[thesoapster]

Currently own the 09, only 1000 I have owned. My GSX-R750 was my last, CBR600RR was my first, but I'll only compare the GSX-R as my CBR was not all that fantastic.

The R1's power everywhere is much better, its ergos are not nearly as cramped feeling. I've ridden coworkers' bikes (05 R6 and 09 GSX-R600). They do have a lighter feel to them and feel smaller, but they don't really feel like they turn much better (and the R6 has 2CTs on it). Their power was much weaker, but I guess the smaller bike feeling and the fact that they're nice and light.

 

[raylee]

'01 Here

Likes: Power seems like it's everywhere. Carberetted bikes have 'character'. The suspension/frame geometry makes the front of the bike constantly feel like it wants to lift up/throw me off.

Dislikes: The aged suspension is really showing its age. The gearbox is a bit clunkier than newer bikes I've ridden. Carberetted bikes have 'character'. The suspension/frame geometry makes the front of the bike constantly feel like it wants to lift up/throw me off.

 

[CARBONAR1]

Likes: everything...fast as...light as...handles brilliantly...looks gorgeous. I'm keeping it forever.

Dislikes: painful to ride slow, sucks in money like a black hole!:hammer:

 

[killa kali]

Likes: build quality, sound D), amazing low end power, handling, looks, gear indicator (love that!), brakes

Dislikes: at 6'8" i feel a little cramped, possible mechanical issues (CCT), EPA restrictions, heat

 

[Meister37]

08 R1
Likes:
Looks awesome
Ergo's are great for spirited riding
Easy to go fast on
Light and nimble
Awesome brakes

Dislikes:
Heat
Valve noise
Soft metal fasteners

 

[streetfighter2]

Like : Look, top-end power, Low maintenance (22,000 miles still going strong, not yet valve adjustment)

Dis-like: Low end torque sucks, and heat under the seat...but I have discovered a secret lately, which "may" have solve this problem: Do not run your R1 over 5K RPM unless you're on the top gear!! your R1 is geared so that you can run very fast at very low RPM, at higher gears and not lugging the engine.

This is sound kinda insane...but, I ride around town on 5th or 6th gear (between 2K and 4K RPM) going pretty fast and the engine remain relatively cool...

I may be completely wrong...But give it a try and let me know if what I've discovered was true.

 

[R1Rider31]

I've never actually owned any other bikes but have ridden and worked on a few different ones.

Likes- The fit and finish of the R1, and Yamaha in general is bar none, the best hands down. The top end power is a mad rush and the bike almost jumps out from under me. Extremely easy to work on except for smog block-offs and spark plugs. Handles like a dream. Sexier than anything on the market still today. The headlights are bad ass. A top-notch all around package and very efficient at getting the job done whatever it may be.

Dislikes- The low end power when taking off. The -1+2 will remedy this but then again when are these bikes meant to be taking off that much? The heat is pretty intense but not unbearable. The basic, straight-forward design of the gauge cluster, could be a bit more flashy and representative of Yamaha and the R1. Could also include a gear indicator for those that would use one. Didn't come factory with adjustable rearsets like some other makes/models do.

Overall, it may look like my dislikes out-weigh my likes but all of the dislikes can and have been looked over. It's just little nit-picky stuff that can be taken care of with a little mod money. Yamaha makes a bad ass bike even though it may run a little hot, be a little heavy, or be down on power a bit. I would choose nothing else if I had the chance to do it over again.

 

[george536]

Owned quite a few r1's

Likes:
build quality
looks (when i had my 01 i was surprised how much better it looked than similar year 1k's)
handling
01 had great power everywhere
09 killer low end, sounds awesome, gear indicator
04-05 awesome top end

dislikes:
heat on the undertail r1s
01 felt "clunky" compared to newer bikes
04-05 low end take offs sucked
09 little more noticeable heat, exhaust cans

dislikes can be taken cared of with some mod money, so in turn youll get your perfect machine with any r1.

 

[Russian_916]

2007 R1
Likes: Fantastic looks, comfortable, powerful, agile.
Dislikes: Low end sucks.

 

[KingOfdaJungLe]

like everything but the weight. goes fast, turns faster sounds good doing it

dislike that the cmc rotors are not available, and bst's dont come in white. wish it came with a factory sponsorship!

