http://www.motorcycle.com/gallery/gallery.php/d/191747-3/2009_Literbike_Challenge_IMG_0321.jpg

It's been nearly 12 years since I began working as a full-time motojournalist, and I get wistful for those simpler days. Back then, the literbikes (CBR900RR, ZX-9R, GSX-R1100 and YZF1000) were separated by nearly 100 pounds of weight and huge power disparities, and ergonomics ranged from racetrack refugee to something we now call sport-tour-y. Even a neophyte motojourno could pick a clear winner.

But today, we're stuck in a world of finely honed and fully featured literbikes whose level of diversity is amazingly insignificant. They all haul ass around a racetrack, chassis geometry distinctions are measured in fractions, and peak horsepower differs only by about 5%. Unless you're a nationally ranked Superbike racer, each of these bikes is way better than you are, and saying one is significantly better than another is mere hair-splitting.

If a person could ride a bike blindfolded (maybe next shootout?), they'd be hard-pressed to discern which literbike they were on. Jumping from one model to another at the racetrack, it was astounding to be fully comfortable running quick laps immediately on another brand's bike, as they all have remarkably high performance envelopes yet are amazingly user-friendly for what are essentially road-bound missiles.

More: 2009 Literbike Shootout (http://www.motorcycle.com/shoot-outs/2009-literbike-shootout-88218.html) on Motorcycle.com

One thing to note is the 6 hp deficit the American R1 bikes have over their Euro counterparts, save France. It would be interesting to see what all these bikes would do with full re-mapping and a full race exhaust with freeer-breathing air cleaners.

One thing to note is the 6 hp deficit the American R1 bikes have over their Euro counterparts, save France. It would be interesting to see what all these bikes would do with full re-mapping and a full race exhaust with freeer-breathing air cleaners.

Just a simple Remap would do wonders as alot of bikes are detuned somewhat to pass Emissions standards ;) and 6hp is neither here nor there, its one small proportion to testing criteria :thumbup
I dont think full race exhausts in testing is a good comparison as not everyone will buy a full system, its like dealers who swap gearing on test bikes and then when you buy the bike you wonder why its such a dog :crash
but allowing Manufactures to change the air filter to suit their bikes could be a good thing as we all change our air filters sooner or later :lol

dealers do that? thats not nice. maybe ill throw a fit and get a free one ;)

Well, we knew for long that the 09 R1 isn't going to be impressive in terms of top end power.
What keeps amazing me is the contradiction between initial tests in the handling department (poor setup out of the factory compared to properly adjusted suspensions for the presentation).
And even more so: A german mag has had the R1 quickest from 60-100-140km/h in last gear.
This is in line with the "pants" feeling and also hand-measured comparisons between the 09 and 05 R1, but a huge contradiction to that power curve.
Suzuki on the other hand managed to built a great engine again...

ouch.......476 lbs!!!!
I guess light is right

ouch.......476 lbs!!!!
I guess light is right
476 is very heavy for any sport bike. Yamaha has to find a way to shave off some weight from the 2010 model. Doing something with that god awful exhaust would help in multiple areas. That's really the only thing I don't like about this bike. I'm going to be in the market for a new ride next summer and I'm already leaning towards the new Fireblade or the Ducati 1198.

ya thats even heavier than the 07/08 GSXR1000 that watch catching flak for being heavier at 470lbs. Boggles the mind

Another blow to the Yamaha name. Another failure in the shootout.

I checked the weights for all of the bikes in the shootout plus the Ducati 1198.

Honda- 439 wet
Suzuki- 448 wet?
Kawasaki- 459 wet?
Yamaha- 476 wet?
Ducati- 378 wet.

It's amazing what a few extra lbs. can do to a bike's performance. With that said the 09 R1 is still winning mostly every shootout review that I've seen.

I checked the weights for all of the bikes in the shootout plus the Ducati 1198.

Honda- 439 wet
Suzuki- 448 wet?
Kawasaki- 459 wet?
Yamaha- 476 wet?
Ducati- 378 wet.

It's amazing what a few extra lbs. can do to a bike's performance. With that said the 09 R1 is still winning mostly every shootout review that I've seen.

Besides More Crappy News, what other shootouts are you refering to?

