Well as I have stated all along, the new R1 is weaker down low because of the new short stroke design and its rediculously tall gearing. Sure it works really well for track use where 98% of the time your screaming between 11,000k and redline but for street use and general backroad burning it is going to need at least a tooth dropped off the front sprocket, that would help some. I imagine Yamaha figured it would be best to sell a 150+hp bike to the general public with neutered power down low and gearing for the autobahn, that way it would be less intimidating for a newer rider yet still be a serious threat up top for the experienced rider. I just wonder how Kawasaki managed to kkep its bore marginally smaller with a tiny bit more stroke and still beat Yammies 04 R1 in both tourque down low and out do it on top with better peak HP #'s. Makes me wonder what its like also moving with the ram-air assist. I bet the Kawizx10 is one helluva bike to ride, but since it is undergoing a tranny fix, well just have to wait and see what people say about it when it hits the streets. I have a 99 R1 and it has 2 teeth up on the rear sprocket, it has boatloads of grunt down low and in the middle and has repeatedly walked the dog on the 04 r1 in roll-ons and only loses ground up high in the rev range (basically anything above 150mph. The new Kwak zx10 is starting to look awefully tempting.
