09 is a HUGE difference. Completely different engine and power delivers. Smaller frame so its handling characteristics are completely different. If given a choice between my 07 and 09, i would pick 09.

 

For only a 2k difference I would pick the 09 even though I despise the looks of it compared to the 08.

 

I would way my options the 09 is brand new in the market and when some thing is brand new there are going to be flaws if you wait to 10 then there going to correct any flaws that 09 has. The 08 is flawless with fourth generation technology and you can get great deals now with the economy in the tank for 08. Me that what I'm going to do is wait to the end of the year to pick up a 10 R-1.

 

The 09 is a bit fugly looking compared to the 07-08 but its the bike that comes along once in a decade that changes the rules. Its a groudbreaking bike.

If I knew it was going to be this good I probably would have turned down the awesome deal I got on my new 750 ( brand new 08 for $7900 OTD ).

Im pretty jealous over here of you 09 owners.

 

I would definatley get the 09. If looks is whats holding you back with a couple of changes it can look way better than the 08 here is a picture of mine....

 

I'd choose the 08 based on sound and looks alone. Both are more bike then I'll ever need considering the street riding I do.

 

08 based on sound? you need to listen to a 09......

 

You should be able to save A LOT more on an 08 by picking up a used bike. If money is no object, I'd go 09. But if you just want any R1, save yourself some $$$ and look for a cheap 07/08.


-r.

 

if your only gonna do a little bit of track riding then id buy the 08. you arent going to be able to get the full potential out of the bike anyway so why not save 2 grand. with that extra 2 grand you can spend it on upgrades or save it. both are more bike than youll ever need. have fun with whatever bike you decide on getting!

 

The 08 is a better-looking bike with a tried-and-true design. Plus you can get 'em cheap now.

The 09 is very sexy. If it were me, though, I'd wait until the 2010 comes out. Yamaha seems to have a lot of first-model-year glitches with their sportbikes. Although nothing's been found on the 09 R1 yet.

I love the crossplane crankshaft concept on the 09. Sounds much richer and delivers power more evenly too, so I'm told.

 

IMO the 08 looks way better and as far as sound goes, I love the high pitched indycar sound of the '09's predecessors, but I can't shake off the powerful sound of the '09! It sounds so much like a v-twin, which I've never been a huge fan of, but the sound is so strong I could listen to it for hours! In all honesty, I kind of pitched a tent the first time I heard one in person. If they had that motor with a body style closer to the '04-'08 I would pick it up in a heart beat! I'm sure in a couple years another R1 of my dreams is going to be released, but for now I'm loving my '06 (don't know if I'll ever sell it). As far as your choice goes, if you were having troubles with payments before, then go with the cheaper '08. It'll leave you more money to mod it out, but I hear that the '09 performs like no other...:fork

 

Well see thats the thing...the job I've got now is paying great and money isn't really an issue...I LOVE the sound of 09's with akra exhausts...I heard them on youtube and they sound:thumbup great. I think where I'm targeting my question next is...if I bought an 08 which, no doubt I like that body style better, could I get a similar low end torque grunt if I attempt to fix the fuel curve with a PC III and exhaust.

As I said, the looks of the 09 aren't bad but the 08 and 07 are freakin' amazing!! I know the handling is improved some as well but all are things that can be fixed with mods to the suspension I'm guessing. My biggest concern is can the lack of low end torque be fixed on the older ones??

 

09 all the way , had to make the same choice and im so stoked i got the 09

 

Back to the topic. If you want a bike with better performance and willing to pay extra get the 09. Plain and simple discission.

 

Id say go 09. If theirs only 2k difference between the 2. Why not go 09. If the 09 feels like it too much for you. Guess what. The 09 has the ability to restrict power with the map selection button that comes stock. Sense you have never road a 1k or liter bike. The 09s power selection button would be perfect for you. Here is info from the site on D-mode.

"The 09R1 features Yamaha D-MODE (or drive mode) with rider-selectable throttle control maps to program YCC-T performance characteristics for riding conditions. The standard map is designed for optimum overall performance. The ?A? mode lets the rider enjoy sportier engine response in the low- to mid-speed range, and the ?B? mode offers response that is somewhat less sharp response for riding situations that require especially sensitive throttle operation. Switching maps is as easy as pushing a button on the handlebar switch."

That reason right there is why you should get the 09. If the bike feels like its too much to handle put it in B mode so you dont kill your self lol. Once you get used to the bike or grow some balls(j/k lol) put her in A-mode and hang on. To me its a really good feature for people who are scared of getting an R1 and afraid that its too much bike for them. This is a way to ease yourself into the liter bike.

 

Id say go 09. If theirs only 2k difference between the 2. Why not go 09. If the 09 feels like it too much for you. Guess what. The 09 has the ability to restrict power with the map selection button that comes stock. Sense you have never road a 1k or liter bike. The 09s power selection button would be perfect for you. Here is info from the site on D-mode.