Master Bike (finished last)
Motorcycle.com (finished last)
Roadracing World (finished last)

Haha. Funny how people get so worked up by magazine write ups.
If you actually look at the marking system you can see that its all subjective opinions anyway, but if you take the 'appearance' section out of it the R1 comes 2nd.. after the CBR...which they really like.
How they marked the R1 so low in that section I can't understand:dunno Maybe it had something to do with the fatty exhaust pipes.. :lol

The numbers are incorrect on the Ducati 1198. I have posted this elsewere.

For me I really don't like the Honda or Suzuki and I happen to have a Ducati 1098 and a 2004 Kawasaki ZX-10R race bike so there was only one REAL choice for me....the new R1 and I like it! You don't really feel like you are riding a 'heavy' bike.

MCN did a shoot out with almost exact opposite results.

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

MCN did a shoot out with almost exact opposite results.

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

Unfortunately most people know that More Crappy News is the National Enquirer of the internet, and no one there can actually ride.

I think Yamaha f.. up with the ECU that limits the topend power,as already described by many members of the forum.It's not just remap and get and exhaust, it's the faulty ECU.And getting the YEC ECU solves it, but you loose the D-mode. The heavier bike and with a limited engine...I guess the new R1 will loose a lot of shootouts this year. I hope Yamaha solves this for 2010 :(

I think Yamaha f.. up with the ECU that limits the topend power,as already described by many members of the forum.It's not just remap and get and exhaust, it's the faulty ECU.And getting the YEC ECU solves it, but you loose the D-mode. The heavier bike and with a limited engine...I guess the new R1 will loose a lot of shootouts this year. I hope Yamaha solves this for 2010 :(

Have you ridden the bike yet?

A friend of mine got an 09 and I am anxious to ride it and see for myself.

Another review of the liter bikes and once again the Honda has come up on top. Motorcycle usa has done a street review of the 09 Liter bikes and only one test rider said he would go for the Yamaha R1. One thing that they mention during the review is the engine generates a lot of heat and the rider feels it all...
I wonder if it would be better to hold off purchasing the 09 version of the R1 and see if Yamaha resolves the issues in 2010..

Another review of the liter bikes and once again the Honda has come up on top. Motorcycle usa has done a street review of the 09 Liter bikes and only one test rider said he would go for the Yamaha R1. One thing that they mention during the review is the engine generates a lot of heat and the rider feels it all...
I wonder if it would be better to hold off purchasing the 09 version of the R1 and see if Yamaha resolves the issues in 2010..
I havn't noticed a heat issue other than the issue of having a 100?C engine between the legs and a hot exhaust under the seat (while standing at a traffic light only).

Has anyone else read the review that stated " the 08 yamaha R1 has/had more horse power than the 09 R1"

I was just doing some research (since my 07 R1 was just stolen!) and comparing the 07- 08's to the 09 models. Personally speaking the 07 - 08 models were great once that midrange problem was addressed.

I'm also curious about how well Ben spies is doing overseas as compared to the AMA yamahas (AMA riders are not doing to good on them) what if anything is different about the AMA R1's?

Didn't Bostrom get second at Barber and Hayes won at Infineon? Seems they are doing better than any one other than Suzuki....

Hayes' win was the first for a non-Suzuki in AMA Pro National Guard American Superbike in 55 races, since Jake Zemke won on a Honda on June 18, 2006 in race two at Miller Motorsports Park, and was the first win for Yamaha at Infineon since 2001.

Per motorcycle usa, the 09 Yamaha R1s have 40 ponies (US version 139 hp & Europe version 179 hp) lesser than the ones sold in Europe. This has been done to address the strict emission standards here in the US. Could this be the reason for their lack of power and performance?
Motorcycle usa came out with their Track tests on the liter bikes and once again the 09 R1 stands last :(
The only thing they liked about the bike is the sound and the way it handles when exiting a corner.
Everything else, the bike has scored low points..
Do these tests have any impact on the manufacturer's decision on what needs to improve on the 2010 version of their bikes? We will just have to wait and see...

I personally think it's funny how you all get upset about mag reviews. If you like the bike, enjoy it, if you're all about what the mag says then go buy what they prefer to ride :lol: - It's simple!

Man! I just joined this Forum with excitement as I felt I'm finally into the 1000cc category (having JUST bought the 09 R1 - arrives in 7 days time) only to read what appears to be a completely dissappointed tone on the forum about the 09 R1.

I agree with the last comment - buy what you like and enjoy riding... what sold me about the new R1 (having come from 3 R6's) is the SOUND!!! It's amazing as I'm sure you all know. But the great thing for me is also the technology behind it, where it came from and who helped develop it. Maybe a simple stance in life, I won't argue, but my loyalty to Yamaha bought that new R1, as it bought me to this Forum!

