I posted this on a Honda Forum and I have got some good insight from them but I'm hoping to hear it too.
It may sound like I'm being a bit biased but a lot of that is the testing that was done was unfair to both bikes.
Hoping you guys can help me decide even with my little knowledge on the matter.
I've had the chance to ride both of these bikes and quite honestly I love the both although they are quite different.
I was originally looking for a bike that had the most pull down low from the stop along with the smallest and lightest. I have a FZ1 right now so I want something more flickable.
I got to put more time on the 09 R1 but it was in standard mode when I rode it and I'm not sure how much that will change my opinion.
This is what I noticed:
Clutch feels smoother on the CBR and the R1 is only slightly smoother then my FZ1.
Brakes appear better on the CBR and the bike has better engine braking compared to the R1. You almost have a oh crap feeling when your coming down a hill fast and get a red light. I'm sure this could be overcome a bit after getting used to the gearing and the bike.
CBR just launches off the line, which I loved. The R1 boggs and shakes at first but almost goes away right away and it launches after that. I actually felt like my FZ1 was faster off the line but the R1 just leaves it after about 10 to 15mph.
I didn't get much time in the turns compared to the R1 but both feel very solid. The CBR feels like it wants to lean more while remaining stable. I'd just imagine how a 190/55 rear would turn in as that is what comes stock on the new R1. The throttle response is smoother on the R1 and while it is very fast the CBR feels faster, which I think has a lot to do with the cross plane engine. When the R1 puts the power down it is amazingly smooth, where as the CBR feels like you?re pulling some G's. Now my buddy who owns the R1 told me that in A mode it has some amazing seat of your pants pull, which is where I would leave it.
The R1 also felt like it rides slightly better in the bumps but I wonder if tires could help a bit. I don?t know if I?m crazy here or not but I recently switched my FZ1 tires from Pilot Roads 190/50 to PP2ct?s 190/55?s and it seems to ride so much smoother not to mention gripping better in the turns. Anyone else notice this after switching to this size? These were the first dual compound I?ve ran on a bike so I?m not sure if it was the size or just the compound or both that seem to be helping to smooth out the bumps.
I modded the crap out of my FZ1 and now I just want a good supersport that I don't have to do much too. Both require an FE but the R1 is in need of a new slip on (fat a** that it has is hideous), and front flush mounts which still don't look as good as the CBR's integrated. I like the gauges that the R1 has like shift light and gear indicator but honestly they are just fluff and I don't use them. I do wish Honda would use an oil indicator window instead of the dip stick but that's just because I'm lazy.
Both were comfortable but the R1 made my wrist hurt a little I think this would be overcome after messing with body position a bit.
The recent MCN review stating the R1 would take more time to learn then the CBR seemed odd to me. Although the R1 had several differences then my FZ1 it felt like it had some similarities as well. The CBR seems to have better city riding characteristics then both which I liked but it just seemed different. I never got to put either in the twisties but I think both would be great but I feel the R1 would take more time getting used to coming down hill due to the engine braking being so different then either my FZ or the CBR. I can say that the way the R1 delivers its power that it would almost definitely be faster coming out of the turns. The R1 is also quite a bit heavier but the weight goes away in motion but still doesn't feel as light as the CBR.
I should mention I am in no way a professional rider and the above is just my opinion put in to the best form I could explain how I felt.
I personally like the Honda dealership way more than the Yamaha dealership and the shop appears better.
The Honda dealer has several 08's in stock but none in black which is what I prefer. The yellow is growing on me. Honestly I can't tell if the oil burning issue is as huge as a problem or if my chances of not having issues are good. If I get the one local it's last numbers in the VIN are in the 6000's and it has a manufacturer date of 02/08. Not sure but I've read a few threads where it was mentioned that it was more prevalent in earlier models and I'm wondering if I'm looking good with this one.
Also if I buy the local Yamaha dealer won't deal at all so it will be msrp plus everything and I would have to wait for a Raven if and when they ever get another. My buddy just bought one from them and it was over 14 grand. I don't care for the other colors.
The Honda dealer has the 08's at $11,500 OTD and they said they will work with me a bit but I'm hoping to get them lower. Not sure how likely that is.
The R1 is new and untested and I would rather have a local dealer to go through if I have issues but like I said I don't care much for their service shop.
I like the Honda dealer but then there is the oil issue that has come up. I think this dealer would do everything they could to make it right. There also a Honda Powerhouse, which I'm not sure if that, matters much.
The closest place I could go for better prices is about two hours and not passable during quite a bit of the year due to weather. They have both 08 CBR's and 09 R1's. The R1 would be $12,400 OTD and the 08 CBR would be $10,600 OTD. They will not come down anymore than that on either
I?m not sure if this is even going to happen this year or if I will have to put it off a bit but I would really appreciate some opinions, so I?m ready to buy if and when it does.
