You left out the BMW?

 

I'd go CBR. Light, small, sharp handling, very usable street-able power and doesn't have unnecessary electronics.

 

long as it dont burn oil, should be good to go...

current model is incredibly light.. flickable.. oodles of mid range..


i found it uncomfortable...

in the sense that its not an R1! :hammer:


06 R1 is an amazing bike... i wish i'd bought one when i had the chance.

 

What year/years bikes are we talking about

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I'm not decided on what year i'm looking for yet, is there a year that one came out with something new/groundbreaking. hopefully I will have one soon and will let you all know what I went with along with some pictures!

06+ though for sure

 

Well...this is just my opinion; but, if you are considering an 06 R1; you might as well go all the way back to 04. The 04-06 R1's are essentially the same. The only difference really is the 06 has a few mm longer swing arm and a different map that supposedly maps it another 3hp over the 04-05. You can also still find really clean low mileage 04 and 05 bikes too.

 

what makes the 06 R1 so good? just hunting information

 

Looks, 5valve engine. That is really just my opinion. The 07+ R1's are great too.

 

I had the 08 CBR 1000RR (stolen) and the 06 GSXR1K (sold) before going with this '06 R1 a couple weeks ago. Ofcourse I prefered the CBR over the GSXR, but I was not a fan of the look or the quality of the fairings. The R1's fairings are well designed and well built; easy to remove/replace. I wasn't too impressed with the stock R1's engine until I slapped a Power Commander in it (HUGE DIFFERENCE on this bike). Having OEM projectors for my HID upgrades and dual exhaust cans under the tail were big selling points for me (I know, I'm so shallow). This bike is so easy to work on it's ridiculous... I did the PCUSBIII install during halftime last week lol

 

easy to work on is a huge selling point, as is dual exhaust.

 

Yep agreed with JPB.

But out of the bikes mentioned I'd pick the 08+ Blades. Best "useable" bike imo. A Repsol blade is still on my cards, although it will be my 2nd bike cause I'd always have a R in my garage.

The blade is just the easiest bike to get on and ride hard even if u have never been on it. Build is legendary and so is the quality.
I also had a K6 GSXR and also found the finishing touches below par.

The ZX is a fav of mine....I have a titanium edition 2005 model which is just wicked - best bike I've had....ride it every couple of weeks as I'm trying to sell now but that is
Just fantastic. Still looks as good as my 08 R1, the quality of everything on the bike is to top top notch.

Good luck, no matter what u buy I'm sure ur gonna be chuffed, they are all splendid bikes

 

Yep agreed with JPB.

But out of the bikes mentioned I'd pick the 08+ Blades. Best "useable" bike imo. A Repsol blade is still on my cards, although it will be my 2nd bike cause I'd always have a R in my garage.

The blade is just the easiest bike to get on and ride hard even if u have never been on it. Build is legendary and so is the quality.

Tell that to the thousands of owners who have one that burns oil.

 

Honestly, it is all about personal preference. All liter bikes are powerful and fast. They all handle beyond the skill level of 60% of people riding them. I'm not a Kawasaki fan. I certainly wouldn't buy the first year of a new model of ZX10. Kawasaki always seems to have issues on their first year of each model change. 08+ CBR 1000's are nice bikes. I didn't think it was a comfortable as my R1 or an 08+ ZX10 (that is different for everyone though). I also don't like the bluntness of the front fairing on the 08-11 CBR. Another thing I don't like about the CBR or ZX10R is they only have one headlight on with the low beams on. Looks like a 600 and goofy imo. R1 has two head lights on all the time. Something I like better about the CBR and Kawasaki over the R1 is their side mounted exhaust. R1's under seat exhaust causes more heat and makes exhaust systems cost more money typically since there is an extra can. For me the 08+ Kawi is the most comfortable in terms of riding position and reach. I just think it has bug eyes and cannot get past it. One thing I love about 04+ R1's is how narrow they are in comparison to other literbikes. Because of that; they are the most comfortable to me. 07+ R1's have more mid range than 04-06 R1's. At the top they are pretty equal. 04-06's are less wheelie prone because all they're power is at the top. I like that; I like to ride my bike not wheelies. Having said that; the 04-06 will wheelie easily enough.