Ride safe all!

Sabre I have a friend who owns an 09 - and he doesn't have any issues with it at all. Enjoy your bike mate.

Man, I really hated my 2008 R1. What did I regret that motorcycle. but now with the '09 I'm verry pleased. I love the looks the way it handles, just everything.

Man! I just joined this Forum with excitement as I felt I'm finally into the 1000cc category (having JUST bought the 09 R1 - arrives in 7 days time) only to read what appears to be a completely dissappointed tone on the forum about the 09 R1.

I agree with the last comment - buy what you like and enjoy riding... what sold me about the new R1 (having come from 3 R6's) is the SOUND!!! It's amazing as I'm sure you all know. But the great thing for me is also the technology behind it, where it came from and who helped develop it. Maybe a simple stance in life, I won't argue, but my loyalty to Yamaha bought that new R1, as it bought me to this Forum!

Ride safe all!

Pay no attention to the naysayers, and welcome to the forum!
People that actually know anything about bikes don't get worked up over these reviews.
Like I mentioned before, if the reviewers can say that the blade is the best looking bike (its the ugliest ever!) and give the R1 bottom marks, then you know that all their opinions are equally questionable.:drunk:

My 09R1 doesn't get to me for another 2 weeks but I already know its going to be great. :secret:

People that actually know anything about bikes don't get worked up over these reviews.

Well, that's because they do not ride R1s. :crash

I was finally able to get my hands (and legs) over the new R1. Yamaha decided that they would let the normal everyday bikers try out their bikes and get our inputs on their motorcycles. So they brought along their whole set of 09 models. I got to try out the 09 R6 and 09 R1. These bikes were to be demoed at a race track where the ?R?s are their true self. I went out and tried the R6 first and instantly you come to know why this bike is the weapon of choice for many racers. The bike is really powerful, light and agile. Most of the power comes at the high RPM so you have to keep that throttle twisted.
When I got onto the R1 I instantly realized this bike feels like a V twin at low revs (comparing with Ducati 848 and Ducati Monster 1100 that I have ridden). The power delivery to the ground is so smooth that you feel confident and comfortable at all times. Its extra weight does show but it compensates for it in its ride quality. The bike exits out of corners really well. All the power that bike has is definitely usable on track and I am sure on street too.
There has been so much talk about the new R1 all over the forums. Motorcycle magazines doing their own thing to decide the best liter bike for 09. Now that I have experienced the new R1, I will not settle for anything else.

Glad to hear a positive tone coming forth :)

I'm like a child at Christmas right now, counting down the seconds till friday... Excited as hell about getting the new bike (and also because it's my first custom coloured bike etc too) but at the same time I am absolutely bricking it, hahaha. I've never ridden anything except for R6's and CBR600's. Now I've made the move to the R1 and it's nerve racking :) But I wouldn't trade it for anything else...

Will post a pic or 2 to the forum. Glad to be here and I look forward to getting to know some of you. Take care all.

Would love to see and hear from you on the new R1. Do share with us your opinion on the bike.

I've just put the first 1400 miles on my '09 R1, and I'm happy with it.
Some items:
If you spend much time idling in traffic, the motor will definitely try
to roast your chestnuts. Still a bit cooler than an undertail bike, though.
It's too quiet by half with the stock pipes. I'm upgrading to Leo Vince
carbon cans and stainless exhaust. I'm told getting rid of the cat will cut
down on some heat, as well.
The power delivery is absolutely flawless. It's 'dial-a-speed' with the
throttle hand. No unseen power spikes like my Ducati Monster is prone to
having. Coming out of a corner or passing on a short straight are a joy.
The fuel mapping switch is not a gimmick - it's useful if you plan to commute with it, as I do.
All in all, I think it's 90% of an 1198 for half the price and twice the comfort.

Man, I really hated my 2008 R1. What did I regret that motorcycle. but now with the '09 I'm verry pleased. I love the looks the way it handles, just everything.



What the? Mate, you must have scored a dud bike.... The 08 is AWESOME. I've owned a 2000, 2001, 2007 and for the last year, a 2008 and it is the best of the lot...

Granted the 09 is a better bike for certain reasons (other than top end).

