Keep your 10. they are both great bikes. unless you crave for the looks then R1 is your choice. But then again R1 got the no 1 spot for the best litre bike.

 

How do you plan on riding it? Track? Street?

:beer

 

I like the ZX-10 it's a little more raw than the R1. It's very tiny in comparison also. Motor has some low end grunt and the bike is just as fast. It's really a matter of choice preference. The R1 on the other hand is a little bigger,different power band but a little more refined. Both great bikes. Each liter bike has it's own appeals to it. The Honda is rock solid in turn. It just rails, but it's a little more heavy and almost to refined.

 

How do you plan on riding it? Track? Street?

:beer

Mainly a little street, with a track day thrown in here and there...

 

The tach on the 10R sucks and there is a good bit of vibration in the grips. And no wind protection. Will wheelie like a champ. Gauges really suck. And the shift light is one little LED bulb. I was getting on it and waiting for the shift light to come. I saw a little light but thought it was the gas light. It was the shift light.
Motor is a beast and the handling capabillities of the 10 are great. Besides black, it looks like crap.

 

the 05 R1 ( not sayin because I ordered one) but i really mean its an overall better
better bike i rode my buddies 10r and i couldn't wait to get off the damn thing my R1 just felt better so im assuming the 05 will feel and handle as the 04 does DREAMY :makeout

I GIVE KAWASAKI A SALUTE :finger

 

Haven't ridden the 10R, but I'd recommend at least sitting on an R1 (if you can't weasel a ride). I sat on a ZX-10, and for me it felt a little too small and cramped. I also thought the R1 was a little better looking and more polished and refined, but that's me. But if you're thinking of jumping, maybe hold out until you see an 05 Gixxer. I've seen the pics too, and thought "What the hell?" But then again, sometimes, seeing one in person makes all the difference (ie. Ducati 999). Also, with an exhaust that thing might look loads better. Besides, it'll probably make sh!tloads of power, too...

Of course, I prefer the R1, and I really couldn't care less if the new Zook'll make 5 more horses, or if the ZX-10 does better wheelies. Ultimately, the one that moves your soul is the one to buy. Good luck!

 

Yes, your right the tach does suck and vibration on the throttle is terrible, my throttle hand always goes to sleep while riding long distances. How are the mirrors on the R1, they really don't work worth a damn.

 

I rode the ZX10
It rides good. You need to add a steering damper to handle the power. Aslo add the DB windscreen and all is good
I find the bike smooth and moves like my R1.
THe ZX10 feels good riding wise-there is no fairings against ur legs like the R1. It does feel narrower as well.

I owned all KAwis before-Rock Solid bikes

You should at least sit on both and see what u like. Have them put the rear stand on and sit on it.

If you can ride them--go for it and try it yourself.

 

i love my 10 cuz i am a kawi guy and i am a smaller guy so i like how narrow it is.I really like my gauges they are perfect for me anything else now seems to bulky and busy.Plus i like the 10r's looks better but that is my two cents

 

hm

I've ridden both and I like the R1 better. The 10 is beautiful, but the 1 is more of a girl getter for sure.

As far as riding I thought the 10 felt more grunty/torquey but felt a little flighty in the corners. I could see myself highsiding to the moon on it out of a corner. I just felt the R1's power was more usable, and the 10 felt like it was just waiting to bite my ass if I wasn't 1000% in it all the time.

 

I've ridden both and I like the R1 better. The 10 is beautiful, but the 1 is more of a girl getter for sure.

As far as riding I thought the 10 felt more grunty/torquey but felt a little flighty in the corners. I could see myself highsiding to the moon on it out of a corner. I just felt the R1's power was more usable, and the 10 felt like it was just waiting to bite my ass if I wasn't 1000% in it all the time.[/qu

Agree 100 %, Thats why i switched from my 05 10R to my 50th R1,I really didnt like the way the 10R handled around the twisties.Great power bike but I am glad I switched to the more stable R1,I have never been more happier and for over 20 yrs i have ridden a lot of bikes go Yami.

:fork

 

Thats right!!

BD

 

Thats right!!

BD

Love them smilies!

 

Thats right!!

BD

:iamwithst

 

I rode the 10R for an extended period of time yesterday and it was pretty cool. I only a rode an '04 R1 for a quick rip up to redline down the road and back once.

I was surprised at how little the '04 R1 has down low. Part of this is probably due to the new bikes being geared so high, but still, it's really peaky with little grunt below, say, 7-8K. It was comfortable and felt light and agile, but needed a much taller windscreen. Felt more like I was sitting up on top of the bike rather than "in" the bike like I do on my '00.

The "up on top" feeling was slightly less pronounced on the 10R but still there. Felt even lighter than the '04 r1. I took several decent laps around our local riding spot, not as fast as I ride my bike, but fast enough. Good brakes. Power was interesting. Still not nearly the torque down low that I expected having come from my '00. FI is smooth enough that if you're judicious with the throttle you can be pretty smooth. Feels like my old '00 would walk all over either of these two in a roll-on, up to a certain distance, of course. The 10R was fast, felt about as fast as the '04 R1. You need to get the revs up there though. I was surprised that I didn't get the front wheel off the ground in 2nd or 3rd gear on the 10R (power alone), and believe me I was trying. Didn't feel like it had the 30HP over my bike that it's supposed to. Once up into the revs however it would really go. Felt almost like it had a low boost turbo. 10R makes a very unique sound. Almost sounds like it's being driven by an electric motor or something. Sounds crazy but really good. Noticed that the AMA superstock 10Rs sound the same way only louder. Really cool.