"The 09R1 features Yamaha D-MODE (or drive mode) with rider-selectable throttle control maps to program YCC-T performance characteristics for riding conditions. The standard map is designed for optimum overall performance. The ?A? mode lets the rider enjoy sportier engine response in the low- to mid-speed range, and the ?B? mode offers response that is somewhat less sharp response for riding situations that require especially sensitive throttle operation. Switching maps is as easy as pushing a button on the handlebar switch."

That reason right there is why you should get the 09. If the bike feels like its too much to handle put it in B mode so you dont kill your self lol. Once you get used to the bike or grow some balls(j/k lol) put her in A-mode and hang on.To me its a really good feature for people who are scared of getting an R1 and afraid that its too much bike for them. This is a way to ease yourself into the liter bike.

Hahahaha...you're probably right!!!:lol I'm no doubt gonna scare myself shitless the first few days and the thought of that is awesome!!:lol Yeah, from that point of view the r1 is a total sell-out. Its kinda gixxer-poserish since they came up with that idea first but its an awesome idea period so copying isn't so bad...lol....The sound isn't too important to me as I'm in it for the ride through the mountains and the track. However, I will say the 09 sounds freakin' cool! The 08s and previous years sound great but I'm really liking that meaty muscle sound flowing out of the 09s...if the ride is improved and its truly a "better bike" then an 09 it is...do you think top end power will be better or worse on 09s...I say it cuz pre-09 models had a few more ponies at the wheel based on some dynos I've seen but I don't know if its enough to make it significant....what do you think?:dunno

 

Most pre 09R1 are going to be around the 156hp mark give or take 2 or 3hp. Stock 09 is sitting right around 162hp. +-2 to 3hp.

As far as copy the GSXR selector switch. it just saves people the money from the whole PC3 + ignition modual + multihub and map switch. Thoiughs alown will cost you out the ass.

 

For what it's worth I've been to 2 different dyno days where they've put the '09 on the dyno and it ran at 141.x hp (keep in mind we're at 6600 ft above sea level). My modded '06 put down 149.8hp to the wheel. The way the power is transfered to the ground is different, I know, but I expected more power-wise. And I'm curious where your reasoning comes in for the A, B, and C modes alleviating the need for a PC??? I'm not trying to be rude...did I misunderstand?

but im not going to do that sense im not over 25 an insurance is like getting f in the a with no lube. All because i ride a liter bike. An R6 is less than half of what it takes to insure a r1.

How much are you paying?!?! I'm 23 and my insurance is pretty reasonable IMO. ($76/month full coverage) Is KC bad as far as bike theft goes, or something?

 

sounds like you've already made your decision. Post pics when you pick up that 09

 

Ok, ok, I went from an 05 raven to an 09 raven. Here's what I find, if you like that sound of typical i-4's then just go 08, this exhaust is way different, bike in it self feels like a beast when you first start learning to ride it, rides' a lot different then the previous models, high gear low rpm's suck, if you stay between 5-6k, it feels like it wants to pick up in every gear, at first after buying it I was saying to myself, "should I just put it in the papers, get what I can and go buy an 08"? After putting only 270 miles on it, I won't sell it for anything, with a little mods, that 09 will beat out any bike imo, exhaust, air filter, pc, with those 2 the bike will be unbelievable. For the extra 2k, in your position I would just go 09, no sense in kicking yourself in the ass to get a bike that is a bad ass bike, but for 2k you could have something better.

That's just my opinion, its up to

 

If you have your licensed. Why dont you just test ride one at the dealership.


Iv actually thought about getting rid of my 07 for an 09. Only reason i dont is the bike is payed off and i have $8000+ just in parts. I will never get the money back out of my 07. I still havent even gotten my engine parts installed yet. (ben to busy with paintball and i still need to get the head work finished lol) If i could sell the bike for 9 grand and get my 8 grand outa the parts i have for it. My cost for an 09r1 is about 10 to 11 grand out the dore. Then i might think about. Other than that i would rather buy me a left over yellow and black 08R6 but im not going to do that sense im not over 25 an insurance is like getting f in the a with no lube. All because i ride a liter bike. An R6 is less than half of what it takes to insure a r1.

Anyways i already know what my next bike is. This build is gonna take me some time

 

I like the looks of my 07 way better than the looks of the new 09..however if I could afford right now to put the motor of the 09 into my 07 I would...so basicly the choice is yours, if you want the ugly better bike or the prettier one, in my opinion that is

 

State Farm is even higher for me. I just hope it drops by half when i turn 25. Iv ben thinking about getting an left over 08 R6 but the insurance would need to be around 500 or less a year. I currently dont have the room for another bike. I need to get a shed and clean out the garage a bit. got to many bikes as it is lol. I need to reorganize it and make better use of space. I might just finish my R1 and trick it out oven further with a complete brembo hp break setup or a set of Marchesini Magnesium Wheels.

 

I got state farm for my 09 R1 and it 500 somethin a year.