[EXILEDinATL]

Okay I am sure this has been asked 1,000 times...
But I am about to make the jump to a 2009 R1.
A little history about my riding experience I started riding on a 1993 Suzuki gsx600f katana, I have rode my friends ninja 650r, and my best friends 07 R6 more times than I can count. I am not worried or asking if I can handle an R1 I know I can.... Well that sounded cocky, but what I mean is on every bike I have ever rode I respect the power and never think I am better than the bike.

But why I am posting this thread is I have read so many things about the 09 R1 I just want to hear from people who actually own the bike.

Also has anyone rode with a passenger on a 09?
It seems like the exhaust is a lil close to there legs.. My girl loves to ride with me I am just making sure that it isn't going to hurt her.

Sorry for the long ramble, just looking for opinions on a 09, and the how people ride with passengers...
Thanks guys.

 

[z064life]

I've rode with passengers..never been an issue

 

[EXILEDinATL]

Okay, I have to get the feel of the bike first before I start letting her ride with me.

 

[xdonniedarkox]

Just go easy... you find the R1 more to throw around, especially the X Plane lump. As far as a pillion should be no problem.

Enjoy your ride homey

 

[khmersta]

I've rode a bunch of liter bikes and have own 02 R1 and 06 R1. 02 had more low end then the 06 but the 09 is a beast. Stay in B or C mode first before you hit A mode. A mode is very jerky if you don't have good throttle control. Start in B or C first. Good luck.

 

[EXILEDinATL]

Just go easy... you find the R1 more to throw around, especially the X Plane lump. As far as a pillion should be no problem.

Enjoy your ride homey

I am not sure what you meant there but i will enjoy lol.

I've rode a bunch of liter bikes and have own 02 R1 and 06 R1. 02 had more low end then the 06 but the 09 is a beast. Stay in B or C mode first before you hit A mode. A mode is very jerky if you don't have good throttle control. Start in B or C first. Good luck.

I was thinking about just sticking with B for a while to get the feel of the bike. But what is C mode? I thought it went Standard, B, then A.

 

[khmersta]

sorry, I meant stay in standard or B mode. A is jerky. As you can see I don't own a 09 model. I've ridden it a bunch of times and it's fun, a lot of low end power that I love.

 

[Supernakie]

I was thinking about just sticking with B for a while to get the feel of the bike. But what is C mode? I thought it went Standard, B, then A.[/QUOTE]

You are correct. Their is no C mode. Also a little tid bit I didn't realize before buying my 09 is their is no fuel gauge! Weird..I know right... Anyways..just keep a level head when starting on a new bike. Ride safe and stay within your limits :thumbup

 

[EXILEDinATL]

sorry, I meant stay in standard or B mode. A is jerky. As you can see I don't own a 09 model. I've ridden it a bunch of times and it's fun, a lot of low end power that I love.

It's cool man, I kinda figured that is what you meant.
But Like I said I am going to keep it in b the first 2 or 3 times I ride it. Then I am going to standard, and then one day if I feel the need for it A. I just don't see the reason for A on the street.

 

[quick kurt]

Take your time and you will be fine . '09 -'12 R1s make speed very easily (they feel slow but are not,to me anyway) my '06 is an animal as far as very sharp power delivery that can be overwhelming to a new 1000 rider (feels like you are riding a rocket when the power hits at about 9,000 rpm) '09 '12 are easier to ride fast but decieving,they don't FEEL as fast but trust me you WILL be flying when you gas it up , keep a close eye on the speedo at all times (not too much you need to know where your going because you will be there very shortly!!) I've been riding R1s for a very long time,and if you want to keep on being able to ride you need to be ALIVE to do so ,so take it slow and build up to the power that you use O.K.,not trying to scare you but you can get WAY over your head in a short amount of time (literally) on one of these things ,be safe and enjoy it you will love it for sure !!

 

[EXILEDinATL]

Take your time and you will be fine . '09 -'12 R1s make speed very easily (they feel slow but are not,to me anyway) my '06 is an animal as far as very sharp power delivery that can be overwhelming to a new 1000 rider (feels like you are riding a rocket when the power hits at about 9,000 rpm) '09 '12 are easier to ride fast but decieving,they don't FEEL as fast but trust me you WILL be flying when you gas it up , keep a close eye on the speedo at all times (not too much you need to know where your going because you will be there very shortly!!) I've been riding R1s for a very long time,and if you want to keep on being able to ride you need to be ALIVE to do so ,so take it slow and build up to the power that you use O.K.,not trying to scare you but you can get WAY over your head in a short amount of time (literally) on one of these things ,be safe and enjoy it you will love it for sure !!