I still love when my mechanic said (quote) "That thing is angry! it was trying to rip my arms off!".......:rock

All in all, I think it's 90% of an 1198 for half the price and twice the comfort.

Quiet accurate. +1

I'm new to this forum. I've own 8 ducatis in the past 9 years. I'm planning on buy my first R1. My last Yamaha was a FZ600 back in 1988. I have heard good review about the bike. From what I've read in this posting is that some people are complaining about the weight and power. For those that complain about the power I have 1 question. Is your ability far exceed the bike capability? I really don't think so. As for the weight issue, comparing the power to weight ratio vs bikes form the 80's the new R1 is light. All of my ducatis are heavy and the power is no where close to the Japanese liter bike. It handle and move just fine on the street and track. The first thing that get replace is the exhaust, it will cut down on weight right away. To really cut down weight, go on a diet, maybe it's the rider that's too heavy. 160HP to the rear wheel at 470 pounds that is light and it is beyond our ability to handle it. Let's face it, anybody that want a liter bike is all about bragging rights. Too heavy, not enough power give me a break. I'm planning on buy the R1 is because I like the new engine it sounds like a duc and the torque is like a twin. I'm not so closed minded anymore about bike I'm expanding my horizon. Do I need the R1? No, but I want 1. Cut the BS, if you like it buy it, ride it and enjoy it. If you don't like it buy something else, otherwise build your own bike and let us review it. This is my first posting, I hope I don't get kick out. I Just like to speak the truth about motorcycle. The truth might be hurtful to some of you.

I promised some pics... I finally got my new R1 on Saturday (a week late thanks to more time needed for the paint job, but boy was the wait worth it).

Here are 3 pics... unfortunately the bike is not finished so I will post more pics when the new exhaust and tail tidy / fend-eliminator etc is all sorted.

Hope you like it - it's my first R1 and I friggin' LOVE IT! :rock :rock

Pics:

http://www.r1-forum.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=20714&cat=2

http://www.r1-forum.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=20715&cat=2

http://www.r1-forum.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=20716&cat=2

The Monster Energy Yamaha looks cool. Its interesting to see that you being from the UK have the Colin Edwards number on the bike. Wonder why the 52 did not make it. I guess the other Raven R1 in the back will get that.

I'm a South African living in the UK. I have no loyalty to James Toseland. Colin Edwards on the other hand has been my number 2 rider since WSB before motogp... love the guy. He's 2nd only to Rossi (of course).

I actually don't like Toseland at all - his little pre-season shuffle of chief mechanics did not win him a lot of applause, not so much what happened more the way it happened. But in a way it's made Colin Edwards SOOO determined not to be beaten by JT this year - but that's a whole nother thread worth :)

I really hope to see Colin in MotoGP next year.

Would love to see and hear from you on the new R1. Do share with us your opinion on the bike.

Well I have now done 900 miles on the new R1 and all I can say is "Oh my God!". Yes, it is my first 1000cc bike so I'm not going to pretend that any 1000cc would not have been a major change for me, but what I can say is, the new R1 right from the word go, gave me mountains of confidence in the corners, easily scraping my boots through awesome winding UK country roads and getting the knee down through traffic circles is like 2nd nature. It's amazing!

I learned to wheelie on my R6. I'm not the greatest wheelie'er out there but I could run it nicely on the back wheel for a while and gently put her down. With the new R1 - for some reason I seem to be better at wheelies now than I ever was before (I take NO CREDIT for this!). Where I thought it was going to be harder to wheelie a 1000cc this R1 just gets up face high and wants to stay there all fricking day! :rock Smack my arse and call me McGyver!

I'm no great racer either, not even done a track day yet so everyone would kick my ass around a track or anywhere else, but in my humble opinion, the design of the new R1 and its power deliver is so amazing that it can allow someone with my sub standard skill lever to feel just as confident as some stronger riders hitting the turns hard and fast keeping up with them all the time and not fearing a massive high side... I read a post somewhere on this forum - a really well informed race engineer (I think) was explaining dyno runs to the audience who kept giving him crap but he had all the patience in the world and put a lot of effort into explaining power delivery to everyone and explaining that dyno's do not tell the real story to a simple dyno graph indicating max power... one of his comments was about it being much harder to high side the new R1 because of the way the power is delivered, and I'm a complete believer of what he said - through a corner when the back end comes out, it feels like it comes out slower than you'd expect and because you are able to actually feel it coming out slightly you're able to back off the throttle and it gets back in line with a very light shudder - obvisouly if you are pushing a lot harder than I do it may come out quicker but as I said I'm not at that level - making you feel much safer. Another point he made is that the R1 feels slower than it really is which allows you more brain time to concentrate on what matters, the braking points, apex, exit, etc.... now my experience at first was simply "Holy "£!$%" but the more I'm riding it the more I think I'm realising what he's saying.... you seem to be so much more confident on the bike and what it's going to do that you do feel like you have a lot of time before things happen. It's weird, I don't really know how to explain it - probably because I'm not qualified as a new 1000cc owner to go into this further but simply put for me, it just oozes confidence and "nimbleness".