So...what would you buy if you had a spare 12.5 K sitting around?

??

Cool comparison by the way...

 

Ok no BS here! I own a zx10r and have ridden a 04 R1. I also owned a 02gsxr 750, 00TLR, and a 02R1. Five months ago I took a short ride on a 04R1 before I owned my zx10. At the time I owned a 02R1. I was REAL happy to get back on my 02R1 The 04 R1 just didnt seem right to me. It has a lag down low that got on my last nerve! Thats when I knew that my next bike would be the zx10. Well I sold the 02R1 and went out and bought a zx10. Guess what, it has the same lag! Im REALLY not happy with the lag on these new bikes. If I had it to do all over again I would keep my 02R1. I loved that bike but the grass is always greener on the other side, or not. I think it just depends on what you want it for. I think the new 1000's would be great for the track but for the street the old years are better. I miss hitting the gas and getting a response right away! Now I hit the gas and hold on for dear life cause I know whats about to happen. Its kind of like turbo lag. Do yourself a favor and buy a 02-03 R1 for about 6k. Newer isnt always better!:corn

 

I rode the 10R for an extended period of time yesterday and it was pretty cool. I only a rode an '04 R1 for a quick rip up to redline down the road and back once.

I was surprised at how little the '04 R1 has down low. Part of this is probably due to the new bikes being geared so high, but still, it's really peaky with little grunt below, say, 7-8K. It was comfortable and felt light and agile, but needed a much taller windscreen. Felt more like I was sitting up on top of the bike rather than "in" the bike like I do on my '00.

The "up on top" feeling was slightly less pronounced on the 10R but still there. Felt even lighter than the '04 r1. I took several decent laps around our local riding spot, not as fast as I ride my bike, but fast enough. Good brakes. Power was interesting. Still not nearly the torque down low that I expected having come from my '00. FI is smooth enough that if you're judicious with the throttle you can be pretty smooth. Feels like my old '00 would walk all over either of these two in a roll-on, up to a certain distance, of course. The 10R was fast, felt about as fast as the '04 R1. You need to get the revs up there though. I was surprised that I didn't get the front wheel off the ground in 2nd or 3rd gear on the 10R (power alone), and believe me I was trying. Didn't feel like it had the 30HP over my bike that it's supposed to. Once up into the revs however it would really go. Felt almost like it had a low boost turbo. 10R makes a very unique sound. Almost sounds like it's being driven by an electric motor or something. Sounds crazy but really good. Noticed that the AMA superstock 10Rs sound the same way only louder. Really cool.

How in the hell did you not get the front wheel off the ground in 2nd or 3rd? Im 230lbs and the wheel wont stay on the ground!

 

How is it that you guys feel that the 10R is smaller than the R1?
I sat on both at the bike show yesterday and on the 10R I can't plant both feet down to save my life, where as on the R1 both my feet are flattly planted. Could it be the size of my thighs? I'm 5'7" - 5'8" by the way.

 

aaahhh....I see. then my 2002 gsxr must feel HUGE compared to both bikes then.

 

Just get a K4 750.

 

Although I have not ridden the 10, I've heard you have to make some mods for the bike to behave. Definitely a damper, as mentioned here, but I've also heard the rear shock is a pile of dung. Maybe BD or somebody can confirm this. As far as track use is concerned, I think all you have to do is look at the Superstock results. Not saying those bikes are stock, by any means, but I think if you keep both bikes stock with no mods whatsoever, the R1 will still perform better on the track.

My R1 cent.

:beer

 

tiller2nv

The 10r has no lag what so ever!!! the power delivery is so linear from the bottom to the top that it has no 'hit' so to speak like the 02,3 R1 has, or perhaps the gsxr1k , the 10r and 04 R1 are both geared to top out @ 104 in 1st gear where as the 02,3 R1 probably about 90 so major difference between the bikes.

blue99

Yes for the largest % of riders i suspect a damper would be in order for the 10 just like the other 3 04 liter bikes so its a moot point. The rear shock is fully adjustable but overly sprung and dampened internally, hence OK for stunta's or strainght liners. the brakes are OK but can be improved to suit. As delivered its shortish wheelbase is part of the nervousness some owners have experienced but that to can be addressed with a combination of a diff final drive setup and longer chain which makes a noticable difference in the bikes attitude.

BD

 

Didn't feel like it had the 30HP over my bike that it's supposed to.

I had my '03 R1 with just an Akro slipon on a dyno the same day the local shop did a shootout with privately owned '04s that all had 500-1000 miles on them. All completely stock. My '03 made 133hp while the '04s made from 141(Honda) to 148(Zx10r). So I don't believe the 30hp stuff at all. I do believe they are slightly more capable than my '03 even without the hp, but not enough that I feel my '03 is outdated.

 

Big Daddy, So your saying there is no lag? WOT the bike and see what happens, Im not making this up Ive owned many bikes. Ive tried gearing also. Im one down in the front and one up in the rear. So I would think that would make it about even with the 02R1 as far and the 90mph goes. Dont forget I own this bike so Im not trying to bad mouth it. Im just saying the facts.

 

i rode my buddy's ZX10R before,
i can't tell the diff. b/t my R1 as far as the power, my buddy actually like my R1 better because of the smooth acceleration