If you like torque down low, then I suggest you definitely stay away from the 04-06. They are weak in that area. Not so sure about 07-08 as I never owned one.

 

Just do a gearing change on either one and you'll have all the low end torque you ever wanted. Go with the best deal or the one that catches your eye the best?

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From what ive read, the 07's have a little bit more low/mid range...but like someone said gear it and youll be happy with either!

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well no offense to anyone here. because they all look good.. but it has to be BLUE!!! I want that blue so bad.. Im trying to stay around $6500... Ive seen 07's on my local craigslist selling for that. So im going to pull the trigger soon.. I sold my ZX10 for $5250. So I don't need much more to add with it.

 

I do own an 04 so maybe I'm a little bias here, but as far as "looks" go, you can't top the 04-06, those are top notch imo - coming in 2nd would be 07/08, then 09+ I don't know WTH they were thinking! Even if I had 10 grand to buy an R1 with, it would DEFINITELY be pre-09 lol

Also, if you sold your bike for 5200, you should be able to pick up an 04-06 for just that without adding any more money to it.

I'm sure I'll be picked on for dissing the 09's+ but I KNOW I'm not alone on this forum with that opinion - those things are straight fugly! Glad to see your interested in the ones with the looks - those alien lookin things are getting way over populated.

 

I'm sure I'll be picked on for dissing the 09's+ but I KNOW I'm not alone on this forum with that opinion - those things are straight fugly! Glad to see your interested in the ones with the looks - those alien lookin things are getting way over populated.

I agree! I miss my sexy 04! When I had to replace my stolen 02, I was thinking of getting the MV Agusta F4 I'd been lusting after for years. Then I saw a pic of one next to an 04 R1 and realized they'd taken a lot of cues from that bike, to make something almost as beautiful. So I went with the 04 R1 because I knew it'd be cheaper to own. I bought the 09 because I wanted something NEW! But I should've just kept my 04. :-( I never loved the 09 as much.

 

HAHAHA I thought I was the only one who thought the head lights on the 09+ were ugly as shit... sorry to those who own one.. but just my taste 09+ head lights are horrendous

 

04 Silver all the way. Gets the chicks wet.

 

:fact! I get compliments on my silver 04 non stop, everybody that doesn't know about bikes is shocked when I tell them its an 04, they think it's brand new!

I love the looks of the 04-06 obviously, but mechanically and performance wise it's fvcking awesome! My favorite bike I've ever owned and I've had a few current liter bikes. With some simple mods It's really hard to outrun. I don't know if mine is just a strong one but with full system/pc3 custom tuned/v-stacks/filter/-1 front sprocket etc.. on mine it's much more fierce than my 06 gixxer1000 I used to have and that bike was very fast!

Also the handling and weight are just perfect, I can't say enough good things about the 04-06 I will NEVER sell mine! I'm not really bias'd either, I have owned several different brands and this one is just that good. It fits me perfect all the way around.

With that said, the 07/08 R1 is an excellent bike no question, just sharing my thoughts on the 04-06

 

Want the looks: 04-06. Want the best mechanical machine: 07-08.

 

This (other than the 5VY's slighty better binders)...:secret:

 

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Of course whatever you ride is going to be the best looking bike. So with that in mind, which one do you want to look at everyday? Like Dan said, as far as performance goes, out of the box 07-08 is the better bike. A little more power and better suspension on the later bikes.

A good friend of mine has an 06 Raven and I tried and tried to get him to sell it to me. It sat for 3 years in a garage while he was out of state and would never let it go so I bought my 08. I didn't realize how different they where until I parked it next to his. Personally, I like the more agressive edgy looks of the 07-08. The 04-06 is a gorgeous bike but it has softer edges and a wider tail. It's just softer on the eyes overall.

 

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Of course whatever you ride is going to be the best looking bike.

You know, Ive found that when I am riding all I can really see is the top of a windshield and mirrors .

I agree that the 09+ does not look near as good as the 04-06. Some bikes its hard to beat looks wise. Like a daytona 675, I actually find the 01-ish gsxr 1000 to be the best looking bike, that blue and white is iconic as far as sport bikes go.

 

I'm biased, but it'd be an 07-08 hands down IMO. I think they look better and they definitely have the better hardware.

 

If your coming from a gen 1 zx10 no r1 is going to match that motor. I had an 05 with engine/suspension work and that motor is an animal when unleashed. The 05 body had smoother swingarm and induction lines and i believe the length was shorter than the 06. I like nervous quick handling bikes so the 05 suited me better.

 

Appreciate everyones feed back.. I really do think I am going to end up with a 07 or 08.. I enjoyed the power of my Gen 1 zx10 but I was never big on it's looks ever.. So that's why I decided to go with a R1.. Plus I don't need huge power. I just do the average cruising. No racing, stunting, or acting like a maniac.. Those days are long past.. Im in my 30's now and much more civil. The only mods I done to the zx10 were -1 front sprocket, Micron slip on, BMC filter, and 1/5 Throttle mod. Here's a pic.

