glad I experienced it but I wouldn't go there again, not at that money anyway.

[BIGBOSSMAN]

i agree 'bout the ugly thing,but from all accounts,that new blade sounds like a hard act to better.

when i heard about the "big bang" r1,i checked out a few articles on it.what they had to say, in an aussie sports bike shoot out,left me a bit turned off.
which was a bummer,as i really wanted it to beat the rest,especially after i heard that engine.

5 out of 12 test riders set their best laps on the new blade.the next best bike was the gixxer 1k.and only two set their best laps on that.
all of them agreed,that the blade was the best on the road.

it seems to me,that more and more sports bike manufacturers,aren't paying enough attention to styling,but i think if i had the chance to ride/own one of the uglies,that i'd soon find it in my heart to live with their looks

anyone got an ugly they don't want?

Dude, the 09 R1 hasn't been released to journalists yet - those articles feature the 08 R1. Still pretty good, but the revised motor/frame geometry and other fruit on the 09 should make it more than competitive.
On the track, of course...

[naphazoline]

Dude, the 09 R1 hasn't been released to journalists yet - those articles feature the 08 R1. Still pretty good, but the revised motor/frame geometry and other fruit on the 09 should make it more than competitive.
On the track, of course...

oh....sorry. my bad

it's cool if it's competitive on the track,but it would have to be awesome on the road to,if it wants to top some of the other brands.

[Coyote]

We all know I have the nicest looking bike around. Now everyone, please shut the fuck up.

[wbks]

With the sickest paint job nig

[dipshit]

Weird - I was just thinking today that the current and upcoming set of ultra sports bikes are leaving me dead and totally uninterested. Maybe I'm getting old but a Lotto win would not see any of them in my shed.

You guys think you have problems. Should have tried being into bikes in the early 90s when bikes went through their ugly, fat and plastic stage...

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/at...0&d=1215806816

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/at...9&d=1215806816

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/at...8&d=1215806816

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/at...7&d=1215806816

The 09 R1 is sex on wheels in comparison.

[BIGBOSSMAN]

oh....sorry. my bad

it's cool if it's competitive on the track,but it would have to be awesome on the road to,if it wants to top some of the other brands.

No worries, to be fair I wasn't exactly rapturous when the '08 ZX10R was released but with a couple of mods it's a stunning looking motorcycle and great to ride.
Slap the Akrapovics on the new R1 and it'll be a real looker I bet.
My next bike? Hmmm

[DMNTD:Me]

No worries, to be fair I wasn't exactly rapturous when the '08 ZX10R was released but with a couple of mods it's a stunning looking motorcycle and great to ride.
Slap the Akrapovics on the new R1 and it'll be a real looker I bet.
My next bike? Hmmm

I reckon I'll be going for another shorty out the side again

[AllanB]

You guys think you have problems. Should have tried being into bikes in the early 90s when bikes went through their ugly, fat and plastic stage..

I hear you there - I kept my 1980's bike throught that period!

There was the whole day glow and pink graphics stage too .....shudder.

[BIGBOSSMAN]

I reckon I'll be going for another shorty out the side again

This would look totally horn

http://paddocktalk.com/news/html/mod...t-rear-453.jpg

[nudemetalz]

Well I spent a weekend on the Guzzi Griso 8V and that looks awesome. Not too overstated. The styling flows from the front to the back with everything working well together (well maybe that indicator switch is an exception...).
The latest Japanese superbikes just seem to only get slight differences in the styling from year to year, with nothing major happening.
Where's the leading link front end, or fluid drive or 2 wheel drive or......

Okay,...so I like Guzzi's...let me have it !!!!!

[NZsarge]

I'll try and dig out the picture I've got of an 09 with the GTYRs on. Looks fekking horrible. Why? Because they dangle out in space. They don't look part of the bike, they look like a tacky add on.

The Akra's look ok.. The thing I dont like about the new 'Blade is it's all too monoform and it's just ended up looking bland and boring.

Piccies

Akra's look sweet to me.

I reckon I'll be going for another shorty out the side again

Yeah that'd nice too.