Anyways I'm going to back off the technical stuff because it's not my expertise but I will simply say that I love the bike to no end. It is honestly the greatest piece of kit I have ever owned and my wife simply hates it. She's had 0 time with me since I bought it :dunno

Here is my latest pic - I just had the new Graves motogp pipe - tail tidy / fender eliminator - power commander 5, K&N Air filter put on, all done by Carbontek Yamaha in Surrey, UK (Shout out to those boys - immaculate work). I hope you all like it, and I hope it's a fitting tribute to the one and only Colin Edwards!!!! And by tribute I'm not saying that he's definitely leaving motogp this year - there is just a chance... before I get a 100 replies telling me off :)

http://www.r1-forum.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=20753&nocache=1

all I can say is "Oh my God!".


Good to hear you love your new bike. I bought an 09 R1 today and am at the moment under-whelmed with the power and delivery. Maybe I got a weak one?

Here is my thread with pix.

http://www.r1-forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=265767

I like what you did with the exhaust. that actualy crossed my mind. Why didn't you remove the passenger steps?

Good to hear you love your new bike. I bought an 09 R1 today and am at the moment under-whelmed with the power and delivery. Maybe I got a weak one?

Here is my thread with pix.

http://www.r1-forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=265767

KLW - sorry to hear you aint happy with it mate... though I have heard that the USA model R1 is down about 20BHP on the UK model. I'm not sure why they have done that... I think the only reason could be to keep with strict emissions control in the USA these days. It does suck if that is the case though. However I'm sure if you took it to someone who knew what they were doing they could have your bike at it's full potential. It may just cost you a little to get it there.

All the best and hope you end up in a happy place with your new R1 because it would be a shame for people not to buy one because of some silly emissions cr@p (I'm going to have all the enviromentalists on my @ss now!) :nopity:

I like what you did with the exhaust. that actualy crossed my mind. Why didn't you remove the passenger steps?

Honestly there is still a fair bit I want to do - Titanium bolts - new larger carbon rear hugger, removal of rear footrests, graves covers etc etc... so it's work in progress as I try get some money back into savings again :)

Very nice work, Saber. I've got about 1500 miles on mine so far ( been busy - no time to ride ), and I've noticed the straight-line throttle response does wonders for the cornering. It's not a horsepower monster like the Hayabusa, but it actually gets around on the Peninsula roads much quicker. I also noticed that it wheelies better than the Ducati, as far as stability goes.
I haven't pulled the passenger pegs off yet, but I plan to.

I finally get to play with my new 09 R1 today, I have Akrapovic full race system. The sound is so close to my Duc. I must say the power is just too much. I'm planning on tracking it, but I'm afraid to, it has too much power for me. I track a 748 regularly and I love it but this new R1 is just too much torque. Over all the bike is great it grew on my and all of my riding peers just love it with the Akrapovic.

my 08 R1 was my first R1 and i think its the best handling bike i have ever rode...i had an 05 1000rr and it felt heavy and my 06 F4i was a blast but still didnt handle like the R...

the R1 gives me soo much feedback when i am leaning, i can really feel what the front is doing and it also feels very natural when carving the corners, natural enough that i sometimes find myself not even thinking about the bike but merely shifting my weight and and putting the knee down...

if the 09 is better then WOW!

my $.02

I finally get a chance to track my R1. This thing is a beast, way too much power I still have to get use to it. I've done 2 session with it at Loudon, NH. I'm scare to push it hard. The throttle is very sensitive and the power comes on very quick. Cornering is very stable, the bike is very flickable you don't notice the extra weight once you are on it. My 748 weight about the same and it feel very heavy you really have to push it around. I've never own an R1 before, this is my first R1, for the price it is a lot of bike well worth the money. As a long time Ducati person, I would not hesitate to by another R1.