[R1Please]

I've ridden both and REALLY don't like the 954. The seat, for starters on the 954 SUCKS. And when I say "SUCKS", I'm tempted to say that it's worse than the seat on the RC51. It's hard, squared off and totally uncomfortable. As for the handling, go with R1 before the 954. The 954 chatters A LOT. Feels totally unstable to me. And when the front isn't chattering, the back end gets loose. I would go so far as to say that the 954 is in my top 3 list of bikes to never own. Honda went wrong here if you ask me. And this is coming from a guy that was a HUGE Honda "Ride Red" fan for YEARS.

Devilman

When you say "chatters" are you referring to head shake?

 

[chuck]

atn; r1please.
isent pics ofto t mail address you gve me.

 

[The Devilman]

Yes, I am refering to head shake. I know the R1 is pretty bad about this, but it's a little bit more controlable and predictable on the R1. When I rode the 954, it would just mid corner **chatter chatter chatter** and is a little too loose for me. It's just a little too unpredictable for me.

Devilman

 

[FirebladeRR]

Because of the lightweight nature of the 954, ~370lbs dry weight, and short wheelbase, the '54 turns through corners almost equivalent to an R6. But then again, this flickability comes at a price: front end lightness thus promoting headshakes. But that's what steering dampeners are for (and what IMHO all litre class bikes should be equipped with stock). It's true the seat is pretty hard too, but unless you're commuting 400+ miles, you won't notice it at all. All in all, they're both great bikes...I'd be happy to answer any questions you have on the '54, while trying to keep ya R1 boyz in check! :bs

 

[unknownpharoah]

spare parts

Well, IMO.. if you get the R1 as your first streetbike...I will give you my # so you can call me after you crash it. I am always looking for spare parts!!:hellobye



Nah, just be careful. I would never recomend an Liter class bike from the get go. Oh, and a Kuntana doesnt count as sportbike anyway. :crash

 

[R1Please]

Because of the lightweight nature of the 954, ~370lbs dry weight, and short wheelbase, the '54 turns through corners almost equivalent to an R6. But then again, this flickability comes at a price: front end lightness thus promoting headshakes. But that's what steering dampeners are for (and what IMHO all litre class bikes should be equipped with stock). It's true the seat is pretty hard too, but unless you're commuting 400+ miles, you won't notice it at all. All in all, they're both great bikes...I'd be happy to answer any questions you have on the '54, while trying to keep ya R1 boyz in check! :bs

Does it headshake even when you're not riding aggressively?

Will my weight help reduce this given the fact that I'm probably way larger than most guys that ride? I'm 6'1'' 325 lbs.

 

[R1_mayhem]

maybe i missed it, but i just don't see the squidliness of this post...according to speedvision though, the 954 fell way short in both the speed and handling departments to the R1 on the track. but like i said...on the track. how many of your average riders ride like that on the street? wait...don't answer that. doesn't the honda have a shorter wheel base? or am i way off? i thought it did though, which contributed to the SLIGHTLY poorer handling or something like that. **** it...time for beer :beer

 

[R1Please]

Re: spare parts

Well, IMO.. if you get the R1 as your first streetbike...I will give you my # so you can call me after you crash it. I am always looking for spare parts!!:hellobye

Hopefully I won't need your number. I know everyone will lay down their first bike. I layed my Katana down the first time I threw my leg over it.

Nah, just be careful. I would never recomend an Liter class bike from the get go. Oh, and a Kuntana doesnt count as sportbike anyway. :crash

It's close enough. :bash

 

[R1_mayhem]

oops...guess i shoulda read the whole thread before i replied :2bitchsla

my bad

 

[R1_mayhem]

and don't feel bad unknown pharoah...i wrecked my kuntana first time i tried to ride it too...just glad i was in a parking lot...an empty parking lot...:yesnod

 

[R1Please]

and don't feel bad unknown pharoah...i wrecked my kuntana first time i tried to ride it too...just glad i was in a parking lot...an empty parking lot...:yesnod

Actually I said this "Hopefully I won't need your number. I know everyone will lay down their first bike. I layed my Katana down the first time I threw my leg over it. "

I just typed it in the wrong spot.

 

[R1_mayhem]

:2bitchsla <--- me

it's been a long day

 

[FirebladeRR]

Does it headshake even when you're not riding aggressively?