 

damn im almost 40 and just caught the track flu about 5 years ago....always raced motorcross though and still ride just toned it down a bit....so i know what your saying...but on trackdays i just keep pushing and spending$$$$...lol bout the different models i prefer the 07/08 over 04/06 and motor wise love the crossplane the best so far... i elected to wait for 14 instead of purchasing a 09+...just puting loads of cash in my 07 track bike but i love her!..

 

Both are pretty bikes and both are able after you put some more money in them. I dont think that even the 07-08 can match the raw power of the kawi but it has much better handling as far as im informed.

Personally between the two versions, i'd go with the later.

 

I can't shake my biased, but to expand on DanQ's comment of the better mechanicals, look at the evolution of the engine. The 07-08 is the result of all of yamahas inline 4's development since the R1 was released in 99. They specifically went to 4 valves per cylinder, and tons of other tiny little enhancments that make it the best inline 4 to date, also conside that a lot of other companies from Toyota to caterpillar hire Yamaha to design their engines, and you will understand that is a god thing. Now even with all that being said, they are still only slightly better than the 07-08.

Go look at both in person, see which one catches your eye a bit more, then look at what sorts of deals you can find. Seems like the 04-06 guys think thier bikes are gold, but a lot of the 07-08 guys want to upgrade. The prices are very close.

Either way, it will be a good buy......unless you don't get black, then buy a Kawi.

 

both will handle anything u can give it. both can be modded to be what u want it to be. looks is 100% opinion. i bought mine because i liked it better, i don't like it better because it's what i have. i like the 04-06 LE version only, the others look too much like first gen bikes, don't like it at all. but that's up to u, and what deals u find. personally, i'd go 07/08. i think it looks better, and the newer bike will have improvements made to earlier versions.

 

07 owner chiming in.
Both will blow you away in the top end and handling departments, even totally stock ones. Low-mid range power, well I hate to say it, but the later cross plane is the winner there. V-twin like power, and a sound you WILL NEVER get tired of!
But, with some gearing on the older 4's, they are crazy powerful, and you'll never EVER be able to use even half the power regularly on the street anyway.
Buy the bike that you fall for, the best you can afford, with the lowest km's and best history. If that's an 04, you'll never regret it, if It's an 08, again...you won't ever regret it.

 

Honestly, I think you will be happy with either. If I had $6,500 to spend I would try and get an 07-08 but if you want to save a little money you can probably find a nice 04-06 for around $5500.

I have an 04 R1 and it has been a great bike for me so far. For insurance reasons (my age) I can't really get anything newer so it's what I will be riding for the next couple years. Otherwise, I might have ended up with an 06 anniversary edition or an 07.

 

I am taking everyones advice into consideration. I just want one that doesn't have a single scratch on it and has under 10,000 miles.. Preferably already has a full exhaust system with a PC..

 

You don't need a PC if you get an 07+ You can just get the ecu flashed, most people will do it for around 50$ or you can just get the flash tune tool and do it yourself. Look up flashing an 07 ecu, you can do so much stuff like change the engine braking, cooling fan kick on temp, upload PC fuel maps and all kinds of stuff. you can't do that on a 04-06.

 

This was a comparison of the stock '06 vs stock '07:

 

damn the 07 looks nice

 

HEY I ride the 04 and yes it is blue. Track days are great! and I'm 63 yrs old. Used to race AMA motorcross in the 70's. Still feel the need for speed. Never road the crossplane but am aware of its great qualities. Get great compliments on the bike....nobody brags on my track speed....main thing is ride an R1 they are all good.

 

Well im looking at this bike right now.. I figure I can go ahead and get it right away and possibly talk him down to 5000 and have 250 left for my pocket from where I sold mine for 5250.. What do you guys think of this bike? Im not really digging the rims though..
http://fayetteville.craigslist.org/mcy/3795598727.html

 

Well he wont budge on the price. $5200... I think im going to probably pass.. Sound silly to pass over $200 dollars? lol

 

What so you went there with 5000 cash and he won't go down 200? If you are doing it over email or phone it's different.


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No I haven't been there.. he's about 3 hours away.. I am going to send him a picture of 5000 cash tomorrow laying on my laptop with his craigslist ad showing.. and ask him does he want to think about it.. I just know I can't leave those rims and rear fender white.. its ugly to me.. if the bike had normal black rims and fender.. id give him the 5200

 

Build some rapport with the seller and show up with 5K cash. I am pretty sure you will be riding the bike home. I am also one of those sellers that does not like to negotiate over the phone unless your buying it for my asking price.