[Cap'n Carl]

I realize there's going to be a bias here, but I'm leaning toward the gixxer now, so maybe someone can talk me out of it. BTW: I'm a lot more responsive to facts than to opinions. Also, I've ruled out the ZX and CBR, for various reasons.

Here's how I'm looking at it:
Gixxer pluses, major: has more power where I'll use it most, 4-10k rpm. I can get one today if I want. I'm on a waiting list for the R1, but who knows how long that will take.
Gixxer pluses, minor: more underseat stowage, thicker and softer seat (I plan long rides), don't need spindle hubs for my rear stand..

R1 pluses, major: more power from 10k up.
R1 pluses, minor: looks better (not all that important to me, though). Slightly better seating position.

 

[Scotman623]

I decided to get the 04 GIX,love it.Owned 2 R1 already so needed a change.........Both GREAT BIKES.........People might be biased on here,but buy what ya want.........:thumbup

 

[Turbo329]

I would get the Gixxer. You'll probably get a better deal on it and won't have to wait. It's plenty fast and really doesn't look bad at all.

The R1 is nice. You can always get a gel seat or a corbin later on. The Choice is yours. But I would get the Gixxer.

The Gixxer is easy to work on. Oil changes can be done by a total bonehead. Aftermarket is readily available.

That's what I would do. Go get it. And start riding TODAY!!!! :yesnod

 

[RedRider0151]

If you are serious about gettingthe gixxer...look to get an 03 instead of an 04...you can save some big bucks on it and there were absolutely no technical changes at all.....I have seen teh 03's as low as 8700 bucks...

 

[Mackz]

Get the Suzuk if you need it for street or long distance riding for added comfort, better ergos and that big torque down low.

 

[Scooby]

If you want a bike that inspires confidence and doesn't sound like a washing machine then get the 04 R1, if not get the gixxer. The R1 also handles a world better then the 03 gixxer and the brakes let you brake incredibly deep. The torque down low isn't great on the 04 R1 but after 8 it is very addictive. If you think you won't use it, I bet you will after you feel it pull just once. Trust me the 04 R1 rocks. But an 03 Gixxer is pretty cheap, hell so is an 03 R1. Hope all this helps and have fun with the new bike.
:thumbup

 

[aronhalt]

If you want a bike that inspires confidence and doesn't sound like a washing machine then get the 04 R1, if not get the gixxer. The R1 also handles a world better then the 03 gixxer and the brakes let you brake incredibly deep. The torque down low isn't great on the 04 R1 but after 8 it is very addictive. If you think you won't use it, I bet you will after you feel it pull just once. Trust me the 04 R1 rocks. But an 03 Gixxer is pretty cheap, hell so is an 03 R1. Hope all this helps and have fun with the new bike.
:thumbup

I bet that an average joe, like most of us, can't tell the handling difference, and I'm not so sure that the R1 handles better than the Gixxer...Yamaha says so but does that count?

 

[jkrstich]

I owned 2 R1's in the past, and a 2001 GSXR. I loved the GSXR. I had more fun on that bike than I did on my R1's. That torque is just amazing. You can really feel the difference. Then again, I think that it having fuel injection had a lot to do with it. It had very crisp throttle response, handled very well and looked good.

I think that the R1, in the past, had lacked some in the torque and throttle response areas. However, these are the issues that have been addressed by Yamaha.

I was also in the same decision boat about a week ago, and was actually leaning more towards the GSXR. I went and rode an 03 to see if it really had more power than the 01 that I had. I tell you that it felt as fast as my old GSXR with a full EVO AKRA, and PCIIIR, stock!
I was impressed to say the least.

I then went and rode an 04 R1. I hadn't been on an R1 since my '00. WOW, what a difference from the old R1's!!! This bike seemed to have it all. Power, torque, crisp thottle, balance, looks, and looks. I tell you, I don't think I'll ever get tired of looking at that bike. After the ride on the R1, I was sold. No more GSXR on the brain.
Now I think everyone will agree that, the decision is yours man, no one can tell you what bike is better, since everyone has their own opinion and ideas of what makes a great bike.

You can't go wrong with either. You will completely love the GSXR, I can attest to since I've owned one. The R1, I haven't put many miles on the 04, but I did ride an 03 for a day, and it was bitchin... 2 mile wheelie, don't tell the owner.

If you do go with the GSXR, my advise is to try and get the best deal on an 04. You will be able to wheel and deal a little bit. If you go for an 03 cause it is cheaper, keep this in mind. Bikes depreciate about $1k a year, plus the black 04 it the best lookin IMO.

Good luck.

