Hey guys, i've been spending several nights after work just perusing these forums, and y'all seem like a pretty chill bunch.

Just wanted to see if anyone is near colorado springs or denver and has an r1. I'm buying my first bike next spring and i'll most likely be getting a ninja 650 or CBR 600. I like the ninja for the ergonomics, but i digress.

I wanted to ask if long rides on the r1 are feasable. I've heard some big bikes are hell to ride for more than a few hours.

It's not the size of the bike that determines comfort. You have to consider your weight, height, length of your legs, reach to the clip ons, particular bike, weather, temps, etc.

It's all based on what feels comfortable to you. You may find bikes that are comfortable that others may not. You're going to have to check on each bike for yourself. :fact

hmmm... so the lighter the rider the easier the ride i guess? not factoring in height

hmmm... so the lighter the rider the easier the ride i guess? not factoring in height

Not necessarily. Weight comes in to play when you adjust the suspension. If the suspension isn't adjusted to your weight it can be "uncomfortable" as well as less stable.

Height will affect your comfort based on how high the bike is and the length of your legs may have you sitting awkwardly based on where your pegs are in relation to your knees.

Not necessarily. Weight comes in to play when you adjust the suspension. If the suspension isn't adjusted to your weight it can be "uncomfortable" as well as less stable.

Height will affect your comfort based on how high the bike is and the length of your legs may have you sitting awkwardly based on where your pegs are in relation to your knees.

+1 after a proper setup its like a whole new bike. dont forget a good hand grip like Driven is good so your hands dont get tired

Hey guys, i've been spending several nights after work just perusing these forums.


This is where you are going wrong, you shopuld spend your days at work on here, and then ride at night

This is where you are going wrong, you shopuld spend your days at work on here, and then ride at night

yah if we all had desk jobs.

I dont yet own a bike. If I did, I wouldn't be riding home to post on forums. I'd be riding until 4 in the morning with the guys and then heading home to do it all over again the next day. Im debating on saving over the winter for the bike or taking out a loan to do it because riding season apparantly is year-round here... it makes it really tempting to just buy it and start riding

It might make more sense for you now to just save the cash and get it mid winter when you can get a really good deal. I doubt you'll get too much good weather riding time in the Springs throughout the winter... I lived in Pueblo for about 2 years and I definitely wouldn't have ridden through those winters. Especially with all the gravel and sand they throw on the roads. And I remember Colorado Springs getting hammered with snow.
But on the other hand you could get it now, still have a few good weeks, and then use the rest of the winter for mods.

Oh hell, there's no good answer...haha

I ride year round in the springs but there are a few weeks where it gets too cold or the rare occasion that snow sticks around for more than a day. I remember too many Christmas rides when it is 65 to put the bike up for the winter.

As for long rides I find my R1 to be the most comfortable of the litres and I always enjoyed my r6 when i had it. I haven't spent a lot of time on the 06+ R6 but if it anything like the 99-03's it is very comfortable. CBR's are to narrow for me and I just never like kawis or zuks. Im a bigger guy though 6ft ~240 and every rider has his own taste.

Id recommend going over to rocky mountain and just throwing a leg over a bunch, they have a pretty good selection right now, but no r6's :(.

Im 6'1" and 145 pounds, lol skinny i know. I'll be 195 by my 20th, but I just went up to the metric in denver, and I had a blast! It seems like the kawasaki's are much lighter but front-heavy, but they have a heavenly riding position. The yamaha i tried, (not r6 or r1... too much bike for a beginner) Had a very windsheild in your face feel. Not very comfortable. I'm having a bit of a love affair with the CBR 600rr tho... beautiful bike. Im not a fan of the gsx-r feel up until i get on the 1000. I LOVE the feel of the r1, but i could just feel how powerful it was just at idle. So im debating between the ninja 650, the CBR600, and the ZX6R. Those are the ones that felt best. As for the loan vs saving deal, I'd have to take out enough money to get the bike AND gear, minus a helmet. Not that i wont use one, just have that taken care of. Lots to consider... now to go make sandwiches for work... eat fresh

Yah a 600 is a fantastic bike especially for your weight. If you dont want to look at a r6 i would say the CBR600rr is my fav. Are you looking used or new? I would really recommend used from a private party, there are some good deals out there and insurance will be cheaper.

Well its not that I won't consider an r6, its just im afraid of getting a bike with too much power and accidentally popping the clutch. Plus I like the ergonomics of some other bikes. I love the CBR600 too. Umm, either really. kind of nervous to go private though because I mean, what if its been dropped or someone revved the hell out of it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LEGhltmPLU

Thats a valid point on the private sale, but you seem to think that an r6 is more powerful than a cbr600 or zx6r, all of the supersports are very similar in power. Ergonomics on the other hand are very important, get the bike that feels the best and fits you and you will be happy.

Most private sales are just fine, but if you dont know what to look for either bring a friend who does or go ahead and buy from a dealer.

hmm... ok man thanks for the advice :)

Just saw this, but here's my input. I'm up in Denver and have an R1. I've ridden it for long distances in the canyons and it's not too bad. I usually ride 2 up, and we did a 3 day trip taking the long way up to Steamboat. It was about 400 miles up there on a Friday, and then around 500 on the way back on Sunday. It wasn't fun on my back the first day, but after the ride back home, it wasn't bad at all, I was just tired as hell. So it can be done. Just get some stomp grip to help you use your knees more. ;)

BTW, I'm 6'2" and 230lbs. My girlfriend is 5'7" and around 130 (she never tells me what she weighs).

Bike has stomp grip, stock rear sets, woodcraft clip ons w/ vortex bars, and a 190/55 rear tire, Renthal medium grips, and I have a Cramp Buster for the throttle. Just stuff that might have to do w/ the subject.