Will my weight help reduce this given the fact that I'm probably way larger than most guys that ride? I'm 6'1'' 325 lbs.

I think being a little heavier will help the headshakes. Myself being of a more duminitive size (5'8" 155lbs), the front end gets light really easily. And with my own aggressive style of riding, i'd bet i'd get the shakes on the R1, or even a G1K (got a massive one on my first full throttle run on my '54). But this can be helped easily. One of the problems why the front gets so light is the overly soft front forks. Adjusting them properly to your weight will help immensely and offer rail-like handling, with the flickability as well. I did this and it was a night and day difference.

As for the comments about speedvision rating the 954 low, check Performance Bike magazine and see how it's rated #1 above the Zuki and Yammie. It's all subjective. I don't know if they let you test drive out where you live, but i was able to ride the 954, RC51, and R1 before i made my mind up. The 954 might not be the best out there, but for the price it was selling (heavily discounted), it was definitely the best value with a great package (power, handling, looks, quality, etc.).

 

[stewie97]

ive ridden the 954 and the r1 back to back, and just speaking from the comfort stand point the r1 beats it hands down. ive actually got both in my garage right now (my r1 and my buddies 954). i also think honda slacked a bit in the quality dept. on the 954...just look behind the headlights...the wires in there all higgedly piggedly. devilmans right about the seat too...in the owners own words "you could replace this thing with a brick and itd be more comfortable"...oh and one other thing, have you ever tried to chnge the oil in one of these things...if you do it the right way it takes you an hour to remove like four body panels, and if you do it the wrong way it only takes 10 minutes but you get oil all over you lowers and header. imho the 954 blows, but even with all of these short comings he still loves his bike. ill go out and take some side by side pics, that might help you decide...brb

chris

 

[unknownpharoah]

still wating!!

i'm still wating to see the side by sides. :rock
Oh, i loved that "higgely piggely" statement. I laughed my ass off.

 

[FirebladeRR]

Looks like you guys need to go get yourself a service manual. Body panels take like 5 minutes to take off...and the quality aspect...never had any problems whatsoever. While you're at it, also get some fat in your bony butt because while the seats are not the greatest, they're just fine for a sports bike and commuting (and if it isn't, you can always get a Corbin or some lipo-induction Care to comment on the actual ride between the two though?

It's kool though, my roomate will soon be getting an R1 to compliment his R6, while I'll be getting a 600RR to compliment my '54. Should make for some interesting comparos.

 

[rotaryphone]

Looks like you guys need to go get yourself a service manual. Body panels take like 5 minutes to take off...and the quality aspect...never had any problems whatsoever. While you're at it, also get some fat in your bony butt because while the seats are not the greatest, they're just fine for a sports bike and commuting (and if it isn't, you can always get a Corbin or some lipo-induction Care to comment on the actual ride between the two though?

It's kool though, my roomate will soon be getting an R1 to compliment his R6, while I'll be getting a 600RR to compliment my '54. Should make for some interesting comparos.

Well, you might have an fatty ass but for me seat is just plain too hard.

 

[R1Please]

ive ridden the 954 and the r1 back to back, and just speaking from the comfort stand point the r1 beats it hands down. ive actually got both in my garage right now (my r1 and my buddies 954). i also think honda slacked a bit in the quality dept. on the 954...just look behind the headlights...the wires in there all higgedly piggedly. devilmans right about the seat too...in the owners own words "you could replace this thing with a brick and itd be more comfortable"...oh and one other thing, have you ever tried to chnge the oil in one of these things...if you do it the right way it takes you an hour to remove like four body panels, and if you do it the wrong way it only takes 10 minutes but you get oil all over you lowers and header. imho the 954 blows, but even with all of these short comings he still loves his bike. ill go out and take some side by side pics, that might help you decide...brb

chris

Thanks Stewie. I'd love to see some side by sides.

 

[R1Please]

Here's a picture of the 954 I'm interested in.

 

[stewie97]

hey guys, i went out and took the pics last night...but i dont know how to post them...any help there would be appreciated. the biggest difference i noticed was the seating position...with the r1 it feels like your on top of the bike...the 954 feels like your inside of it. one other gripe, which i know can be adjusted, is the brake lever and clutch lever seemed to be at a weird angle...almost parallel to the road...on my r1 its mor of a strait line from my shoulders down...i think this is more comfortable for me because i have long arms. also aside from side by side is there any other pics you want of the two bikes?

later
chris