I'm interested in some real world comparisons between the 1000rr and yamaha's R1.

My girlfriend has had a CBR929 for a while now and I've spent enough time in its seat to figure out that I was never really a fan of anything except for its frankly excellent bulldog looks. I could never get into that bike and always prefered my older 600 F3.

Fast forward to two weeks ago, she traded her 929 and a quad in on a 2005 yamaha R1. First ride I was absolutely in love with that bike. Goes like crazy, usable gearing right down to first, and it just begs you to get on it and let loose in the twisties, and don't get me started on the straight line power. Granted the bars are so low I feel like I'm doing a push-up on them, and it vents enough engine heat onto you to give you an instant crotch sauna in the summer heat, but I have to admit I'd trade those discomforts for that performance in a heart beat.

Now I had always planned on trading the F3 in on a literbike once I had sold a few of my old toys and generated some cash but I had figured on getting a 1000rr. Now I'm starting to wonder if I shouldn't stray over to the tuning fork club.

Anyone have direct comparison experience between the 1000rr and the yamaha? The professional reviews love the 2007 and 2008 RR's and rank the yamaha lower but what about real world riders? Anyone here care to give a frank evaluation of both?

 

Love to see what comes out of this thread. Been wanting to move up to a litre bike next summer and I absolute LOVE the Yamaha's with the undertail exhaust (04, 05, 06, 07). I just think they look fantastic.....

 

its pretty much rider preference for the most part, ive ridden my friends 06 r1 and it was nice and smooth cornered pretty well but it had a higher rpm torque curve so had to wind her up to feel the real power, my 08 1000rr from a slow roll or stand still straight line i dusted him and in the corners he wasnt even near me but im more experienced in the corners so wasnt an even match plus i like that my bike has a thinner seat, i rode the 06 r6 and r1 and the seats unless your in tuck all the time dig into my inner thighs maybe just a personal problem between me and those bikes but anyways for a streetable ride i like the midrange power and feel of my cbr better, both bikes are great tho and unless your a professional rider they got more than you do so like i said rider preference ride what you like and comfortable with.

 

The 1000RR didn't wear the superbike smackdown crown in 08 and 09 by accident.

 

I've ridden quite a few R1's ranging from 03-07. I can say that they have smoother transmissions, are more comfortable, and are by far (in my opinion) way better looking. In fact, I almost bought one. In 05, I was looking for a replacement of my 04 1000RR. It was a toss up between another 1000RR and the R1. I took a friend of mine's 04 R1 for an entire day. After about an hour on it, I soon realized I could not ride it. For whatever reason, the 1000RR's just fall into corners and stay planted. The R1, had to be pulled into the corner. I had to use so much countersteer to get into the corner, plus keep it there. The 1000RR's just stay there. Every R'1 I've ever ridden is the same way.

So, my only complaint with the R1's is the way they handle. Other than that, they are awesome bikes. However, I'd stick with the 06 and older models. The fly by wire on the 07 up is really hard to adjust too. The hesitation you experience is very annoying.