 

[Fearless1]

Likes: Instant acceleration, feel for traction, so smooth engine, evil looks.

Dislikes: Weight, Heat, Ducati like seating position.

 

[BrnEyzR1]

Sooooo true.:hammer:

^5


That's what I'm sayin'!!!! :hammer:

 

[matte220]

I've never actually owned any other bikes but have ridden and worked on a few different ones.

Likes- The fit and finish of the R1, and Yamaha in general is bar none, the best hands down. The top end power is a mad rush and the bike almost jumps out from under me. Extremely easy to work on except for smog block-offs and spark plugs. Handles like a dream. Sexier than anything on the market still today. The headlights are bad ass. A top-notch all around package and very efficient at getting the job done whatever it may be.

Dislikes- The low end power when taking off. The -1+2 will remedy this but then again when are these bikes meant to be taking off that much? The heat is pretty intense but not unbearable. The basic, straight-forward design of the gauge cluster, could be a bit more flashy and representative of Yamaha and the R1. Could also include a gear indicator for those that would use one. Didn't come factory with adjustable rearsets like some other makes/models do.

Overall, it may look like my dislikes out-weigh my likes but all of the dislikes can and have been looked over. It's just little nit-picky stuff that can be taken care of with a little mod money. Yamaha makes a bad ass bike even though it may run a little hot, be a little heavy, or be down on power a bit. I would choose nothing else if I had the chance to do it over again.

great analysis!!

 

[bmacknyc1k]

after being a long time multiple GSXR owner (1 600, 1 750, 2 1000s and no tanktop, flip flops, or shorts here :hammer I really appreciate the build quality, fit and finish, brake and suspension components on my 07 R1. It is so easy to ride fast on track compared with my previous literbikes gsxr 1000 01,06 and even on the street compared my old Honda 1000RR 05 and CBR 954RR.

The paint still looks like the day it came out of the showroom (11/07), it is easy to work on for maintenance.

I really have no dislikes with this one, I've had it for almost three years and not looking for a replacement anytime soon. i do like the 09, but still enjoying this one.

The stock brakes on the R1 were 10x better than my K6 even with Galfer pads, lines, and rotors, once I put just SS lines on the R1 it was even better

I really like the looks too, especially the underseat exhaust and sharp fairing design...

the only thing I wish it came with was a seat cowl like the GSXR, that's it....

the GSXR motor is very grunty, and the chassis, seating position, suspension are decent, but feel like crap compared to the Yamaha :fact

It just does everything well...

the only place I feel a lack of power is under 4k RPM on this bike stock, who the hell rides there anyway, get rid of the stock Y pipe for an aftermarket one and a fueling module with a good tune and the midrange wakes right up, top end is awesome

What good is the bike that has 8 or 10 more HP that you really don't notice when it handles like crap...

I'd rather be the guy a few HP down stock on the bike I can actually ride fast alot easier

 

[MARKMELLOW]

the only complaints I have about my 07 is the heat and seat could a little softer

 

[MARKMELLOW]

My last bike was a 2002 ZX9R and it was much more comfortable. but it was a lot bigger and heavier.

 

[Nordic Berserker]

Like: Looks, so far easy maintenance, good build quality, undertail exhaust

Dislikes: heat, when my friends ride my bike they always comment on how much air blows on your legs through the fairings plus the exhaust when sitting in traffic which is rare for me

 

[R1Rider31]

Dislikes: heat, when my friends ride my bike they always comment on how much air blows on your legs through the fairings plus the exhaust when sitting in traffic which is rare for me

You let your friends ride your bike? I'd be extremely careful with that one. I don't care if my friends were pro riders, anything can happen. And when something does happen friends aren't so much friends when money (repairs) is involved.

 

[static995]

Heat can be a issue for me in the humid days and in the rare traffic I get stuck in. For a litrebike, it is an aggressive ergo for me (must be from getting old :lol ) I have TechSpec snake skin tank grips and while these work to an extent I can't seem to stay off the tank. Very front end biased, definitely feels a trackbike for me like the 08 R6. My wife's 03 R6 feels like a cruiser compared to the 1 haha.

Aside from that, this is basically a sportbike I've always wanted someone to build. I love Vtwins ala RC but didn't like the weight and having to manhandle it to an extent.

Why are exhausts so damn expensive for the litre class? dang...