pchbreeze
Custom Abuser
Someone asked me to do a write up about my R1, after my FZ6 (and first bike of a Ninja 500). Here goes my attempt.
Summary:
bigger isn't better. Many long timers go from liter bikes to 600's for the track or canyons. liters are overkill and they're right.
It's a true super-sport, meant for canyons, tracks, twisties. it's a horrible commuter, seating and suspension. i think the longer i own this bike, the more likely i'll wind up getting a 60mpg sportster once i sell this :Sport: or at least, its Japanese equivalent...who knows.
I don't know...its pretty intimidating, feeling the bike pull so hard. I weigh well over 200lb now, i'm pretty strong but man, this bike is no joke. One last thing...the technology in it- amazing. go check it out at the yamaha website. i never understood why the price of an r1 adn r6 (and other makes/equivalents) were so close in price. now i get it...very similar bikes.
i dont think i'll ever own a zx14 but i might get a sv650 or sportster or something in the future. dont think i'll be able to break my wallet for a triple or 848 either, but that kinda gives you an idea of my interests. i got this bike for a killer price but once i fix one last piece of plastic on it, i'm probably going to sell it and get something more appropriate for my long trip loving, commuting, and occassional twists riding self.
- Torque: got it? Super-awesome torque. You can do whatever you want in first gear...second gear...third gear...
- seating position: it SUCKS! it's not so bad in the twists/canyons or even in stop and go traffic (for acceleration, leaning forward is natural to me) but while commuting to work? Horrible. A friend on another forum, over two decades or riding, including racing (still does tracks) said the same while I was asking for advice on this topic...its not a commuter at all
- cool. it has a high cool factor.
- gas mileage sucks. small tank sucks. 91 octane doesn't help.
- no center stand. you never really appreciate doing your own work, quiet time, maintenance and inspections, like on the FZ. I have to buy some 'stands' for it.
- Power. I have played with it for a while, practiced hard launches, wheelies, tried endos, loved it in the twists but I have yet to go WOT! once you get the throttle to a certain point, it pulls so hard it really feels like the bike is going to keep going and leave you behind, like some youtube video clip
- twists...awesome. great for twists. suspension is meant for twists. horrible for commuting though.
Summary:
bigger isn't better. Many long timers go from liter bikes to 600's for the track or canyons. liters are overkill and they're right.
It's a true super-sport, meant for canyons, tracks, twisties. it's a horrible commuter, seating and suspension. i think the longer i own this bike, the more likely i'll wind up getting a 60mpg sportster once i sell this :Sport: or at least, its Japanese equivalent...who knows.
I don't know...its pretty intimidating, feeling the bike pull so hard. I weigh well over 200lb now, i'm pretty strong but man, this bike is no joke. One last thing...the technology in it- amazing. go check it out at the yamaha website. i never understood why the price of an r1 adn r6 (and other makes/equivalents) were so close in price. now i get it...very similar bikes.
i dont think i'll ever own a zx14 but i might get a sv650 or sportster or something in the future. dont think i'll be able to break my wallet for a triple or 848 either, but that kinda gives you an idea of my interests. i got this bike for a killer price but once i fix one last piece of plastic on it, i'm probably going to sell it and get something more appropriate for my long trip loving, commuting, and occassional twists riding self.