Ha ha thanks man, and no you didn't scare me you were just very informative and I appreciate that.
But I will take it slow, I'd rather do it right and have fun; then do it wrong and possibly get hurt.
I have a good head on my shoulders and do not plan on going 150 down public roads. That is what the track is meant for. There are just to many unknown factors on speeding down public roads. But hell that is a risk you take just riding your bike to the gas station and back going to speed limit...

 

[ebags]

Like you said respect the bike and you will be fine. I've ridden many 1000's and you could say I'm very used to them and comfortable with it, but there are times when I crack her open in anger and she reminds me not to ever fuvk with her like that again :scared :lol

 

[chadthaman]

I've ridden 600ccs for ever until my recent '10 R1. I stayed in B mode for a while to get used to it. The main thing I see is the throttle response is not as smooth as my '07 R6. Smooth throttle control is key to my riding. I have heard that a ECU reflash helps allot, so that is my next mod. I though the weight would be an issue but isn't. I'm not as fast in the corners, but I am slowly working on that. A little at a time. Seems to me like the R6 inspires confidence in the corners. I may just be a little skiddish on the R1. It will pass with time I'm sure.

 

[TexASS R1]

I ride my buddys 09 all the time.. Its no where as comfortable as my 07 on long runs.. I do love the top end speed.. Like Ebag said it will let you know when you're fVckin up though.. But like you said,, respect,respect,respect...

 

[NoPro]

I have a 10' and I like it. A bit overkill for what I use it for currently (commute) but I have fun on it, sometimes too much. Get the ECU flashed and you'll never change it off of A mode, except maybe when it rains. You'll see it everywhere on this forum but its true I didn't know what I was missing until I got the re-flash. Your girl used to riding on sportbikes? The R1 in particular can be very unforgiving for the passenger.

 

[-JP-]

It's not a great bike for a passenger, but then, not many sportbikes are. The biggest issue with it is removing and installing the rear foot pegs. It's the dumbest solution I've ever seen on a street bike and I've owned KTM's!

 

[asdfjklm]

09+ if a fun motorcycle to ride for sure. It sucks donkey balls for a passenger though. My sister wanted to ride passenger last spring, so I took her out for about an hour and she said it was the most uncomfrtable motorcycle ride she had ever been on. Said her rearend went numb in less than 15 mins and her legs were cramping in about 45 mins. So, it's definately NOT a passenger friendly bike.

In regaurds to your riding history... Don't let your ambition outweigh your talent my friend. The 09+ is a NO B S superbike. It is a race-ready bike that is street bike capable. Not the other way around. It WILL "seem" herky-jerky at first, but you will get used to that very quickly. It also LOVES to be in the higher revs. Above 7K, it stays really smooth. And similar to what others have said... the throttle on this bike is either FULL ON or FULL OFF until you get the re-flash done. (Or you learn some throttle control) it wants to GO. And it WILL go whether youre ready for it to go or not. Haha. I never use(d) B mode, but did hang out in standard mode for a couple weeks.

Just be careful and don't get too cocky with her at first and you should be ok. Keep us posted on what you end up getting bro.

 

[fastdreams]

Ditto, bike is not good for passengers.

The back seat is hard and pointed.

I swapped bikes with a buddy during a ride, and his gf always rides with him.
He was having a great time on my 09 but she was ready to get the hell off at the next gas stop, and she has ridden pillion on a lot of different bikes, even rides pillion for 20 minutes of track sessions at an intermediate pace.

The power of the 09 is very tame in delivery. Less dramatic even than the top end pull of the R6. I will also second that it is very deceptive because of that lack of high rpm rush that liter's usually give you. So be careful out there. Look ahead far as you can, up your awareness, and pay attention to your pace.

 

[KoC-BlocER1]

Ditto..not good for passengers. All weight forward..sitting up high.. hot pipes under their ass..I sure as heck would not want to ride on the back!

 

[EXILEDinATL]

Thanks for all the info guys.
SO how do I do this re-flash done that will probably be the first thing I do when I get the bike.
Like I said I am not cocky, I treat all bikes with respect.

It will be a couple of months before I get the bike, I am about to start this new job and I have to go to paid training for a month and then I actually start the job. It will only take me about 3-4 months and I will have a 09, and all the gear I need.
So far I am getting an Arai helmet from a local dealer (they have them 50% off right now.)
But I was wondering if anyone has or had Sidi Cobra Boots, and a ALPINESTARS GP PRO jacket, they both seem great but haven't found any reviews on them yet.