It may sound like I'm being a bit biased but a lot of that is the testing that was done was unfair to both bikes.
Hoping you guys can help me decide even with my little knowledge on the matter.
I've had the chance to ride both of these bikes and quite honestly I love the both although they are quite different.
I was originally looking for a bike that had the most pull down low from the stop along with the smallest and lightest. I have a FZ1 right now so I want something more flickable.
I got to put more time on the 09 R1 but it was in standard mode when I rode it and I'm not sure how much that will change my opinion.
This is what I noticed:
Clutch feels smoother on the CBR and the R1 is only slightly smoother then my FZ1.
Brakes appear better on the CBR and the bike has better engine braking compared to the R1. You almost have a oh crap feeling when your coming down a hill fast and get a red light. I'm sure this could be overcome a bit after getting used to the gearing and the bike.
CBR just launches off the line, which I loved. The R1 boggs and shakes at first but almost goes away right away and it launches after that. I actually felt like my FZ1 was faster off the line but the R1 just leaves it after about 10 to 15mph.
I didn't get much time in the turns compared to the R1 but both feel very solid. The CBR feels like it wants to lean more while remaining stable. I'd just imagine how a 190/55 rear would turn in as that is what comes stock on the new R1. The throttle response is smoother on the R1 and while it is very fast the CBR feels faster, which I think has a lot to do with the cross plane engine. When the R1 puts the power down it is amazingly smooth, where as the CBR feels like you?re pulling some G's. Now my buddy who owns the R1 told me that in A mode it has some amazing seat of your pants pull, which is where I would leave it.
The R1 also felt like it rides slightly better in the bumps but I wonder if tires could help a bit. I don?t know if I?m crazy here or not but I recently switched my FZ1 tires from Pilot Roads 190/50 to PP2ct?s 190/55?s and it seems to ride so much smoother not to mention gripping better in the turns. Anyone else notice this after switching to this size? These were the first dual compound I?ve ran on a bike so I?m not sure if it was the size or just the compound or both that seem to be helping to smooth out the bumps.
I modded the crap out of my FZ1 and now I just want a good supersport that I don't have to do much too. Both require an FE but the R1 is in need of a new slip on (fat a** that it has is hideous), and front flush mounts which still don't look as good as the CBR's integrated. I like the gauges that the R1 has like shift light and gear indicator but honestly they are just fluff and I don't use them. I do wish Honda would use an oil indicator window instead of the dip stick but that's just because I'm lazy.
Both were comfortable but the R1 made my wrist hurt a little I think this would be overcome after messing with body position a bit.
The recent MCN review stating the R1 would take more time to learn then the CBR seemed odd to me. Although the R1 had several differences then my FZ1 it felt like it had some similarities as well. The CBR seems to have better city riding characteristics then both which I liked but it just seemed different. I never got to put either in the twisties but I think both would be great but I feel the R1 would take more time getting used to coming down hill due to the engine braking being so different then either my FZ or the CBR. I can say that the way the R1 delivers its power that it would almost definitely be faster coming out of the turns. The R1 is also quite a bit heavier but the weight goes away in motion but still doesn't feel as light as the CBR.
I should mention I am in no way a professional rider and the above is just my opinion put in to the best form I could explain how I felt.
I personally like the Honda dealership way more than the Yamaha dealership and the shop appears better.
The Honda dealer has several 08's in stock but none in black which is what I prefer. The yellow is growing on me. Honestly I can't tell if the oil burning issue is as huge as a problem or if my chances of not having issues are good. If I get the one local it's last numbers in the VIN are in the 6000's and it has a manufacturer date of 02/08. Not sure but I've read a few threads where it was mentioned that it was more prevalent in earlier models and I'm wondering if I'm looking good with this one.
Also if I buy the local Yamaha dealer won't deal at all so it will be msrp plus everything and I would have to wait for a Raven if and when they ever get another. My buddy just bought one from them and it was over 14 grand. I don't care for the other colors.
The Honda dealer has the 08's at $11,500 OTD and they said they will work with me a bit but I'm hoping to get them lower. Not sure how likely that is.
The R1 is new and untested and I would rather have a local dealer to go through if I have issues but like I said I don't care much for their service shop.
I like the Honda dealer but then there is the oil issue that has come up. I think this dealer would do everything they could to make it right. There also a Honda Powerhouse, which I'm not sure if that, matters much.
The closest place I could go for better prices is about two hours and not passable during quite a bit of the year due to weather. They have both 08 CBR's and 09 R1's. The R1 would be $12,400 OTD and the 08 CBR would be $10,600 OTD. They will not come down anymore than that on either
I?m not sure if this is even going to happen this year or if I will have to put it off a bit but I would really appreciate some opinions, so I?m ready to buy if and when it does.
The CBR is cheaper though (if you're strapped for cash in this horrible economy atm).