Having said all that...if money was no object; I'd get an BMW S1000rr. However, I picked an 04-06 R1 because imo it is the sexiest bike on earth save the exotics. I like it's over all looks much better than an Bimmer S1000rr too. A Bimmer produces 170-175 rwhp and costs $13000 used. I figured for the money I saved I could buy a $5k-$6k R1, mod it and hang with the S1000rr and still have a lot of money in my pocket. I could certainly be wrong about that but I'm really too cheap to buy the Bimmer. Someday I might get the chance to find out but it's been out for a while now and I have yet to see one on the street. IMO a used bimmer is twice the price as a used 04-06 R1 but isn't twice the bike of the R1. For me, it is all about the overall package and that all pointed to R1. Good luck.

 

this is great stuff! keep it coming!

 

Yeah the s1000RR I solidly believe is as good as its going to get for the forseeable future for the working man....panigale might give it a good run but sticker price kicks my ass.

Have a look @ a 09 bmw maybe?

 

Considering the S1000RR hit the market in 2010, that's not really such a bright piece of advice. The Panigale, btw, is one of the most overrated bikes in modern history.

As for the original question, it's a pretty pointless one as it fails to state what years the OP is looking at. Not only that, a modern sportsbike is all about personal preference. The bike - regardless of which one you choose - will be able to do much faster laps than you.

Personally, I prefer my 09 R1 to the CBR1000 (954 previously owned, 09 1000 frequently ridden on track), GSX-R1000 (K7 previously owned), RC8 (previously owned, RC8R ridden on track), ZX10-R (2011 ridden on track) and S1000RR (ridden on track and road) along with any other bike I've owned and/or ridden. However, I know that's not the common taste, as it were.

In other words, the answer will always be the same, you have to try them out for yourself. It's the ONLY way of ending up with the right bike FOR YOU.

 

new for new, in all honesty, the BMW is a better deal, for just $1k-$1500 more it's a steal :fact

 

In other words, the answer will always be the same, you have to try them out for yourself. It's the ONLY way of ending up with the right bike FOR YOU.

+1...Well said.

 

Chose the 09 R1 for the crossplane tech - really sastisfies my inner geek.
The 07 CBR 1krr I had previously felt faster, but it wasn't. It's the feel of the top end rush power delivery that the crossplane doesn't deliver. I preferred the handling of the 07 CBR though.

Riding with 08+ cbr1k's at full chat power seems to be a draw, and I'm using stock gearing which is stupid tall.

I'm still not satisfied with the handling of it, but it's plenty better than me by a long shot.

Something I've been thinking about lately, is I'd like to try a gixxer 600/750/1k for the track - mostly because of the way you sit "in" them rather than how the R6/R1 feels like you're sitting on top of them. I'm curious to see which I like better. Still debating how much I want to pursue this R1 for track duty. The sound alone is worth it :sneaky

 

well then this may come as a slightly stupid question, but how do i go about trying all of them. That's kinda why i came on here, just wanted to here some opinions to narrow down the search. I like the phrase "sitting in it, rather than on it." I appreciate all the input, it is helping out. But i see now i just have to walk up to some people with cash in hand and say, let me ride your bike ha

 

That's what I was going to suggest. First save up the money for whichever bike you like the most. Then find one for sale and go ride it. If you like it buy it. If you want to go ride another; take your money and repeat. Most folks selling them will let you ride when you have cash in hand.

 

That's a tough nut to crack. If you get into the track scene and make some friends that's usually a good way. Go take some easy laps on friends bikes, or street riding friends.

Otherwise I've had to satisfy myself with sitting on them and making vroom noises.

 

Haha yea umight have to do that if non of your buddies have any bike. I just purchased my 08 r1 about a month ago now and i love it I've rode all the other bikes to, to me the gsxr feels way to narrow n small i don't feel to safe on it like i do my r1, i sit lower on my bike then any others least the ones I've been on. It feels safe going fast and in a wheelie to. Also on my buddies cbr i feel like im riding on the tank or something real high lol and to be honest the reason why I've like r1 so long is because the projector head lights, they look sick with hid's. Well what ever u buy hope ur happy with there alot of fun :drink

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I think 08+ 1000RR is a hell of a bike, light, best mid-range before the BMW came out and great flickability before any suspension or wheel mods but, as some previously stated, compared to my 07 & 08 R1s you are sitting on the bike more than in the bike. The R1 makes you a better rider by giving you usable feedback. Maybe I am just used to my bike. It was the same though between 07 R6 and 07 600RR when I was looking for my first sport bike. I don't have any experience on a ZX-10R. Oh and +1 on the faring removal of the CBR. Honda hid all of the bolts for aesthetic reasons, but it is way harder than an R1 to do any work on and you always feel like you are going to break something. Hope some of this helps.