 

[bradsr1]

If you are serious about gettingthe gixxer...look to get an 03 instead of an 04...you can save some big bucks on it and there were absolutely no technical changes at all.....I have seen teh 03's as low as 8700 bucks...

Im with red rider on this one, go for the '03:fact

 

[.CROWBAR.]

tough call ride today or who knows when you'll ride, all my friends have 04 gixxers and they are bad ass bikes and aftermarket parts are readily available

 

[Daekwan]

If you are serious.. get the 03 Gixxer..

the 04 would be a waste of money..

 

[Liquid-R1]

I've had a 02 R1, 03 1K, and now a 04 R1... I switched mainly because of fit & finish (major), and looks(minor)... Both bikes are way more power than I could ever handle anyways...

The 1K definitely has more low down power... Even wi th a Ti-Force Full System (SET valve removed) the 1K has more torque...
The R1 feels quicker flicking side to side.

Fit & Finish - I was impressed w/ the quality in the 02 R1... I was pretty disappointed in the fit & finish of the 1K... I had paint peel off of my fairing (which was replaced by Suzuki). The R1 has 1/2 turn bolts for the fairings. It has a F-Trip meter (basically as soon as the Low Fuel Light comes on, the F-Trip Meter starts counting the number of miles you've put on the "reserve.")

The 03 1K is a great bike... It was something different. But I like the quality of the Yamaha better, so I got a 04 R1 instead.

 

[Darkangel]

Which bike feels the best to you?


Yeah, get that one............

 

[Valerossi]

If you want the "latest" toy, then get the 'O4 R1.

Another you may consider is that, the Gix1K will be one generation behind the 'O5 Gix1K, and by '06, it will be 2 generations behind the 'O6 R1 which is suppose to be another change.

So, get the 'O4 R1 only if you like to have the latest stuff. If you don't really mind, then both bikes are great, I'm sure you'll be happy with either one.

 

[railr1]

Can I throw a wrench in it?

How bout a KAW ZX-10 R black? Very sweet indeed!!!!!!

 

[Darkangel]

I I'm a lot more responsive to facts than to opinions. Also, I've ruled out the ZX and CBR, for various reasons.

:fact

 

[railr1]

I know but I couldn't help it.......

Acatually I was a bit hurried and missed that part.....thanks for the point out.....

 

[dairyman]

ummmm the gixxer sucks and is ugly

 

[LORDULTIMA]

I used to own an 02 R1 and am currently riding an 03 Gixxer 1k. The only cons about owning a gixxer is IMHO,


1. Bad quality:

As an ex R1 owner, I have to agree that Yamaha beats Suzuki in terms of fit and finish.. K3s are infamous for weak paint and it's not uncommon to spot unsightly chips on the lower fairing of most 03 gixxer 1ks. My current 03 Gixxer single seater also has paint peeling off from the rear edge due to WEAR AND TEAR after just 10 months!! My 02 R1 single seater looked the same 1 year after. Unbelievable!

The SET valve on the gixxer WILL malfunction after a while too so either replace it (which most people don't) or disable it. This is due to the RUSTING of the gears behind the midpipe that controls the SET valve. Believe me when I say I was shocked to find rust that degenerative on my 10 mth old gixxer when I removed the mid pipe. I had initially thought some guy had switch them over!


2. Heavy handling:

The 03 gixxer 1k takes more effort to bring down into a corner but once there, it stays even through minor mid corner disturbances. Thanks to the stock steering damper and the geometry of the bike, it almost totally erases the meaning of 'TANKSLAPS' from your brain.

The 02 R1, although taking lesser effort to flick around curves, suffers from mid corner stability... and tends to be very nervous too especially when out of a corner under hard acceleration. (AKA tankslap) I got so used to tank slapping on my stock 02 R1 it wasn't even scary anymore by the time I sold it.


3. Bad looks:

Let's face it. The gsxr isn't pretty. But what it lacks in beauty it makes up for in aerodynamics. Don't believe me? Get an 03 gixxer with stock windscreen and an 02/03/04 r1 together and see which rider tires out faster after a few high speed runs.

The gixxer 03's is designed to totally encapsulate the rider when he tucks in. This includes, for me personally, 4/5 of my frontal helmet area AND my shoulders.

The 02 R1 suffers greatly from wind protection.. with the stock windscreen protecting only up to 3/5 of the frontal helmet area and only part of my shoulders..



I still miss my R1 though. It's a really beautiful bike and every morning before I rode it to work, I would tell myself the same damn thing over and over again.. which is that it's a beautiful piece of machinery. Both are GREAT bikes though, none of which any of us would have the ability to tax out anytime soon so just pick what you want and enjoy. :rock

 

[Wolf-R1]

ummmm the gixxer sucks and is ugly

Now there's a difinitive opinion. :crash