I was on my 09 last weekend sitting next to a 08. I have to admit, the 08 looked sexy. I think it has a little more curves/appeal than the 09. But, I love my 09 and the x-plane! It did take a while getting used to the throaty response of the 09. It sounded like a boat! But get her up there in the RPMS and she sounds mean!

 

That's a tough call. I really like both, but as a V-Twin rider, I think the sound alone would swing me in favor of the later bike. Like you said though, I am sure you would be chuffed with both.

 

The 07-08 has a few issues, but it's a good bike.

The 09 R1 is the best bike I've ever ridden - for me - and I'm including in that the S1000RR, RC8R, Blade et. al.

What I mean by "for me" is, when I decided to get a new race bike, I tried A LOT of bikes out. The one bike that I felt, straight off the bat, was perfect for me was the 09 R1. It's a feeling I've never felt before on a bike (been riding for quite a few years and have owned quite a few bikes). The chassis, the engine, the sound, everything. However, there's nothing that says you won't get the same feeling on an 08. So, my advice to you, is to try them both out. The 09 isn't for everyone. If it's for you, you'll notice it right away and never regret buying it.

 

If you want a more nimble feeling bike with more punch up top I have to say the 08. Grunty torque and wicked exhaust note 09.

 

I don't care about punch up top as I can't ride at over 100 mph everywhere. I loved my 2002 as it has tons of low end power as I have ridden many liter bikes are really loved that about the 2002 I had.

Well the 2009 model I thought I could get is not going to be $8K as it is $9K firm. I will probably go with the 2008 as he will sell for $6500 but might change his mind. Will know for sure by Monday. I figure better to spend less money and given the bike has really low miles and such I can always sell it and not lose money if for some reason I don't love it.

Honestly I will be happy with either coming off my 2009 zx6r. Thanks for the input.

 

Well Id say the 08 feels more like the 02 in the corners but the 09 has a 'similiar' low end. For the price the 08 IMO either way enjoy the new whip:yesnod

 

why not hit up a dealership? some of them are selling leftover 09 and 10's for under $10K with 0 miles on them

 

I was in the same boat as you a month back. But after checking out both bikes in person, I fell in love with the 09+.

 

09 R1..... it says it all on its own.

 

08 is better looking & faster, 09 slow & to wide...

 

Better looking? Debatable. I have an '05 which is very similar to the '08 in appearance and I've grown to like my '10 better. Faster? In a straight, yes. I'd be curious to see the lap times of a capable rider on both generations on a racetrack. I like the low and mid of my '10 better than my '05 and I'm really not so concerned with the top-end as I'm not a squid or drag-strip racerrr. :flex:

 

I would say just get the one you like most. It all comes down to personal preference anyway!

 

You won't be disappointed with either. I've got an 09 and the characteristics of the bike is different, but awesome once you get used to it. It's got that bottom end and pulls to the top (with reflash) like a freight train; something I wish my 06 had. I haven't pushed my 09 like my 06 yet so I can't talk about the handling, but the weight can be felt. Sounds like a good deal on the 08, use the money saved for mods.

 

I would be one that would typically bash the looks of the 09+ ... to be honest, im kind of starting to like the look with the right modifications. Been watching slot of the rnickymouse mulholland riders "videos" in YouTube. There are a couple of 09+ bikes black\black with side mount exhaust. AwSome exhaust note, bad ass look IMO

 

I had an 08.. Now i have a 09.. At first i hated the 09 compared to my 08.. After reflash and some other small mods this thing pulls way harder now. 09 has better handling IMO too. But off the jump 08 was faster. Ride them both and one of them will be calling your name.

 

I think the 09+ are like the RC-51's Stock: lardy and handle bloated. But like the SP-2/RC massaged and tuned they are wicked. Goes for any bike but a little attention they are mean. Look at Burn-Z or SSPilot's bike to do the math:fact

 

maybe this will help convince you to get the 07-08 model :sneaky

 

Had both, much prefer the 09. And unless you are a national level racer both are faster than you'll need on track

 

04-06 :fact

 

I like the 'look' of the 07/8 but i like the sound and dash of the 09 better....

You won't be disappointed in either bike, both are a much more advanced machine than your 02. If it matters, the 09 will feel like a much different riding experience to your 02 so if that's what you'd like, the whole 'new and different' experience then go for the 09. The 08 will feel more familiar...therefor not as exciting i guess.

 

After that video, I fell in love with that cross plane sound. :fact

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ww40TiNInZc&feature=related

After that video, I fell in love with that cross plane sound. :fact

I hear ya, I've probably watched that vid 20 times, love the sound of the black 09 with the short side exhaust.:jump

 

I think one of the characteristics of the 09 that make people not like it is, it's quite different from a regular IL4. For someone like me, who comes from the two last bikes being twins, it's just like the perfect blend.

For all the talk of them being slow etc, I clocked three seconds faster lap times on my 09 than I did on an 07 R1.. ..the first time I took the 09 around a track.

 

I'm more interested in usable speed in the twisties or on the track (low/mid) like JP than I am on a dragstrip or the highway (top end)...the crossplane generation does it for me. :boobies

You may as well include the 04-06 on your target list if you like the appearance of the 07-08 because there are only slight differences between those two generations.

I think one of the characteristics of the 09 that make people not like it is, it's quite different from a regular IL4. For someone like me, who comes from the two last bikes being twins, it's just like the perfect blend.

For all the talk of them being slow etc, I clocked three seconds faster lap times on my 09 than I did on an 07 R1.. ..the first time I took the 09 around a track.

 

Crossplanes sound so nice, it kind of makes up for anything the 09 is lacking.

 

Ok love the look of my 08, but that xplane sound is awesome. $6500 seems like a decent price, low miles as long as it has a clean title. Either bike should satisfy your performance needs. Good luck with your final choice.

 

I've been a honda fan for a long time until I bought my 08 R1. I don't buy anything that I have to grow to like.

 

Man get what ever you want to get. It doesn't get much better than the 2009 R1 though.