 

well not going to lie, coming in here i had my mind pretty set on a ZX-10r. but ya'll have sold the R1 pretty well. I like the fact that they are reportedly easily work on, they are reliable, I like that say you feel like you sit "in" the bike rather than "on" it, I like that both headlights are on all the time haha.
I have to say, im leaning towards the R1 now, and will be on the lookout. I've posted a wanted add titled "Wanted: R1"
Ya'll feel free to check it out and call, text, or email me and we can arrange a meeting if it interests you.
Thanks for the great info!

 

I am thinking about a R1 as well as the CBR, both 08's. I had a 08ZX-10R and would buy another if I could find one. Nothing beats the top end power if your into that sort of thing. I put about 16k total on that bike with maybe 10k of that at the track. My only real bitch about the ZX was getting it to turn. I'm a small guy and it always felt big to me. My 1198s is Heaven on earth but your not getting those cheap yet. I also had a 05 GSXR and I have to say was probably the best bike I ever rode. Plenty fast and everything fit really nice. Great bike to look into. Now The Honda from what I can tell is probably the best bike out right now as long as you keep on the oil. Now I'm sure some peoples don't burn oil but Everyone I know that has one uses oil. This is only 3-4 people but still. Now if your not into crazy top end power get a 05-06 Ducati 999. I tracked two 05 749's for a year and a 03 999. My 06 999 was just to pretty to trash. Great bikes and don't let the people scare you off about the $$$ of maintenance. They really are not that bad. Just make sure you get all the keys even the red one.
One of the reasons I have been looking at the R1 is that it just looks cool as hell. I also have found some 07's for around $6500 with low miles. All in all I think they are all great bikes from say 05ish on up. Good luck and keep us up to date. I'm off to look at a Repsol tomorrow.

 

I am thinking about a R1 as well as the CBR, both 08's. I had a 08ZX-10R and would buy another if I could find one. Nothing beats the top end power if your into that sort of thing.

R1 is more mild in the power delivery

Actually the 08 R1 pulls harder than an 08 ZX10r. R1's are deceptive due to the way they make their power. R1's has a smoother more linear power delivery. ZX10r can't keep up in straights or the corners with the R1 in the following video.

 

I went from a 05 fully loaded zx10 to 07 r1. R1 is more mild in the power delivery. Given that the r1 is larger in dimensions your first impression when switching is like you are riding a touring bike. I do a lot of 200 miles trips with my wife (2 up) and the r1 is more comfortable.

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Hmm my comments about my 09 R1 are that you sit more on top than in the bike, vs. the gsx-r way of sitting in it. I find the r1 comfy but when gsxr riders get on my bike for a ride they usually comment on that.

Maybe different with 08 r1. The 07 cbr I owned was similar feel of sitting on it.

 

Same here, I feel like I sit "on top" of my R1 versus riding my buddies 1198 where I feel like I sit "in" it. I don't necessarily think it's a bad thing, just different.

OP try to hit up some demo days and get some seat time in multiple bikes. I know they have been popping up lately in my area, went to a Yami one the other day. Bottom line is you really can't go wrong with any of these modem bikes. Different people will like/dislike different things about all of them.

 

Well I'll give you corners but top end it is not going to happen. Maybe that video yes, but never the less who really needs to be doing 190mph.

I'm sorry if I come off condescending; but just because your speedometer said 190...doesn't mean you were truly going 190. We definitely do agree that the R1 looks better. I think the 08-10 ZX10 is the best looking ZX10r though.

 

Yes I know this just using a metaphor. They are the best looking of the 10's and that's not saying much,lol

 

Bottom line is you really can't go wrong with any of these modem bikes. Different people will like/dislike different things about all of them.

Very true.

 

It's cool man, just didn't want to confuse the OP

 

No...I totally agree.